Into the 90s: Arsenal v Parma (1994)

Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen. As thousands upon thousands of Arsenal fans took planes, trains and automobiles (and possibly boats) to reach the Danish capital for the 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup final against Italian club Parma, could the club end their 24-year wait for a European trophy?

It was clear to see why Ladbrokes had Arsenal priced at 3/1 to win against their expensively assembled opponents. Already without the suspended Ian Wright, George Graham's preparations would be hit further when Martin Keown, John Jensen, and David Hillier were then ruled out through injury.

Into the 90s: Arsenal v PSG (1994)

The European Cup Winners' Cup may have become a victim of the Champions League expansion in the late 1990s, but there could be no questioning the quality of the tournament prior to this money motivated move.

Just look at the class of the clubs alongside Arsenal in the 1993/94 tournament: Real Madrid, Ajax, Parma, Torino, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and Paris Saint Germain highlighted just how difficult it would be for Arsenal to lift the trophy.

1987 FA Cup: Leeds

The 1980s had not been a kind decade for supporters of Leeds United. Relegated from the top flight in the 1981/82 season, the glory days of the recent past were fading. But come the 1986/87 campaign, there was a glimmer of light. 

Challenging for promotion via the new play-off system, there was also a welcome distraction with an FA Cup run that saw Billy Bremner's side march on to the semi-finals for the first time in ten years. Whereas club legends Allan Clarke and Eddie Gray had tried and failed before him, Bremner appeared to have found a recipe for success during a thrilling season.

1987 League Cup final: Arsenal v Liverpool

"He's the Bonnie Prince this afternoon". The words of the excellent Barry Davies at the conclusion of the 1987 League Cup final were typically well chosen. For on that glorious sunny Sunday April 5 at Wembley, Charlie Nicholas delivered on the biggest stage. Arsenal's eight year wait for a trophy was over.

In truth, Nicholas' time at Arsenal had not lived up to the excitement and hype that surrounded his move from Celtic in 1983. Occasionally there were glimpses of his magic - happily for Arsenal fans he often saved his best for Tottenham - but generally his performances were as inconsistent as the team during the Terry Neill and Don Howe reigns.

During George Graham's first season in charge, there were constant murmurings that Nicholas' days at the club were numbered. A player that hardly fitted into the Graham mould of energy and hard work, Nicholas would indeed depart for Aberdeen in January 1988. Yet before Nicholas left he would provide Arsenal fans with an ideal parting gift.

1981/82 FA Cup: Chelsea v Wrexham

It's all just a little bit of history repeating. As Chelsea travel to Wales to take on Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round it is interesting to revisit their last meeting in the competition. In 1982, Nottingham Forest and Hull City had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Wrexham and Chelsea respectively, as they have in 2026. But after a closer inspection, this coincidence is possibly where the similarities end.

Before their meeting in the 1982 FA Cup fourth round, the financial state of both clubs was as far removed from the current situation as possible. Both Division Two clubs were facing huge debts. With Chelsea reportedly £1.6 million in the red, the future of Stamford Bridge was in doubt as property developers hovered. Relegation-threatened Wrexham would spend the rest of the decade merely trying to survive.

1983/84: Manchester United v Ipswich

It sometimes feels as if we are only ever a minute away from a statistic appearing on our television screens during a live football match. You know the kind of thing. Most goals from a corner, every time Arsenal line up their next training ground routine. Possession in the last five minutes. Number of successful passes by a certain player on Tuesday nights since 2002.

But putting my cynicism aside for a brief moment, every now and then a fact appears that makes you sit up a take notice. A snippet of information that you had no idea about, something that you could possibly bore your friends with the next time you go to the pub. 

Watching Manchester United defeat Tottenham in the recent Premier League match at Old Trafford, TNT informed us that the last time United had led at half-time in a league match and went on to lose was back in May 1984. A distant time before football began - if you believe some - consisting of a staggering 329 games of half-time leads leading to 303 wins and 26 draws.

1986/87: Manchester United v Tottenham

Anyone associated with Manchester United must have been a little bit sick of Tottenham by the end of the 2024/25 season. Four times the clubs met, each time the north London club victorious, most memorably in the final of the Europa League. 

The final in Bilbao may have been rewarding to Tottenham supporters, their 16-year trophy drought finally ending. Yet to any neutrals who chose to watch that match, the entertainment was in short supply. Let us hope that the live Premier League match between the two clubs at Old Trafford this weekend is slightly more exciting.

A repeat of the corresponding league fixture 40 years ago would be more than acceptable. The live BBC match in December 1986 gave us goals, mistakes, moments of brilliance, comedy, bravery, and a welcome palate cleanser after the depressing EastEnders omnibus. As an armchair supporter, it was a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday.

1983: Brighton stun Liverpool

It was perceived by many as a bye. Another step for the red machine of Liverpool on their quest for an unprecedented quadruple. When the runaway Division One leaders drew rock bottom Brighton at Anfield in the last 16 of the 1983 FA Cup, the Seagulls road to Wembley was expected to hit a dead end.

Brighton's charismatic caretaker manager Jimmy Melia was trying his best to talk up his team's hopes. "There is no way this draw means the end of the line," the former Liverpool player protested. "We were the last side to win at Anfield, in March 1982." Yet not everyone shared his optimism.

1985: BBC Sports Review of the Year

This may be my last time, it may be my last time I don't know. Every year I ask myself the same question: should I bother watching the BBC Sports Personality of the Year programme again? Yet every year I give it one last go. But maybe 2025 is the time to say goodbye.

I have been moaning about the demise of a once great show for too long now. Back in 2013, this article had me harking back to the good old days, complaining about an evening that has lost its way. Little has changed in the intervening period to persuade me that the situation is about to change for the good.

1983/84: Wolves

You fear for Wolves. A shocking start to the 2025/26 campaign has seen the club fail to win a league match in 11 attempts, manager Vitor Pereira shown the door, and the prospects of survival looking slim even at this relatively early stage of the season. It turns out that selling your best players and failing to replace them adequately is not a recipe for success.

A season to be fearful undoubtedly. But surely whatever happens to Wolves during this campaign cannot plumb the depths that supporters had to endure during the 1983/84 season and beyond. A decade that started so positively descended into despair as the club dropped like a stone.

1983: A Christmas football feast

It is a Christmas tradition up there with eating too much turkey, watching James Bond films, and numerous family rows. Football on Boxing Day may not have always been popular with players in the past, yet for supporters it has often provided the ideal palate cleanser.

So when news broke recently of a distinct lack of top-flight matches on Boxing Day, a gnashing of teeth could be heard up and down the country. Another brick removed from the wall of football tradition, the influence of television and a swelling calendar impacting the beautiful game. Never mind that there is a full Football League and National League fixtures that day, apparently it is the top table people want to feast at.

It hasn't always been this way. In fact there was a time when just like mince pies and chocolates, we overindulged in football at Christmas. The 1983/84 season was a prime example of this. The vast majority of clubs would play on both Boxing Day and December 27, players expected to be disciplined enough to forgo that extra glass of sherry and then perform twice in the space of 24 hours.

Golden goals: Ian Stewart (1982)

There have been worse home international debuts. As Ian Stewart collected a layoff from Billy Hamilton, the 21-year-old Northern Ireland winger cut inside as West German defenders retreated. Stewart drew back his right foot.

Despite their World Cup heroics, not many could see Billy Bingham's Northern Ireland beating the mighty West Germany as the two nations met at Windsor Park for a Euro 84 qualifier in November 1982. Northern Ireland had only won one match in their last ten - admittedly that one in ten was the memorable victory over Spain in Valencia - yet Jupp Derwall's West Germany looked an intimidating prospect.

Into the 90s: Port Vale v Arsenal (1997/98)

As Arsenal prepare to take on Port Vale in the Carabao Cup third round, fans making their way up to Vale Park will be hoping history can repeat itself. Twenty-seven years ago Arsenal supporters - including this writer - made the same journey at the start of a cup run that would end in celebrations at Wembley. But FA Cup joy in the Wembley sunshine seemed a million miles away for Arsenal fans in January 1998.

Seven times Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to FA Cup glory. But his first was far from straightforward. In all, Arsenal played nine matches on their way to lifting the 1998 FA Cup, a run that involved three replays, two penalty shootouts, and narrow victories over second tier teams. The third round tie against Port Vale would be a microcosm of Arsenal's road to Wembley.

Into the 90s: Ryder Cup (1995)

Winning away in the Ryder Cup is "probably one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now", to quote Rory McIlroy. The American team have only won twice on their travels since the Europeans joined the event in 1979, their last away victory coming in 1993. Europe's last away win came in Medinah, and we all know it took a miracle for that to happen.

Europe have won four times in the US, starting with America's first home defeat in 60 years in 1987. As well as the Miracle of Medinah, there was also the almighty thrashing handed out to the Americans in 2004. But of all the triumphs in America, the 1995 win at Oak Hill Country Club remains a personal favourite.

Into the 90s: Liverpool v Arsenal (1990/91)

Bruce Grobbelaar had been here before. An Arsenal player bearing down on goal at the Anfield Road End of Liverpool's famous stadium in a crucial match in the title race, as millions watched on collectively holding their breath. Time seemed to stand still as keeper and attacker waited for the decisive moment.

Paul Merson's goal for Arsenal at Anfield in March 1991 was obviously not as dramatic as that Michael Thomas strike two seasons before. But there can be no doubting that it played a significant part in the destiny of the championship during the 1990/91 campaign. 

Golden goals: Neil Webb (1989)

It was quite the way to announce yourself. In front of the Stretford End, Manchester United supporters looked on as the ball hit the back of the net. The new boy beamed as he soaked up the adulation of the crowd. The future looked bright. 

Enough about Michael Knighton. For the potential new owner of the club was not the only man to make the headlines at Old Trafford on a sunny August day in 1989. The opening day of the season was memorable for anyone associated with the club, yet for one man making his debut it was the dream start.

1984: The bravery of Paul Terry

It was an image that would dominate the back pages. When Chris Woakes walked down the steps leading to the boundary edge at the Oval, the crowd stood to applaud this noble deed. With his left arm in a sling and inside his jumper, Woakes arrived at the crease with England requiring 17 runs to win the final Test against India.

With Woakes suffering a suspected shoulder dislocation, it was evident that Gus Atkinson (or extras) would have to get England over the line. Alas, England fell agonisingly short, the sheer will and skill of Mohammed Siraj enabling India to deservedly draw the series. Come the conclusion, a lot of the press coverage inevitably praised Woakes for his bravery.

Woakes' appearance jogged the memories of many an England supporter of a certain age. The circumstances may have been very different from the tail end of England's innings at the Oval, but in July 1984 another English batsmen arrived on the scene sporting the Woakes look. Paul Terry could probably relate to Woakes' pain.

1985: The greatest sporting year

I've been putting this off for years. But the recent Live Aid nostalgia has pushed me over the edge. We've all had the debate in the pub about the greatest sporting year - no, just me then? - so I'm here to argue the case for 1985. After forty years, it is time to tell 1985 that I'm crazy for you.

There are of course many factors involved in your chosen favourite sporting year. Allegiance matters. Therefore, Manchester United winning a treble, Europe collapsing in the Ryder Cup, and Australia winning two World Cups means I don't want to party like it's 1999. Yet pushing all this irrational stuff to one side, there can be no doubting the credentials of 1985.

1980: Wimbledon and the magic eye

There was never a dull moment with Ilie Năstase. Walking across centre court in his first round match at Wimbledon in June 1980, the Romanian had his eyes firmly set on a box positioned at the side of the court. He bent down to examine the device, the crowd tittering as Năstase continued to entertain.

This was no ordinary box. In fact, it was a £2,000 machine installed in an attempt to improve officiating in tennis, an early example of technology in a sport, tasked with eliminating any controversial decisions. But as we have found out with the 2025 move away from line judges, initially not everyone was impressed.

1986: England v India Second Test

A year is a long time in English cricket. Take the end of the 20th century as a prime example of the fluctuating fortunes of the national team. In the summer of 1998, England celebrated a rare five-Test series victory over South Africa. A year later, new skipper Nasser Hussain was being booed on the balcony at the Oval after losing to New Zealand.

That series defeat against the Kiwis saw England sink to the bottom of the unofficial world standings. Fast forward a year and Hussain was being soaked in champagne at the same ground as England won the Wisden Trophy against the West Indies for the first time since 1969. You never quite knew what to expect from the English cricket team from one summer to the next.