May 1972

Note : The news from thirty years ago has an archive below

As appeared in Rothman's Football Yearbook 1972-73 (3rd year) :

The Queene Anne Press, London 1972

May

1 George Graham is the only London-based Scot selected for the Home International Championship.
Jim McCalliog is doubtful for the Wolverhampton W. v Tottenham H. U.E.F.A.
Cup Final first leg. . . Definite relegation for Charlton Ath. The Board has full confidence in manager Theo Foley and he will be offered a new contract. . . Derby Co. will 'sell' matches to sponsors next season. They expect to make around 25,000 pounds extra from advertising. . . Ronnie Allen is appointed as the manager of Sporting Lisbon. . . Leeds U. beat Chelsea 2-0 and need only one point more to make sure of the League Championship. Their last game against Wolverhampton W. is scheduled for the Monday after the Cup Final. . . Derby Co. beat Liverpool with a John McGovern goal and are on top of the table.

2 Alan Jarvis (Mansfield T.) will be in hospital for a considerable time due to a serious eye injury sustained in last night's match against Wrexham . . . Geoff Hurst and George Best both scored in Uwe Seeler's benefit match at Hamburg. The European Selection won 7-3 . . . Willie Henderson was given a free transfer by Glasgow Rangers after spending 13 years at Ibrox . . . Compulsory licensing of iootball grounds is proposed in a report to the Government. If the recommendations are adopted, crowd safety regulations would be much more effective, but the cost to the clubs could run into thousands of pounds. . . Birmingham C. win 1-0 at Orient and are promoted to Division 1. Latchford scored the winning goal in a match played in front of over 33,000 people. During the incident-packed evening the promotion rival Millwall supporters invaded the pitch hoping for the abandonment. At the end due to a bomb scare the stand had to be evacuated and fights broke out between Birmingham and Millwall fans. . . Malcolm Allison signed a new five-year contract with Manchester C.

3 Don Revie says that he will risk several players in the Cup Final who are not fully recovered from injury. . . Ramsey left out Geoff Hurst and Alan Mullery from the England squad for the return leg of the European Championship tie in W. Berlin.
Allan Clarke (Leeds), Macdonald (Newcastle U.) and Roy McFarland are included in the 18-strong travelling party. . . The scandalous Orient v Birmingham C. match is described as a 'night of madness' in the papers and Orient Chairman Arthur Page commented: 'It's a great pity when the game descends to this sort of thing' . . .
Ladbrokes, the bookmakers, make Leeds even money favourites to win the Cup in 90 minutes play and 4/7 on outright. Arsenal are quoted 5/2 and 6/4! Frank McLintock says that the Gunners like to be outsiders because the pressure is more on Leeds. 'We are relaxed and confident' says the Arsenal skipper. . . Brighton make sure of promotion with a 1-1 home draw against Rochdale. . . Southend clinch second place in Division 4. . . Q.P.R. win the Evening Standard five-a-side trophy by beating Southampton 3-2 after extra time in the Final. . . The first leg ofanall-England U.E.F.A. Cup Final is played at Molineux. Tottenham H. win 2-1 with two excellent goals scored by Martin Chivers. McCalliog is the Wolverhampton W. scorer but 'man of the match' Pat Jennings prevented the home team from equalising with several stunning saves. . . Alan Mullery has decided not to play again for England. In a letter to Alf Ramsey he writes: 'I'm 30 years ? I'd and have no chance of making Munich '74. I'd like to be able to spend more tIme wIth my family but with club and international tours I would be away for seven weeks out of eight during the summer. . .'.

4 Eusebio is dropped from the Portuguese national squad for their game against Cyprus. . . Police hunt for 5 pounds Cup Final ticket forgers. Apparently there are several thousand forged tickets on offer for sale by a group of touts. . . Alan Stephenson IS transferred from West Ham U. to Portsmouth. . . Leeds name a squad of 15 players for the Cup Final and will announce their team only 30 minutes before the kick-off . . . Gordon Banks is presented with the 'Footballer of the Year' trophy at the dinner held by the Football Writers' Association. . . Wembley officials intimate that they might re-modernize the stadium making it an all-seater. The
capacity would be reduced to 80,000 . . . Ted MacDougall, the Bournemouth goalking, states that he has no intention of signing for a first division team and will stay with his present club for the full term of his new contract. . . The official receipts of the F .A. Cup will be an all-time record of 192,917 pounds, but on the black market five pound seats sell at over one hundred pounds.

5 Mr. Eldon Griffiths, Minister for Sport, has called for a meeting of the F.A., Football League and Professional Footballers' Association to discuss the row over the disciplinary proceedings. . . Francis Lee has been taken to hospital for tests and might miss England's international at W. Berlin. However, he is in the squad for the Home Internationals, alongside newcomers Paul Reaney, Tony Currie and Alan Hudson. . . Jimmy Andrews resigned as Luton's assistant manager following his former boss Alec Stock and Harry Haslam is officially appointed as the new Luton boss. . . Bobby Lenarduzzi, a 16-year-old Reading apprentice pro., is included in Canada's World Cup squad.
pounds
6 Leeds win the Centenary Cup Final with an Allan Clarke goal scored in the 53rd minute. Shortly after the match the team left for Wolverhampton to prepare for the decisive league match. Mick Jones dislocated his elbow in the last minute of the game and was taken off on a stretcher after collecting his medal from the Queen . . . . Celtic win the Scottish Cup by beating Hibernian 6-1- the highest score in the Final since 1888. Dixie Deans got a hat-trick, Lou Macari scored twice and Billy McNeill once.

7 Anderlecht win the Belgian Championship with a decisive 5-1 win over Saint Trond . . . Muller scores twice for Bayern and goes clear in the European scoring list with 36 . . . Benfica are the Champions of Portugal and Real Madrid need only one more point to clinch the title in Spain.
8 Everton signed Mike Bernard (Stoke C.) for 125,000 pounds . . . Ian MacFarlane, the Carlisle manager, is given a six months' notice. . . Francis Lee will be definitely out of football until the beginning of next season. . . Helmut Schoen has called up Karl-Heinz Schnellinger into the W. German squad against England. . . A fantastic night of League football! Leeds U. lose at Wolverhampton 2-1 and Liverpool draw 0-0 at Highbury. Derby Co. are the champions for the first time in their history with 58 points, followed by three clubs on 57. Bill Shankly claims that Toshack was not off-side when he scored two minutes from the end and Don Revie says that his team should have had two penalties for handling offences.

9 West Ham U. put Harry Redknapp and Peter Eustace on the transfer list and Keith Newton the international full-back is on offer at Everton . . . Huddersfield accuse four of their players of asking them to break tbe rules by paying them an extra 1,000 pounds each to avoid relegation. Trevor Cherry, Frank Worthington, Roy Ellam - all transfer-Iisted - are named, but the fourth player's identity is not revealed. . . Newcastle U. asked the F.A. to release Malcolm Macdonald from the close season Under-23 tour so he could go with his club to the Far East. The request was refused. . . Brian Clough says that Derby Co's league triumph is a small miracle and the club will spend heavily on reinforcements in order to make an impact in the European Cup. . . Geoff Hurst and Mike Summerbee are recalled into the England squad instead of injured Allan Clarke and Francis Lee.

10 Hurst broke down in training and the England party left without him for W. Berlin . . . Nottingham F. will propose the introduction of Sunday football at the League's A.G.M. Other proposals: limitation of the loan system (Orient) five clear days before an F.A. Cup Final (Arsenal) and three-up-and-down promotion and relegation system operating for the top two divisions (Blackpool). 12 non-league clubs are applying for admission together with Barrow, Crewe, Workington and Stockport Co., who are seeking re-election. . . Portugal beat Cyprus 1-0 at Nicosia in a World Cup qualifying match. . . Colin Harper (Ipswich T.) is suspended for 28 days from August 12th after being sent off against Sheffield U. on April 15th . . .
England Amateurs beat Italy 4-0 at Plymouth.

11 Bill Baxter, a 12,500 pounds signing 15 months ago, is given a free transfer by Hull C. . . .
Tottenham H. beat Arsenal 2-0 at Highbury in the last Division I match of the season.
Ajax Amsterdam beat Den Haag F.C. in the Dutch Cup Final 3-2.

12 Martin Peters is doubtful against W. Germany due to a heavy cold. . . Derby Coo claim that Colin Todd will be too tired to tour with the England Under-23 party. . 0 Wrexham won the Welsh Cup by beating Cardiff 3-2 on aggregate and will play in European football for the first time in their history.. . Graham Pugh (Sheffield W.) is transferred to Huddersfield for 60,000 pounds.

13 England draw 0-0 at W. Berlin and are out of the European Championship. In the other matches Russia beat Yugoslavia 3-0 and Belgium beat Italy 2-1. Ramsey said that he was proud of his team's performance, but he is strongly criticised for selecting a defensive 4-4-2 formation. Helmut Schoen, the German team manager, complains about England's 'Brutal methods'. Man of the match Franz Beckenbauer said, 'The English had no idea how to deal with our two goal advantage.
They confused the jungle with a football pitch. , 14 Italian team manager Valcareggi is under attack by the Press for selecting too many of the 'old guard'. Hungary and Rumania draw 2-2 in Bucharest and will have a play-off match for a place in the semi-finals at Belgrade. . . Real Madrid clinched the Spanish title with a win over Sevilleo Valencia finished second and Barcelona third.

15 Francis Burns (Manchester U.) will join Southampton after his present club.s foreign tour. . . It is officially announced that the final stages of the European Championship will be played-off in Belgium. 0. Fulham Supporters' Club held a public meeting, which called for the resignation of chairman Tommy Trinder . 0 The proposed England tour during June is cancelled because the players are too tired and would be unwilling to take part. A round-robin to that effect was presented to Sir Alf on the plane which brought the England party back from Berlin, England beat the Republic of Ireland 4-0 in the U.E.F.A.-Youth Tournament.

16 Malcolm Page (Birmingham C.) has joined the Wales squad in place of the injured Trevor Hockey.

17 Tottenham H. beat Wolverhampton W. in the U.E.F.A. Cup on a 3-2 aggregate and become the first English club to win two different European trophies. At White Hart Lane, Mullery put Spurs in front and David Wagstaffe equalised from a long-range shot - 1-1. Halifax T. sacked their manager Ray Henderson. . Charlton Ath. signed 27-year-old Dietmar Bruck from Northampton Town for 5,000 pounds. . E. Cussins is the new chairman of Leeds U. He announced 500,000 pounds plans to improve ground facilities. . Eldon Griffiths rejected proposals for a United Kingdom football team. Mr. Griffiths said that he was not sure that Scottish or Welsh supporters would be pleased to see their national team losing their identity . . . . Dickie Rooks has been given a free transfer by Bristol C. . . . Ken Sandercock re-joined Leicester Co from Torquay U. . . , Hungary beat Rumania 2-1 in the European Championship play-off match.

18 George Best has failed to turn up at Troon where the N. Ireland squad met for the Scotland game. . . Fulham decided to officially disband their fan club because 'they behaved in an irresponsible manner'. Chairman of 'The Cottagers' club Mr. Paul Woods called a special meeting of the members to discuss the split between the two , . . Bill McGarry blames the players for the present crisis: 'The trouble is that players are not as dedicated to the game as they used to be. The reason so many of them complain about being tired is because of the worries of outside interests.'

19 George Best is dropped from the N. Ireland squad and is reported to be holidaying in Spain. . . Roy Sproson, who has made over 750 league appearances for Port Vale, was given a free transfer. . . Sir Alf Ramseystated that Colin Todd and John Robson must go on the England Under-23 tour. . . Universitario Lima drew 0-0 with Independiente Buenos Aires in the first leg match of the South American Champions' Cup Final. . . Belgium beat Iceland 4-0 in a World Cup qualifying match . . . The USA beat Jamaica 2-1 and will play in the Olympic Games in Munich. . Czechoslovakia 2 Greece 0 in the Under-23 European Championship semi-final. The return match will be played in Athens on May 31 . . . Bill McGarry will stay at Wolverhampton next season.

20 England beat Wales 3-0 in Home International Tournament. Malcolm Macdonald collects his first full cap and Rodney Marsh scores his first goal for his country . . .
Two late goals (Law, Lorimer) help Scotland to a 2-0 win over N. Ireland. . .
George Best announces his retirement from football at the age of 26. He says that he is a physical and mental wreck and has been drinking too much during the last four months. . . Marseille are the champions of France.

22 N. Ireland manager Terry Neill says that he is willing to take Best back into the squad but George refuses to see anyone - not even Sir Matt Busby. . . Madeley and Moore are doubtful for tomorrow's game at Wembley . . . John Doyle (Chelsea) has been sent off in a friendly match at Barbados. . . Wales call up Dick Krzywicki and Gareth Davies into the squad. . . Brentford sign Alan Murray (Middlesbrough) . . .
Ajax end the season with a 12-1 win over Vitesse in a Dutch first division match.
Cruyff scores four of the goals. . . Tommy Taylor (West Ham U.) has been added to the England Under-23 touring party. . . England beat W. Germany 2-0 in the Final of the U.E.F.A. Youth tournament to retain the trophy. Phi] Thompson (Liverpool) and Mike Buckley (Everton) scored the goals for the team managed by Gordon Milne. Poland finish third and the host country, Spain, fourth.

23 Tony Currie (Sheffield U.) and Colin Todd get their first cap for England. N. Ireland win 1 -0 with a Terry Neill goal - their first victory over England since 1957. Ramsey sent on Peters and Chivers for Currie and Macdonald but the heroic Irish defence held out without too much difficulty. . . Geoff Strong and Ian St. John were given free transfers by Coventry C. and Denis Ho]]ywood is released by Southarnpton . . . The F .A. complain that they cannot beat the cup final touts without the help of the public, but no-one seems to care.

24 Scotland beat Wales 1-0 at Hampden with a second-half Lorimer goal and are now certain to finish on top in the Home International Tournament. . . Rangers beat Dynamo Moscow 3-2 at Barcelona but the result might not count. Their fans invaded the pitch during the game several times and at the end they fought a pitched battle with the Spanish police. According to reports one man died and 150 injured.
Hundreds were arrested and thrown into jail. The Scottish fans also caused a lot of damage in the Spanish holiday resorts. . . George Best says that he might take up footba]] again for a London club. . . Independiente Buenos Aires beat Universitario Lima 2-1 to win the South American Champions' Cup.

25 The Lord Provost of Glasgow described the behaviour of the Rangers fans as 'shameful and a disgrace'. He also pointed out that the unprecedented scandal had nothing to do with the famous club and its players. Lev Yashin, the ex-international goalkeeper , who is now the technical adviser of Moscow Dynamo, demands a replay, because 'the match was played in unusual circumstances and the referee should have abandoned it'. U .E.F .A. secretary Hans Bangerter called an emergency committee meeting to discuss the Russian protest. Personally he also feels that Rangers should be disciplined. The Evening Standard front page headline describes the Scottish fans stranded in Spain as 'jailed, drunk and broke!' . . . Sweden drew with Hungary 0-0 in a World Cup qualifying match at Stockholm. . . Alf Wood (Shrewsbury T.), joint top scorer of the Football League with 35 goals, is signed by Millwallfor 45,000 pounds . . . John Simpson, who has made over 600 appearances for Gillingham, was given a free transfer. . . Brian Homewood has been put on the F.I.F.A. list by the F.A. Other English referees nominated to control international matches are: David Smith, Norman Burtenshaw, Ken Burns, Jack TayJor, Pat Partridge and Keith Walker .

26 Derek Dougan says 'The club chairmen must think seriously about the future of footba]]. Instead of giving each other a pat on the back at the League A.G.M., they ought to introduce reforms to streamline the structure of our domestic competitions.
There is an intolerable burden on the players of the top c]ubs.' Alan Hardaker:
'Ask the clubs, not me! We introduced our ideas to them years ago, but they don't
want to know. How do you persuade six First Division Clubs to vote themselves down to the Second ? . . . W. Germany beat Russia 4-1 in a friendly to mark the opening of the new Olympic Stadium in Munich. Gerd Muller scored all four goals, bringing his international total to 47. . . Bill Baxter (Hull C.) joins Northampton T.
on a free-transfer. Birmingham C. pay 60,000 pounds to W .B.A. for Bobby Hope.
27 Arsenal F.C. will spend 100,000 pounds on ground improvement during the close season.
All safety barriers will be reinforced. . . Both Derby Co. and Leeds U. declined to play in the traditional Charity Shield match next season. Derby Co., the champions, will start the 72/73 League campaign with an away fixture at Southampton, and Leeds U. will be at Stamford Bridge facing Chelsea. Norwich C. open their first ever Div. 1. fixtures with a home game against Everton. . . England shows improved form at Ramp den Park, and beat Scotland 1-0 with an Alan Ball goal.
Wales and N. Ireland drew 0-0 at Wrexham, consequently, England and Scotland tie on top of the Home Championship table. . . In a TV discussion, leading club managers, Revie and Mercer, agree that this Tournament should be played off during the season, and not at the end, when the players are stale and tired.

28 Juventus clinched the Italian title with a 2-0 win over Vicenza. The Portuguese champions, Benfica, also closed the campaign with an emphatic win.

30 Alan Hudson and Colin Todd pulled-out of the England U-23 squad. Hudson referred to domestic reasons, and Todd said that he was tired after a strenuous season. Sir Alf Ramsey contacted Trevor Brooking (West Ham U.) and Frank Worthington (Huddersfield T.) as possible replacements. . . Manchester U. beat a Tel-A viv select in Israel 2-1 , with goals by Sadler and Kidd.

31 Ajax Amsterdam successfully defended the European Champions' Cup by beating Inter-Milan 2-0 at Rotterdam. Johann Cruyff scored both goals in the second-half, and the match was described as great propaganda for attacking football. The Italians rarely looked like scoring, and Boninsegna was shown the yellow card by referee Robert Relies of France for ungentlemanly conduct.