FourFourTwo - UK (February 2020)

BADDIEL & SKInnER • GAZZA THE LEGEnD • POBORSKY




































WHEn

FOOTBALL

CAME HOME






















































































AS TOLD BY VEnABLES • SHERInGHAM • SHEARER • AnDERTOn



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Editorial WAnT
Editor James Andrew Deputy Editor Joe Brewin
Art Director Anthony Moore Senior Staff Writer Chris Flanagan
Chief Sub Editor Gregg Davies Online Editor Conor Pope MORE?
Editor at Large Andy Mitten Women’s Football Claire Bloomfield
WELCOME
Thanks to FInD US
Ryan Herman, Huw Davies, Steve Wright, Iain Noble
Contributors
The first time I picked up a copy of FourFourTwo, I was HERE...
Marcus Alves, Patrick Barclay, Paul Brown, Caio Carrieri, Sean Cole,
Richard Edwards, Chris Evans, Emanuele Giulianelli, Andy Greeves, a 10-year-old boy way back in September 1994. On the
Martin Harasimowicz, Si Hawkins, Steve Hill, Louis Massarella, Martin Mazur,
Nick Moore, Leo Moynihan, Andrew Murray, Gary Parkinson, Sam Pilger, front cover of that very first issue was then-England
Felipe Rocha, Paul Simpson, Jon Spurling, Tim Stillman, Ivan Tomic manager Terry Venables.
Photography
PA, Getty, Offside, iStock, Reuters. So it’s somewhat fitting that as I sit here writing my first FOURFOURTWO.COM
All copyrights and trademarks are recognised and respected
letter as Editor of this fine publication, 26 years and 308
Advertising
Media packs are available on request
issues later, it’s Venables and his England team from 1996
Account Director Richard Hemmings
richard.hemmings@futurenet.com that feature prominently in this issue – and on our cover.
International Licensing That long, hot summer was the last time football came
FourFourTwo is available for licensing. Contact the
licensing team to discuss partnership opportunities home. Now it’s coming back 24 years later, with Wembley @FOURFOURTWO
Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw
Global Partnerships Director Ian Porter hosting seven games at Euro 2020. England will play in at
International Licensing Executive Georgina Flores-Laird
least three of them – fingers crossed, it’ll be five.
licensing@futurenet.com
Subscriptions In these pages we celebrate Euro 96, taking a day-by-day
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look back at one of the most memorable tournaments in
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Darren Anderton to ask him your questions, and comedian
Group Marketing Director, Magazines & Memberships Sharon Todd
Senior Direct Marketing Executive Faith Wardle David Baddiel discusses the Fantasy Football phenomenon.
Circulation
Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers Karel Poborsky tells us about how the finals put him and
Production
the Czech Republic on the map – as well as his near-death
Head of Production Mark Constance
FACEBOOK.COM/
a
Production Project Manager Clare Scott experience almost exactly 20 years later – while legendary
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commentators John Motson and Barry Davies dissect their
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‘rivalry’ in the same room.
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Chief Content Officer Aaron Asadi And there’s plenty more where
Brand Director Dave Clutterbuck that came from – so sit back and
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1 2 345
Who David Why Andy Who was Which Premier Which 1994
Attenborough Goram is booked for League-winning World Cup star
was asked insistent that making animal club owed enthusiastically
to pelt onion Rudyard Kipling noises during money to danced with
bhajis at was an idiot a match a kebab shop a Womble








FFT PODCAST OUT nOW!
Get the inside track on our features by tuning in to our brilliant podcast. There will be more about Euro 96,
plus you can listen to episodes about the #FFT100 and Lazio’s ultras, available now on iTunes and Spotify

26 30


























MATT
HOLLAND






































6 UPFRONT THE MIXER




6 You Ask The Questions: Darren 12 The gear we love this month,
Anderton on Eileen Drewery, including Japan’s groovy home
Alan Sugar and Scooby Doo kit and some throwback kicks
18 Cesar Azpilicueta’s best games
20 FFT’s special Euro 96 quiz FEATURES
22 My Football: Milton Jones
23 Scotland: the home of football 34 Euro 96: dear diary
24 Finest overseas signings ranked FFT takes a day-by-day look
26 Matt Holland gets ready to back at the tournament which
dress up as Sophie Ellis-Bextor changed a nation for the better
30 Alvaro Negredo talks parmos – featuring boozy larks, media
31 John Arne Riise’s greatest goal meddling, Scot schadenfreude,
32
Best
32 Best & Worst: West Ham United Three Lions... and Mick Hucknall

92 98



























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MEGAN RAPINOE’S
PINK BOOTS






































104

FEATURES FEATURES


64 Fantasy Football revisited 92 The history of Panini stickers
Baddiel, Statto & Co. reveal their We’ve been stuck on them for
hilarious inside tales from the almost 60 years – but why?
beloved 1990s TV smash hit 98 Southgate: what came next
70 Karel Poborsky: in his words How missing a pivotal penalty at
The Czech icon recalls that goal Euro 96 changed his life forever
– and his scary dice with death
76 Motty vs Davies: in person THE PLAYERS LOUNGE
FFT brings the legendary BBC
rivals together for a chinwag 104 Peter Crouch: pool attendant
84 Gazza: the England legend 106 Pierluigi Casiraghi’s injury hell
The Geordie icon’s rise and fall, 107 Igor Stimac meets the Queen
told by those who were there 108 Craig Burley’s tale from Tallinn



84



























76
70

YOU ASK
UPFROnT
> <












YOU ASK THE QUESTIOnS


If I’d scored against Germany, it would have




been the first ever Golden Goal – we were





all going to run straight down the tunnel





















DARREn AnDERTOn





Words Chris Flanagan Portraits Richard Cannon




The message flashes up on FFT’s As a boyhood Southampton fan, was very slight but it gave me strength to if you’re good enough, desperate not to
phone, and it’s rather unexpected. it a hard decision to join Portsmouth get around the pitch. At Portsmouth, at make a mistake. Signing for Spurs was
It’s from Darren Anderton. “Hi, as a youngster? the start of pre-season a PTI [physical the best feeling in the world, even if I did
there’s been a bomb scare.” Stephen Kyle, Eastleigh training instructor] from HMS Nelson think, ‘Wow’ when they paid £2m, one of
We’ve arranged to interview the Not at all. I did have a season ticket at would take our squad running and say, the biggest fees ever for a 20-year-old,
Euro 96 star at Home House in central Southampton, but I just wanted to be “Follow me”. I ran with him, then even when I’d never played at the top level.
London, but our Wednesday lunchtime a footballer – I didn’t care where. I never he said, “If you need to go ahead, the My first game for Spurs was hostile,
rendezvous has been thrown into doubt thought it’d happen. At 13 or 14 I was finish line’s over there.” Our squad loved though, getting absolutely abused at
by an unexpected security issue. As we playing for the city of Southampton and that. Our skipper, Kevin Ball, said: “You The Dell! When I heard what our first
arrive, police cars are all around. The three or four of our players were in the can run!” Every other day, they’d bring fixture was, I thought, ‘For f**k’s sake!’
place is cordoned off. As far as FFT club’s academy. The club would come new PTIs to try to beat me. I was doing The biggest cheer of the day was when
interviews go, this is an unusual start. and watch, but obviously didn’t think I’d pre-season on my own; everyone else Franny Benali elbowed me and I needed
Thankfully, following a short delay, progress. So, my dad called Portsmouth. was jogging, shouting, “Go on Darren!” eight stitches across my eye. I was
Home House is reopened and Anderton They came to watch me, then I trained taking throw-ins near where I used to
arrives to greet us, waved inside by with them once a week until I was 16. What were your thoughts after sit, getting abused and thinking, ‘I’m
a Tottenham-supporting police officer. I didn’t think I’d get an apprenticeship, scoring for Pompey against Liverpool pretty sure you used to give me sweets
“One of them was definitely a Spurs though. We had some trial games, and in the 1992 FA Cup semi-final? when I sat there’. I found it quite funny.
fan,” says the former White Hart Lane I was a sub. I told my dad, “There’s no Martin, via Instagram There were a couple of times I could’ve
hero, laughing. “He said, ‘Hi Darren, point.” He said, “Just go to training – you “S**t! We’ve done it!” I think it was my gone to Southampton. I spoke to Harry
how are you doing? All clear!’” never know.” There was one last trial first live TV game – the biggest game I’d Redknapp when I was at Birmingham.
Anderton splits his time between match and Alan Ball, the first-team played in my life. When I scored, it was But I’d never have joined Southampton
Europe and Monterey in California these manager, was watching. He said to my the fairy tale... although when Liverpool from Tottenham. If I’d had 12 years at
days, having tied the knot with his dad, “He’s got a chance.” On Monday equalised, that soon turned to despair. Southampton rather than Tottenham, it
American fiancée last summer. “I got they gave me an apprenticeship. From We lost on penalties in a semi-final. would have been a worse career. They
married in this room actually,” he says there, I had a career. I lost five semi-finals in my career. know that, whether they like it or not.
with a smile, as he poses for photos
inside the plush private members club. Is it true that you could have been Which was scarier: making your How did you feel when Tottenham
Soon he’s sitting down to chat about a cross-country runner? professional debut or joining Spurs? sacked Terry Venables?
Alan Sugar, Eileen Drewery, Christian Lisa Smith, Dorchester Mark Wharnsby, via Facebook Emma Jones, Wood Green
Gross and more – as well as reflecting I was once the Hampshire cross-country I think it was making my debut, for Pretty angry. I struggled when I went to
on what might have been in 1996… champion! It helped my football: I was Portsmouth. It’s daunting, not knowing Spurs, but the fans were unbelievable



12 February 2016 FourFourTwo.com
6 F ebruary 2020 F ourF our T w o

CLUBS
1990-92 Portsmouth
1992-2004 Tottenham
2004-05 Birmingham
2005-06 Wolves
2006-08 Bournemouth

COUNTRY
1994-2001 England

YOU ASK





and Terry looked after me. We were
losing at home to Everton and I was
useless again – my confidence was shot
and there was something wrong with
my groin. I came off and went into the
dressing room to get some ice – and
Terry came in, while the game was
going on. He said, “Darren, don’t worry,
there’s something wrong with you –
you’re going to be a top player.” He was
a father figure. I had an operation and
when I came back, I was playing great.
The transformation was incredible.
Then he got sacked. I was devastated.
Stuff happens off the pitch, but we were
playing brilliantly – how could Alan
Sugar not want Terry to take us further?


Who claims the credit for the corner
routine: you or Teddy Sheringham?
Chris Harvey, via Twitter
[Laughs] Teddy was so clever, that was
all down to his movement. We didn’t
plan it in training. He just said, during
a game: “Roll it to the penalty spot.”
The difficulty was to make it bounce so
he could hit it on the volley. We scored
from it three weeks in a row. The third
one was against Chelsea when they put
a young lad on Teddy, and afterwards
Dennis Wise said to me, “I f**king told
them what would happen – that was What was it like to play in Ossie
obvious!” I do smile when people try it Ardiles’ ‘Famous Five’ forward line
now and they say it’s the corner Teddy of yourself, Klinsmann, Sheringham,
did with David Beckham. I think, ‘Hmm, Nick Barmby and Ilie Dumitrescu?
you might have got that wrong…’ Oliver Unwin, Leighton Buzzard
It was great. The way we played under
How excited were you when Jurgen Ossie was complete football – it was
Klinsmann agreed to join Spurs? defending that was the problem. We’d
Becky Davies, Solihull have meetings and say, “Ossie, we need
I thought it was a wind-up at first. I was some shape when we lose the ball –
in awe of him. But he came to training what are we going to do?” He’d say,
in his Beetle and he was the nicest guy “No, you’re all top players – you should
you could wish to meet: he mucked in, never give the ball away.” That was it!
had good banter and was so down to Everybody wanted to watch us play,
earth. He couldn’t get his head around but Ossie was fired. Then Gerry Francis
playing on Boxing Day, though. We were worked on us defensively, and from then
at Norwich and I thought, ‘Yeah, he until the end of the season, we may
doesn’t want to be here…’ We still won! have been second only to Man United
on points accumulated. If we’d added to
Do you remember Klinsmann’s the squad and kept Jurgen, Nick Barmby
diving celebration on his debut? and Gica Popescu that summer, I think
Jonny Byrne, Liverpool we would have had opportunities to to be here. You’re going to be here for we’ll come back’, but then they said the
People ask, “Were you there for Jurgen’s go on and challenge for the league. a long time – you’re a top player.” The game was abandoned. And then we
dive?” I say, “Yeah, I crossed it.” They confidence that gave me – my idol from thought, ‘How are we going to get out
ask, “What about when Gazza scored How was your first day in the Italia 90 giving me advice, wanting me of here? What’s going on?’ You’re in the
his goal against Scotland?” I say, “Yeah, England camp? to do well. It was so selfless. It meant dressing room and don’t really know. It
I passed it to him.” I had a hand in two Harry Griffin, via Instagram everything. That was one of my best felt like we were there for a long time,
of the best goal celebrations of the ’90s! Pretty daunting. But when I arrived at ever games. We won, I was man of the waiting to leave.
[Laughs] We’d played in Ireland on the Burnham Beeches, Tony Adams and match and I was walking on cloud nine.
Monday before the season started – Dave Seaman were in the bar and said, How close were you to joining
David Kerslake and Teddy were there, “Come on, have a beer.” On the morning What was it like to play in the game Manchester United?
we were playing cards on the bus and of the game against Denmark, Terry at Lansdowne Road that was called Ross Jacobs, via Twitter
we said: “Jurgen’s got to do a dive if he named the team and I was playing. In off because of a riot in the stands? Very close. There was a clause in my
scores.” There had been so much talk the afternoon, Gazza knocked on my Andy O’Connor, Galway contract: if a club offered above £4m,
about him diving. Luckily he didn’t score door. He said, “Enjoy it. I didn’t really Really strange. Coming off the pitch, I could go. I was in the hotel with the
that night – it would have been wasted enjoy my debut. It passed me by. Take it I was pissed off because I wanted to England squad in 1995, I’d had a great
on a pre-season friendly in Ireland! all in. Terry knows you’re good enough play. You think, ‘OK, we’ll go off, then season, and Gary Pallister said, “Do you



8 F ebruary 2020 F ourF our T w o
14 February 2016 FourFourTwo.com

“WE’D TELL OSSIE WE NEED
SOME SHAPE WHEN WE LOSE

THE BALL. HE’D JUST SAY, ‘YOU

SHOULD NEVER LOSE THE BALL’”









mind if I give the gaffer your number?” fired. We were vilified in the press, which played only three or four games at the heroes, so of course there’s a regret
Blackburn and United were offering £6m I guess you should be as it was before end of that season, so I was still getting that it didn’t go in. Gazza also had his
and it was down to me. Fergie called and a tournament – but it was two weeks back to match fitness. It took a couple chance, which felt like slow motion.
said, “I’ve had a problem with [Andrei] before. You should act professionally, of games, but after the Scotland game People say, “Why didn’t he get to it?”
Kanchelskis – I really want you to come.” but you’re all young men and you’re I was there. I was a different player Because he thought the goalie was
The next day, I went to the chairman’s stuck in a hotel. The manager says you against Holland, Spain and Germany. going to get a hand on it – he’s not
house. Alan Sugar wouldn’t let me leave can have a few beers and sometimes stupid. He just needed longer studs!
until I’d signed a new contract to take you get a bit carried away! [Laughs] When you hit the post in extra time [FFT: Did you watch the final?] No, my
out the clause. He gave me a ridiculous of the semi-final against Germany, friends came round and I think I had
contract, but I didn’t actually want to Did the players believe England were you sure it was going in? a barbecue. I didn’t bother watching it.
go, either. Spurs fans had been good would win Euro 96? @spursdab, via Twitter
to me, I’d just had the best year of Alex Horton, via Instagram No, I couldn’t even see it. The ball was How surprised were you when Glenn
my career, and Euro 96 was coming. We believed. We were at home, and behind me – I fell backwards and hit it, Hoddle dropped Paul Gascoigne for
I thought, ‘They’ve lost Mark Hughes, what a chance it was. We were useless went down and presumed it was going France 98? Did you fear for your
Kanchelskis, Paul Ince... I’m better off in the first game against Switzerland in. But it hit the inside of the post. Not own place that day in La Manga?
where I am’. Obviously not! and morale was at rock-bottom, but only did it do that, but the keeper had Stuart Steelyard, via Facebook
Then Becks came through at United, beating Scotland changed it all. dived past it and it went back into his I definitely feared for my own place,
and Teddy went there in 1997. He called I almost missed Euro 96, though. hands. I thought, ‘You’ve got to be because I’d been injured again. Christian
me to say he’d gone. Two years earlier, I’d done my groin and been given the kidding me’. We had the celebration Gross had come in at Spurs and he was
he had begged me not to go! Of course wrong diagnosis – the physios at Spurs sorted if I’d scored: we were all going an idiot. I’d torn my groin but he said,
I’d have wanted to win titles like the weren’t good enough and basically said to run down the tunnel, because that “You’re fine, it’s in your head.” I played
Champions League, but I’ve no regrets. it was fine. I tried to play and I ripped it would have been the first Golden Goal. on one leg at home to Barnsley – it was
even more. I spoke to Terry Venables. The tunnel was at the other end of the scandalous. We won 3-0 and I did all
Were you there for the dentist’s The England physio was Dave Butler, ground, so it would’ve been a long run! right, but Barnsley weren’t good. Then
chair incident before Euro 96? so most nights I would go to see him. I felt it go again in training, and I walked
Lloyd Parsons, Gravesend I got myself fit with the England physio Do you think your career would be off. He came into the changing room,
We were all there – it was a proper night – if I hadn’t, I would have missed the viewed in a different light if you had shouting, “You don’t walk off the pitch!”
out! We all got on really well. There were tournament. I got in trouble for going scored against Germany? Do you I went, “F**k off!” He said, “I’ll do you
a few Tottenham boys, Liverpool boys, to see him, but I didn’t give a crap. have any regrets? a favour: you can be on the bench at
Gazza the lunatic... The next day was I really wanted to be fit for the Euros. Shaun O’Hara, via Instagram Villa.” I thought, ‘Really?!’ The next day,
his birthday, so once it hit midnight, it I played wing-back at Euro 96. I had Not really. I had chances in matches we’re losing 4-1 and he puts me on to
was flaming sambucas. Then: ‘What’s never played there in my life, but Terry where I think, ‘S**t, I should have done hobble around. A day after that, Jurgen
going on over there? There’s someone saw it as a positive thing as he wanted better there’. For that one, though, the Klinsmann was back on loan and he
in that chair.’ Then the boys were in it. us to attack. They were tough positions ball was behind me – I just had to react. asked, “How is it?” I said, “It’s a f**king
Someone took photos and we got done. to play, running up and down, but Steve I couldn’t have done anything different. disaster – I’m playing with a torn groin.”
Afterwards, I spoke to people in that McManaman was a good runner, too – But I felt we would have gone on to win Then we had Arsenal at home, and
bar, and the people who did that were he’d done cross country as well. I had the final, and we all would have been I said I wasn’t playing. The manager



FourFourTwo February 2020 9

YOU ASK






“I SHOULD’VE WON TWICE AS MANY

CAPS. WHEN I WAS FIT, I STARTED.
MY LAST FIVE CAPS WERE FOR

FIVE DIFFERENT MANAGERS”





said, “No, I let you go on the bench so
that you could play against Arsenal.”
I said I wanted a scan. It showed I had
blood all the way down. I didn’t play for
four months. I spoke to Glenn Hoddle
and he had this physio from Chelsea –
it was deja vu, because I was going to
his house to get fit for the World Cup.
Before the tournament, we were in La
Manga and we all had a slot to go and
see the manager, to find out if we were
in the squad. It was like being back at
school, getting exam results. I went in The squad tried to work song titles
and Glenn said, “What are you worried into interviews during France 98 –
about? Of course you’re going – there how many did you get in?
was never any doubt, as long as you Kris Lainton, Carlisle
proved your fitness.” I went down to Only one or two – Against All Odds or
the pool, and those who hadn’t been something. It was pretty stupid, really –
picked left straightaway – you didn’t see we were that bored. Glenn was very
them. We thought, ‘Who’s here and who straight-laced, and it wasn’t as lively
isn’t?’ Then the news about Gazza came a camp as Euro 96. We’d gone from the
through. No one saw it coming. The boys dentist’s chair to song names! [Laughs]
were worried for him, because of his
love for football. How would he react? If David Beckham hadn’t been sent
off against Argentina, could England
What did you think when Christian have won the 1998 World Cup?
Gross produced that Tube ticket at Mohd Nasri, via Facebook
his Spurs unveiling? I think so. We were unbelievable in that
Harry Watson, Haringey first half – it was so easy. Michael Owen
I wish that he’d stayed on the Tube! was ripping them to shreds. The year
[Laughs] He brought in some things before, at Le Tournoi, Becks got booked
that everyone does now, but his other in two games and missed the last one.
methods weren’t great. His fitness guy Glenn had a pop at him in the media, Did you go to see Eileen Drewery? that. Someone told me how it had got
had some weird ways. He said that five saying, “If you do that, you might cost Frederick Milton, Shrewsbury out, and I called Alan Sugar. I said,
or six hours before a game, you had to us in the World Cup.” He was right – I did. My mum believed in all of that – “How dare you?! I’m a human being.
wake your body up. We won at Everton although it was never a sending-off. I sometimes called her a bit of a witch! I love playing for your club. I’ve never
in his first game, then we were at home Sol Campbell’s goal shouldn’t have But at one point my hamstrings were said a word against you. Why would
to Chelsea. We stayed in a hotel on the been disallowed. From taking a corner, bad and never getting better. Glenn you do that?” He said, “You and Teddy,
Friday night, then on Saturday morning Sol scoring and thinking, ‘Yes, we’re asked me to see Eileen. I said no but he you’re always giving me grief.” I said
we were doing runs around the car park. winning!’, suddenly it was, ‘Oh s**t!’ said, “Please just see her. She’ll probably again, “How dare you?” I was seeing
On the coach on the way to the game, because Argentina took the free-kick be able to help.” She was a lovely lady a girl and she asked who I was talking
half of the team were asleep. I thought, and off they went. Our players were and she suggested a stretch for me to to. I told her it was the chairman and
‘What’s going on here?’ We lost 6-1. celebrating and didn’t hear the whistle, do before and after exercise. It worked, she said, “You speak to your boss like
because the atmosphere there was and I did it for the rest of my career. that?” But generally I had no problem
What was your favourite moment unbelievable. Four or five Argentina with him. He desperately wanted to do
in an England shirt? players were attacking, and there was Did Alan Sugar leak your injury news well for Tottenham. He was always
a.man0161, via Instagram just me and Paul Merson at the back. to the press, to put clubs off signing floating around the dressing room with
Euro 96 is one, of course: playing the I made the tackle – my best tackle ever! you on a Bosman? How did you react? Claude Littner. People didn’t like Claude.
Dutch at Wembley, 30 minutes to go, We were devastated when we lost the Charlie Hodges, via Instagram He did some funny things, cost-cutting.
4-0 up and “football’s coming home” shootout; one of the quietest changing George Graham was in charge, I was Once, Alan Sugar asked, “Do you think
reverberating around the stadium – rooms I’ve been in. Afterwards, we were going into the last year of my contract you can go on the bench tomorrow?
I was literally humming along, too. standing by the bus with our families, and a specialist said, “I think you’ve got I just think it’ll give the crowd a lift.” I’d
Individual moments? My debut, my and there were a few tears. Then the degeneration in your Achilles. You need been injured, but I was nearly fit and
first goal and scoring at the World Cup Argentina bus came past and they were an operation.” I was devastated – in we’d started the season badly. I said,
against Colombia [above]. We had to banging on the window, jumping up and tears. I’d had enough. I just wanted to “I don’t think I should, but all right.” We
win, and it was a pretty good goal as down, giving us all sorts of signs. It was play. It wasn’t like I wanted to leave, but were 3-0 up at half-time and he might
well. The first touch was spot on, it sat poor – no need – but I heard that Becks I was having negotiations with George, have smiled at me, like, ‘See, I told you’.
nicely and I hit it on the volley. I couldn’t and the boys did the same to them four which was never easy. Then it came out Then it was 3-2 and I was told to warm
believe it when it sailed into the top bin! years later, which made me very happy! that I was injured – ‘Sicknote’ this and up. I thought, ‘Oh no’. I came on for the



10 February 2020 FourFourTwo

YOU ASK





How proud are you to be Spurs’ top Wolves. I went there to play, but he
Premier League appearance-maker? would play me in four or five games,
Matt Walters, via Facebook then rest me for two or three. I said,
Very proud. I was there for 12 years and “Glenn, I haven’t come here for this.”
showed loyalty. I’ll sort out a testimonial
at some point, maybe. I need a kick up When you played for Bournemouth
the backside; Daniel Levy said I can have 12 years ago, did you ever envisage
it whenever I want. I said, “I’ll have the them in the Premier League?
first game in the new stadium then!” He Leo Howard, via Instagram
said, “No, you can’t do that!” [Laughs] No chance – there was more chance of
them being in non-league! Me retiring
Are Vinnie Jones rift rumours true? was the first step of that journey to the
Karla, via Twitter Premier League! Within a week, Jimmy
We play at the same golf club – there’s Quinn was sacked and they knew that
no rift. Once, at Wimbledon, he took was why I called it a day: because he
me out round the was useless. [FFT: How
neck and got sent was it, scoring the
off: I had flu, I spat winner in your final
and he ran past game?] Brilliant! But
and caught it on HIgHS & LOWS also s**ty, because
the back of his I thought, ‘Why am
shorts. He wanted I retiring? It’s insane!’
HIGH: 1992
to kill me! But we We’d played Luton
Scores in FA Cup semi-final for
have spoken since away on the Tuesday
Second Division Portsmouth
and he knows it night. Both clubs had
LOW: 1996
was an accident. points deductions,
Agonisingly hits post in Euro 96
we were 91st and
semi-final loss to Germany
How important 92nd in the Football
HIGH: 1998
to you was your League, and I was
Nets fine goal against Colombia
Birmingham a sub. I thought,
at the World Cup in France
goal against ‘This is ridiculous’.
LOW: 1998
Liverpool? The next day,
Argentina beat England on
Barry O’Loughlin, I phoned the
penalties in the Last 16
via Facebook manager and said,
HIGH: 1999
I loved it. We had “Just to let you
Helps Spurs to win League Cup
been so defensive know: Saturday is
final against Leicester
in training, I’d told my last game.”
LOW: 2000
a few mates to bet
Misses Euro 2000 because of
on 0-0. Then I get Why didn’t you
an Achilles injury
the winner: 1-0! become a coach?
Leaving Spurs was Ramon Betech,
last 10 minutes, looking at the clock I got 30 England caps, but I feel like sad. I felt let down – via Twitter
the whole time. It was a stupid thing I would have got loads more. My first they offered me a contract, then took it I never wanted to. The only thing I did
to do, but I got through it. 28 caps were starts – when I was fit, away. They put back our negotiations, think, especially at Bournemouth, was
I started. In the end, my last five then I picked up my injury, played when that if a coach left, I might be asked to
Just how annoying is it that people appearances for England were for five I shouldn’t have, again, and missed the oversee things and find I love it. Sean
remember your injuries so much? different managers, which kind of end of the season. They said no thanks. O’Driscoll left Bournemouth basically on
@gnorman125, via Twitter summed it up. I should have ended the day I got there and the chairman
It always bugged me, because no one up with at least double the amount Did you get any hate from fans when asked if I’d do it. I said no – I wasn’t
ever said that I was a bad player. In all, of caps that I got. you left Birmingham for Wolves? there to replace him and it would have
Alfie, via Instagram looked that way. [FFT: If you hadn’t
Not really. Both sets of fans were good retired days earlier, would they have
to me. I was back with Glenn Hoddle at offered you the job, not Eddie Howe?]
+ STAR QUESTION + Who knows? Every chance. I probably
would’ve taken it then. But I definitely
When did the ‘Sicknote’ tag begin? wouldn’t have done as good a job as
Samuel Bevins, via Instagram Eddie, so happy days for Bournemouth!
Portsmouth. I’d had migraines, I had
to miss a match and Andy Gosney,
reserve-team goalie, said, “Have you
ASK A QUESTION, WIN A SHIRT!
got your sick note?” For some reason
the press picked up on it when I joined
Spurs, and it resurfaced after 1995-96. Follow @FourFourTwo on Twitter and
In my early days I was actually known send us your questions for our future
as Shaggy, from Scooby-Doo, which is interviewees. Whoever asks the Star
Question each month wins a classic
funny because Steve McManaman had
the same at Liverpool. Have I ever football shirt from the player’s career,
handed in a sick note? Definitely not! courtesy of classicfootballshirts.co.uk



FourFourTwo February 2020 11

JAPAN HOME

SHIRT £69.95
adidas.co.uk
Can’t we just invite Japan
to Euro 2020? As their
appearances at the 1999
and 2019 Copas America
have shown, the Samurai
Blue are always willing
to broaden their horizons
– and with a new kit like
this, they really should
be welcomed to Europe’s
grand show with open
arms. Their latest effort
THE BEST OF comprises a blue, wavy
camo motif, resplendent
with red trim and darker
navy shorts. Last chance,
O
KIT + FASHION Mr Ceferin. No? Fine then.
DESIGN + T





























































































EDITED BY @JOEBREWINFFT GOT GEAR? SEND IT HERE

ADIDAS MALMO SHOES £84.95
adidas.co.uk
Adidas’ classic City Series was a huge hit with punters in the ’70s and ’80s, offering
terrace casuals a welcome distraction from trying to kick lumps out of each other.
The good news is that the Malmo is back for a modern refresh, and still looks as
stylish as ever with its bold yellow suede and blue leather trim. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
would love to rock a pair, if only he wasn’t despised in his home town these days...







































ACME THUNDERER WHISTLE £8.99
acmewhistles.co.uk
“Mum, when I grow up I want to be just like Mike Dean.” Said, er, no one ever. Still,
someone’s got to invoke the anger of 22 players on a football pitch, so they might
as well do it using a handy piece of gear. This little number from Acme also comes
fitted with a fully adjustable cushioned brass finger grip, meaning you can be as
whistle-happy as you like without the fear of dropping it every 30 seconds. Clever.

























THE NORTH
CURVE TANGO
SWEATSHIRT
£25.99
thenorthcurve.com
Get everything you asked
for over Christmas? If the
big man didn’t drop one
of these ace sweatshirts
down your chimney, the
answer to that question
should be no. Inspired
by Adidas’ fabled Tango
ball from the 1978 World
Cup, the simplistic design
represents yet another
reminder to us all of the
iconic sphere’s legacy.
There’s more where this
came from on The North
Curve’s website, too, so
why not treat yourself?

LILLE 75TH
ANNIVERSARY
SHIRT N/A
newbalance.com
Have Lille ever looked
so chic? Les Dogues are
celebrating their latest
milestone of existence
with the release of this
retro stunner, marking
the merger of Olympique
Lillois and SC Fives back
in 1944. It highlights the
‘Fleur de Lis’ – Lille’s first
crest – and is completed
with an ace V design in
(we quote; cannot stress
this enough) “rhubarb
and tawny port shades”.
Crikey. Happy birthday!

NEW BALANCE X LIVERPOOL ROAV TRAINERS £85
newbalance.co.uk
New Balance and Liverpool may be ending their relationship on rather rocky terms,
but that isn’t stopping the former from turning out high-quality Reds merch. These
running trainers – based on the Merseysiders’ away kit for 2019-20 – include Fresh
Foam cushioning for a snug ride, plus jazzy Ultra Heel technology (whatever that is).
Liver bird prints on the tongue and insole complete a dapper look for Anfield nuts.







































BORN OFFSIDE MARADONA TEE £24
bornoffsideuk.com
The year is 1987, and Napoli have just won their first Serie A title. “You don’t know
what you missed,” reads a flag draped over a Naples cemetery wall, as Partenopei
fans party for days. Diego Maradona was A Bit Good in that historic campaign, and
the fine folks at Born Offside have immortalised his legendary contributions in this
sky blue T-shirt featuring the Argentine star, with ‘Napoli 87’ printed on the reverse.





YARD OF PACE
APPAREL £30-£90
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You’ve got your eclectic
five-a-side shirt collection
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your kit in? Yard of Pace’s
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bags and pouches could
be what you’re after. This
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range. It’s waterproofed
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so you’ll never get caught
out in a downpour again.

KIT+BONE
BOLT SHIRT £35
kitandbone.com
Borussia Dortmund in the
1990s; Barcelona in the
Noughties; er, half of the
Football League a decade
later. Fluorescent shirts
evoke halcyon memories
of famous line-ups and
have inspired a dazzling
creation by design studio
Kit+Bone, whose skeleton
logo adorns their wares.
We love all the lightning
detail on the shoulders
and bold flecked spark on
the chest – you’ll kick off
the new year in style at
floodlit training sessions.

LACK OF
GUIDANCE
SEEDORF TEE
£59.95
lackofguidance.com
When you have a football
heritage as rich as the
Netherlands’, you need
to celebrate it. And who
better to honour than the
only player to have lifted
the Champions League
trophy with three clubs?
Clarence Seedorf receives
the full treatment from
fashion aficionados Lack
of Guidance, who detail
his four European gongs
at Ajax, Real Madrid and
Milan with a reminder
that ‘numbers don’t lie’.






























NIKE
MERCURIAL
VAPOR XIII X
MEGAN
RAPINOE N/A
nike.com
“Some aim to leave their
mark on the game; you
have changed it.” So read
Nike’s message to USA
Women superstar Megan
Rapinoe, who was given
these boots after picking
up the Ballon d’Or. Sadly
you can’t buy them, but
just look at them: bright
k
pink with gold features,
they are the perfect pair
of kicks to match one of
the game’s biggest
personalities.

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GAMES







THAT






CHAnGED







MY LIFE







CESAR







AZPILICUETA






18 February 2020
34 16 FourFourTwo .com

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Osasuna 1 Getafe 0
February 28, 2007 Copa del Rey

“The most special day of your career is when you
make your senior debut. To play for Osasuna when
I was an academy player aged 17 was something
I dreamed of, but I was so nervous. I got the call
from my reserve-team manager two days before
the match. It was the second leg of the Copa del
Rey quarter-final – we lost 3-0 in the first leg, but
won the second leg and I got an assist! I couldn’t
play more than about an hour – I was completely
burned out after giving everything for the team.”

Chelsea 6 Wolves 0
September 25, 2012 League Cup

“I’d been looking forward to my Chelsea debut and
was excited when I signed. Roberto Di Matteo was
the coach at the time. I’d arrived from Marseille in
August and didn’t have a lot of opportunities, but
my job was to work hard and get into the team as
soon as possible. He trusted me that day. I’d lived
the Stamford Bridge atmosphere from the bench,
but that’s nothing compared to walking out of the
tunnel and playing. I was 22 and had experience
in Spain, France and the Champions League, but
at a big club like Chelsea, it’s something different.”
REMATCH OF THE DAY
Spain 3 Uruguay 1
February 6, 2013 International friendly One of England’s best Euro 96 games will be recreated in London in May


“My national team debut is a moment I’m proud
of, and the game was in Qatar! Spain vs Uruguay
in Qatar? It was like Chelsea vs Arsenal in Baku. Euro 96 was one of the most remarkable summers focal point, but it’s hardly the final. Elsewhere they’ve
I’d come through the youth ranks with Spain and in modern English history, but spare a thought for let some other nuggets slip: classic ’90s comestibles
been the captain in almost every age group. We those who were too young – or abroad, or in prison (“Hooch will be free-flowing”), and a replica trophy.
had an amazing team, who had won two Euros – to experience it. Not just the games, but the whole The first Rematch task was signing the band whose
and the 2010 World Cup. My Chelsea team-mates, Britpop-fuelled spirit that pervaded the nation’s anthem soundtracked every ad break that summer.
Juan Mata and Fernando Torres, were there too, bars, before they became gastropubs and stopped Pop traces his music career back to “that moment
which helped make things easier for me. Vicente showing football. If only there was a way to go back. I saw the Coca-Cola advert”, adding, “I fell in love with
del Bosque, the coach, was calm and easy-going. Enter Jack Pop and Chris Webb, who loved that era Collapsed Lung. EAT MY GOAL. Always relevant. EAT
I didn’t know I was playing until the final meeting. so much they’re recreating it. Rematch of the Day is MY GOAL! I listened to that Euro 96 compilation over
I was playing right-back, against Luis Suarez and a one-off one-dayer in which people relive the sights, and over. It’s probably what made me start a label.”
Edinson Cavani. The day you play for your country sounds and smells of Euro 96. It’ll happen on May 2 at Collapsed Lung are on board. Of course, you need
for the first time is special for your whole family.” London’s Boston Music Room and Dome, where Pop a good dress code, too. They’re unearthing favourite
– usually a record label boss – staged a recent festival. jerseys: Pop has Cameroon’s Italia 90 kit, while Webb
Chelsea 4 Arsenal 1 “Chris came down to that, shortly after going to has a Euro 96 England top, but “Teddy Sheringham has
May 29, 2019 Europa League final a Secret Cinema thing,” he says. “At the back of clumsily daubed his name on it”.
the room we got a bit drunk and decided to do How should their guests start that day, to immerse
,
q
“I was the captain, and it was amazing to lead the a football equivalent, right there.” t themselves in the 1996 spirit? “Chuck on an episode
g
p
e
team and lift the trophy [left]. I know it was a long Their ide ea is similar to those immersive of The Big Breakfast,” says Webb, “tt then grab
way to Baku for the fans, which wasn’t great, but cinema affairs in which a converted yourself a tasty Pop Tart or bowl o
of Kellogg’s
we only have good memories when we look back warehous se or theme park tries to Banana Bubbles, wash it down w ith Sunny
otball gear,
at the score. I’ve won a few trophies with Chelsea. convince your brain that you’re really in Delight, pull on your best ’90s foo
s
Winning the 2016-17 Premier League and playing Star Wars or Blade Runner or whatever; cover yourself in Lynx Africa or I mpulse’s
r
d Mondeo
in every minute of that season is an achievement full-on sig ghts and sounds everywhere, Into Glamour, hop in your Ford
I’m very proud of, because that wasn’t easy. But to then they y show the movie. and blare out some Britpop ba
angers.”
lead the team in a European final, against Arsenal, “No one e’s done a football one,” Pop Morning glory indeed.
s
is something which has to be at the top for me.” continues. “It’s those other moments Si Hawkins
Alex Jennings that we re eally want to recreate, that
ated.co.uk
whole evo ocative summer mentality: More details at sportsreillustra
ets, email
Cesar Azpilicueta was speaking at a Hublot event the drinks s, the look, the bands.” – for a chance to win two ticke
c
Tickets cost £19.96 – they aren’t fourfourtwo@futurenet.com with the
revealing which game will be the name of Euro 96’s Golden Boo t winner
FourFourTwo Februa ry 2020 19

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EURO 96 SPECIAL
















THE FFT QUIZ


It’d be rude not to, wouldn’t it? Rack your brain to see how much you can recall from halcyon days





Who was the Golden Boot winner The name of the official mascot Which English grounds are missing
at Euro 96, having not scored in 12 for the tournament was what: from this list of hosts at Euro 96?
01 internationals before it kicked off? 09 a) Striker b) Willie or c) Goaliath?
Wembley
Who was crowned Player of the Who was ruled out of England’s
Tournament, scoring twice in his Euro 96 squad mid-tournament Anfield
02 country’s triumphant campaign? 10 with an ankle problem, which he
Villa Park
sustained falling into a bed of nettles?
A pair of Premier League referees
featured on the 24-strong list of Which Udinese striker scored both
03 Euro 96 officials. Who were they? Germany goals in the final against 13 St James’ Park
11 the Czech Republic, including the
Brian Laudrup scored three goals crucial Golden Goal during extra time?
for Denmark at Euro 96 – which
04 club did he play for at the time?

Name this quartet who signed for
a Premier League club after 1996

12









Which English group performed
the official Euro 96 theme song,
05 called We’re In This Together?

The uncle of a tennis superstar
saw his decisive penalty saved
06 in Spain’s quarter-final loss to
England. Can you tell us his full name?
England left-back Stuart Pearce
Which Ajax frontman scored the worked as a what while playing
Netherlands’ consolation goal in 14 for non-league side Wealdstone?
07 their 4-1 loss to the Three Lions?
Who missed the key spot-kick for
Name the singer-songwriter who France in their semi-final shootout
co-wrote anthem Three Lions with 15 defeat against the Czech Republic?
08 David Baddiel and Frank Skinner.
Name the two goalkeepers who
were selected in UEFA’s Team
16 of the Tournament for Euro 96.

Which nation was the last to win
17
a European Championship finals
on home soil, and in which year?

What is the official name of the
European Championship trophy
18 handed to the winning captain?



126 February 2016 FourFourTwo.com Bogarde, Christophe Dugarry, Markus Babbel, Alen Boksic 13. Old Trafford, Elland Road, Hillsborough, City Ground 14. Electrician 15. Reynald Pedros 16. David Seaman, Andreas Kopke 17. France, 1984 18. Henri Delaunay Trophy Answers: 1. Alan Shearer 2. Matthias Sammer 3. David Elleray and Dermot Gallagher 4. Rangers 5. Simply Red 6. Miguel Angel Nadal 7. Patrick Kluivert 8. Ian Broudie 9. Goaliath 10. Steve Howey 11. Oliver Bierhoff 12. Winston



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MY FOOTBALL


















MILTOn JOnES


The Mock The Week comic discusses Kanu, Pat Jennings’ giant hands and yellow cards for animal impressions



First game you ever attended? Which player do you like even though
It was a Home International in the they never played for your club?
’70s: England beat Northern Ireland 1-0 I’m tempted to say Johan Cruyff, but
and Phil Neal scored a penalty. That’s that’s too obvious. It’s the players who
probably why they cancelled the Home do something and you think ‘What
Internationals – when Phil Neal gets the was that?!’, because you never saw it
winner, you know it’s been a dull game. coming. Cruyff was in that category –
Who was your childhood hero and Duncan McKenzie, too. I liked Dimitri
did you ever meet them? Payet at West Ham. He’d put a free-kick
I’ve never really met any Arsenal into the corner that was least obvious.
players. They have a charity do and You’d think he’d aim for the far corner,
invite a comedian, but I’ve turned it but he’d aim for the corner where the
down because of the stress of seeing keeper was standing, and still score.
all your heroes not laughing. Charlie Where’s the best place you’ve ever
George was my hero, and I almost watched a game?
met him once. He’s a club ambassador Definitely not Wembley, because the
and I saw him walk past, but I was old Wembley had too many pillars and
starstruck. All I could think to say was, the new one takes hours to get in and
“I like your goals!”, which would have out of. I once had one of the packages
been pathetic, so I didn’t say anything. at the Emirates Stadium where you
Your finest moment as a player? have a box and a three-course meal; it
I was a Trevor Steven: I could cross was great, but it felt like cheating. I’d
a ball but I got slower as my career rather go to Hampton & Richmond and
progressed. I started on the right wing, watch Arsenal’s under-17s, which can
then went to right-back. I’d score about be more interesting sometimes.
10 goals a year – quite often a free-kick Favourite football book?
which was a cross that went in. I’m not Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch: the most
ARSENAL
sure it’s my finest moment, but I was influential football book ever. It helped
cautioned once for making animal that I supported Arsenal and knew all of
L
T
E
I
N
O
J
M
N
g abo
noises. I didn’t know that was actually MILTON JOO NESS the games he was talking about. When
y
at
tua
ac
as
t e ga es e as ta
he talked about walking behin
t
a possibility. I was just trying to put off he nd people
players. It’s an option if you can’t match in the street, pretending you’v
ve got the
e
all, going past them and bea
their pace, as it can freak them out, but ba ting them
apparently that’s bad sportsmanship. to a traffic light – all of that no
onsense –
at he was
Who from Arsenal’s ppast would you I knew exactly wha
r
bring back for the current side? talking about. It was good
They need some grit in midfield; they’ve observational stand-up.
a d up
ational
sta
observ
n
never replaced Patrick Vieira. Maybe What’s the stran
ngest
n or
o
someone like Peter Storey, although thing you’ve seen
he probably wouldn’t be allowed to heard at a g
game?
b
p
play any more; he’d spend the Being caut ioned fo r
nimal
whole time suspended. I think he making an
d
ended up in jail for something. noises isn …
m
n’t great…
Who has or had the hardest I’ve seen lots of
h
n
shot you’ve ever seen? violence on footbal l pitches –
Vieira had a good whack it’s amazing what people get awa
ay
a
on him because he had with. I’ve been punched in the nd
e face an
such long legs – it was like no action was taken at all. As soon as
s
come
a golf swing. My mate Dave I get involved in football, I bec
could really whack a ball, too. quite competitive. Someone w
will say,
ay, “But
But it has to be Tony Yeeboah – “Let some kids play” and I’ll sa
the scale you measure shots by. then I can’t slide tackle them, can I?”
e
.com

UPFROnT





Where’s the strangest place you’ve
ever met a manager or a player?
I once bumped into Pat Jennings at
Heathrow Airport. At the time he was
a Tottenham player – I’d like to say he
dropped my autograph, but he was so
nice. Weirdly big hands. I don’t know
whether they were big to begin with
or got pulled about from making saves.
What’s the most important piece of
memorabilia that you have or wish
you still had?
I’ve got a pennant, which still smells
of horrible plastic, with ‘Arsenal
Double-winners 70/71’ written on it
very badly. It was one of the first things
I ever got. I also had an old Arsenal
kit until it fell apart, from Christmas
when I was six. My brother supported
Leeds, but my mum got him a Chelsea
kit because it would be easier to wash.
He has never forgiven her.
Who’s your current favourite player?
Probably [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang,
or [Matteo] Guendouzi – he’s a little
Gallic in terms of how easily he goes
down, but he can take a game by the
scruff of the neck. They should make
him the captain.
If you could drop yourself into your FOOTBALL’S COMInG HOME
all-time Arsenal team, who would you
be playing alongside? Forget Wembley, the beautiful game is said to have started in... Scotland
I loved Kanu – you never knew what
he was going to do, because he didn’t
know either. Alan Ball had white boots,
so I’ve always tried to buy white boots Football is indeed heading home this summer – but founded in 1824. He also knows of Blairgowrie Rules
since then, and I’m sure I’ve had more according to one historian, that home isn’t England. which predate that.
fouls committed against me as a result. No matter what the Three Lions lyrics say, Ged O’Brien O’Brien dates football back to 16th century Scotland,
I would put Abou Diaby in there as well, is adamant that football’s birthplace was in Scotland, based on analysis of The Church of Scotland’s records.
just to give him a game. Tony Adams is another of the Euro 2020 co-hosts. “The records keep trying to extinguish football because
Mr Arsenal, so he could play alongside In fact, he says the sport’s most important historical it’s one of the last pre-Reformation things that people
me. The problem is that he’d probably site is a humble bowling club, jammed next to a scruffy did to enjoy themselves,” he says.
,
be shouting in my ear the whole time. railway and a main road. “Be in no doubt, if you’re watching football, you’re
Which player would you choose as An art historian from Southampton wh ho later watching t the Scottish game. They’re playing
your room-mate? became the project director of Glasgow’s s what t the Scots played from the Lowlands
Definitely not a joker – not Ray Parlour Scottish Football Museum, O’Brien wasn’t to t e Highlands half a millennium ago.”
or someone that just messes about. looking to challenge football’s traditional O’Brien believes that the first-ever
I understand that Dennis Bergkamp narrative until he stumbled across p urpose-built football stadium was
wore pyjamas and turned in at a proper a picture of Queen’s Park FC player a lso constructed in Glasgow, in 1873.
time. If you want a good night’s sleep, Andrew Watson. I England, grounds like Sheffield
Bergkamp’s your man. “I knew, as everyone did, that Arthur U nited’s Bramall Lane and Mansfield
Which celebrity should we ask these Wharton of Preston North End was the To wn’s Field Mill were already around,
questions to soon? first black footballer,” says O’Brien. “But but both were built for cricket.
A lot of comedians are Arsenal fans: when I saw that photo of Watson from the Nort h of the border, Queen’s Park FC had
Alan Davies, Dara O’Briain, Romesh early-1880s, I thought I was nuts. What that a stadium constructed specifically for football
Ranganathan, Rob Beckett and Hugh taught me was football history is based on a whole load – known as ‘The First Hampden’, it’s now the home of
Dennis. When I do Mock The Week, of unchallenged facts. If you state something confidently Hampden Bowling Club. Sadly, it only lasted until 1884,
it can be four out of seven people who thousands of times a year for a century, everyone goes when the council decided to build a railway through it
support Arsenal. I don’t know whether for it eventually.” and Queen’s Park moved to nearby Cathkin Park, known
that’s specified at the booking stage; Much of his work since then has discredited what FIFA as ‘The Second Hampden’. The third Hampden remains
if Dara says, “We need more Arsenal claims is the truth. Wikipedia states that football began after opening in 1903, and is getting ready to host four
people!” I think it’s just because it’s in 19th century England, but O’Brien thinks that wasn’t matches at Euro 2020.
got the word ‘arse’ in it – that means football as we now know it because different parts of the “It’s the site where world football was developed,”
it attracts comedians. country played their own version of the game. says O’Brien. “Any other country in the world would
Chris Flanagan “Scotland was playing to a national set of rules, while have a giant museum. Tourists would be queuing to
England was still fighting it out,” he explains. O’Brien’s get their photo taken.”
Jones is touring with ‘Milton: Impossible’. research suggests the oldest rules in existence today Visit for the photo, stay for the bowls.
For ticket details, visit miltonjones.com were those of John Hope’s Foot-Ball Club of Edinburgh, Chris Sweeney



FourFourTwo February 2020 23

UPFROnT
UPFROnT
> 2016 <


















RAnKED










BEST OVERSEAS




SIGnInGS In THE



25 JAnUARY WInDOW
Since the transfer window was introduced in 2003,

a host of top players (and Kostas Mitroglou) have
switched from foreign clubs to the Premier League








25 DAnIEL AGGER 13 CLInT DEMPSEY



24 CHRIS SAMBA 12 EMMAnUEL ADEBAYOR


1
23 PAPISS CISSE 11 AnTOnIO VALEnCIA



22 CHRISTOPHE DUGARRY 10 GABRIEL JESUS
nEMAnJA VIDIC
While hindsight would tell you that Premier League history, let alone at Old
21 RYAn nELSEn 9 AYMERIC LAPORTE
the £7 million Manchester United Trafford, and led to five league titles,
spent on Nemanja Vidic is one of the three League Cups and one Champions
biggest bargains in Premier League League in his nine-and-a-half seasons
20 EDIn DZEKO 8 LUCAS MOURA
history, it didn’t feel that way at first. at United. Vidic was crowned player of
The Serbian centre-back joined with the year by fans and team-mates, and
Patrice Evra midway through 2005-06, by the Premier League twice.
19 LUKA 7 MIKEL ARTETA
but it’s easy to forget his shaky start – The Serb succeeded Gary Neville as
Vidic lasted 45 minutes in an under-21 captain a few seasons into his career
MILIVOJEVIC
game before unimpressed coach Rene with the Red Devils, and was arguably
6 BRAnISLAV IVAnOVIC
Meulensteen hauled him off. Luckily for the world’s best in his role for a while.
the former Spartak Moscow man, Alex Whenever United sign a new defender,
18 HEnRIK LARSSOn
Ferguson remained patient. Vidic is held up as the standard-bearer
5 PIERRE-EMERICK
It wasn’t long before Vidic earned the – but sadly for suffering supporters, no
respect of fans and team-mates for his one has come close to him.
17 YOURI TIELEMAnS AUBAMEYAnG
no-nonsense defending. “All I want is An emotional Vidic said farewell to
to be first to the ball and win a header Manchester United at the end of the
or tackle,” he explained back in 2007. 2013-14 campaign after making 300
16 MARTIn SKRTEL 4 PATRICE EVRA
“I don’t think about getting hurt. I do outings, with his name ringing around
what I have to do and I only want the the Stretford End. What all those fans
ball.” Getting an occasional boot to the would give to have a defender of his
15 BREDE HAnGELAnD 3 PHILIPPE COUTInHO
chops was a small price to pay. quality marshalling the backline now.
Vidic’s partnership with Rio Ferdinand Scott Patterson
will go down as one of the greatest in Republik of Mancunia @R_o_M
14 nEMAnJA MATIC 2 LUIS SUAREZ


16 FourFourTwo
7
24 February 2020 .com

T ALEnTSPOTTER









MARCUS







THURAM

CLUB BORUSSIA
MONCHENGLADBACH
POSITION FORWARD


Value £20m Age 22 Foot Right
Height 6ft 4in Nation France

THE STORY SO FAR: After starting out
in the youth sectors of amateur clubs
in Paris, Thuram – son of France’s 1998
World Cup and Euro 2000 winner Lilian
– joined the Sochaux academy at 14.
He glided through the ranks in eastern
France operating as a wide attacker or
striker, and helped Les Lionceaux’s kids
win the Coupe Gambardella – France’s
equivalent of the FA Youth Cup – in May
2015. After bagging a brace in the 3-1
semi-final win over PSG, Thuram netted
again in Sochaux’s 2-0 final victory over
Lyon at the Stade de France.
He had already been handed a token
debut for Sochaux’s first team in Ligue
2 by then, and made 36 appearances in
France’s second tier across the following
two seasons. Ligue 1’s Guingamp then
chose to cough up a reported €600,000
(£425,000) for his services in July 2017.
He stood out in a struggling (eventually
relegated) side, impressing enough over
two campaigns to convince Bundesliga
outfit Borussia Monchengladbach that
€12m (£10.8m) was a fee worth paying.
Thuram – a bundle of power and skill,
with a languid running style that masks
his nippy top speed – has thrived in
Germany. He was a menace during
Gladbach’s 2-1 win over Bayern
Munich in December, winning
the late, decisive penalty.
Having represented France
40 times from U17 to U21
level, he’s a contender for
a place in Les Bleus’ Euro
2020 squad this summer. THEY SAID: “He is HE SAID: “I used to play out wide as LINKED WITH: Bayern Munich, who
NICKNAME: ‘Tikus’, which playing for a top team a youngster and at the start of my pro have a high-quality France contingent
hails from the word ‘Ti’ – meaning in Germany and making career... I love dribbling. At Guingamp in the form of Benjamin Pavard (left),
‘small’ in the Antillean Creole language very good progress – even if his last season they thought I didn’t pass Lucas Hernandez, Corentin Tolisso and
of Guadeloupe, where his family comes father wasn’t called Lilian Thuram, we enough, so now I’m looking to bring Kingsley Coman. PSG are monitoring
from – coupled with the second syllable would be keeping a close eye on him,” my team-mates into play a lot more.” his progress as they prepare for having
of his first name. Together, that makes said France coach Didier Deschamps in DID YOU KNOW? Thuram was born in to replace Kylian Mbappe in the future.
‘Little Marcus’. November 2019. Parma, Italy, and speaks fluent English. James Eastham



FourFourTwo February 2020 25

UPFROnT







ASK A SILLY QUESTIOn













MATT ‘DOLL MAn’ HOLLAnD
The former Ipswich and Ireland midfielder on his pigeon fury and Sophie Ellis-Bextor cross-dressing

Interview Nick Moore Illustration Bill McConkey







Hi Matt. We’re going to kick off this It’s a lottery. How old do you feel? Are
interview with a compliment. You’re there any signs of ageing, like trouble
apparently 45, but look around 26 – getting out of a chair?
what’s happening? Oh, definitely. When I wake up, it takes
Hi. Good question! I do get called Peter me a few minutes to come around. My
Pan a lot. To be honest, I can’t explain it. legs are in bits and I’ll limp to the toilet.
I think it might be in the genes. My nan My back will be sore and both knees are
is 92 and she looks like she could be in stiff. It’s a while before I can get going.
her seventies. Maybe that’s it. I need a bit of WD40. I guess it’s pretty
Are you tremendously well-hydrated common for ex-footballers, though. It’s
with a substantial skincare regime? the right side especially; my hip, ankle,
FFT keeps forgetting to drink enough knee and shoulder. I was right-footed,
water each day and now we have the so that side is the worst.
complexion of Weetabix. Can you understand young people’s
I’m not that well-hydrated, no – I don’t music these days? Are you listening
drink a lot of water. I should be having to underground drill mixtapes while
more, but I’m more likely to drink a cup driving on a motorway?
of coffee. But yes, I do moisturise every Oh God, no. I haven’t got a clue. I have
morning. I use that L’Oreal stuff, which boys who are really into every genre of
is pretty good. I buy it when it’s on offer music, but I don’t get it. My missus likes
and think it does help. it, but most of it isn’t my cup of tea.
Are you sleeping a solid eight hours Could you tell us what the No.1 song
a night, Matt? is as we speak?
Easily. I definitely get my eight hours – No, not a chance!
I absolutely love my bed. I fall asleep on It’s Dance Monkey by someone called
the sofa every night, and I’m always in Tones & I.
bed by about 10pm. Then I don’t have I’ve never heard of her.
to get up until around 6.45am, so that’s She has a hat and a big coat.
well over eight hours. We have horses, See, there we go. Straight over my head.
so we have to get up a little bit early or I mean, I have iTunes and I do listen to
they’d be kicking the doors down trying music. I haven’t been and bought a CD
to find their food. for years, though.
And are you eating five a day? Do you have a fidget spinner?
I am. I like fruit and veg and eat pretty A what?
healthily. Especially satsumas, the easy That’s a no, then. Have you ever made
peelers – I’ll eat them like they’re going a Tik Tok?
out of fashion. I haven’t. I’m clearly living on a different
The problem we find with satsumas is planet these days.
that you get too many duffers... What do you think about Kayne West
Yes, it’s a nightmare if you end up with finding God?
a pack of dry ones. Well, I just say fair play to him. Everyone
has their own decisions to make in their
life. I saw Kanye live at the Brits once –
“WHY DON’T WE SEE ANY he did Gold Digger. There were about 50
women up on stage, all dressed in gold,
BABY PIGEONS IN LONDON? and it was really good. But he’s made his

GOOD QUESTION. PIGEONS ARE own choices. I’ve never had any religious
experiences, although I’m happy to pop
FAT, SO MAYBE THEY EAT THEM?” along to church with my nan.

Dion Dublin says he’s got an affinity
for his namesake city, so do you have
a loyalty to the Dutch?
You have to, don’t you? It’s an amazing
country. I cycled there a few years ago,
when I did the London to Amsterdam
bike ride, and that was great. And I like
the football team – the orange is pretty
good. I suppose I have supported them
a bit, because of my name.
Do you enjoy pancakes?
They’re great, although I wouldn’t have
one every day. I’ll enjoy a few on Shrove
Tuesday with lemon and sugar. Putting
chocolate on them ruins it.
Which Dutchie would you pick as the
best ever? Anne Frank? Rembrandt?
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, maybe?
I’m going to keep it Ipswich-centric and
say Arnold Muhren. I host an ex-players
dinner at Ipswich and it was a pleasure
talking to him. I remember as a kid that
he’d always be scoring.
Good choice. Your name is an anagram
of ‘That doll man’ and ‘Tall tom hand’.
If you had to be known by one of these
names, which would you pick?
Well, I’m not tall. My missus always calls
me a short arse. She’s a piss-taker. It will
have to be ‘That doll man’, then.
That’s not very fair from Mrs Holland.
I know, right? I’m 5ft 10in – it’s not like
EURO 2005: THE LEGACY
I’m 5ft 4in. [Starts jabbering to someone]
I’m sitting next to Tony Cottee, and he England hosting the Women’s Euros reaped rewards, despite an early exit
insists 5ft 10in is tall! She’s being harsh.
Undoubtedly. Why don’t we see baby
pigeons in London, Matt? Where have
they all gone? It had all started so promisingly. Hosting a major “Euro 2005 was exhilarating and frustrating in equal
That’s a good question. Pigeons are fat, tournament for the first time, England’s women had measures. People were finally waking up to women’s
so maybe they eat them? I’m just fed up won their opening Euro 2005 game against Finland football. It was a sport in its infancy in terms of being
with pigeons in general. They’re all over thanks to Karen Carney’s dramatic injury-time chip. in the public eye, and it was starting a journey towards
my bloody decking, making a right mess. The 3-2 victory was watched by 29,092 fans at the having part-time and, later, full-time players. So many
You share a birthday with Cerys ‘Road City of Manchester Stadium, setting a new record of them had been paying to play.”
Rage’ Matthews, Lisa Stansfield and for a women’s match in Europe. Although success on the field may have sped up the
Joss Stone. Which one would you most The success wouldn’t last. A 2-1 defeat by Denmark process, the tournament galvanised those in charge to
like to duet with? at Ewood Park, followed by a 1-0 loss to Sweden at the make changes which would one day lead to England
Joss Stone wins on looks, and she’s got same ground three days later, eliminated England from having the only full-time professional top tier in Europe.
the best voice, too. A double whammy. the competition, finishing bottom of their group. Four years on from the Lionesses’ disappointment in
She’s great. Speaking of female singers, Euro 2005 was confined to England’s north west, with Blackburn, England Women earned central contracts
I was once told that I was a lookalike for matches staged only in Manchester, Blackpool, Preston, to help ease the burden of having second jobs. A year
Sophie Ellis-Bextor... Warrington and Blackburn. But a combined attendance later, in 2010, the FA established the first edition of the
Amazing. Do you think Lisa Stansfield of 69,481 watched Lionesses games, all of which Women’s Super League.
has found her baby yet? were also live on the BBC along with the final – With England confirmed as hosts for Euro 2021,
She’s probably still looking. inevitably won by Germany. Oatley believes it will be a very different occasion
If you had to disrupt a major sporting Thankfully, England’s early exit didn’t dampen next year. “Euro 2021 compared to Euro 2005 will
event, which one would you choose? the FA’s enthusiasm to drive forward with their be night and day,” she says.
You’ve got to go for the one that most ambitions for the women’s game. “The popular question about female footballers
people are watching, so I think it would “I think it was the first time that many used to be whether they were able to play.
have to be the World Cup final, dressed people had watched women’s football, Now people prefer to debate whether Fran
as Sophie Ellis-Bextor! because it hadn’t been on television very Kirby should be starting or not. They aren’t
Now that’s a mental image. Cheers for much – even major tournaments,” says tuning in and learning about the women’s
chatting, Matt! trailblazing presenter and commentator game for the first time – they’re tuning in
Thanks. Jacqui Oatley (right). “The FA Cup final with more knowledge.”
was on every year, but it was routinely This time around, England will be seen as
Matt was at the launch of the Tote Ten laughed at by pundits of the men’s genuine contenders to reach a Wembley
To Follow. Visit tote.co.uk/ten-to-follow game. They had no idea about the final and lift the trophy. No pressure...
history of women’s football. Claire Bloomfield



FourFourTwo February 2020 27

UPFROnT



























JUnE 199


Two years after the magazine’s launch, we geared up
for Euro 96 with the big one – an Andy Goram exc clusive!






David Seaman vs Andy Goram: matches at the tournament. SStill two
1 war of the goalkeepers more matches than King Eric, t to be fair.
Shortly before Euro 96’s big kick-off, our
cover story centered on “the biggest The boy/old man’s a bit special
grudge match in international football” 3 Ever since FFT first launche ed, we’ve
– England vs Scotland. We interviewed always been on the lookout for the next
the two goalkeepers set to face each big thing. Back in the day, brea akthrough
e
other in their second group match at stars were celebrated on these pages in
Wembley, asserting that “goalkeepers, The Boy’s A Bit Special.
like landladies, love clean sheets”. Among the prodigious talents singled
A traumatised David Seaman relived out ahead of Euro 96 was Turk key striker
the time he lost 26-0 on his debut for Hakan Sukur: “He’s scored more goals
a junior school team, before revealing in his first five matches for Turkey than
how he’d been firing himself up for the Alan Shearer has scored in his first 20
showdown against the Auld Enemy – for England”. Goals at Euro 96: Sukur 0, 1
o
a development that’ll almost certainly Shearer 5 – but he did go on to become
be bad news for Gary McAllister. “I’ve a Turkey legend and play nine glorious
just watched Braveheart, so am right up games for Blackburn in 2002-0 03.
for it,” said Seaman. “It was a bit gory.” Spain’s Julen Guerrero was id dentified
Scotland’s shot-stopper Goram was as “good-looking, rich and you ung – he
actually born south of the border in Bury would be absolutely perfect if h he weren’t
and had no time for the author of the vertically challenged”. The poor bloke:
Jungle Book. “It’s like an Old Firm game: he was 5ft 10½in, so hardly Alan Wright
w’cannae lose,” he smiled. “Losing isn’t or Shaun Wright-Phillips.
even worth thinking about. See the boy Up-and-coming Romania playmaker
Rudyard Kipling, who said it’s the taking Gheorghe Hagi, 31, was one of the more
part, not the winning, that counts? Well surprising starlets, while Youri Djorkaeff,
it’s a load o’ s**te. Kipling never kicked “has a lot to live up to: his father Jean
a football in his life, I take it.” He could won 48 caps for France”. Give him a few
bake a mean cake, though. seasons and we think he’ll be just fine –
after all, did his dad play in the Premier
“Oooh… aah… Vaclav Nemecek?!” League for Bolton?
2 The main tournament preview put
the spotlight on one of the competition’s Marcus Stewart: the thinking
key names: Vaclav Nemecek. Wait, who? 4 man’s footballer 2
“Vaclav Nemecek’s going to be there It wasn’t all about Euro 96, though. FFT
while Eric Cantona won’t,” we declared. caught up with Bristol Rovers forward
That was certainly true: the Manchester Marcus Stewart at his local snooker club
United forward was omitted from the to discuss all the main issues of the day:
France squad, losing his place while he New Labour, the privatisation of the rail
served an eight-month ban for booting network and the chances of Bill Clinton
that bloke at Crystal Palace. He’d never being re-elected. No, not really.
play for Les Bleus again. “I’d never go to training on Thursdays
That cleared the way for Nemecek to because it was just running – I’d always
take centre stage, sort of. The midfielder phone in sick,” revealed the 23-year-old.
went into Euro 96 as the Czech Republic “Sometimes when I’m playing, my hair 3 4
captain, but started only two of their six gets in my eyes.” He’ll never make it...



28 February 2020 FourFourTwo

UPFROnT






Five managers took charge of England in the ’90s
– they didn’t call it The Impossible Job for nothing
THE FOOTBALL GRID




REQUIRED




READInG














The BOBBY GRAHAM TERRY GLENN KEVIN
manager ROBSON TAYLOR VENABLES HODDLE KEEGAN





New age,
Endearing uncle Permanently
“Hit Les new tactics,
who can’t quite King of the ready to defend
Style over the top! new way BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
remember car showroom the honour of
FACKIN’ HELL!” of getting Gary Lineker & Danny Baker
your name Stuart Pearce
the sack (Century, £20)
OOOO

Discovering It’s been a year since Lineker
Defeating
Thrashing the Christmas Empowering and Baker first teamed up to
Germany with
Highlight Cameroon 3-2 Er… tree, now David Beckham produce a podcast, and their
a water cannon
in Naples a lucrative to wear a sarong g debut book collaboration is
in Charleroi
industry no less entertaining either.
Both recall anecdote after
anecdote from their careers.
Lineker reveals getting a call
Discovering
Letting Peter Allowing from Argentina’s president,
that Gareth
Shilton face Swedes 2 Empowering Phil Neville to who offered him a 3am chat
Lowlight Southgate
a penalty Turnips 1 David Beckham get anywhere with Diego Maradona inside
was no good
shootout to get sent off near Euro 2000 a nightclub. Baker recounts
at penalties
a hilarious story about Paul
Gascoigne’s attempts to feed
a horse’s head to a bunch of
The Mirror calls “Have a night tigers in China, only to give it
Giving Carlton Being dragged
for his sacking, out – it’s Hiring Mystic to the penguins by mistake.
Weirdest Palmer 18 into a toilet
saying, “Robbo Hong Kong, Meg’s mum, Yep, that sounds like Gazza.
moment England caps cubicle by
should be a train what could Mystic Eileen David Davies Lineker also tackles that
driver”. What?! go wrong?” underpants incident at Italia
90, and explains how Bobby
Robson’s persistent name
No: loved by Yes: fired after Yes: loses last confusion even extended
No: reaches to his own: he once called
Humiliating fans, leaves comments ever game at
Ab l t
World Cup semi, Absolutely l Bryan Robson ‘Bobby’. “No,
departure? then joins PSV to battle about the old Wembley,
court cases disabled resigns in toilet you’re Bobby – I’m Bryan.”
Without doubt, it’s one of
the funniest books around.
Chris Flanagan
At t is
“Bigger, bigger! “The mere “At t
“I would have “He can’t speak You could win a signed copy
We’ve done fact he’s moment in
Best given my Turkey, but by telling us how many goals
that! FACKIN’ injured stops time I did
quote right arm to you can tell Lineker scored at Mexico 86.
CAN WE NOT him getting not say
be a pianist” he’s delighted” Send your answer via email:
KNOCK IT?” injured again” them things”
fourfourtwo@futurenet.com




FourFourTwo February 2020 29

UPFROnT



































































INTERVIEW










ALVARO nEGREDO


Still playing in the UAE at 34, the striker discusses life at Manchester City – and reviews Middlesbrough’s parmos




You’ve spent the last two years Then Real Madrid came for you… ahead of me. I was 22 and wanted to we won the Copa del Rey final against
playing for Al-Nasr in Dubai. How I went there and hoped I could get into play. I did that and scored 13 goals in Atletico Madrid. That was my very first
have you found it? the first team, but there were so many my first season and 19 in my second. trophy, but I wasn’t starting all the time
Life’s totally different here and Dubai good players. In the B team we had I proved I could score goals at that level. in my first season – there was strong
is like no other city that I have seen, Juan Mata, Filipe Luis, Javi Garcia, Borja competition from Fredi Kanoute and
but we’re happy. The weather is really Valero, Roberto Soldado and Alvaro Real Madrid exercised their option to Luis Fabiano. I loved Sevilla’s stadium,
good, the people are friendly. I feel Arbeloa. It was impossible for us to all sign you back for €5 million, but you the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. It’s loud,
that the club really respects me and go into the first team. I liked playing left again two months later – why? it can be hot there and the derby with
the feeling is mutual. football at the lower levels, though, I went back, but it was still difficult. Betis is one of the best in Spain. That’s
because I’m a football fan and my Manuel Pellegrini was honest with me the atmosphere I wanted after going to
Who did you support as a kid? brothers also played there. Even now, and said I’d play more elsewhere. I was Rayo matches.
Rayo Vallecano – my family are from I invest in a company called Footters. in a strong position – I was about to be
Vallecas. It’s not a very rich area, but They televise games from Segunda selected for Spain. Twice you scored more goals in La
a humble, working class area in Madrid. Division B and the Tercera Division. It’s Liga than any other Spaniard, to win
I stood behind the goal with my friends important to support the smaller clubs. Then Sevilla paid €15m for you... the Zarra Trophy. That helped you
and brothers, next to the ultras. My I joined Sevilla and probably had the earn a move to Manchester City.
father went to every game and still In 2007, you joined Almeria in La Liga. best moments of my career there. I was What was your time like there?
does. Then I got into the first team, It was the right decision to go there also representing Spain and played at Manchester’s a good city and we
aged 19, which made everyone proud. because Real Madrid had seven strikers Euro 2012, when we won it. At Sevilla, were happy there. It’s a nice city for



30 February 2020 FourFourTwo

UPFROnT





a footballer, one where you can live in
peace – even though there’s too much
rain! I was friends with Pablo Zabaleta,
David Silva and Sergio Aguero. They all
welcomed me – and my old friend Juan
Mata. I won the Premier League and
the League Cup with City. I started by
playing a lot and scoring loads of goals
– 23 in my first season, all of them by
January. Playing alongside Aguero, Silva
and Yaya Toure made my job easier –
but after February I had a shoulder
injury which made it difficult for me to
play. The manager used other strikers
instead, but I still feel I made the right
move going to City. I was playing for
the best team in England, in the best
league in the world.

Why did you leave after just one year
to join Valencia?
To play. Initially I went on loan, but
didn’t play until the middle of October.
I was in and out of the team. You need
continuity for your confidence. I said
some words about the tactics of our
coach and he didn’t choose me again,
but it wasn’t just that. The situation at GREAT
Valencia was difficult and the coaches
changed three times in one year. Gary
GOALS
Neville was my coach for a little while.
I played more under him, but he was
RETOLD
at the club in a bad time. Gary and his
brother Phil were good people but it was
a terrible time for everyone at Valencia.
The first person to lose their job is the John Arne Riise
coach when the team is not winning.

Then you returned to England with Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United, Premier League, 2001
Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough had a Spanish coach
and there were a lot of Spanish players
there. Middlesbrough is a small place John Arne Riise certainly knew how to pick his “Having that kind of angle and a good left foot,
but it’s a good, friendly, family club. moments. The Norwegian left-back had already I knew I had a chance. I was aiming for that top
I liked it there. I scored 10 goals and it introduced himself with goals against Bayern corner, obviously – but not the top, top corner...
looked like we would stay up, but we Munich (in the Super Cup final), Everton and you can’t be that precise. Normally when you
fell away at the end and were relegated. Newcastle (both Premier League) within two smash it so hard you can hit it very high, so I was
months of his debut season at Anfield, but he focused on hitting it low. It was really smooth and
Did you have a parmo? was merely warming up for greater things. I didn’t even feel anything.
Yes! It wasn’t really the best thing for Manchester United were on Merseyside reeling “When you hit something so smoothly that it
a professional footballer to eat, so from a home defeat to Bolton in their previous flies off your foot, it’s the best feeling ever. You
I only had it once or twice, but I liked it. match, and Michael Owen ensured their misery can hit a good shot and it gets saved, but for this
continued with a 32nd-minute opener. Seven one, everything just connected. It wasn’t until
After that, you went from Boro to the minutes later, it got worse. When Liverpool won afterwards that I thought, ‘That was perfect’.”
Bosphorus, with Besiktas... a free-kick 22 yards from goal, Riise sensed blood. United halved the deficit shortly after half-time
The noise when Besiktas played a big “I lined up with Dietmar Hamann, who also took through David Beckham but a flappy Barthez
game was the loudest I’ve ever known. some free-kicks,” he tells FFT. “We decided he was gifted Liverpool their reply within two minutes and
I loved that club and all their support. going to fake hit it, then roll it to me from a yard they romped to victory. Anfield had a new hero.
They had a song for me in Turkish and and a half. He actually rolled it a little bit further “The goal made life easier for me at Liverpool,”
I scored a lot of goals. It was another than I wanted him to, but I adjusted my run up...” says Riise. “It was the most important goal of my
fantastic place for me to live in, and The strike that followed was a venomous, career when it comes to being remembered, and
another great club to play for. I don’t bludgeoned effort from Riise’s jackhammer of it helped me get accepted as a player and as
regret any of my decisions in football. a left foot, which arrowed into the top corner a person at Anfield. It got the fans to like me and
Sometimes you have luck, other times beyond a helpless Fabien Barthez. “Didi played his believe that I was good enough for their team,
you don’t, but I’ve played for a long part perfectly in the timing,” grins Riise. “I’m sure and they still want to talk to me about it a lot!”
time around the world. A lot of players he will claim an assist! Nick Moore
are not that fortunate.
Andy Mitten



FourFourTwo February 2020 31

UPFROnT
UPFROnT
> <














BEST&WORST
















WEST HAM


Journalist, broadcaster and Irons fan Sam Delaney is wild about ’Arry – his nephew, on the other hand...


W: George ‘Ringo’ McCartney. It’s a silly
nickname and makes no sense at all.
XI
BEST: Ludek Miklosko, Ray Stewart,
Alvin Martin, Rio Ferdinand (below),
Julian Dicks, Alan Devonshire, Joe Cole, GOAL
Scott Parker, Dimitri Payet, B: Martin Allen’s Littlewoods Cup
Paolo Di Canio, Tony Cottee. volley against Wimbledon in 1989,
WORST: Alan McKnight, which sparked complete mayhem
Lionel Scaloni, Gary Breen, under the floodlights.
Rigobert Song, Mitchell W: Dowie’s own goal against Stockport
Thomas, Ilie Dumitrescu, County in 1996: a sensational bullet
Paul Ince, Frank Lampard Jr, header that he never managed to
Joey Beauchamp, Marco re-create at the correct end of the field.
Boogers, Lee Chapman


KIT
B: The mid-80s Adidas home shirt:
PLAYER
B: Julian Dicks (right). Fans claret with blue hoops and ‘Avco’
love players who look as if emblazoned across it.
they care as much as we W: 1989-90. We’d just been relegated
do. If anything, Dicks cared to the Second Division, and to make
too much. It was worrying at times. matters worse, we then turned out in
W: Marco Boogers. We thought we had a chequerboard shirt manufactured by
the next Marco van Basten. He played an outfit called Bukta and sponsored
five minutes and got sent off for kicking by BAC Windows.
Gary Neville, never to be seen again.


CULT HERO
B: ‘Disco’ Dani, the Portuguese
MOMEnT
B: Tony Gale’s Platini-esque free-kick wonderkid who briefly lit up the Premier
in 1988 to make it 4-1 against Liverpool League in 1996 with his silky skills and
breathtaking looks. “I don’t know
in the Littlewoods Cup. I was too young SEASOn SIGnInG
to go to Upton Park on a schoolnight, B: 2005-06. Nigel RReo-Coker’s B: Carlos Tevez. whether to play him or f**k him,” said
mp, 1994. He got
so I watched the highlights on Midweek aggression, Yossi B Benayoun’s W: Joey Beaucham manager Harry Redknapp at the time.
ord and we sold
Sports Special. I’m still buzzing from trickery, Dean Ashton’s brilliance homesick for Oxfo W: I liked Christian Dailly, but not as
that result. and Alan Pardew’s s world-class him to Swindon after 58 days. much as the fans who used to sing,
W: Steven Gerrard’s injury-time banter lit up our first year back “I’d let you shag my wife” at him
equaliser in the 2006 FA Cup Final. in the Prem and go ot us all every single week.
the way to the FA Cup final. nICK nAME
W: 2010-11. Avram m Grant B: Bot h Iain Dowie
h
guided us to relega ation (left) ) and Shaka
GAME CHAnT
op were known
B: I was at Old Trafford in 2007 when with all the tactica al Hislo B: “Paul Konchesky on the left-hand
Carlos Tevez saved us from relegation awareness as ‘T side” to the tune of Musical Youth
The Professor’
with the only goal of the game. Magic. and personal duri ng their spells, classic Pass the Dutchie.
W: Losing 6-0 away at Reading on New charm of a Black beca W: I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles to the
ause they both
Year’s Day 2007. It chucked it down, too. & Decker Workmate. had degrees s in engineering. tune of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Babyish.


16 16 FourFourTwo .com
32 February 2020

UPFROnT












THE VIEW FROM THE STAnDS




Is there an issue you feel
strongly about? Contact us:



fourfourtwo@futurenet.com


FourFourTwoUK



FourFourTwo
MAnAGER
B: Harry Redknapp (above). Not every
West Ham fan will agree, but his era
was so damn exciting.
W: Avram Grant. JAPAN ON THE UP
I couldn’t help but notice that you
STAR
mentioned a leap in attendances 4 
within your excellent feature about LETTER
HAIRCUT
B: Ian Bishop’s glorious ’90s mane, Vissel Kobe [FFT 308]. The J1 League
which he used to lash opponents with has actually just cracked a 20,000 ENI JUSTICE?
whenever he was turning on the ball. average for the first time in its
W: Marouane Chamakh’s asymmetric history, meaning only Europe’s big After reading your recent interview with Eni Aluko
greaseball look circa 2013. five leagues can better it these days.
This is good going for a nation that [FFT 307], I just had to write in. The treatment she
loves baseball more than any other received from people she trusted was abhorrent,
sport. There was a boost of interest
AWAY TRIP and yet it somehow led to the end of her England
B: Millwall. Exciting. in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup
W: Watford. Rubbish. but it didn’t last – until now. Young career. The media are quick to applaud players like
people are getting the bug thanks to Raheem Sterling for their stances towards racism –
an increase in professionalism and
more regular visits from European and rightfully so – but it would appear that Aluko
OPPOnEnT
B: Romelu Lukaku. We tried and failed clubs, which do make a difference. has been overlooked.
to sign him about six times. He rubbed We’re seeing the same trends in
it in by managing to score every time the US these days – a dip in baseball She showed the ultimate courage in standing up
he played against us. interest and increase in ‘soccer’ – so against racism, bigotry and bullying... which cost her
W: Frank Lampard Jr. Left West Ham might Japan now be following suit?
in acrimonious circumstances. Signed Steven Jenkins, via email a World Cup, friends, happiness and further reward.
for our hated rivals. Antagonised us That doesn’t seem right to me.
constantly in the media. Scored every IT’S ALL SO CYNICAL
time he played against us. Became one I’m sick and tired of ‘tactical fouls’ Richard Bagley, via email
of the world’s best midfielders. Ugh. spoiling matches. Is it just me who
feels like there are more these days?
I know that we can’t even agree on
stuff with VAR these days, but it feels GO WES – and isn’t alone in that among many
FACIAL HAIR
B: Alvin Martin’s ‘upside-down man’ like football could learn something I probably shouldn’t be writing this, but foreign players. Sometimes we forget
bald head and beard combo of the from rugby and punish players with as a Birmingham fan I felt delighted for that footballers have far-reaching
early-90s. a sin bin at the referee’s discretion, Villa’s Wesley in your previous issue [FFT responsibilities beyond the pitch, so
W: Neil Orr’s wispy ’80s ‘tache. depending on a challenge’s severity. 308]. There are some brattish footballers maybe we should be a little bit more
I’ve watched my own team Wolves who will never appreciate how cushy thoughtful before we sling out abuse.
suffer against all these niggly fouls, they have it in top-level academies, but If only he played for someone else…
and Adama Traore in particular gets crazy stories like his really make it hit Stuart F, via email
HARD MAn
B: Julian Dicks – known as a ‘hard man’ hacked to bits every game. They may home about some peoples’ extremely
just because he had a shaved head (and seem innocuous, but Son Heung-min’s tough journeys in life.
because he was very hard) but he was tackle on Andre Gomes in November And even though he’s in the Premier
an artist, too, with a peach of a left foot. suggests otherwise. It’s time to act. League now, he still has the pressure of
W: Paul Ince. Wanted to be called ‘The David Hissett, via email providing for a large family back home
Guv’nor’. Knocked out by Alvin Martin.

Run a club-specific podcast or fanzine WIN! Adidas Copa 17 FG boots for Star Letter and Trusox
and want to feature here? Email your for Spine Line, both courtesy of PRO:DIRECT
choices to fourfourtwo@futurenet.com


LAST MONTH’S SPINE LINE: “‘We had a goalkeeper called Dominique Dropsy’ is from Clive Allen’s Players Lounge interview about his year with Bordeaux in
1988 – Dropsy looked after the fines,” says Ed Bingham, via Twitter. Correct - the Trusox are yours! Entering the Spine Line via Twitter? Include #FFTSpineLine

Words Gary Parkinson, Andrew Murray Reporting Chris Flanagan, Steve Brenner,
Lindsay Herron, Arthur Renard, Emanuele Giulianelli Artwork The Sporting Press

After four years of misery, England faced up to Euro 96 with bleak hopes of enjoying their own party.

Three weeks later, they emerged as heroic losers who’d changed a nation. FFT relives all the drama...

EURO
96









ou know the story of Euro 96,
don’t you? A footballing opera
played out against a backdrop of
endless summer, accompanied
by a timeless theme song, with
cameo roles for great goals and
that most enduring of central
themes: England coming up
agonisingly short (even before
the tournament began, it was
“thirty years of hurt”, and that’s
Y now well into the mid-fifties).
Except, as is so often the case, the pocket
opera tells only half of the story. Euro 96 was
far more nuanced and more complicated than
that. Albeit not on this subject, Charles Dickens
penned: “It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times” and that was Euro 96. It had
its highs, which fed into an oversimplified
shorthand; it also had its lows, which did the
same. It certainly had stories which struggle
to be heard now. Some of what you may know
is wrong – even England’s formation. This can
be the effect of history’s telescoping as events
disappear into the rear-view mirror.
Because many of the dramatis personae still
stalk the stage of our football theatre – from
Southgate to Shearer and Gazza to G-Nev,
not to mention your Baddiels, Skinners and
Gallaghers in the audience – it feels like only
yesterday. But it isn’t. It’s now further from the
present than it was from the Three-Day Week,
the Vietnam War, the opening of the Sydney
This was A Different Time. From our vantage “I WAS IN SWEDEN AND PEOPLE
Opera House and the eradication of smallpox.

point now in what was then the distant future Off the field, Venables wasn’t to everyone’s
(Blade Runner, featuring its synthetic humans WERE LAUGHING AT US, AT OUR taste. MP Kate Hoey, never shy of a soapbox,
bio-engineered to work on colonies in space, used parliamentary privilege to call him unfit
was set in 2019), the biggest single difference for the job. His various legal battles – which
was the lack of internet. Only two per cent of TACTICS,” RECALLED VENABLES involved Alan Sugar, Panorama, Scotland Yard,
Britain had a reliable regular connection. Very the Mirror, bung allegations (unproven), a judge
few people had mobile phones at all, let alone describing him as “not entirely reliable” and
perma-networked smartphones. The nearest the Department of Trade and Industry starting
thing to social media was graffiti. Or the pub. proceedings to disqualify him as a director –
Having a focused audience gave immense one-dimensional embarrassment of a side Above “Hats off to became tabloid fodder. The EastEnder struck
power to the few. Piracy was limited to taping was gormless at Euro 92, absent from USA 94. Venables,” said, er, several FA suits as a little too wide for their
so overpriced CDs sold in millions, helping to Enter Terry Venables, who knew the size of absolutely no one narrow idea of an England gaffer. Contracted
turbocharge an industry and make pampered the task facing him upon becoming England’s in the English press until Euro 96, Venables requested an extension
princes of its big names. Given little choice, the first head coach – some at the FA didn’t want Right Ahead of the but the FA could not uniformly agree upon it;
public had to want what the public got. Sky did him to be ennobled with the title of ‘manager’ first match, G-Nev bizarrely, he was offered until halfway through
make a splash with the Premier League but still – in January 1994. As someone who had been forgets to join Tony the next World Cup qualification campaign.
only one in 10 Brits had satellite or cable. The abroad without packing baked beans and fish Adams and Stuart In January 1996, he declared his intention to
vast majority, unable to see Kelvin MacKenzie’s fingers, the former Barcelona manager was Pearce in revealing leave after Euro 96 whatever the outcome.
L!ve TV including its topless darts and weather well aware of England’s isolationism – ‘El Tel’ England’s formation On the field, Venables was making progress
forecasts presented by trampolining dwarves, told FourFourTwo just before Euro 96, “I was at but serious doubts remained. Alan Shearer had
made do with four terrestrial channels. a conference in Sweden a few years ago and scored 130 goals in 171 games for Blackburn,
The war between tabloids was at its peak, as we were a joke. People were laughing at us, at yet only five in 23 for England – and none in
the Mirror, under a tryhard called Piers Morgan, our tactics.” He installed a keenness to learn. a yawning 21-month gap back to September
attempted to catch The Sun. Every paper loved Public enthusiasm remained low, however. 1994. Others accused Venables of favouring
the prurient no-you-mustn’t-look coverage of Automatic qualification as hosts meant two players connected to former club Spurs, such
‘scandal’, and the national pastime: slating the years of pre-Euro 96 friendlies which brought as Teddy Sheringham who later told FFT, “My
England team. They often had good reason to. pressure without pleasure. Alan Shearer noted, association with him didn’t go down well with
“England don’t have friendly matches. If you the press, who said I was one of Terry’s boys.”
Revisionist history suggests England went into play badly, you’re going to get hammered.” This magazine’s tournament preview was
Euro 96 confident, but they did not. From this Most were held at an echoing Wembley. Just typical of the broadly downbeat expectations:
distance – there’s that telescoping again – the 23,000 saw Venables’ second game, against “England have never really created the quality
semi-final campaigns of the 1990 World Cup Greece. England did venture abroad as far as and quantity of chances a striker like Shearer
and Euro 96 are near-neighbours, but a turgid Dublin and lasted as long as 27 minutes, until needs when he’s been fit and in the team. Too
half-decade separated them: Graham Taylor’s rioting idiots forced the tie to be abandoned. often he’s been seen drifting out wide to get


16 FourFourTwo
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36 February 2020 .com

EURO
96

EURO
96









the ball and putting in crosses to a penalty box At least they came close. Wales, a spot-kick In mid-May, Venables announced a 27-man
populated entirely by defenders.” away from reaching the 1994 World Cup, were squad, to be cut to a final 22. Mark Wright, the
At the other end of the pitch, suggested FFT, miles away from qualifying for a crack at the Italia 90 sweeper who missed Euro 92 through
“It’s hard for Venables to know whether his Saesnegs two years on. Under Mike Smith and injury, suffered a fresh knee ligament strain
defence has really been tested. England’s most then the despised Bobby Gould, they finished and never played for England again. Neither
competitive matches have been in the Umbro behind Georgia – getting smashed 5-0 in Tbilisi did Peter Beardsley, 35. Rob Lee, Dennis Wise,
Cup, where, with a few experimental line-ups – and Moldova, although they did somehow Ugo Ehiogu and Jason Wilcox also made way.
and a completely new back four against Japan, conjure up a 1-1 draw in Dusseldorf (spoiler Of the 22 Venables selected, only nine had
they failed to keep a clean sheet.” An endless alert: Germany qualified). Scotland advanced won more than 10 caps before the finals got
summer? The forecasts were gloomier. with the second-best defensive record of three going; by way of comparison, that applied to
Things had been much worse. Euro 96 was goals conceded in 10 matches. Their reward? 17 of Bobby Robson’s 20-man Euro 88 squad.
a key part of the English game’s rehabilitation A dream draw against the Auld Enemy, along A pair of young lads at West Ham were also
into European football after the 1985 Heysel with Switzerland and the Netherlands. invited along to train with the England squad
disaster and subsequent half-decade ban on at the tournament: Frank Lampard Jr (18) and
clubs. Prior to Heysel, the FA had bid to host As kick-off neared, preparations were far from Rio Ferdinand (17).
Euro 88, which could have been awkward had smooth. Newcastle City Council considered First, though, Venables took his provisional
the proposal not been easily outvoted by the suing the government over a lack of funding; squad to Asia. They beat China before playing
DFB’s. “West Germany’s presentation was far one organiser called it a “frigging nightmare”; an unofficial match against something called
better than ours,” fair-copped the FA chairman another said the FA was “unable to organise a Hong Kong Golden Select XI, who played in
Bert Millichip. “That gave me an insight into a piss-up in a brewery”. The FA labelled the all-pink and had a 36-year-old Mike Duxbury,
what we needed to do.” government “startlingly short-sighted”. John Below Wales may as well as the 34-year-old duo of Dave Watson
What they did was a good old-fashioned Williams of the Sir Norman Chester Foundation not have qualified, and Carlton Fairweather. England’s tight 1-0
handshake deal behind closed doors. England for Football Research sighed, “It’s a typically but one dragon still win had the Daily Mail spluttering, “A bunch
struck an entente cordiale in which they’d step botched cock-up at the last minute. Only this made it to Euro 96’s of has-beens show up a bunch of wannabes”.
back from trying to host the 1998 World Cup, country could ever run an event quite like this.” opening ceremony But worse faux-outrage was soon to follow.
in return for a Gallic nod for the Euro 96 rights.
After England’s chief rivals, the Dutch, helpfully
opted to focus on a bid for Euro 2000 instead,
Portugal, Austria and Greece were outvoted at
a UEFA Executive Committee summit in Lisbon
on May 5, 1992. Football was ‘coming home’.
Within six months, the game had changed.
Those bids had been for a tournament hosting
eight teams at four stadiums, expected to be
Wembley, Villa Park, Old Trafford and one of
Elland Road, St James’ Park and Roker Park.
However, the dissolution of the Soviet Union
and fracturing of Eastern Europe meant UEFA’s
membership numbers had mushroomed from
35 countries to 49, and with FIFA expanding
their own quadrennial jamboree from 24 sides
to 32, UEFA’s table-for-eight suddenly didn’t
seem like much of a party. Couldn’t squeeze in
a few more, could you? Call it a nice round 16
teams in eight venues?
There was talk of involving Cardiff Arms Park
(this being pre-Millennium), joint-hosting with
Wales, but English stadia were upgrading due
to the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough
disaster, so the FA had a decent choice. Elland
Road and St James’ got the nod, joined by the
City Ground, Anfield and Hillsborough itself, as
well as Old Trafford, Villa Park and Wembley.
England’s 15 guests secured invites in the
usual array of hammerings and heartbreaks.
To celebrate UEFA’s first use of three points for
a win, Spain racked up 26 from a possible 30.
France conceded two goals in 10 games and
scored 10 in one, against hapless greenhorns
Azerbaijan. At least the new boys finished with
a point against Poland – Estonia got none.
It didn’t all go to form. Locked in a three-way
battle with the Czech Republic and Norway,
Guus Hiddink’s Dutch side required a play-off
to qualify. There they took on Jack Charlton’s
Republic of Ireland – who had just about held
off Northern Ireland – and dismantled them
at Anfield, described by FFT as “like watching
Liverpool against Rochdale”. Charlton resigned.


40 16 FourFourTwo .com
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EURO


96




Knowing that Paul Gascoigne was keen to over a hedge in Epping Forest. The next thing
celebrate his 29th birthday a day early, and I know, in the News of the World, it was: ‘Do
aware that the players needed to relax ahead they ever stop drinking?’
of the official naming of his 22-man squad, “All of the criticism from the dentist’s chair
Venables allowed his men out to a nearby bar made us stronger and mentally tougher, to
– chaperoned by his assistant, Bryan Robson, prove that we were going to do the business.”
never one to shy from a sherbert or two. Soon,
various players were splayed backwards in Few shared this belief. As FFT put it before the
the bar’s signature gimmick: a dentist’s chair tournament, “Only the most fervent optimist
in which patrons perched to have their gullets thinks England will storm home. No, the big
engorged with spirits. questions for Brits are: will we see some good
With all of the carnage caught on camera, football? Will there be any violence? And, for
the press enjoyed its usual orgasms of outrage those who are really serious about the game’s
and employed the moralistic doublethink of long-term future, will the Championship create
condemning indiscretions it revels in revealing. a boom which benefits grassroots football?”
This was the era of laddism and Loaded; of the The Dutch were 9-2 favourites despite their
Gallagher brothers filling stadiums and gossip qualifying wobble, with Italy and Germany 5-1.
columns; of Men Behaving Badly averaging England’s 7-1 was likely lowered by bookies
13 million viewers, its fifth series of bantering minimising risk against the usual weight of
blokes and eye-rolling ‘birds’ beginning during patriotic bets. Scotland were out at 50-1; only
Euro 96. Booze was news. Tutting beckoned. the Czech Republic (80-1) had longer odds.
VEnABLES KnEW HIS PLAYERS
The Sun led with headline ‘DISGRACEFOOL’, Pre-tournament excitement didn’t focus on
targeting Gascoigne (“Look at Gazza… a drunk England’s chances. It was about hosting, and
oaf with no pride”) then writing off the whole nEEDED TO RELAX AHEAD OF THE meeting new friends. FFT’s preview issue had
team (“The only thing that we’ll win is the Men the sidebar, ‘Who the hell is Zinedine Zidane?’
Behaving Badly trophy for drunken also-rans”). The answer, apparently, was “a good example
Gascoigne, typically ebullient, later told FFT, OFFICIAL nAMInG OF HIS SQUAD of ‘crazy name, sensible guy’ syndrome”.
“I only went in for a filling!” But there was Around the country, visitors rocked up at
more to it than that. “I was first in the chair incongruous locations. The Czechs descended
because it looked like a laugh,” said Gazza, on Preston, played a warm-up game against
outlining his default modus operandi. “Then n Th e players were initially shocked by the non-league Bamber Bridge and bought Kiss Me
action; the idea that the popular press
a few of the other lads did it. It was good for r rea Quick hats on Blackpool promenade. Down the
team spirit.” No pun intended. co road, Russia’s press officer, Lev Zarakhovich,
ould turn the team into pariahs shortly
efore a big tournament, exaggerating
Spirit and bonding are words that recur in be straight-faced his way through the memorable
accounts from those who were present. All a ny detail and even – steady yourself – line, “Training has been cancelled – they have
these years later, Bryan Robson explains to st tretching the truth. “We were surprised the day off and are planning a shopping spree
FFT that, “A lot was made of what happened, by in Wigan.” The team were ranked third in the
y some of the stories off the back of it
but it was all blown out of proportion. It was a s they weren’t true,” said wiry-legged world at the time. Meanwhile, Croatia settled
w
Gazza’s birthday, the players had been reall ly winger Steve McManaman, who shared into Rutland’s Barnsdale Country Club, where
good up to that point, and they hadn’t been n the front page splash with Gascoigne. their Vjesnik daily paper waxed lyrical about
“
allowed to have a drink. We finished the gam me “Talk about negative press...” “the hunting lodge of William II, the oasis of
T
in Hong Kong and Terry gave them permission The FA stayed quiet for five days before peace, seclusion and idyll”. In Birmingham,
th
l
t
to go out for a couple of hours and celebrate. Top “Your hair smells the players accepted collective responsibility. the Dutch had a hiccup when Edwin van der
It helped the lads bond and come together as great tonight, Macca” Forced together by a snarling press, they then Sar misplaced his passport on a school bus.
a group. They knew they’d trained very hard.” Above Gazza received adopted the siege mentality preferred by Alex Not everyone was happy. Settling close to
Paul Ince concurs, saying it was a “bonding The Sun’s full glare Ferguson at Manchester United. As Shearer Macclesfield, the Germans were unimpressed
session. We had such a great time.” And those Below “Bloody hell, said, “Terry used the whole thing in a positive by the quality of the surface at nearby Moss
bonds were needed as the story grew bigger. Macca, Gazza was way. ‘The world’s against us,’ he told us. ‘If it’s Rose, sending Silkmen veteran Steve Burr into
Embarrassment was exacerbated when the right about your hair” a fight they want, let’s give ’em a fight.’” passive aggression: “Our ground is certainly
airline bringing the squad back claimed Sheringham, a nother primary photo figure, not as smooth as Old Trafford, but it’s in good
that £5,000 worth of damage had thoroughly agree condition. But if Berti Vogts says the ground is
ed. “We received so much stick
been done to a television and table, going into the Euros. All we did was make it bad, then it’s bad. He’s a world champion and
which made you wonder where they work for us. Yes, it was a prove ’em wrong we’re only semi-professionals.”
but it worked.”
bought their televisions and tables. approach – b Also unimpressed were the Bulgarians. With
The moral guardians of Fleet Street That us s-against-them attitude never fixtures in Leeds, then Newcastle, they chose
were outraged on the nation’s behalf. reall y left the squad, whether the to split the difference and pitched up outside
“We pay lip service to drunk, flatulent, tabl oids were vilifying or deifying Scarborough. Those who had seen the bright
screen-smashing yobs by calling them them lights of USA 94 and Barcelona were strangely
m, and it was certainly the first
heroes, aware that if they were unable e to beg unmoved by the charms of Yorkshire’s seaside.
gin with. Once the players had
e
deemed targets, the paparazzi
to kick a ball in approximately the right been d “Scarborough is boring,” decreed striker Hristo
ed them everywhere.
direction they would be up in court,” followe Stoichkov, as the squad decamped early and
thundered Daily Mail sportswriter Ince te lls FFT how, upon the team’s moved to Stockton-on-Tees instead.
Jeff Powell. In came another oar return to English shores under a tabloid Clearly, not everything about the 1996 UEFA
mpaign, Venables afforded the
from Conservative MP John Carlisle, hate cam European Championship would go to script...
who raged, “The culprits should be players a couple of days off. Ince went
identified, publicly exposed and to a pub i n Epping. “I met some of my
thrown out of the squad at once. friends a nd just had a beer or two,” he TURN THE PAGE FOR
And if that includes Paul Gascoigne, rememb ers. “Suddenly there were all OUR EURO 96 DIARY
then so be it.” these pa ps there, taking pictures of us



FourFourTwo February 2020 39

EURO


96







JUnE 8

EnGLAnD 1-1 SWITZERLAnD

THE GOOD England are hosting a major
tournament for the first time since You Know
When. For all of the press negativity, fans are
excited: Paul Ince recalls to FFT that, “As we
left Burnham Beeches Hotel, going towards
Wembley Way, there were all of these people
hanging out of the windows, flags and cars
beeping...” More importantly, this temporary
footballing multiculturalism heralds a shift
away from isolationism that is soon to be
bolstered by Premier League clubs importing
the world’s finest players. Football’s Little
Englanders have had their day.
THE BAD The entire country settles down
with a beverage and small sigh upon realising combining to create Alan Shearer’s first goal
that the tournament’s opener is on ITV and in 12 caps. “It was a case of, ‘Thank God for
therefore helmed by Bob Primrose Wilson, that’,” laughed Shearer. Some in the press had
a man you’d trust to look after your spare been pushing for the Geordie to be replaced by
house keys but hardly Captain Party. Worse Liverpool’s mercurial Robbie Fowler, coming off
still, in a toe-curler of a joint interview before successive 30-goal seasons, and Les Ferdinand
the match, pundits Kevin Keegan and Alex was also in the squad following two similarly
Ferguson are apparently best of chums, just impressive campaigns. “The best thing Terry
weeks after King Kev’s “I would love it if we did to me, about a month before,” said Big Al,
beat them” ejaculation. “was to take me to one side and say, ‘You’ll
THEY SAID WHAT?! “We seem to be stuck REPORT be starting – you’re my centre-forward’.” The
on the ‘Inger-lund, Inger-lund, Inger-lund’ gaffer later told FFT, “There was no doubt he
chant. That may be a bit boring, but at least would play. He was, quite simply, a goalscorer.
everybody knows the words” – Helen Joslin, You can never leave out a player like that.”
Football Supporters’ Association official. SHEARER EnDS DROUGHT BUT THE But the goal didn’t relax the Three Lions, as
THE MEDIA The Mirror kicks off its crackpot the Swiss refused to roll. Kubilay Turkyilmaz
coverage with famed spoon-botherer Uri Geller skinned Stuart Pearce and crossed for Marco
commanding readers to focus on a picture of SWISS RAIn On HOSTS’ PARADE Grassi to somehow hit the bar from four yards
him holding the ball from the World Cup final out. Then England inexplicably froze in the
(well, obviously). “I have filled the ball with my Pleasingly for traditionalists, the first game second-half heat. “It was a very sticky pitch
positive energy,” he wibbles. “Touch and rub of Euro 96 kicked off at 3pm on a Saturday. and we couldn’t pass the ball as well as we
the picture and concentrate for two minutes Less happily, it was preceded by an opening wanted,” explains Teddy Sheringham. There
on England winning. You can even bend the ceremony featuring Mick Hucknall in a grey were internal factors, too. Ince suggests, “It
ball towards the goal if you try hard enough.” shirt and even greyer suit, retooling Simply was important to start well – we knew that
IN OTHER NEWS... On this day, Coventry Red’s lift music into the easily (and eagerly) if we lost the first game, they’d always revert
revive the Godiva Procession, paying tribute forgotten official Euro 96 dirge We’re In This to the dentist’s chair.” In all, six yellow cards
to that time when an earl’s wife decided the Together. A better anthem would emerge. were given in a nervy, if entertaining, match.
best protest against excessive taxation was It was a low point in the opening ceremony’s With 20 minutes to go, Venables sacrificed
a naked horse-ride through the streets. It assortment of dancers, medieval jousting, Sheringham and Steve McManaman for Steve
probably didn’t happen but the story did give Sir Stanley Matthews, the Red Arrows, 40,000 Stone and Nick Barmby, in a 4-5-1 intended to
us the phrase ‘Peeping Tom’, so that’s nice. balloons and a 30-foot inflata ble version of stifle. But it didn’t work. Johann Vogel whistled
ally here for: the
what everyone was theoretica one past the post, before referee Manuel Diaz
mooching about
Henri Delaunay Trophy. Also m Vega whistled for a penalty after Grassi’s shot
was leonine tournament ma hit Pearce’s arm. Turkyilmaz made no mistake.
ascot Goaliath,
the sanitised son of 1966’s W “It’s quite a funny feeling when the opposition
World Cup Willie.
Meanwhile, England were preparing for equalise,” notes Sheringham. “It drains you.”
h in over two and
their first competitive match Late on, up went the newfangled electronic
a half years, since a fruitless victory over San board for England’s first-ever third substitute
Marino signalled the end of Graham Taylor. in a competitive game (the rule was changed
“There were a few nerves in the dressing in 1995). David Platt replaced fellow Italia 90
room,” Paul Ince tell s FFT. “It’s your hero Gascoigne, and the knives were drawn.
home tourn Drawing a line from what Bobby Robson had
nament and you
haven’t wo Top Shear delight... called Gascoigne’s “refuelling” issues, the Sun
on for 30 years.”
and, for all of
Engla Above left The Swiss and Daily Star headlines read: ‘OUT OF GAZ’.
their r tactical fluidity Army (but no knives) Beneath the headline ‘GAZZA MUST GO’, the
und er Venables, Above right Gazza Mail’s Jeff Powell insisted, “England must sling
line d up in a 4-4-2. does his bit to ensure out Gascoigne on his earring. They must devise
The y started well, everyone’s forgotten a way to play without this playboy relic of what
n scored, Pauls
then about the booze-up once might have been a great playmaker.” So,
scoigne and Ince
Gas Left Excellent banter would Gazza keep his place to face Scotland?

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JUnE 9


SPAIn 1-1 BULGARIA

GERMAnY 2-0 CZECH REPUBLIC

DEnMARK 1-1 PORTUGAL



STORY OF THE DAY Groups B, C and D get
underway with games that are intermittently
intriguing rather than endlessly enthralling.
At Elland Road, Bulgaria and Spain trade
goals and red cards as a cagey game bursts
into life for the final half-hour. Sendings-off
for both Petar Hubchev and Juan Antonio Pizzi
mean that each side are reduced to 10 men
soon after finding the net from set-pieces.
At Old Trafford, the Germans, after coming
third at Euro 88 and then second at Euro 92, 
set about their task of going one better by
cruising past the Czech Republic despite the
loss of two Jurgen Ks: suspended frontman
Klinsmann and injured centre-back Kohler.
Finally, Hillsborough watches stodgy holders
Denmark being pegged back by a thrusting
young Portuguese side: Rui Costa is 24, Paulo
Sousa 25, Luis Figo 23, all in baggy shirts with
outsized numbers, and all playing the sort of
liquid one-touch football that the Danes had
displayed at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
THE GOOD Well before saturation coverage
of foreign leagues, armchair viewers can enjoy
the chance to see Hristo Stoichkov stomping
around the pitch like a storm about to break.
The brilliant Bulgaria forward, on his way back
to Barcelona following a season at Parma, has
a gorgeous volleyed goal wrongly disallowed
for offside – you can imagine his face – before
he scores from the spot to send his country
into a 65th-minute lead against the eternally
under-achieving Spaniards. When will they
ever come good, eh?
THE BAD ‘They’re here, they’re there, they’re
every-blinkin’-where – empty seats, empty...’
The English FA had fought for three decades
to host another tournament, and grounds had
been Taylor-made for this new era. But only
24,000 spectators come to 40,000-seat Elland
Road with swathes of blue seats all too visible
in the lower tiers, including behind each goal.
A 55,000-capacity Old Trafford welcomes just
over 37,000 fans and 40,000-seat Hillsborough
hosts a cosier 34,000. Football may be coming
home, but a lot of supporters are staying there.
THEY SAID WHAT?! “Where’s the beach?” –
Portugal fans at an FSA embassy. In Sheffield.
THE MEDIA The Independent’s Guy Hodgson
pens a piece on ‘The quest to fill the boots of
Cantona’ and asks if France may have made
a mistake in dropping the Manchester United
enigma and calling up Zinedine Zidane and
Youri Djorkaeff for the tournament instead.
“Unless France win Euro 96, there will always
be speculation what they might have done
had Cantona played,” writes Hodgson.
IN OTHER NEWS... Yevgeny Kafelnikov wins
a first Grand Slam tennis title, beating Michael
Stich 7-6, 7-5, 7-6 in the French Open final.

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96









JUnE 10


nETHERLAnDS 0-0 SCOTLAnD

ROMAnIA 0-1 FRAnCE



STORY OF THE DAY Though they’re gagging
to get at England, Scotland must first face the
tournament favourites at Villa Park. In truth,
while Guus Hiddink’s side enjoy almost all of
the possession they are ominously incohesive,
reflecting what turns out to be a deep divide
in the Dutch ranks. But Craig Brown’s team do
show organisational resilience and spirit ahead
of the Battle of Britain.
On Monday evening, the North East gets its
first taste of the action. USA 94 entertainers
Romania start well at St James’ Park but then
conspire to gift France the winner. Gheorghe
Mihali inexplicably presents the ball to Youri
Djorkaeff, whose cross just about bounces in
off the top of Christophe Dugarry’s bonce while
keeper Bogdan Stelea is somewhere nearby
asking for directions back to his goalmouth.
THE GOOD Villa Park’s atmosphere is superb.
As ever, the Dutch bring orange-clad hordes
in their tens of thousands, all clog-hats and
trumpets, benignly battling with the bagpipes
and saltires of their Caledonian counterparts.
It’s the Scots who roar loudest at the final
whistle, however, in recognition of a resolute
rearguard action from their side.
THE BAD This double bill of games to start
the working week is markedly less goaltastic
than Sunday’s triple-header. Dugarry’s rather
Third Division effort is the only strike, thanks
to a second-gear France holding off a largely
disappointing Romania and the Dutch failing
to break through that tartan wall.
THEY SAID WHAT?! “I’m starting to believe
in voodoo dolls” – maintaining his fitness with
a solo jog through woods, England’s reserve
central defender, Steve Howey, injures ankle
ligaments after tripping on a hole. He spends
15 minutes in a bed of nettles until a passing
couple discover him suffering.
THE MEDIA ‘Zola aiming for the perfect 10’
– The Independent sit down with the pint-sized
Italian star and ask him about the pressure of
inheriting Roberto Baggio’s shirt.
IN OTHER NEWS... Peace talks commence
in Northern Ireland, albeit without Sinn Fein.

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JUnE 11 Vlaovic lurking close to the centre circle. The
striker’s first touch takes out a ludicrous lunge
ITALY 2-1 RUSSIA from the covering defender and his next takes
him to the edge of Turkey’s penalty box, where
TURKEY 0-1 CROATIA his shoulder-drop dumps keeper Rustu Recber
to the floor. Vlaovic’s rolled finish past a sliding
Alpay comes 13 seconds after Alpay had the
STORY OF THE DAY The remaining quartet ball by his feet at the other end of the pitch.
of the tournament’s 16 teams are unleashed. THE BAD Again, the games are cagey rather
Notoriously slow starters Italy require all of than classic. USA 94, as the first three-point
five minutes to go in front at Anfield. Arrigo World Cup (and with the backpass freshly
Sacchi’s World Cup finalists are pegged back outlawed), averaged 2.7 goals per game, but
by Russia – expected by some to be the Group the first eight matches of Euro 96 witness 1.6
of Death’s whipping boys – and Italian brows – lower than any Euros’ whole-competition
are furrowed until Pierluigi Casiraghi bags his average since the ’60s. Italy-Russia is the only
and the Azzurri’s second, provided again by tie of the first six days to feature more than
Parma magician Gianfranco Zola. Maybe such two goals (i.e. three). Ahead of a rest day, it’s
a player could grace English football one day. hoped that even closely-matched sides will be
While Nottingham Forest’s City Ground is more expansive in their next games, because
the smallest of England’s Euro 96 venues, it’s the tournament hasn’t really burst into life yet.
bouncing as noisily-supported Turkey – whose THEY SAID WHAT?! A Turkish banner at the
only previous major tournament experience City Ground sends its good wishes to “Queen
was a group exit at the 1954 World Cup – face Elizabeth II, symbol of the British nation and to
complete novices Croatia. Sadly it’s more of all good English gentlemen”. How charming.
an historic event than a quality contest, until THE MEDIA “A goalkeeper is a goalkeeper
substitute Goran Vlaovic’s late breakaway... because he can’t play football” – the BBC’s
THE GOOD Croatia’s cut-glass counter for new pundit, Ruud Gullit, after a poor Stanislav
the game’s only goal. Turkey are maladroitly Cherchesov kick gift-wraps a goal for Italy.
fumbling for the winner from a corner when IN OTHER NEWS... On June 12, a panel of
Alpay Ozalan, their future Aston Villa defender, federal judges in Philadelphia blocks President
kindly moves out of the way so that Croatia’s Bill Clinton’s Communications Decency Act,
Aljosa Asanovic can take the loose ball. Just as arguing it would infringe upon the free speech
Asanovic appears to be hurtling into the stand, rights of adults. Anyone who has sworn online
his sudden stabbed diagonal brilliantly finds since can be thankful.

EURO
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JUNE 13 Michael Reiziger rolls a backpass to Van der
Sar. The gangling gloveman, usually so good
BULGARIA 1-0 ROMANIA with his feet, misjudges the pass and deflects
it left-footed just past his own post. He’s about
SWITZERLAND 0-2 NETHERLANDS five yards from being in a Danny Baker-hosted
VHS blooper reel, which seem to self-replicate
every three months during the mid-90s.
STORY OF THE DAY Another 1-0 loss sends THE BAD In football-mad Newcastle, whose
Romania home before the postcards, but they club had come so close to the Premier League
give it a good go in a pulsating Tyneside clash title a month earlier, only 19,107 spectators
against their former Warsaw Pact neighbours. turn up to see two attractive outfits. True, it’s
Hristo Stoichkov (well, who else?) fires Bulgaria a Thursday afternoon encounter, and it isn’t
ahead after just three minutes, PlayStationing a record low for a group match at the Euros –
his way straight through the defence before in 1980, Greece-Czechoslovakia was watched
toepunting the ball into the back of Romania’s by 7,614 rattling round Rome’s Stadio Olimpico
net like a joyful schoolboy. Dorinel Munteanu’s – but it’s very embarrassing for England given
stunning piledriver bounces off the crossbar that two tournaments earlier, West Germany’s
and over the line but the equaliser isn’t given, Euro 88 had enticed 56,656 punters per match.
and the Tricolorii are out. THEY SAID WHAT?! Surprisingly dropped by
After two hours of major tournament action Guus Hiddink, Edgar Davids suspects that the
against Scotland and Switzerland, the Dutch manager has been overly keen to listen to the
haven’t scored a single goal – but 20 minutes Oranje’s captain. Or, as the never knowingly
later they’ve banged home two in the evening understated Davids puts it: “He’s too deep in
game. Having missed two presentables, Jordi the ass of Danny Blind.”
Cruyff breaks his international duck from the THE MEDIA Two days ahead of England vs
edge of the penalty box, before Edwin van der Scotland, The Sun (its English version, at least)
Sar gets an assist with a huge downfield punt peppers its patriotism with Shakespeare using
that’s stuck away (at the second attempt) by the headline, ‘We will McDuff you up’.
long-ball legend Dennis Bergkamp. IN OTHER NEWS... The island of Guernsey
THE GOOD There’s almost a comedy classic overwhelmingly votes to legalise abortion at
early on at Villa Park when Dutch right-back its parliament, after outlawing it back in 1910.


44 February 2020 FourFourTwo

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JUNE 14 deserved forward somersault routine; even as
he lands on his feet, he has both arms aloft
PORTUGAL 1-0 TURKEY and pointing heavenwards like an unusually
hairy gymnast. Well done, sir.
THE BAD Arrigo Sacchi’s rotation selection.
CZECH REPUBLIC 2-1 ITALY Fearing Germany more than the Czechs, the
Italy coach rests his productive front two of
STORY OF THE DAY It ain’t really a proper Casiraghi and Zola, along with Alessandro Del
tournament until there’s an upset. If you don’t Piero and Angelo Di Livio. To be fair to Sacchi –
count England and the Netherlands being held which the Italian press most certainly aren’t –
to draws in their opening matches – and you Chiesa scores and substitute Casiraghi fluffs
shouldn’t – then Euro 96’s first shock comes in a late chance, again set up by Zola.
the Friday night fixture at Anfield. Italy, the THEY SAID WHAT?! “There are a couple of
1994 World Cup finalists, are downed by the possibilities from this tournament. Either I will
Czechs in their first Slovakialess tournament. be kissed all over my bald head or I will have
After just four minutes, and years before he tomatoes thrown at it” – Sacchi.
started to resemble Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt, THE MEDIA “Vogts keeps cool as Basler lets
Sparta Prague’s 23-year-old Pavel Nedved puts off steam” is The Independent’s headline after
the Czechs ahead. Enrico Chiesa soon finishes midfielder Mario moans, “I haven’t just had an
a three-on-two counter-attack to equalise, operation to sit on the bench.”
but Luigi Apolloni’s red card and Radek Bejbl’s IN OTHER NEWS... Released today, dark
sidefooted volley – all in the first half – leaves satire movie The Cable Guy is a career left-turn
a much-changed Italy fearing they may need for Hollywood gurner Jim Carrey. Admittedly,
to win their final group game to reach the last a record-breaking $20 million fee does help.
eight. Fortunately, it’s only against Germany.
In the earlier tie, Portugal dominate again
but lack a cutting edge again, until defender
Fernando Couto tires of the tippy-tappy and
smashes home a left-footed volley from 18
yards. Turkey, like Romania the previous day,
sadly pack their suitcases and say farewell.
THE GOOD It’s a day of celebration for the
Czechs but top marks go to Couto. Having put
Portugal ahead, the 6ft centre-back – bound
for Bobby Robson’s Barcelona that summer –
darts off towards the dugout for an entirely

EURO


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Robson. “That was a massive learning process
REPORT
for me, just watching the players soak it all in.”
JUnE 15
Venables didn’t leave it all to Howe, though.
Paul Ince liked Venables’ distillation of complex
SCOTLAnD 0-2 EnGLAnD
tactics into simple instructions. “Players don’t
GAZZA TAKES A nATIOn FROM
have a great concentration span but he would
FRAnCE 1-1 SPAIn
simplify it for each of us,” he tells FFT. “While
STORY OF THE DAY England vs Scotland is THE RIDICULOUS TO THE SUBLIME the session was going on, he’d walk round to
naturally the big talking point, but it isn’t the the full-back and say, ‘Listen, this is where we
day’s only neighbourly spat. France and Spain Let’s be clear: as a nation, England has been want you – do that, perfect’. We all knew our
re-run the Euro 84 Final, relocating from Paris guilty of, and despised for, multiple crimes jobs when we got onto the pitch. They weren’t
to Leeds. The teams start in possession of long across its history. And the Scottish, Welsh complicated, but he gave you the belief that if
unbeaten runs – Spain 17 games, France 24 – and Irish have more reason than most to you did what he was telling you, we’d win.”
and each add one more to their total after an harbour anti-English feeling which rarely A back three wasn’t a new concept. As well
anti-climax of a teatime fixture. strays too far from the surface, even when as the Dutch, it was still the default system for
It pits Javier Clemente’s Reds against Aime benignly expressed as individual patriotism. Germany, whose Euro 96 sweeper Matthias
Jacquet’s Blues (who play in white), and Les By contrast, during the post-imperial half of Sammer came as close as anyone to equalling
Bleus draw first blood as Youri Djorkaeff finds the 20th century, the English largely wore an Below The chap not the incomparable Franz Beckenbauer. Even
the net shortly after half-time. However, Jose apologetic air and what The Independent’s in a hat must have Graham Taylor had a go, disastrously, losing
Luis Caminero levels late for La Roja, leaving Bryan Appleyard called a “chain of guilt that felt like a right wally a key USA 94 qualifier in Norway with a back
Group B finely balanced: France and Bulgaria has been hung around the English neck”.
each have four points ahead of their meeting, “Think how hard it now is to be patriotically
with Spain sat on two and poised to pounce. English,” he wrote in June 1996. “Professional
THE GOOD As soon as the final whistle blows Scots, Welsh, Irish, French and Americans are
at Wembley, Paul Gascoigne heads for Rangers everywhere, flaunting their idiosyncrasies, but
club-mate Ally McCoist to swap tops. He leaves the English cower, occasionally making fun
wearing his friend’s Scotland shirt, symbolising of themselves.” For many people in England,
respect amid the mutual mickey-taking. waving a flag was an embarrassing relic of
THE BAD It’s a shame Scotland have to lose, colonialism or hooliganism – until Euro 96 and
but that’s two games without a goal or much a seismic Saturday afternoon in the Wembley
in the way of end product, even when gifted sunshine, that is.
a penalty. To go through, they will need to find The week didn’t start well for England. The
a way past a stubborn Swiss side while holding press piled in after their draw with Switzerland,
their noses and hoping England demolish the printing paparazzi shots of Teddy Sheringham,
Dutch: head-to-head outranks goal difference, Jamie Redknapp and Sol Campbell swigging
so Scotland can’t finish above the Auld Enemy. away inside an Essex nightclub. At England’s
THEY SAID WHAT?! “I know there are more Bisham Abbey HQ, Venables upped the verbal
important things in life than football, but if you ante, accusing the team’s critics of treason.
cut me open and had a look inside right now, “It’s awful but we’re getting hardened to it,”
it can’t be a pretty sight – I don’t know if I can Venables told the press pack. “We just don’t
sink any lower” – Gary McAllister. understand why it’s necessary to do what you
THE MEDIA “Scots invaders take the capital” are doing. Some of you feel like traitors to us.
– the front page of The Times (!) reports that, They’re turning the public against the players,
yes, fans have arrived. which can turn them against us in the ground.”
IN OTHER NEWS... Just before 11.30am, an Paul Gascoigne summed up the Three Lions’
IRA bomb explodes in Manchester city centre, attitude by punting a camera crew’s football
injuring 200 people (see sidebar overleaf). into a Bisham Abbey lake.
Having sided with his players, Venables also
made tactical plans. He’d played a back three
in some friendlies, and after the false start of
the Swiss game, he wanted to make a switch
that had been a long time coming.
“We had a meeting with all the staff and he
said that we could play like Holland and how
they set up,” Venables’ No.2, Bryan Robson,
tells FourFourTwo. “Don Howe was a little bit
nervous about it, but myself and [goalkeeping
coach] Mike Kelly said, ‘Yes. We have got the
players to do that’.”
Elder statesman Howe had been involved in
football since 1950 but he was associated with
tactical nous, as the brains behind Arsenal’s
1971 Double and Wimbledon’s 1988 FA Cup
Final upset over the mighty Liverpool. He may
not have shared Venables’ confidence, but he
had no problem in explaining the plan to the
players. “Don was excellent at going onto the
training pitch, setting everyone up and saying,
‘This is the way we need to play,’” remembers

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three of Des Walker, Gary Pallister and Tony the next match, a 3-0 victory against Hungary,
Adams. Venables’ approach was considerably created an opening for a fresh-faced Gareth
less clod-hopping, however. Southgate. By the time of the Asia friendlies,
“WE WEnT FROM ECSTASY TO
“Terry was clever,” says Ince. “He could play Adams had returned to a back four alongside
Gary Neville at right-centre-half, because as him, but Southgate could also play in midfield.
FUnERAL PARLOUR In SECOnDS”
a right-back he was used to going out on the The decision was made: Scotland would face
Chris Sweeney was a teenage Scotland fan at Wembley that day
wing. The same went for Stuart Pearce on the a back three who had never played together.
left. Terry was so intelligent about the game.”
“I was 14 when I travelled to I followed every kick with an “The three central defenders were all very About 30 miles east of Bisham Abbey, Fleet
London to watch Scotland play intensity I’ve never repeated. comfortable playing close together,” explained Street had its own tactics to tweak.
England. The train pulled out A goalless half-time delivered Venables, “and if one of the flank men had to The press had pilloried England’s players, but
of Glasgow Central before 6am. a party atmosphere, bouncing move out and deal with any danger, Paul Ince by midweek the English public were preparing
Uncle Calum was my chaperone madly to Rockin’ All Over The dropped back into the space. And we also had for a derby. Suddenly the papers switched to
and a fellow Tartan Army foot World. When we won a penalty, Teddy Sheringham in a position where he could their version of patriotism, namely nationalism
soldier. Inside the carriage was we all hugged as if celebrating make up the numbers in midfield but still stay bordering on jingoism.
raucous, with kilt-wearing lads the birth of our first child. Cue in touch with Alan Shearer.” The tabloids were knee-deep in references
lugging crates of beer. ‘They’ve David Seaman’s elbow, and we Venables’ first England back three, in a 0-0 to centuries-old skirmishes, recently brought
started early,’ I said. ‘They’ve went from ecstasy to funeral draw with Croatia at Wembley in April 1996, back into focus by Mel Gibson’s historically
not been to bed,’ replied Calum. parlour in seconds. Speechless, had Pearce and Neville sat either side of Mark extravagant 1995 film Braveheart. The Battles
“We pulled into Euston and I watched Gazza score the best Wright. The Liverpool sweeper’s knee injury in of Bannockburn and Culloden were invoked;
marched off, chanting. Bizarrely, goal I’ve ever seen live. Uncle
Michael Reiziger strolled past – Calum and I were scunnered.
I assumed he had the day off We stopped off in a pub for
to go sightseeing. Herded onto a post-mortem. A barman heard
another train, we eventually got our accents and advised us to
off in the shadow of the Twin leave because of the skinheads.
Towers. The place was crackling. g Still, despite the result, it was an
p p
We took our backless seats, unforgettable day for a teenage
facing the teams as boy. Wembley seemed massive,
they left the tunnel. and the occasion was biblical.





































































FourFourTwo February 2020 47

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the visitors had other ideas and, indeed, the
better chances of a stale first half. Southgate
THE MAnCHESTER BOMBInG
clattered Gordon Durie with an elbow, leaving
Journalist Gavin Newsham recalls his
the striker’s face covered in blood. The teams
experience of the IRA terrorist attack
went down the tunnel to a large Scottish roar.
“It wasn’t much of a game in the first half,”
As a staff writer at 90 Minutes magazine, Scotland midfielder Stuart McCall admits to
Euro 96 was my first major tournament FFT. “We gave as good as we got, and England
working. In the build-up I had spent two fans weren’t too happy at half-time because
years watching interminable friendlies they were big favourites. We were going down
at a ghostly Wembley, 0-0s with Norway, the tunnel and I heard metal studs clanking
Uruguay and Croatia sandwiching yet behind me. I turned around and there was
another goalless draw against Colombia [Rangers team-mate] Gazza, running topless.
in front of 20,000 other lost souls. Thank He handed over his shirt, said, ‘That’s for your
God for Rene Higuita’s scorpion kick. But daughter’, and ran off to the dressing room.
it was all forgotten once Euro 96 began. I’d done a TV interview the night before and
My Deputy Editor pulled rank and bagged said she loved Gazza, and hoped the match
the press pass for England’s meeting with would finish 3-3 with hat-tricks for Paul and
Scotland at Wembley, so I headed north – me. He must have seen that. It was amazing.”
via my parents’ house in Manchester – for Meanwhile, the BBC’s pundits piled on. Gullit
the consolation prize of seeing France vs thought England “just kicked it long”, and Hill
Spain at Elland Road. was blazing: “Gascoigne doesn’t look physically
It was an uneventful train journey until right, he doesn’t look emotionally right... Steve
the train stopped just outside Manchester McManaman is never happy on the left, Darren
Piccadilly, where silence greeted us. There Anderton is in a semi-coma... England do not
was no mobile phone to check, no Twitter look like an international team.” Hansen was
– just snippets of information, rumours and happier, if you can imagine such a thing, and
the occasional announcement about ‘an claimed, “Scotland have done really well… all
incident’ somewhere in town. that was missing was a goal.” In the press box
When I finally disembarked the train, it it was asked, “How can a coach with Venables’
was very clear that something serious had reputation make the team look worse?”
happened. Police were everywhere, sirens Over in England’s dressing room, Venables
were ringing and people were in a panic. was unleashing Plan C: bringing on Liverpool
I heard a Manchester Evening News seller THIS WAS COACHInG AnD TALEnT In midfielder Jamie Redknapp to add a creative
say there had been a bomb on Corporation boost. “When I came on for the second half,
Street, but it was only when I eventually I was walking on air,” Redknapp later told FFT.
UnIOn. HE’D BEEn TAUGHT TO MAKE
got home and turned on the TV that I saw Pearce went off and Southgate dropped into
the chaos caused by the largest peacetime the back three, with Redknapp sat alongside
bomb ever detonated in this country. Ince as a quarterback. Just for good measure
THE RUn; THE REST WAS InSTInCT
I didn’t make it to France vs Spain, but it (or just to keep Hill quiet), McManaman and
didn’t matter. A day later, Manchester did Anderton swapped wings.
what it always does: it got on with things. Paul Gascoigne was portrayed as Henry V; Gary Above It’s more fun As he walked back up the tunnel, Venables
Russia vs Germany went ahead in front of McAllister, William Wallace. The broadsheets if you imagine Gazza displayed his knack for simple explanations by
50,000 fans at Old Trafford – astonishingly, were stirring the pot, too: The Guardian’s Frank commentating as he neatly outlining his modifications down a BBC
given the horror of what had taken place. Keating dared to evoke a line from Flower of performs his stunner microphone. “We’re not keeping the ball as
But the fact that not a single person died Scotland by saying the “blueshirts” would “be Below “Oh God, Uri well as we would like,” confessed the boss, “so
that morning? That really was a miracle. sent home to their grim glens, cold crofts and Geller is never going I’ve put Jamie Redknapp in there to help us do
chilblained lives ‘tae think again’.” No wonder to shut up about this” that. We’re looking to get crosses in quicker
The Herald’s James Traynor said: “The manner and keep our shape better.”
in which... just about every English paper has It didn’t take long – the Three Lions upped
been approaching the finals makes it virtually y the tempo, took their game upfield and, in the
impossible to harbour any good neigh hbourly 53rd m
minute, a neat move ended with Shearer
thoughts. Frankly, I hope they get stu uffed.” noddin
ng home Neville’s cross at the back post.
Striving for balance, the BBC paired Alan Sherin
ngham should have made it 2-0 before
Hansen with Tartan Army hate-figure e Scotla nd fought back, while Ince and Shearer
Jimmy Hill. Alongside them, new we
ere booked for eye-waterers. Then came
Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit eschewed the two minutes that decided the game.
t
a staid suit in favour of a polo shirt, First, Adams pointlessly brought down
but even Ruud couldn’t be the coolest Durie in the box, England again offering
man in any studio with Des Lynam in it. Up in their opponents the opportunity of a late
the gantry, Trevor Brooking displayed quite the leveller from the spot. As McAllister ran
f
failure of imagination: “I can’t think of a bigger up, the ball moved fractionally, but he
game that any of these players could d play in.” still made meaty contact to hammer it
g oalwards – which made David Seaman’s
Kick-off at last. During the first half, , England rea
active fling to elbow the ball over the bar
stuck to Terry Venables’ carefully pr rescribed all t he more remarkable. Yet it was nothing
Plan B… and it didn’t really work. com pared to what happened a minute later.
With Southgate patrolling just in front of the “No
ot a lot of people knew at the time, but
back three, Ince had licence to push o on, but we could see, just as we were winning the


48 February 2020 FourFourTwo

EURO
96









JUNE 16


RUSSIA 0-3 GERMANY

CROATIA 3-0 DENMARK



STORY OF THE DAY “Ooh, they look good.”
Some 50,000 spectators at Old Trafford (bomb,
what bomb?) and millions more watching on
the idiot’s lantern realise Germany are decent.
The previous summer, Berti Vogts’ charges
were believed to have been knocked off their
perch, having lost their USA 94 quarter-final to
Bulgaria and then seen the same team streak
away from them during Euro 96 qualifying. But
then they’d won their last four qualifiers to top
the group, and now look: they’re demolishing
Russia. Returning captain Jurgen Klinsmann,
familiar in these parts following his 1994-95
silence as Gazza reclined on the turf to recreate Spurs season, bags a brace after Russia have
the dentist’s chair with his gleeful team-mates. a man sent off. Croatia also look quite handy...
Motson composed himself to then summarise: THE GOOD Of all the ‘new’ football nations
“What a wonderful goal by Gascoigne, what from east of the torn Curtain, Croatia are the
a pertinent answer to all his critics, and Terry neutral’s darlings. At Hillsborough, they knock
Venables vindicated!” boring old Denmark into a cocked hat. Davor
Suker is unplayable even before he chips Peter
The goal merely extended England’s lead. Schmeichel, but the Vatreni bristle with class:
Materially, it meant nothing. Emotionally, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki, Slaven Bilic,
though, it meant everything. For Gascoigne, Goran Vlaovic… How far can they go?
for Venables, for the squad, it was – to use THE BAD Another rest day is looming just as
Motson’s entirely correct word – vindication. Euro 96 is getting going – first the upsets, then
Gazza avenged himself on all his critics with the derbies, now the goals. At least that gives
a goal celebration both self-deprecating and us a chance to peruse the tables before each
defiant. “We’d said that if any of us involved in group’s simultaneous final games, and it’s all
the dentist’s chair scored, we’d make a good to play for, Jimmy: only three teams are out
celebration of it,” says Sheringham, although (Romania, Russia and Turkey), only Croatia are
he was beaten to the water bottle. “I was on through (which itself is A Good Thing) and the
the other side of the pitch – it took me a while entire quarter-final line-up is still up for grabs.
to get there. Jamie Redknapp and Alan Shearer THEY SAID WHAT?! “Dennis is such a nice
were already there, so I had to do it again!” man, such a tremendous gentleman, with such
penalty, that England were preparing to take Above Having stuck By making a joke out of events in Hong Kong, a lovely family – it’s going to be very hard for
Gascoigne off,” reveals McCall. “I felt sure that it to the Scots, Gazza Gascoigne set his persecutors free to perform me to kick him” – England captain Tony Adams
if Seaman hadn’t saved Gary Mac’s penalty, he sticks it to his critics a humiliating volte-face into fully backing the on his Arsenal team-mate, Bergkamp.
[Gazza] was going to be substituted. Of course, Three Lions. Monday’s Mirror genuflected into THE MEDIA ‘Pure Gascoigne, Pure Genius’:
the inevitable then happened…” self-flagellatory correction with an article The Sunday Times sets the tone as Fleet Street
headlined ‘Mr Gascoigne: An Apology’. “Gazza resounds to the squeal of handbrake turns.
From the resulting corner, Scotland gave up is no longer a fat, drunken imbecile; he is, in IN OTHER NEWS... The UK has a brand new
a free-kick, and as Seaman’s clearance was fact, a football genius,” they said. The Sun? tabloid paper, The Planet on Sunday, focusing
controlled by Sheringham, Gascoigne was “General Sir Gazblaster Gazza of Gascoigne on environmental issues. It saves a lot of trees
already darting past him towards the box. led a one-man onslaught on the Tartan by closing after one issue.
What followed is etched onto millions of defences.” From this point, barely a word of
inner eyelids either side of Hadrian’s Wall. criticism was published, and England’s players
Sheringham tapped the ball left to Anderton, started to believe. “The pivotal match was
who cushioned it first-time towards goal for Scotland,” says Ince. “That was the one.”
the Geordie to let it bounce, flick it left-footed Within minutes of the whistle, Wembley’s
over Colin Hendry and volley right-footed past PA operator made an inspired decision to snub
his Rangers club-mate Andy Goram. the official Simply Red dirge and blast a joint
“When he scored, it didn’t surprise any of us,” venture between two comedians and a Scouse
a grinning Sheringham tells FFT. “Gazza was songsmith. As Three Lions’ effortlessly catchy
special – without a doubt, the most talented refrains were taken up by the crowd, so were
I ever played with.” its humble hope and fragile optimism: “Thirty
Gascoigne’s goal was the perfect balance of years of hurt never stopped me dreaming…”
coaching and talent. He’d been taught to make With Tony Blair, the increasingly inevitable
the run, but thereafter it was all instinct. John next UK Prime Minister, promising devolution
Motson’s commentary relayed every England referenda, England was looking to let go of its
fan’s reaction, perhaps with fewer expletives: domestic dominion. Following a first European
“Here’s Gascoigne! Oh brilliant! Oh yes! Ohhh Championship victory in 16 years, its football
yes!” followed by seven seconds of microphone team dreamed of starring on a bigger stage.

EURO
96









“They liked to pass square,” reveals Paul Ince
JUNE 18 REPORT to FFT. “If they had it at the back, that wasn’t

FRANCE 3-1 BULGARIA RAMPANT LIONS TEACH DUTCH a problem, but as soon as they got to a certain
area, we’d press them. Terry said, ‘They’ll start
ROMANIA 1-2 SPAIN dropping back and we’ll start playing’.”

SCOTLAND 1-0 SWITZERLAND A TOTAL FOOTBALLING LESSON Despite beating Scotland with a back three,
Venables reverted to 4-4-2 – the formation
NETHERLANDS 1-4 ENGLAND “You have to look at a side like Ajax, say that had struggled against the Swiss.
It would be the same XI as in England’s first
they’re the best in the world and ask: ‘What two games, after they had retained the same
STORY OF THE DAY While the host nation’s can we learn?’ You can’t copy them, but you line-up just once in 18 friendlies. “You have to
genuinely shocking victory is the story of the have to identify what we can use and what find ways of playing to suit your players and
decade (if not longer) for their fans, some other we can’t use.” beat your opponents,” explained Venables. “It
football also happens – starting with Group B. When Terry Venables spoke to FFT just is no good just developing a Plan A; you need
Bulgaria beat France twice in qualification for before Euro 96, he was hardly giving th o come up with B and C as well.” 
USA 94, all but ending the international careers game away. England’s head coach had Hiddink’s side played a 3-4-3 with
of David Ginola and Gerard Houllier, but now waxed lyrical about Dutch football “eve igh wingers, so England’s full-backs
Laurent Blanc and an own goal put Les Bleus since my youth-team days”, and their ropped. “Terry was very astute and
in control. Hristo Stoichkov scores, but Bulgaria influence had been noted – sometimes anted us to be compact so that we
can’t be bothered levelling and need Romania sarcastically, but mostly sympatheticall ould put maximum pressure on the
to hold Spain in Leeds. They do not. Guillermo After all, under his predecessor, Graha utch,” said Steve McManaman, who
Amor nets a late winner to send La Roja into Taylor, England had regressed from the as specifically charged with helping
the quarters, before living up to his surname inconsistent but promising football of e front two whenever possible. For
by flying home for the birth of his child. Italia 90 to a side of “Hit Les”, “Can we part, Venables calculated: “I was
THE GOOD Curio ahoy! During the first half at not knock it?” and a worryingly crucial nvinced they would be forced to play
St James’ Park, Dermot Gallagher (below, right) role being played by Carlton Palmer. extra defender, which would reduce
ruptures his Achilles. On jogs the fourth official, A long-ball side, in other words – and
an unknown ginger fella called Paul Durkin; by not even a good one.
France 98 he’s England’s top referee. So it goes. Venables wasn’t anyone-but-Taylor:
THE BAD It’s agony once again for Scotland. he was the anti-Taylor, designed to
As in qualification, they have been defensively replace country-cousin parochialism
resolute – only Germany and Portugal leaked with continental panache, because you
fewer goals in the group stage – but lacking in get to manage Barcelona by telling the lads
firepower. At Villa Park, Ally McCoist nets their to hoof it upfield for 90 minutes. He wanted
first goal of the tournament only after missing players who were comfortable in possession
with three shots from within six yards, two of and fluid in position – “a fusion of the best
them saved superbly by Marco Pascolo. Even of English traditions with a Dutch influence,”
so, the manner of Scotland’s exit is cruel. The explained the 53-year-old.
hollowest of 1-0 wins sends them home on the He had spent nearly two years coaching his
tiebreaker of goals (not) scored, which means men to play like the Dutch, when the Euro 96
they have fallen at the first hurdle nine times draw destined them to face the real thing. As
in a row; it’ll happen once more at France 98, one of only four seeds, England were a little
before two grim decades of much worse still. unlucky to be grouped with a country that had
THEY SAID WHAT?! “When Patrick Kluivert won Euro 88, been semi-finalists at Euro 92
scored, it was the same feeling as when Mel and World Cup quarter-finalists in 1994, and
Gibson got hung, drawn and quartered at the whose ranks would be largely made up of the
end of Braveheart” – GamesMaster host, and Ajax team that had just reached its second
proud Scot, Dominik Diamond. Champions League final in as many seasons.
THE MEDIA “Give ’em Edam good thrashing!” The Oranje had also destroyed Bobby Robson’s
– pity Dennis Bergkamp, rising on matchday to side at Euro 88, and effectively ended Graham
find the Mirror have his face on some cheese. Taylor’s tenure in Rotterdam five years later.
IN OTHER NEWS... The Unabomber, a maths Yet there was discontent bubbling beneath
whiz-turned-technoluddite and terrorist in the the surface. “Ajax were on top of Europe but
United States, is indicted on 10 criminal counts. there were issues within the squad,” midfielder
Ronald de Boer tells FFT. “Going into the Euros,
there was a disparity in wages, with players
assigned into A, B and C categories. It caused
tensions which got dragged into the national
team as well, meaning there were some very
grumpy faces. The focus wasn’t completely
there, and then you can lose to any country.”
A disgruntled Edgar Davids, dropped for the
second fixture against Switzerland, had been
sent home days before the England game for
openly criticising his manager, Guus Hiddink. 
Most importantly for the Three Lions, few
people knew how the Dutch worked quite like
Venables. And he had a plan.