1983/84: British Home Championship

The tributes after the death of former Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham inevitably evoked glorious memories. Two World Cup finals tournaments, Arconada...Armstrong, a double over West Germany in a so near and yet so far Euro 84 qualification campaign. Even that Josimar goal was a special moment.

Sandwiched between Spain and Mexico is one particular victory that left a sweet taste in the mouth. Winning the 1983/84 British Home Championship was an achievement in its own right. Only the third time Northern Ireland had won the competition outright, claiming the trophy took on extra significance that season.

England's unwanted Test record

England's recent win at Lord's against New Zealand was just their second in 18 matches. In the 1980s we weren't so fortunate.

All seemed rosy in the England cricket garden in December 1986. As Gladstone Small settled himself to claim the catch that retained the Ashes at the MCG, the "can't bat, can't bowl, can't bowl" outfit had silenced the doubters. The celebrations were long and hard that night in Melbourne, and in hindsight that was just as well. Because England would not win another Test match for 20 months.

1984 Open Championship: Seve Ballesteros

Although he was 9/1 second favourite to win the 1984 Open Championship at St Andrews, the year Seve Ballesteros was experiencing had been far from ideal. Missing the cut as defending champion at the Masters - after being penalised two shots for grounding his club in Rae's Creek on the 13th - the Spaniard was not enjoying a fruitful season on the US PGA tour.

Ballesteros had pushed himself into contention for the US Open at the halfway stage, but a poor weekend saw him drift away, and as a record crowd flocked to the home of golf, many were pondering whether the 27-year-old was able to reverse his fortunes.

1983: England v New Zealand Second Test

If at first you don't succeed. For 52 years various cricketers from New Zealand had tried and failed to win a Test match in England, and as the 1983 series between the two countries commenced it looked a case of same old same old. With England winning the first match of the series at the Oval, the chances of Geoff Howarth's tourists ending the drought looked slim.

Played 28, lost 17, drawn 11. This was New Zealand's unenviable record in England as the two teams prepared for the second Test at Headingley. The bookies certainly did not expect an immediate change in fortunes, with England priced at 4/6 with the visitors the outsiders at 6/1. Come the end of day three, these odds would be significantly different.

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.

1981 European Cup final: Liverpool v Real Madrid

Sometimes an idea for a future blog just falls on my lap. But with a minute to go at the Bernabeu during the second leg of Real Madrid's semi-final against Manchester City, I have to admit that the prospect of me reminiscing about the 1981 European Cup final seemed distant.

Yet there is something about this Real Madrid team that throws all logic out of the window. Somehow they dragged the match into extra-time before they finished off a shellshocked City. "Improbably, miraculously, beyond their dreams and expectation," as the wonderful Peter Drury declared.

1984: Watford v Everton goalfests

If you wanted full value for money from your football in the 1983/84 season, then a season ticket at Watford would have been a wise choice. The strike partnership of Mo Johnston and George Reilly, ably supported by the skilful wide men John Barnes and Nigel Callaghan, were providing the excitement from an attacking perspective. However, defending seemed an afterthought at times.

For a while it appeared as if the club had contracted a serious bout of second season syndrome. They may have finished second in 1982/83 but by December, Graham Taylor's team were in the relegation zone with just four league wins. Yet everything would change in 1984.