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.

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. 

1980/81: Exeter's FA Cup run

Exeter City take on Nottingham Forest in the final match of the 2025 FA Cup fourth round, hoping to pull off a shock against the Premier League high flyers. With victories over Barnet, Chesterfield and Oxford United, Gary Caldwell's team have exceeded expectations in reaching the fourth round. But the current team has a lot more work to do if they want to match the achievements of the 1980/81 squad.

Promoted to Division Three in the 1976/77 season under Johnny Newman and then Bobby Saxton, Exeter consolidated their position over the next two campaigns. When Saxton made the move to Plymouth during in January 1979, new manager Brian Godfrey arrived with a solid platform to build on.

1988: The Paul Davis affair

One moment of madness. A split second that would play a huge part in the career of a footballer on the brink of international recognition. On an afternoon of frustration for Arsenal's players and supporters, one man could take no more. Paul Davis was about to inflict pain on both an opponent and his own future.

Trailing 2-0 at Highbury against Chris Nicholl's Southampton, Arsenal looked condemned to another home defeat, having lost two weeks before to Aston Villa. With 79 minutes played there was an air of desperation as George Graham's team looked for a way back into the match. This was not the stuff of title contenders.

Golden goals: Peter Withe (1982)

Dalglish, Francis, Robertson and Kennedy. Not a group of solicitors, but a list of players who scored winners in European Cup finals between 1978-1981. A time when English clubs ruled Europe. After Liverpool's 1977 triumph, four 1-0 wins continued England's continental dominance. Yet there was more to come.

The name of Peter Withe would soon be added to this merry band of players. But there is a lot of ground to cover before we arrive at the right boot/shin of the England centre forward at the De Kuip, Rotterdam. Someone has kindly covered the story of Aston Villa's 1982 European Cup glory before. However, a recap might be useful.

1983 European Cup Winners' Cup final: Aberdeen v Real Madrid

Forty years is a long time in football. Cast your mind back to 1983 and there are events that happened that simply could not be repeated. Unless the oil wells dry up then it is hard to see Manchester City being relegated. If they cannot find a nation to fund them then Hamburg winning the Champions League seems unlikely.

Just look at the landscape of Scottish football four decades ago. Dundee United held off the challenge of Celtic and Aberdeen to land their one and only Premier League title, with Rangers languishing in fourth. But the story of Dundee United's triumph was not the only feelgood chapter the New Firm penned during the 1982/83 campaign.

1989: The David Elleray experiment

When Amazon Prime footage emerged recently on Twitter of a referee officiating a French Ligue 1 fixture, the brief clip gave us all a fascinating insight into the role of match day officials. Communicating with colleagues, players and managers, while trying to make crucial decisions that could impact the course of a match and/or season, you wonder why people put themselves through this.

This is what referees really say to footballers during a game... 🗣️

A fascinating insight from Ligue 1! 👀🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/jfBcyhSe0g

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 18, 2023

Undoubtedly there is a gap in the market for a documentary of this nature. A series following officials around at various levels of the game would be interesting and might make a few of us a feel a bit more sympathy towards these pilloried individuals. The job of a referee and assistant seems a thankless task.

There is a previous example of a referee walking out to the centre circle with a hidden microphone attached. A famous experiment carried out in February 1989 that certainly made an impression and opened a few eyes as to what it takes to try officiate a football match. David Elleray was about to take centre stage.

1983 US Masters: Seve Ballesteros

If the modern day Michael Fishes - or their American equivalents - are to be believed, then there seems a strong possibility that the 2023 US Masters may be hugely impacted by a depressing weather forecast. With thunderstorms and rain predicted to hit Augusta, Georgia, there have even been rumours circulating that the tournament may have to conclude on the Monday.

Hardly ideal for those of us who love settling down in front of the television for the traditional conclusion to the Masters on the Sunday evening in the UK. Whether first fears will be realised remain to be seen. But if play is extended to a fifth day then it will be the first time this has happened since 1983.

1983 FA Cup final: Manchester United v Brighton

Manchester United and Brighton will soon meet at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final. Forty years ago, the clubs contested a final that would live long in the memory.

It is possible that Gordon Smith has been contacted quite a few times recently by journalists willing to rake up his infamous last minute chance in the 1983 FA Cup final. But it would be unfair to remember Smith and the 1983 final for that moment alone. 

As with many finals during the glory days of the competition, that day in May was about so much more than the match itself. The cast of characters involved, the fairy tale of relegated Brighton reaching Wembley, the pain of Steve Foster, the team songs, banners, awful pitch, a helicopter. 'And Smith Must Score' is naturally the point where all roads lead to with this tale, yet dig deeper and there is so much more to enjoy.

1983/84: Tottenham v Nottingham Forest

It was a move that divided opinion. When news broke in the summer of 1983 that Division One matches would be shown live on BBC and ITV, there was more anxiety than expectation. From this point in time, the relationship between the national game and television would change the sport forever.

The £5.2 million deal struck would see both channels allocated five league matches each, although the BBC only covered four due to a technicians' strike leading to the Watford-West Ham fixture being scrapped. There was certainly no chance of over exposure during the first full season of live coverage.

1984 FA Cup Fourth Round: Brighton v Liverpool

Could lightning strike twice? In February 1983, Brighton under the management of Jimmy Melia visited Anfield and pulled off the shock of the FA Cup by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the fifth round. A little under a year later the teams were paired together again in the competition that Liverpool had not won since 1974.

There were noticeable differences for the sequel. This time Brighton would play the part of hosts, but many of the component parts behind their 1983 FA Cup run were no longer at the club. The biggest change had seen Melia resign in October 1983.

1980/81: Leeds United v Arsenal

This is an edited version of my original article that appeared in issue 291 of The Gooner.

As election news was dominating the front pages in November 1980 – Reagan defeating Carter in the US, with Foot and Healy battling to become Labour leader – another 'e' word was constantly being referenced in relation to football on the back pages. With attendances dropping, many journalists and pundits were questioning whether the sport was providing the remaining fans with enough entertainment.

Stoke manager Alan Durban certainly made his opinion clear on the matter, after his team attempted unsuccessfully to park the bus in a 2-0 defeat at Highbury in September 1980: "If you want entertainment go and watch a bunch of clowns," Durban retorted. However, Arsenal were not exempt from these critical opinions.

1989/90: Aston Villa v Everton

It would prove to be a pivotal match in the 1989/90 season for both Aston Villa and Everton. A crossroads during the campaign where one team took a wrong turn and the other joined the road that led to a title race. And all of this was played out in front of a live ITV audience on the Big Match.

There was a sense of anticipation as the opening credits rolled and that classic theme tune played on Sunday November 5, 1989. Aston Villa and Everton were potential title challengers, and it was hard to disagree with co-commentator Ian St John when he predicted a score draw between two teams that looked evenly matched.

1985: England in Mexico

If you're a football lover who doesn't like cricket then I feel for you, as Chaka Khan might say. Those long summer months can be hellish without any action, as you count down to pre-season tours, friendlies, and the beginning of a new campaign that may just be the year that your club shines (or not).

The last few summers have been slightly unusual. Euro 2020 took place in 2021, and due to money the climate in Qatar, the 2022 World Cup has been pushed back to November/December. We do have the World Cup play-off and the Nations League to keep us going, but there is nothing quite like a proper summer tournament.

Top 40 Sporting Theme Tunes: No 20-1

Following on from songs 40-21 in my top 40 sporting theme tunes, we are now into the top 20 countdown. From this stage on we are pretty much dealing with iconic tunes, and we even enter the world of radio.

It's fairly likely that I have forgotten an obvious theme tune, so please inform me (politely) of my glaring omission(s) in the comments. I'll have to add them into my Top 40 Breakers, in true 1980s Top of the Pops style.

Top 40 Sporting Theme Tunes: No 40-21

I always thought I would avoid a blog on sporting theme tunes. But sometimes you have to dismiss the nagging doubts and just go for it. You may love or hate this list, yet rest assured that I have spent quite a lot of time deliberating over this whole thing.

So get ready to play Yellow Pearl by Phil Lynott in the background, and do your best Ooh Gary Davies/Bruno Brookes impression, as we begin the top 40 countdown of 1980s sporting themes. 

This week we're going from 40 to 21, taking in some forgotten gems and a few classics. Next week will see the publication of the much awaited top 20. I just hope you can cope with the suspense.

1986: Mike Tyson v Trevor Berbick

To a lot of boxing writers, pundits, and fans, Mike Tyson was a breath of fresh air in the heavyweight division as he moved menacingly towards a shot at the WBC world title. To most opponents in 1985 and 1986 he was like a terrifying hurricane enveloping them and unleashing pain. 

November 22, 1986 would see another chapter written in the Tyson story. Coming into his fight with WBC champion Trevor Berbick, Tyson had won 27 fights, 25 inside the distance, with 15 wins coming inside the first round. The hype and sense of expectation surrounding Tyson was reaching fever pitch.

FA Cup final day

As another FA Cup final approaches, my mind cannot help but drift back to a happier time for the competition. An era when trying to win the famous old trophy was not seen as a major distraction for clubs involved in multiple competitions, or others trying to stay in or gain entry to the top flight.

We all know money is the root of all evil, and that the Premier League, Champions League and too much live football has destroyed the magic of the cup. But some of us more mature members of the football family can at least hark back to our formative years and remember what it was like to wake up on FA Cup final day with the prospect of hours of television coverage to look forward to.