No 268
Switzerland, Basle,
3.9.75. England won 2-1
Clemence Whitworth Todd
Watson Beattie Bell
Currie Francis G.* Channon1
Johnson (Macdonald) Keegan1
Highlights: Kevin Keegan
scored from close range in the eighth minute and had a penalty saved three
minutes later. David Johnson laid on a second goal for Mike Channon in the
nineteenth minute and England looked on course for a comfortable victory. But
they got caught in the clutches of complacency, and the Swiss were allowed
back into the game after sloppy marking had allowed Muller he freedom of the
penalty area for a headed goal in the thirtieth minute. England's defence was
often at full stretch in the second-half, but the best scoring chances fell to
the feet of substitute Malcolm Macdonald who missed the target twice in the
closing stages. Alan Ball was surprised to find himself axed, and started a
one-man vendetta against Revie's style of management. It was the first sign
that all was not well beneath the surface in the Revie empire.
No
269
Czechoslovakia, Bratislava,
30.10.75. England lost 2-1
Clemence Madeley
Gillard Francis G.* McFarland (Watson) Todd
Keegan Channon1
(Thomas) Macdonald Clarke Bell
Highlights: This European
championship qualifier had kicked off twenty-four hours earlier but was
abandoned after nineteen minutes because of fog. When the game was replayed,
the Czechs trailed 1-0 to a Mike Channon goal after twenty six minutes, but
the clever Masny laid on an equaliser a minute before half-time and then a
winner in the opening minute of the second-half. England were unsettled by the
no-holds-barred physical approach of the Czechs, and started to retaliate with
reckless tackles of their own in a game that was often brutal. The only player
ordered off by a lenient referee was the Czech reserve goalkeeper, who was
sent to the dressing-room for disputing a decision from the substitute's
bench. It was the general view that at least two Czech players should have
followed their team-mate for an early bath because of tackles that were out of
the chamber of horrors.
No
270
Portugal, Lisbon 19.11.75.
Drew 1-1
Clemence Whitworth
Beattie Francis G.* Watson Todd
Keegan Channon1
Macdonald (Thomas) Brooking Madeley (Clarke)
Highlights: England went a
goal down in their final European championship qualifier to a sixteenth minute
free-kick by Rodrigues that swerved viciously on its way into the net from
twenty five yards. The Portuguese missed two easy chances before Mike Channon
equalised with a free-kick that deflected into the net off a defender three
minutes before half-time. England needed a victory to boost their fading
chances of reaching the European quarter-finals, but they kept running blindly
into an off-side trap. The draw left the Czechs needing only a draw in Cyprus
to qualify ahead of England. They beat the Cypriots in a canter and went on to
win the championship. England were left kicking themselves.
No
271
Wales, Wrexham, 24.3.76.
England won 2-1
Clemence Cherry (Clement)
Mills Neal Thompson Doyle
Keegan* Channon (Taylor1)
Boyer Brooking Kennedy1
Highlights: Crystal Palace
striker Peter Taylor became the first Third Division player capped since
Johnny Byrne, then also with Palace, in 1961. Taylor came on as a substitute
for Mike Channon and scored the second victory-clinching goal ten minutes from
the end of a match staged to mark the centenary of the Welsh FA. An
experimental England side included seven other new caps: Trevor Cherry, Phil
Neal, Phil Thompson, Mike Doyle, Phil Boyer, Ray Kennedy and Dave Clement.
Kennedy, one of five Liverpool players in the team, gave England the lead in
the seventieth minute after a Trevor Brooking centre had been headed out. Alan
Curtis scored for Wales in the last minute. Don Revie had been notorious
during his career as an outstanding club manager for finding excuses to
withdraw players from international duty. Now he was on the receiving end of
the club v country controversy, as managers continually pulled players out of
his squad at the last minute.
No
272
Wales, Cardiff, 8.5.76.
England won 1-0
Clemence Clement
Mills Towers Greenhoff Thompson
Keegan Francis G.* Pearson Kennedy Taylor1
Highlights: England were
fortunate not to be three goals down before Peter Taylor scored the only goal
of a scrappy match with a low shot from twenty yards in the fifty-ninth
minute. Eight of England's players between them had just ten caps, with Tony
Towers, Brian Greenhoff and Stuart Pearson making their debuts. Only some
exceptional goalkeeping by Ray Clemence saved England from defeat, and the
player turnover was so great that many people were beginning to question Don
Revie's grasp of international management.
No
273
Northern Ireland, Wembley,
11.5.76. England won 4-0
Clemence Todd Mills
Thompson Greenhoff Kennedy
Keegan (Royle) Francis G.*1
Pearson1
Channon2 Taylor (Towers)
Highlights: Mike Channon,
dropped against Wales, responded to his recall with two goals. His first came
from the penalty spot just ninety seconds after skipper Gerry Francis had
opened the scoring with a superbly taken goal in the thirty-fifth minute.
Stuart Pearson made it 3-0 after the England defence had snuffed out an Irish
revival early in the second-half, and Channon rounded off an impressive
display when he drove the ball wide of goalkeeper Pat Jennings and into the
roof of the net following a clever flick pass by Kevin Keegan.
No
274
Scotland, Hampden Park,
15.5.76. England lost 2-1
Clemence Todd
Mills Thompson McFarland (Doyle) Kennedy
Keegan Francis G.* Pearson (Cherry) Channon1
Taylor
Highlights: This game is a
skeleton in goalkeeper Ray Clemence's cupboard. He allowed a half-hit shot
from Kenny Daglish to roll through his legs for Scotland's winning goal in the
forty-ninth minute. Mike Channon had given England an eleventh minute lead
following enterprising play by Roy McFarland, and Bruce Rioch equalised six
minutes later when he headed an Eddie Gray corner-kick powerfully wide of
Clemence. A spectacular forty yard run by Dalglish ended with Clemence
snatching the ball from him in the penalty area, a complete contrast to what
was to happen in the second-half. 'It was the worst moment of my career,'
Clemence said many years later. 'I thought I had the ball covered, but it
bobbled and the next thing I knew it was through my legs and into the net. I
wanted the Hampden pitch to open up and hide me.'
No
275
Brazil, Los Angeles,
23.5.76. England lost 1-0
Clemence Todd Doyle
Thompson Mills Francis G.*
Cherry Brooking Keegan
Pearson Channon
Highlights: A last minute
goal by substitute Roberto gave Brazil a flattering victory in this opening
match in the United States Bi-Centennial Tournament. England dominated the
match for long periods, but their finishing lacked the accuracy of their
approach play. 'It was heart breaking to lost so late in the game.' Said Don
Revie. 'I am sure that any neutral observer would say that England deserved at
least a draw.'
No
276
Italy, New York, 28.5.76.
England won 3-2
Rimmer (Corrigan)
Clement Neal (Mills) Thompson1
Doyle Towers
Wilkins Brooking Royle Channon*2
Hill
Highlights: England were
two goals down inside the first twenty minutes, but they struck back to win
with three goals in the opening seven minutes of the second-half. The game was
played on an unsatisfactory pitch usually used for baseball, but both teams
played open and enterprising football. Channon was in inspiring form as
captain, and his two goals sandwiched a headed goal by Phil Thompson from a
Gordon Hill corner. Ray Wilkins made an impressive debut. England beat Team
America 3-1 three days later in Philadelphia, but it was not considered a full
international. Keegan (2) and Gerry Francis scored the goals against a side
including Bobby Moore, Tommy Smith and Pele.
No
277
Finland, Helsinki, 13.6.76.
England won 4-1
Clemence Todd Mills
Thompson Madeley Cherry
Keegan2 Channon1
Pearson1
Brooking Francis G*
Highlights: Kevin Keegan
was outstanding as England got off to a flying start in their 1978 World Cup
campaign. He laid on the first goal in the fourteenth minute for Stuart
Pearson, who returned the compliment after the Finns had forced an equaliser
against the run of play. Mike Channon made it 3-1 in the fifty-seventh minute
and Keegan wrapped it up three minutes later with a superb solo goal. The only
down side of the performance was that England missed a procession of simple
chances against the team that were the whipping boys of their group.
No
278
Republic of Ireland,
Wembley, 8.9.76. Drew 1-1
Clemence Todd
Madeley Cherry McFarland Greenhoff
Keegan* Wilkins Pearson1
Brooking George (Hill)
Highlights: England were
flattered by their lead when Stuart Pearson steered a Kevin Keegan cross into
the net from close range a minute before half-time. Gerry Daly equalised from
the penalty spot following a foul on Steve Heighway. The Irish were always the
more inventive side and England were lucky to escape with a draw. Kevin
Keegan, skippering the side in place of Gerry Francis, ran himself into the
ground in a vain effort to lift the input of his team-mates. Charlie George,
ignored by Alf Ramsey in his peak years with Arsenal, was given a belated call
by Don Revie, but produced a lack lustre display in his only appearance in an
England shirt that lasted just over an hour before he was substituted by
Gordon Hill.
No
279
Finland, Wembley, 13.10.76.
England won 2-1
Clemence Todd Beattie
Thompson Greenhoff Wilkins
Keegan* Channon Royle1
Brooking (Mills) Tueart1
(Hill)
Highlights: England spurted
into the lead with a third minute goal from Denis Tueart, but finished with
chants of ‘Rubbish’ ringing in their ears after they had made a hash of a
World Cup match in which they needed a resounding win against unrated
opponents. The Finns played above themselves, and equalised early in the
second-half before Joe Royle headed a fifty-second minute winner from Mike
Channon's centre. Those close to the England camp knew that all was not well
between Don Revie and a faction of Football Association officials, who quietly
questioned his methods of management and his commercial interests.
No 280
Italy, Rome, 17.11.76.
England lost 2-0
Clemence Clement
(Beattie) Mills Greenhoff McFarland Hughes
Keegan* Channon Bowles
Cherry Brooking
Highlights: Italy,
including six Juventus players, were a class above England in this crucial
World Cup qualifying match. A goal in each half by Antognoni and Bettega was
enough to settle it for Italy, who virtually booked their tickets for the
finals in Argentina. Just when England needed continuity, quick-change artist
Don Revie made six changes plus two positional alterations. He clearly went
into this vital game nowhere near knowing what his best side was. The press
were beginning to turn against him, and the first of the 'Revie Must Go'
newspaper headlines started to appear.
No
281
Holland, Wembley, 9.2.77.
England lost 2-0
Clemence Clement
Beattie Doyle Watson Madeley (Pearson)
Keegan* Greenhoff (Todd)
Francis T. Bowles Brooking
Highlights: Holland
produced what many considered the finest display at Wembley by a visiting team
since Hungary beat England 6-3 in 1953. The two Johanns – Cruyff and Neeskens
– dictated the pace and pattern of the match and it was Jan Peters, playing in
only his second international, who nipped in for two goals in ten minutes in
the first half. Trevor Francis made his debut for an England team that spent
much of the game chasing shadows. The 90,000 crowd were torn between
applauding the brilliance of Holland and slow handclapping the woeful England
performance.
No
282
Luxembourg, Wembley,
30.3.77. England won 5-0
Clemence Gidman Cherry Kennedy1
Watson Hughes
Keegan*1
Channon2 Royle (Mariner) Francis T.1
Hill
Highlights: Four goals in
the last half hour just about kept alive England's faint hopes of qualifying
for the 1978 World Cup finals. Kevin Keegan had given England a tenth minute
lead, but then they became too anxious against the Luxembourg part-time
professionals. Gilbert Dresch was sent off in the eighty-fifth minute for a
foul on Mike Channon. He became only the second player sent off in a Wembley
international, following Argentine's 1966 World Cup skipper into the black
history book. Channon's second goal was from the penalty spot. John Gidman
made his debut at right-back, and Paul Mariner got his first taste of
international football as a substitute for Joe Royle.
No
283
Northern Ireland, Belfast,
28.5.77. England won 2-1
Shilton Cherry Mills
Greenhoff Watson Todd
Wilkins (Talbot) Channon*1
Mariner Brooking Tueart1
Highlights: Dennis Tueart
ducked low to head in a Brian Talbot cross in the eighty-sixth minute to give
England a victory they barely deserved. Northern Ireland had taken a fifth
minute lead through Chris McGrath against an England team weakened by the
absence of Liverpool players, who had helped the Merseyside club win the
European Cup three days earlier. Mike Channon equalised in the twenty-seventh
minute, and then missed two clear-cut chances with headers that were
misdirected. Brian Talbot made his debut when replacing Ray Wilkins in the
sixty-fifth minute and made an impressive impact with several power-charged
runs through the Irish defence. Only a brilliant save by Pat Jennings
prevented Talbot marking his first England appearance with a goal shortly
before Tueart's winning header.
No
284
Wales, Wembley, 31.5.77.
England lost 1-0
Shilton Neal Mills
Greenhoff Watson Hughes
Keegan* Channon Pearson
Brooking (Tueart) Kennedy
Highlights: Wales scored
their first victory in England for forty-two years and their first ever at
Wembley. Leighton James netted the only goal of the game from the penalty spot
a minute before half-time after Peter Shilton had pulled him down following a
mistake by Emlyn Hughes. The calls for Don Revie to be replaced were now
reaching a crescendo, and the England manager seemed to have lost all the
confidence and enthusiasm that were such vital ingredients of his days as
manager at Leeds. Unsubstantiated rumours were flying around Fleet Street that
Revie was ready to throw in the towel, and it was many months later before it
emerged that round about this time he had been making overtures to the
Football Association hierarchy about settlement of his contract.
No
285
Scotland, Wembley, 4.6.77.
England lost 2-1
Clemence Neal
Mills Greenhoff (Cherry) Watson Hughes*
Francis T. Channon1
Pearson Talbot Kennedy (Tueart)
Highlights: Goals in each
half by Gordon McQueen and Kenny Dalglish pushed England to defeat and for the
first time they lost consecutive matches at Wembley. Mike Channon's
consolation goal came from the penalty spot three minutes from the end of a
game in which Scotland were always the more productive and enterprising side.
The Scottish fans decided that Wembley belonged to them and started to tear up
the hallowed turf, taking huge chunks of it back to Scotland with them. They
also wrecked the goals. It brought into question the need for fencing at
Wembley and the future of the Home Championship was put in doubt. It all
helped fuel Don Revie's increasing distaste for his job as England manager.
No
286
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro,
8.6.77. Drew 0-0
Clemence Neal Cherry
Greenhoff Watson Hughes
Keegan* Francis T.
Pearson (Channon) Wilkins (Kennedy) Talbot
Highlights: England could
and should have been three goals clear at half-time if they had taken their
chances. Brazil were equally careless in front of goal in the second-half,
during which acting manager Les Cocker sent on substitutes Ray Kennedy and
Mike Channon to put new life into a tiring team. A sequence of saves by Ray
Clemence and three off-the-line clearances by Trevor Cherry stopped the
Brazilians from snatching victory. What nobody knew is that Don Revie was
absent because, disguised in Arab dress, he had gone to the Middle East to be
interviewed for the job of supreme of football in the United Arab Emirates.
No
287
Argentina, Buenos Aires,
12.6.77. Drew 1-1
Clemence Neal Cherry
Greenhoff (Kennedy) Watson Hughes
Keegan* Channon Pearson1
Wilkins Talbot
Highlights: Trevor Cherry,
with two teeth knocked out by a punch, was unluckily sent off with the culprit
Bertoni in the eighty second minute. It was Bertoni who had equalised a third
minute goal by Stuart Pearson when he scored with a curling free-kick in the
fifteenth minute. The game became bogged down in midfield, with England unable
to penetrate Argentina's in-depth defence. Emlyn Hughes cleared off the
goal-line in the closing moments.
No
288
Uruguay, Montevideo,
15.6.77. Drew 0-0
Clemence Neal Cherry
Greenhoff Watson Hughes
Keegan* Channon Pearson
Wilkins Talbot
Highlights: Don Revie's
last match was notable in that it marked the completion of England's first
ever undefeated tour of South America, but the game itself was best forgotten.
Uruguay showed interest only in defending their goal, and England's tired
players could not work up the energy to find a way through. They finished the
tour with only one goal to show for all their effort in three matches. Then
came the bombshell news that Revie was deserting to the Arabs. He had been
manager for twenty-nine matches, of which fourteen were won, eight drawn and
seven lost. Enter Ron Greenwood. It was like a vicar taking over from a
second-hand car salesman.
No 289
Switzerland, Wembley, 7.9.77. Drew
0-0
Clemence Neal Cherry
McDermott Watson Hughes*
Keegan Channon (Hill) Francis
T. Kennedy Callaghan (Wilkins)
Highlights: Ron
Greenwood, appointed first of all in a caretaker capacity, called up seven of
the players who had helped Liverpool win the European Cup. His first England
selection included veteran Ian Callaghan, who was winning his first cap since
the third match of the 1966 World Cup finals eleven years and forty-nine days
earlier. But Greenwood's hopes for an instant team rapport were not realised,
and England struggled to contain a lively Swiss team. Only a succession of
fine saves by goalkeeper Ray Clemence prevented England from going down to an
embarrassing defeat.
No
290
Luxembourg, Luxembourg City,
12.10.77. England won 2-0
Clemence Cherry Watson (Beattie) Hughes* Kennedy 1
Callaghan
McDermott (Whymark) Wilkins Francis T. Mariner1
Hill
Highlights: England needed a goal
avalanche to breath life into their hopes of qualifying for the 1978 World Cup
finals, but they were too anxious and continually snatched at the chances they
created. A thirtieth minute goal by Paul Mariner and an injury-time goal by
Ray Kennedy lifted England to their first victory in seven matches but it was
too little too late. Debutant Trevor Whymark was sent on as substitute for
Terry McDermott in a bid to increase the pressure on the Luxembourg defence,
but they were too tense and wasted at least six clear-cut opportunities.
'Anxiety got the better of us,' was the summing up of a disappointed Ron
Greenwood.
No
291
Italy, Wembley, 16.11.77. England
won 2-0
Clemence Neal Cherry
Wilkins Watson Hughes*
Keegan1
(Francis T.) Coppell Latchford (Pearson) Brooking1
Barnes
Highlights: Kevin Keegan inspired
England's World Cup victory over Italy, a magnificent win that clinched the
full-time manager's job for Greenwood. Keegan headed in a Trevor Brooking pass
in the eleventh minute, and combined again with Brooking nine minutes from the
end when his brilliant through ball was coolly steered wide of goalkeeper Dino
Zoff. Greenwood's boldness in playing Steve Coppell and Peter Barnes as wide
men was rewarded with some entertaining and incisive old-fashioned wing play.
Now England counted the cost of their missed chances against Luxembourg. Italy
were left needing just a one-nil victory at home against Luxembourg to clinch
the place in the World Cup finals. They won 3-0. England were left kicking
themselves … again.
No
292
West Germany, Munich, 22.2.78.
England lost 2-1
Clemence Neal Mills
Wilkins Watson Hughes*
Keegan (Francis T.) Coppell Pearson1
Brooking Barnes
Highlights: A disputed goal four
minutes from the end robbed England of a deserved draw against the World Cup
holders. England had led from late in the first-half when Stuart Pearson beat
goalkeeper Sepp Maier with a looping header from a Steve Coppell cross.
Hamburg-based Kevin Keegan ran himself to the edge of exhaustion in his
attempts to make the game safe, and had to be replaced by Trevor Francis. It
was Germany's substitute, Ronnie Worm, who equalised shortly after coming on
in the seventy-fifth minute. The previous evening he had scored after being
sent on as a substitute in the 'B' international against England. In the
closing moments Dave Watson was adjudged to have fouled Burgsmuller, and while
England were still forming their defensive wall Rainer Bonhof smacked a
free-kick low into the net. It was Ron Greenwood's first match as official
manager, and with a little luck it would have been a winning start. 'We have
the nucleus of an excellent team,' he said. 'If we had not lost our
concentration when the free-kick was being taken we would have come away with
a deserved draw. That's not bad considering we were playing on the home patch
of the world champions.'
No 293
Brazil, Wembley, 19.4.78. Drew 1-1
Corrigan Mills Cherry
Greenhoff Watson Currie
Keegan*1
Coppell Latchford Francis T. Barnes
Highlights: Brazil, a goal up in
ten minutes through Gil, abandoned their silky smooth samba football for
uncompromising tactics that led to five of their players being booked. England
missed a hatful of chances to equalise before Kevin Keegan earned a merited
draw with a Brazilian-style free-kick that he bent round the defensive wall.
Football purist Ron Greenwood said privately after the match: 'I would much
rather thave been beaten by a Brazil team playing the sort of skilled football
that is their tradition than holding to a draw a side that, let's be honest,
was thuggish in their approach. It was very sad to see them resorting to such
tactics. That is not the Brazil way.'
No
294
Wales, Cardiff, 13.5.78. England
won 3-1
Shilton Mills* Cherry (Currie1)
Greenhoff Watson Wilkins
Coppell Francis T. Latchford1
(Mariner) Brooking Barnes1
Highlights: Two spectacular goals
in the last eight minutes - a thirty-five yard rifle shot from Tony Currie
followed by a rising drive from the edge of the penalty area by Peter Barnes -
gave England a winning send-off to the Home Championship. Currie had come on
as a substitute for Trevor Cherry, who was carried off with a fractured
collarbone in the sixteenth minute. Bob Latchford gave England an eighth
minute lead before limping off to be replaced by Paul Mariner. Wales equalised
through Dwyer during a long spell of dominance in the second-half before
Currie and Barnes stepped on to the scoring stage.
No
295
Northern Ireland, Wembley,
16.5.78. England won 1-0
Clemence Neal1
Mills Wilkins Watson Hughes*
Currie Coppell Pearson
Woodcock Greenhoff
Highlights: Phil Neal scored his
first goal for England seconds before half-time to break the resistance of a
brave Northern Ireland team for whom Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jim Platt was in
outstanding form. The two best chances of the second-half both fell to Dave
Watson, who was twice denied goals by the brilliance of Platt. It was Watson
who had created the opening for Neal's goal with a clever back heel, and the
Liverpool right back drove through through a forest of legs past the unsighted
Platt. Tony Woodcock made his debut and went close to scoring two goals in the
final moments, each time being prevented from getting on the scoresheet by
man-of-the-match Platt.
No
296
Scotland, Hampden Park, 20.5.78.
England won 1-0
Clemence Neal Mills Currie
Watson Hughes* (Greenhoff)
Wilkins Coppell1
Mariner (Brooking) Francis T. Barnes
Highlights: Scotland were given a
miserable send-off to the World Cup finals in Argentina when England beat
them, although a draw would have been a fairer reflection of the play. The
Scots had long periods of possession but could make little impact against an
England defence in which Dave Watson was a tower of strength. Scotland
disputed the deciding goal in the eighty-third minute. They claimed that
goalkeeper Alan Rough was fouled by Trevor Francis when he dropped a cross
from Peter Barnes. Steve Coppell fired the loose ball into the net to clinch
the Home Championship for England. Even in the wake of this defeat Scottish
manager Ally Macleod persisted with his wildly optimistic forecast that
Scotland could win the World Cup.
No
297
Hungary, Wembley, 24.5.78. England
won 4-1
Shilton Neal1
Mills Wilkins Watson (Greenhoff) Hughes*
Keegan Coppell (Currie1)
Francis T.1
Brooking Barnes1
Highlights: England, with Kevin
Keegan and Trevor Brooking pulling the Hungarian defence apart, rushed into a
3-0 lead inside the first thirty-five minutes through Peter Barnes, a Phil
Neal penalty and a Trevor Francis header. Hungary had their best moments
immediately after half-time and pulled a goal back through Nagy before Tony
Currie finished them off with a crashing shot from the edge of the area in the
seventy-third minute. Ron Greenwood could not disguise his delight at the
finest display by England for several months. 'Like anybody from my
generation,' he said, 'I always associate Hungary with the Puskas team of the
1950s, and so a victory like this is particularly special. I have been saying
that we have the players to match the best, and tonight it was proved that I
am not talking nonsense.'
No
298
Denmark, Copenhagen, 20.9.78.
England won 4-3
Clemence Neal1
Mills Wilkins Watson Hughes*
Keegan2 Coppell
Latchford1
Brooking Barnes
Highlights: Kevin Keegan headed
two goals from well-directed free-kicks only to see the Danes allowed to pull
level with two goals inside five minutes against a less than disciplined
England defence. Bob Latchford directed a header against a post and Keegan
also hit the woodwork as both teams played all-out attacking football in what
coach Don Howe later described as 'the most exciting international match I've
ever seen.' England regained the lead through a disputed goal by Bob Latchford
after the break and Phil Neal made it 4-2 before the Danes forced a third goal
in the dying moments of a pulsating European championship qualifying match.
No
299
Republic of Ireland, Dublin,
25.10.78. Drew 1-1
Clemence Neal Mills Wilkins
Watson (Thompson) Hughes*
Keegan Coppell Latchford1
Brooking Barnes (Woodcock)
Highlights: Bob Latchford headed
an early goal with the help of a deflection in this second European
championship qualifier, but England became disjointed after centre-half Dave
Watson went off with an injury in the twenty-first minute. Steve Coppell,
continually running the Irish defence into disarray, smacked a shot against
the bar and Kevin Keegan headed wide when well placed before Gerry Daly hooked
in an equaliser. Mark Lawrenson and David O'Leary were rock solid at the heart
of the Irish defence, and Liam Brady was their most creative player as Ireland
battled to a deserved draw.
No
300
Czechoslovakia, Wembley, 29.11.78.
England won 1-0
Shilton Anderson Cherry
Thompson Watson Wilkins
Keegan* Coppell1
Woodcock (Latchford) Currie Barnes
Highlights: Steve Coppell scored
the only goal of the match on a frozen Wembley pitch that ruined the game as a
spectacle. The Czechs coped with the conditions better and deserved at least a
draw against an overworked England defence in which Peter Shilton was at his
majestic best. Nottingham Forest right back Viv Anderson created history by
becoming the first black player to be capped by England, and he played a
prominent part in the only goal against the European champions in the
sixty-eighth minute. He combined on the right with Tony Currie, whose low
cross into the goalmouth was driven home by the alert Coppell as two Czech
defenders ran into each other on the slippery surface.
No
301
Northern Ireland, Wembley, 7.2.79.
England won 4-0
Clemence Neal Mills Currie Watson1
Hughes*
Keegan1
Coppell Latchford2 Brooking
Barnes
Highlights: Kevin Keegan was
irrepressible after bravely heading England into an early lead in the face of
a strong challenge from goalkeeper Pat Jennings. He then laid on the first of
Bob Latchford's two goals with an accurate cross, and back headed a Trevor
Brooking corner on to Dave Watson for the fourth goal in this European
championship qualifier. The victory sent England leap frogging over the Irish
in the group table to top place. Northern Ireland manager Danny Blanchflower
fumed, 'I know that football is a game of physical contact, but England took
this to extremes. There were times when I was surprised they wanted a ball to
kick.'
No
302
Northern Ireland, Belfast,
19.5.79. England won 2-0
Clemence Neal Mills* Thompson Watson 1
Wilkins
Coppell1
McDermott Latchford Currie Barnes
Highlights: Dave Watson and Steve
Coppell each scored in the first fifteen minutes to sink Northern Ireland in
this Home Championship match. England missed the prolific partnership that had
been developing between Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, and they lacked the
drive and direction that had put them so in command against the Irish at
Wembley three months earlier. The victory gave England a huge psychological
advantage with a crucial European championship match scheduled for the autumn.
No
303
Wales, Wembley, 23.5.79. Drew 0-0
Corrigan Cherry Sansom Wilkins
Watson Hughes*
Keegan Currie (Brooking)
Latchford (Coppell) McDermott Cunningham
Highlights: England created enough
chances to have won comfortably, but their finishing was weak and wayward.
Kenny Sansom played in the first of his 86 international matches, making him
the most capped England full-back of all time. West Bromwich Albion winger
Laurie Cunningham also made his debut. The inventive Trevor Brooking brought
fresh lines of attack when he substituted for Tony Currie, but the forwards
continued to hit and miss. 'Our finishing,' said Greenwood, 'left a lot to be
desired, but I was pleased with our commitment.'
No
304
Scotland, Wembley, 26.5.79.
England won 3-1
Clemence Neal Mills
Thompson Watson Wilkins
Keegan*1 Coppell1 Latchford
Brooking Barnes1
Highlights: Scotland took a
twenty-sixth minute lead through John Wark as they put England on the rack in
the first-half and it was against the run of play when Peter Barnes equalised.
A couple of stunning saves by Ray Clemence lifted England's confidence and
they bossed the second-half, with goals from Steve Coppell and Kevin Keegan
giving them the Home Championship. One of the highlights was a save by Ray
Clemence rated as good as any seen at Wembley. Joe Jordan hammered in a
first-half shot from twenty yards which took a huge deflection off the head of
Dave Watson. Clemence was committed to to diving to his left to save the
original shot, and somehow managed to twist in mid-air and turn the ball off
target with his right fist. It helped wipe out the memory of his gifted goal to
Kenny Dalglish in a previous game against the Scots.
No
305
Bulgaria, Sofia, 6.6.79. England
won 3-0
Clemence Neal Mills Thompson Watson1
Wilkins
Keegan*1 Coppell Latchford (Francis T.) Brooking Barnes1 (Woodcock)
Highlights: England played with
tremendous fervour despite suffocating heat-wave conditions. The Bulgarians
threatened to take an early lead when Ray Clemence pushed a header by Borisov
against a post, but then Kevin Keegan scored after combining with Trevor
Brooking. England clinched victory early in the second-half of this European
championship qualifier with two headed goals in a minute, first by Dave Watson
and then Peter Barnes. Ron Greenwood said later, 'Our plan was for Kevin
Keegan to play a deeper role than usual. This gave us extra drive in midfield,
and confused the Bulgarians who had worked out a man to man marking policy to
try to curb Kevin's freedom of movement.'
No
306
Sweden, Stockholm, 10.6.79. Drew
0-0
Shilton Anderson Cherry
McDermott (Wilkins) Watson Thompson) Hughes*
Keegan Currie (Brooking)
Francis T. Woodcock Cunningham
Highlights: In a match dominated
by defences Emlyn Hughes came closest to scoring in the first-half when he
raced sixty yards before unleashing a shot that rattled the Swedish crossbar.
Ron Greenwood made nine changes for a game staged to mark the 75th anniversary
of the Swedish FA, and the England manager decided to use the occasion to try
out fringe players. Two splendid saves by Peter Shilton stopped the Swedes
from celebrating their milestone with a victory. Shilton's performance made
Greenwood reconsider his view that Ray Clemence was his No 1 choice
goalkeeper, and he started to play them in alternative matches. Many people
considered he should have stopped dithering and given the top spot to Shilton
without any hesitation.
No
307
Austria, Vienna, 13.6.79. England
lost 4-3
Shilton (Clemence) Neal Mills Thompson Watson Wilkins1
Keegan*1 Coppell1 Latchford (Francis T.) Brooking
Barnes (Cunningham)
Highlights: England
had just a Kevin Keegan goal to show at half-time in reply to three first-half
goals by the Austrians in a match littered with defensive errors. Goals by
Steve Coppell and Ray Wilkins brought England battling back to 3-3, only for
them to lose to a late goal headed past substitute goalkeeper Ray Clemence by
Pezzey following a free-kick. It was England's first set-back since the 2-1
defeat by West Germany back in February, 1978, and the first time they had
conceded more than three goals since the 5-1 defeat by Brazil back in 1964.
No
308
Denmark, Wembley, 9.9.79. England
won 1-0
Clemence Neal Mills Thompson
Watson Wilkins
Coppell McDermott Keegan*1 Brooking Barnes
Highlights: England took an
important step towards qualifying for the final stages of the European
championship finals with this narrow win over the Danes. Kevin Keegan, shaking
off the handicap of a recurring leg injury, scored the only goal of the match
with a left foot volley after a driving right wing run by Phil Neal in the
eighteenth minute. Ron Greenwood settled for a 4-3-3 formation, with Terry
McDermott joining Ray Wilkins and Trevor Brooking in midfield. They narrowly
won the struggle for midfield supremacy, and Brooking found time to push
forward to support Keegan in his bustling, trademark runs that made him a
constant menace to the Danish defence. The Danes had an exceptional player in
Barcelona forward Allan Simonsen, but luckily for England his team-mates were
not in the same class and squandered several chances that he created.
No
309
Northern Ireland, Belfast,
17.10.79. England won 5-1 (own goal1)
Shilton Neal Mills Thompson
Watson Wilkins
Keegan* Coppell Francis T.2 Brooking (McDermott)
Woodcock2
Highlights: England
virtually clinched a place in the European championship finals with this
resounding win on a soaking-wet Windsor Park pitch. Both Trevor Francis and
Tony Woodcock scored in each half, and the rout was completed in the
seventieth minute when Chris Nicholl turned a Phil Neal centre into his own
net. Northern Ireland's goal came midway through the second-half from a
Moreland penalty. The Irish defence had no answer to the probing runs of
Trevor Francis and Tony Woodcock, both of whom gave peak-power performances.
No
310
Bulgaria, Wembley, 22.11.79.
England won 2-0
Clemence Anderson Sansom Thompson* Watson1
Wilkins
Reeves Hoddle1 Francis T. Kennedy Woodcock
Highlights: Fog caused the first
ever postponement of a Wembley international and the twenty-four hour delay
meant that Kevin Keegan had to miss the game to return to Hamburg. Phil
Thompson took over as skipper, and Kevin Reeves and Glenn Hoddle came in for
their international debuts. Dave Watson scored the first goal when he headed
in a Hoddle cross in the eighth minute, and it was Hoddle who made his debut
one to remember with the second match-clinching goal when he side footed the
ball powerfully into the net from twenty yards in the sixty-ninth minute.
Hoddle said later: 'There is nothing to beat the satisfaction of scoring your
first goal for your country.'
No
311
Republic of Ireland, Wembley,
6.2.80. England won 2-0
Clemence Cherry Sansom
Thompson Watson Robson
Keegan*2 McDermott Johnson (Coppell) Woodcock
Cunningham
Highlights: A goal in each half by
the buzzing Kevin Keegan sank the Irish in this final European championship
qualifier. England played with pace and power for an hour but their rhythm was
upset when David Johnson – recalled after five years in the international
wilderness – had to go off following a sickening clash of heads that caused a
long delay. It was Keegan's speed, energy and improvisation that gave England
a decisive edge, and Laurie Cunningham also caused problems to the Irish
defence with a procession of cleverly flighted corners. A feature of a
generally uneventful match was the forceful debut of West Bromwich Albion
midfield player Bryan Robson.
No
312
Spain, Barcelona, 26.3.80. England
won 2-0
Shilton Neal (Hughes) Mills
Thompson Watson Wilkins
Keegan* Coppell Francis T.1
(Cunningham) Kennedy Woodcock1
Highlights: England ran the
Spanish defence to a nervous breakdown, and they might have had three goals
before Tony Woodcock opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute. Trevor
Francis put the seal on a magnificent team performance when he collected a
pass from Steve Coppell, outpaced two defenders and beat oncoming goalkeeper
Arconada with a perfectly placed cross shot. England would have won by at
least five goals but for a succession of superb saves by man-of-the-match
Arconada. Playing in his fiftieth international match, the ever-effervescent
Keegan was again England's outstanding player.
No
313
Argentina, Wembley, 13.5.80.
England won 3-1
Clemence Neal (Cherry) Sansom
Thompson Watson Wilkins
Keegan*1 Coppell Johnson2 (Birtles) Woodcock Kennedy
(Brooking)
Highlights: World
champions Argentina - including the great Maradona - were often chased off
their feet by an England team playing above itself. David Johnson, recalled in
place of injured Trevor Francis, scored either side of the half-time interval
to give England a commanding 2-0 lead. Maradona, who had decorated the match
with a series of typically explosive runs, was brought down by Kenny Sansom in
the fifty-fourth minute and Daniel Passarella scored from the penalty spot.
Kevin Keegan then showed why he had been voted European Footballer of the Year
for a second successive season when he crashed a low shot into the net after
combining with Johnson and Coppell to restore England's two-goal lead. It was
a magnificent team performance, and in no way disrupted by three substitutions
that brought Trevor Brooking, Trevor Cherry and Garry Birtles into the action.
'This is the standard that we must try to maintain,' said a highly satisfied
Ron Greenwood.
No
314
Wales, Wrexham, 17.5.80. England
lost 4-1
Clemence Neal (Sansom) Cherry
Thompson* Lloyd (Wilkins) Kennedy
Coppell Hoddle Mariner1 Brooking Barnes
Highlights: Just four days after
their triumph over the world champions, England showed their worst side with a
loose performance against a Welsh team out to impress their new manager Mike
England. Larry Lloyd, recalled to the middle of the England defence after
eight years, had a nightmare match. He was booked, injured and substituted
after being given a chasing by a lively Welsh forward line in which Leighton
James was outstanding. Paul Mariner gave England the lead in the sixteenth
minute, but Wales quickly equalised through Mickey Thomas. Two goals from
James and an own goal by Phil Thompson piled on the misery for an England team
missing the drive and industry of injured Kevin Keegan. It was England's first
defeat in Wales since 1955.
No
315
Northern Ireland, Wembley,
20.5.80. Drew 1-1
Corrigan Cherry Sansom
Hughes* Watson Wilkins
Reeves (Mariner) McDermott Johnson1 Brooking
Devonshire
Highlights: Ron Greenwood made
sweeping changes – nine in all - following the demoralising defeat by Wales,
and Alan Devonshire came in for his debut. An undistinguished game seemed set
for a goalless draw until David Johnson forced the ball into the Irish net in
the eighty-first minute. Northern Ireland equalised just a minute later when
substitute Cochrane rammed the ball past the previously redundant Joe
Corrigan. The team play that had been such a feature against Argentina just a
week earlier was non-existent against the Irish, who fully deserved their draw
in a game that rarely got out of a midfield rut.
No
316
Scotland, Hampden Park, 24.5.80.
England won 2-0
Clemence Cherry Sansom
Thompson* Watson Wilkins
Coppell1
McDermott Johnson Mariner (Hughes) Brooking1
Highlights: A goal in each half by
Trevor Brooking and Steve Coppell lifted England to a victory that put them in
good heart for the European championship finals three weeks away. Brooking
scored his goal after just seven minutes, continuing where he had left off as
West Ham's goal hero against Arsenal in the FA Cup Final. It was a Brooking
back-heel that set up Coppell's goal in the seventy-fifth minute, the
Manchester United winger steering the ball home after goalkeeper Alan Rough
had parried his first shot. Ron Greenwood said: 'Our performances against
Argentina and now Scotland prove what we are capable of when we get it right.
We must find consistency at the highest level.'
No
317
Australia, Sydney, 31.5.80.
England won 2-1
Corrigan Cherry* Lampard
Talbot Osman Butcher
Robson (Greenhoff) Sunderland (Ward) Mariner1 Hoddle1 Armstrong (Devonshire)
Highlights: A virtual England ‘B’
team traveled ‘Down Under’ to play in a match to celebrate one hundred years
of football in Australia. Goals from Paul Mariner and Glenn Hoddle gave
England a 2-0 half-time lead, and the Australians managed to pull one back
through a second-half penalty. Ipswich partners Russell Osman and Terry
Butcher made their debuts together at the heart of the England defence, and
there was also a first cap for Alan Sunderland, who was substituted by another
debutant in Peter Ward. Neither player was selected by England again. David
Armstrong won the first of his three caps.
No
318
Belgium, Turin, 12.6.80. Drew 1-1
Clemence Neal Sansom
Thompson Watson Wilkins1
Keegan* Coppell (McDermott)
Johnson (Kennedy) Woodcock Brooking
Highlights: England's opening
match in the European championship finals was scarred by a sickening outbreak
of hooliganism by a section of their so-called supporters. The violence
erupted after the Belgians had struck back with an immediate equaliser to a
classic goal in the twenty-second minute by Ray Wilkins, who collected a
clearance, lobbed the ball over the defence and then ran forward to collect
his own pass and to direct a hook shot into the roof of the net. Ceulemans
scored following a corner just a minute later, and this triggered wide-spread
fighting on the terraces. The police fired tear gas to try to restore order,
and several of the England players were affected and the game had to be
temporarily suspended. What had been a keenly competitive match lost its
impetus, and England had to be satisfied with a draw. Tony Woodcock looked
unlucky to have a goal ruled offside just before the Wilkins strike, but it
was sadly a game that would be remembered for the ugly scenes on the terraces
rather than the football on the pitch.
No
319
Italy, Turin, 15.6.80. England
lost 1-0
Shilton Neal Sansom
Thompson Watson Wilkins
Keegan* Coppell Birtles
(Mariner) Kennedy Woodcock
Highlights: Tardelli settled a
polished and peaceful game with one of the goals of the tournament twelve
minutes from the end. Graziani powered past Phil Neal before delivering the
ball into the path of Tardelli, who beat Shilton with an unstoppable volley at
the near post. It had class written all over it and was a worthy winner of a
game England often dominated with fast, skilful football that had the
disciplined Italian defence stretched near to breaking point. Ray Kennedy came
closest to scoring for England when he rifled a second-half shot against a
post with Dino Zoff beaten.
No
320
Spain, Naples, 18.6.80. England
won 2-1
Clemence Anderson (Cherry)
Mills Thompson Watson Wilkins
McDermott Hoddle (Mariner) Keegan* Woodcock1
Brooking1
Highlights: England
needed a clear two-goal victory over Spain to qualify for the third and fourth
play-off. Spain packed the midfield and made it difficult for a much-changed
England team to get any rhythm. Trevor Brooking gave England the lead in the
nineteenth minute when he steered the ball over the line from a Ray Wilkins
header following a free-kick for one of several fouls on dangerman Kevin
Keegan. Ray Clemence conceded a disputed penalty early in the second-half from
which Cardenosa scored an equaliser. Six minutes later Spain were awarded a
second penalty after a foul by Dave Watson. Dani beat Clemence but was ordered
to retake the spot-kick, and this time the Liverpool goalkeeper made a
dramatic save. England lifted their game and had the satisfaction of snatching
a deserved victory when the industrious Tony Woodcock steered the ball home
after a thumping shot from Terry McDermott had been pushed out. England went
out of the tournament with their heads held high, but disgraced by a minority
of moronic supporters.
____________________
CG
England
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