The First Time ….., Part Ten

1-The First time that the Italian national team played on an artifical turf was in a Friendly vs. USA on May 30, 1984 at East Rutherford, New Jersey- Meadowlands Arena, Giants Stadium (scoreless tie).

2- The First Time ever (only time ever) that players appeared in a pre-War and post-War World Cups was when 1938 participants, the Swiss Alfred Bickel and the Swede Erik Nilsson, appeared in the 1950 World Cup as well.

Photo From: Die Nati, Die Geschichte der Schweizer Fussball-Nationalmanschaft, author Beat Jung, 2006

(Alfed Bickel next to Severino Minelli, who is shaking hands with General of the Swiss Army Henri Guisan)

Photo From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
(Erik Nilsson, June 9, 1939, Nordic Cup, Sweden 5-Finland 1)

3- The First Time that an English Manager won League titles with two different squads was when Herbert Chapman won League titles with Arsenal in the 1930s (1931, 1933), after having won with Huddersfield (1924 and 1925).

To note that Brian Clough is the second one (Derby County 1972, Nottingham Forest 1978).

Photo From: World Soccer, October 2003

(Herbert Chapman)

4- The First Time that an England and Scotland matchup was televised live was on May 10, 1969 at Wembley (Home Championship, England 4-Scotland 1).

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1969

(Martin Peters and John Greig, May 10, 1969, Home Championship, England 4-Scotland 1)

5- The First Time that a player of North African origin played for France was when Pierre Chesneau appeared in a Friendly on June 4, 1924 at Le Havre vs. Hungary (0-1 France loss). He replaced Albert Renier in the second half.