1985: Ivan Drago v Rocky Balboa

With Christmas Day rapidly approaching, I tried desperately to recall a sporting memory from the festive period, and December 25 in particular. And then it dawned on me; the most famous occasion I could recall actually happened on Christmas Day itself. Admittedly it is a fictitious event, and extremely unrealistic, but this week I have decided to revisit the classic bout between Ivan Drago and Rocky Balboa from Rocky IV.

The report below has been written as if the event was real. It is a significant departure from my usual blogs, but I hope you enjoy reading this, as much as I did writing it.

1988 Australian Open Golf: Nigel Mansell

Heard the one about the British formula one driver who became pally with an Australian golfing legend and wangled his way into the Australian Open? No? Neither had I until recently. So imagine my surprise when I was researching another piece only to stumble across the story of the time in 1988 when Nigel Mansell found himself stood on the first tee at the Royal Sydney Club, playing in the Australian Open, with nerves aplenty, and doubting Thomases watching his every move.

1986/87 FA Cup: Second round

This piece follows on from my previous blog on the first round of the 1986/87 FA Cup, which you can view here.

"This is the stage of the competition you want to get through more than any other. We all know we're only 90 minutes away from utopia in the third round". So said Chorley manager Ken Wright prior to the 1986/87 FA Cup second round. For the players involved - including a fireman, storeman, British Rail engineer, and sales rep - they could almost smell Old Trafford, Anfield, or Highbury. Just like the semi-final, this would be an agonising round to lose in.