1975, I was there, all five goals for Supermac, a proper centre forward. Five is still the most goals by an England player in a match, three others have done it.
@eric_plant Yep. I used to think it was earlier than that, but to be fair, when you look at footage of England fans in Italia 90, and also, the Euros in '92, there are a lot of union flags still around...
and @Steve_Peart I found this from a Guardian article on Englishness...
"As late as the 1990 World Cup, England’s turbulent ride through the tournament was still accompanied by the union jack, but at Euro 96 English football and its fans looked different. Although the union jack was not entirely absent, it was, for the first time, completely overwhelmed by the St George’s Cross."
Thanks @LeedsBlue. Conversely, have any of the other home nations used the Union Flag as their flag? Almost certainly not Scotland and Wales, but maybe NI.
Euro 96 was obviously a big deal for England as hosts but also post Prem creation, with the fever pitch, all seater, commercial era, it might have been the first time the supermarkets were flooded with merch, shirts and cheap flags, and all manner of commercial link ups.
With poor old Graham Taylor we were crap in 92 almost losing any interest carried over from Italia 90 and failed miserably to even qualify for 94.
He said his time under Sanchez "destroyed him as a player and as a person".
Always intrigued exactly what went on. As cranky as latter days Sanchez was at Wycombe, surely he couldn't have an effect so bad that Roberts literally dropped off a cliff as a footballer and never returned afterwards? Surely there were other factors at play like his own passion, or injuries etc?
We've all had bosses who just didn't like you or take much interest in your needs, not too difficult to imagine a creative highly rated young player, far away from home with a seemingly stern old school manager no doubt telling him he needs to run more and then not picking him at the weekend regardless. Must be an odd, frustrating existence for a keen player who has been tipped for international honours from a young age and moves to a club who just don't seem to get him. Funny how things work out, if he'd come into more recent Swansea teams and shown promise he'd have got a much bigger move.
It is a famous crowd photo. Observations as you point out, plus, very few women, no team colours and non segregation of the crowd (plenty of W German flags on show).
I think homesickness was a big factor. IIRC he would spend as much time as possible in south Wales when he was injured or suspended. That can’t have helped.
Comments
https://theoryoftheday.com/lionel-richie-the-solo-star-board-game/
England v Cyprus - the Malcolm Macdonald game
1975, I was there, all five goals for Supermac, a proper centre forward. Five is still the most goals by an England player in a match, three others have done it.
https://youtu.be/8KOYSdtGYMQ?si=0VXB9U9CZ-l9QLAQ
When did England fans stop waving the Union Flag, and start waving St George's Cross?
Euro 96 I think
@eric_plant Yep. I used to think it was earlier than that, but to be fair, when you look at footage of England fans in Italia 90, and also, the Euros in '92, there are a lot of union flags still around...
and @Steve_Peart I found this from a Guardian article on Englishness...
"As late as the 1990 World Cup, England’s turbulent ride through the tournament was still accompanied by the union jack, but at Euro 96 English football and its fans looked different. Although the union jack was not entirely absent, it was, for the first time, completely overwhelmed by the St George’s Cross."
Thanks @LeedsBlue. Conversely, have any of the other home nations used the Union Flag as their flag? Almost certainly not Scotland and Wales, but maybe NI.
Euro 96 was obviously a big deal for England as hosts but also post Prem creation, with the fever pitch, all seater, commercial era, it might have been the first time the supermarkets were flooded with merch, shirts and cheap flags, and all manner of commercial link ups.
With poor old Graham Taylor we were crap in 92 almost losing any interest carried over from Italia 90 and failed miserably to even qualify for 94.
Also the tabloids were full of St George Cross imagery...
Managed to find a St George at the 1966 World Cup Final. Lots of men in jacket and tie, that's what you wore out then, whatever the occasion.
He said his time under Sanchez "destroyed him as a player and as a person".
Always intrigued exactly what went on. As cranky as latter days Sanchez was at Wycombe, surely he couldn't have an effect so bad that Roberts literally dropped off a cliff as a footballer and never returned afterwards? Surely there were other factors at play like his own passion, or injuries etc?
We've all had bosses who just didn't like you or take much interest in your needs, not too difficult to imagine a creative highly rated young player, far away from home with a seemingly stern old school manager no doubt telling him he needs to run more and then not picking him at the weekend regardless. Must be an odd, frustrating existence for a keen player who has been tipped for international honours from a young age and moves to a club who just don't seem to get him. Funny how things work out, if he'd come into more recent Swansea teams and shown promise he'd have got a much bigger move.
@Steve_Peart Big NI union jack here, but they are few and far between...
https://www.sportphotogallery.com/football/northern-ireland-fans-v-ukraine-lyon-europeans-2016-16068/
It is a famous crowd photo. Observations as you point out, plus, very few women, no team colours and non segregation of the crowd (plenty of W German flags on show).
Although a match with plenty of other incident…The John Akinde Game v Brentford. Visceral power.
I think homesickness was a big factor. IIRC he would spend as much time as possible in south Wales when he was injured or suspended. That can’t have helped.
Having zero expectation that you'll be selected when fit would likely hamper recovery too