On This Day – 22nd September

“Arsene who?” was the question on the lips of football fans across the country on this day 25 years ago. After dismissing Bruce Rioch in the summer of 1996, Arsenal were on the lookout for a new manager. Johann Cruyff, Terry Venables and Bobby Robson were all linked with the role, but the Arsenal board […]

Read More… from On This Day – 22nd September

On This Day – 15th June

Today is the 25th anniversary of the memorable encounter between England and Scotland at Euro 96. Alan Shearer nodded England ahead early in the second half before David Seaman saved a penalty kick from Gary McAllister. Moments later, Paul Gascoigne scored one of the goals of the tournament with a sublime flick over Colin Hendry’s […]

Read More… from On This Day – 15th June

Iconic Moments in Football No.78

Watching Manchester City at the moment, it seems an impossible thought that they played out of the top flight. However, back in 1996 they were perilously close to relegation and went into the final match of the season needing to get a result at home to Liverpool to stay in the Premier League. Southampton and […]

Read More… from Iconic Moments in Football No.78

On This Day – 14th February

Bob Paisley, one of the greatest English managers of all-time, passed away on this day back in 1996. Paisley spent fifteen years as a player at Liverpool before embarking on a nine-year spell of almost complete dominance as manager of the Merseysiders.In Paisley’s nine years in charge at Anfield, Liverpool won 20 trophies. They lifted […]

Read More… from On This Day – 14th February

Football’s Greatest Hat-Tricks No.10

Middlesbrough pulled off a shock transfer over the summer of 1996, signing Fabrizio Ravanelli from Juventus for a club-record £7 million. The signing turned a few heads as the Italian had won the Champions League the previous season. He had scored the first goal of the Final, which Juventus had won on penalties against a […]

Read More… from Football’s Greatest Hat-Tricks No.10

Football’s Greatest Goals No.44

If you type ‘Newcastle 5’ into Google or YouTube, the predictive text suggestions that pop up immediately comes up with ‘Newcastle 5 Manchester United 0’.The game was a one-sided demolition by Newcastle United, who on one glorious Sunday afternoon in October 1996 looked as if they could take on the world. Newcastle were 12 points […]

Read More… from Football’s Greatest Goals No.44

On This Day – 21st December

The famous photo of a dejected Juninho after the final whistle at Elland Road on the final day of the season as Middlesbrough’s relegation was confirmed It was on this day in 1996 that one of the most controversial moments in Premier League history occurred. Middlesbrough were due to play Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park […]

Read More… from On This Day – 21st December

On This Day – 7th December

Four goal hero Paul Agostino (right) with then-Bristol City manager Joe Jordon It was on this day in 1996 that Bristol City smashed nine goals past St Albans City in the FA Cup Second Round. The winners of the Cup tie at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate would go into the hat for the Third Round […]

Read More… from On This Day – 7th December

Iconic Moments in Football No.59

This week’s ‘Iconic Moment’ comes from 9th October 1996 in one of the most farcical moments ever seen in the history of international football. Estonia and Scotland were due to play each other in a World Cup qualifier in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. The Scottish team trained in the stadium the night before at […]

Read More… from Iconic Moments in Football No.59

On This Day – 1st October

‘Arsene Who?’ read one of the headlines when Arsene Wenger was announced as the new Arsenal manager on this day back in 1996.The unknown Frenchman had been brought in from Japanese side Grampus Eight to replace Bruce Rioch who had left the club weeks before the start of the 1996/97 season. The Arsenal board had […]

Read More… from On This Day – 1st October