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 t ..read more

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 bef ..read more

The Challenger Space Shuttle disaster had shocked the world; A-Ha were about to be knocked off the number one spot by Billy Ocean; England had started their Caribbean tour that would take a route from bad to worse; and the UK was experiencing a cold snap that would see large parts of the country covered in snow. Welcome to the winter of 1986. Admittedly the clubs have not played each other much since, but you have to go back to February 1986 for the last time Ipswich defeated Liverpool at Portman Road. Even Kieran McKenna was not born, although is it just me or are more football managers look ..read more

The unthinkable was about to happen. Britain's golden boy walked to the concrete discus circle knowing that he was throwing for his life, his reputation, his dreams. It was not just the Los Angeles smog that was suffocating the athletes in the Memorial Coliseum. Daley Thompson was a man under pressure. It all seemed like business as usual after six events in the 1984 Olympic Decathlon. Thompson had managed to build a lead over his great rival Jurgen Hingsen, stamping his authority on the competition from the start. The West German may have arrived in Los Angeles as the world record holder, but ..read more

Sunday July 23, 1989: Wayne Grady, Greg Norman and Mark Calcavecchia stand on the first tee at Royal Troon, the centre of the golfing world. For four days they have scrapped and battled, thrilled and entertained, just to get to this point. Four days, 72 holes. But now for four more. Each man has a tale to tell. One was just a phone call away from missing out on the biggest day of his sporting life. Another would tear up the course on the Sunday, almost defying his final day odds of 25/1 to left the Claret Jug. The third would lead for over two days before stumbling at two par threes, set ..read more

Supporting the England football team really should come with a government health warning. Tournaments come and go, hopes and expectations grow as the journey begins, until we arrive at the inevitable destination of disappointment twinned with despair. You think we may have learned by now.  The first tournament I followed should have prepared me for this. England did not even make it to Euro 84, as a superb Danish team - laughingly dismissed by the English press - qualified and piled pressure on Bobby Robson. Things can only get better? At least Robson took us to the quarter finals at Me ..read more

England went to West Germany as one of the favourites to win Euro 88. What followed was a nightmare from start to finish that threatened the future of both manager and the national team. It's not unusual for the national press to go slightly overboard when assessing the prospects of England just before a major tournament. Rightly or wrongly, many squads have departed for World Cups and European Championships with a nation expecting. Germany 2024 will see the hype ramped up to 11. You can see why many see this as the ideal opportunity for England to end all those years of hurt. The squad Gare ..read more

Burnley probably need to win at Tottenham on Sunday to have a chance of staying in the Premier League. But history is not on their side. Admittedly the two clubs have spent a number of years in different divisions, yet the Clarets have lost eleven matches and drawn once in their twelve visits to White Hart Lane since 1993. You have to go back a further ten years for Burnley's last victory at Tottenham. An extraordinary Milk Cup quarter final win that defied belief, tore up the form book, and smashed up the template on how to prepare for a football match at the top level. On and off the pitch ..read more

It wasn't by accident that Bryan Robson earned the nickname Captain Marvel. Constantly putting his body on the line for club and country during the 1980s, Robson often inspired those around him, dragging every inch out of his ability in order to deliver for Manchester United and England.  "I have been fortunate to work with some exceptionally gifted footballers, many of them magical, world-class talents," Ron Atkinson explains in Andy Mitten's We're The Famous Man United. "But Robbo, without a doubt, is the finest, the greatest, the most rounded and accomplished footballer I have eve ..read more

Admittedly it doesn't take much, but my mind immediately rewound to the 1980s as I watched Rangers' James Tavernier fire home two penalties against St Johnstone recently. Tavernier's expertise from the spot was clear for all to see, his goals sealing a 3-0 win for Rangers that took the club to the top of the Scottish Premiership. The second penalty that day was Tavernier's 64th success from the spot. Not bad for a right back.  But a right back who enjoys taking penalties is nothing new. For in the 1980s there was a man who was prolific from 12 yards out, a player renowned for this abilit ..read more