Error in Casting, Part Two

1- Lars Lunde, Bayern Munich 1987

Lars Lunde was a Danish striker who seemed like a bright future prospect after signing for Bayern Munich from Swiss club Young Boys Bern during the 1986/87.

However, he only found the net a handful of times and unable to command a starting position.

He was loaned midway through his second season and transferred outright thereafter.

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, May 1987

(Lars Lunde and Michael Rummenigge, March 28, 1987, SV Hamburg 1-Bayern Munich 2)

2- Rafael Martin Vasquez at Torino and Olympique Marseille (1990/92)

Real Madrid’s attacking midfielder Rafael Martin Vasquez joined Torino in 1990 following one of his best seasons.

He was a big name signing and much was expected of him.

However, his Torino adventure was disappointing as he was unable to stamp his authority and scored just two goals in his two seasons there.

He joined big spending French club Olympique Marseille in 1992, however, he was sold back to Real Madrid after a couple of months.

He addressed his astonishment at how OM had tried everything it could for two years to sign him to just let him go after two months.

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1990

(Rafael Martin Vasquez with Torino, 1990/91)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 12, 1993

(Rafael Martin Vasquez , September 30, 1992, Champions League, Olympique Marseille 3-Glentoran 0)

3- Daniel Passarella, Parma 2001

Argentine Manager Daniel Passarella was hired by Parma, on November 6, 2001,  with the season well under way.

He was in charge for only five matches and Parma lost all five. He was dismissed on December 18, 2001.

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1994

(Daniel Passarella)

4- Eric Cantona and Stephane Paille, Montpellier, 1989/90

Montpellier President Louis Nicollin thought he had succeeded a major coup by re-uniting former France under-21 teammates Eric Cantona and Stephane Paille in the summer of 1989.

However, this partnership failed to function and Stephane Paille was even loaned to Bordeaux during the season.

By the following season, Cantona had returned to Marseille and Paille joined Porto.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 6, July 1989

(Louis Nicollin with Eric Cantona and Stephane Paille, summer 1989)

5- Frank Stapelton, Ajax Amsterdam, 1987

Republic of Ireland International striker had joined Ajax from Manchester United in the summer of 1987.

Johann Cruyff had signed as a potential replacement for Marco van Basten who had just joined AC Milan.

However, his transfer was a fiasco and he failed to settle. After a few months, he was loaned for a few months to Anderlecht and then immediately transferred to Derby County for the remainder of the season.

Photo From: Soccer Monthly, Annual 1983

(Frank Stapelton with Manchester United)

Debate Topic, Part Nine

Topic

Salvatore Schillaci came out of nowhere and was the star of the 1990 World Cup. He had been playing in Serie B the year before and no one could have foreseen his success that first season (1989/90) at Juventus.

However, from the following season onwards (1990/91), Schillaci just failed to function and only scored a handful of goals per season until his transfer to the J-League in 1994.

Does anyone know of any reasons and/or theories he was a one season wonder?

Photo From:  Soccer International, Issue 8, September 1990

(Salvatore Schillaci during the 1990 World Cup)

Diego Maradona and Michel Platini, Part Four

Diego Maradona

(Magazine / Language : Sport Illustrierte, July 5, 1982 / German By Claus-Peter Andorka) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, new series, issue 29, August, 1982 / French By Raoul Dufourcq ) 

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 81, September 1982 / French By Jean-Pierre Frimbois) 

(Magazine / Language : Fussball Magazin, January February 1983 / German By Jerome Bureau) 

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 88, April 1983 / French By Adrian Kochen) 

Photo From : Onze, Issue 81, September 1982

(Diego Maradona at Barcelona, 1982/83)

Diego Maradona

Michel Platini

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, old series, issue 32, July 1979 / French By Michel Diard) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, old series, issue 33, August 1979  / French By  Antonio Cabrini)

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, old series, issue 34, September 1979 / French By Michel Diard) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, New series, issue 1, April 1980 / French By) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, New series, issue 4, July 1980 / French By Francosi Sorton)  

Photo From : Mondial, New series, issue 4, July 1980

(Michel Platini taking a free kick)

Michel Platini

The uncapped, Part Four

1- Billy Bonds

West Ham midfielder Billy Bonds had his best years in the 1970s with Manager Ron Greenwood at the helm.

He was mostly on the fringes of the national team but never selected.

When Greenwood was appointed as England Manager he did call up Bonds in a World Cup qualifier vs. Italy in 1977, but he never left the bench.

Photo from: World Soccer, November 1976 

(Billy Bonds)

2- Maurizio Ganz

Italian striker Maurizio Ganz burst on the scene during the 1992/93 with a surprising Atalanta team under Marcelo Lippi.

Arrigo Sacchi called him up for two Italy squads for a World Cup Qualifier vs. Malta (March 1993) and Estonia (September 1993), but he did not leave the bench in either match

Photo from: Guerin Sportivo, October 14-20, 1992

(Maurizio Ganz with Atalanta)

3- Sean Dundee

Sean Dundee was a South African born striker who starred for Karlsruhe (1995/98).

During the 1996/97 season, there was public clamor to select him for the German national Team.

He obtained German citizenship in 1997 in the hopes of playing in the following year’s World Cup.

However, despite an appearance with Germany’s ‘B’ National team, he was never selected for the full national team.

Photo from: World Soccer, February 1997

(Sean Dundee with Karlruhe, 1996/97)

4- ‘Celso’ Dias dos Santos

Celso was a Brazilian defender from the 1980s who was overlooked by the National team selectors.

He joined Portugal’s Porto in 1985 and was a key player when they won the Champions Cup in 1987.

Despite his success aboard he was never called up.

Photo from: Onze, Issue 134, February 1987

(Celso with Porto, 1986/87)

5- Roberto Carlos Sosa

Roberto Carlos Sosa was an Argentinean striker whose best opportunity for a call up would have been in the late 90s during his successful spell at Italian Serie A club Udinese.

However, Marcelo Bielsa never selected him as Argentina was well covered with strikers such as Batistuta, Crespo, Cruz and others.

Photo from: Sport Bild, Issue 37, September 9, 1998

(Roberto Carlos Sosa with Udinese, 1998/99)

Football’s Quarrels and Feuds, Part Four

1- Leandro and Tele Santana, 1986

Prior to the 1986 World Cup, Brazilian defender Leandro of Flamengo declared that he was unavailable for the national team after falling out with Manager Tele Santana.

He had been late to a team get together and had been forced by Santana to publically declare his reason for his tardiness.

He declared he was late due to the fact that he had been at a nighclub with teammate Renato.

Subsequently Renato was cut from the squad and many suggested that Renato’s dismissal was the reason for his refusal.

He denied this reason and explained that he did not want to play as a right back and instead wanted to play as a central defender.

Tele Santana later said he was still unclear of Leandro’s real motives.

Despite denials by both, many believed Renato’s exclusion, in addition to the exclusions of Eder and Sidney due to indiscipline angered Leandro.

In his place Santana called up Josimar, who became one of the revelations of the World Cup 1986.

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1993

(Tele Santana)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 80, August 1982

(Leandro with Brazil during the 1982 World Cup)

2- Alan Sugar and Jurgen Klinnsman, 1995

After Jurgen Klinnsman’s excellent season with Tottenham (1994/95) many believed he would honor his contract and continue with them for the following season.

However, Klinnsamn was desperate to win a League title in his career and jumped at the chance to join Bayern Munich.

Tottenham Chairman Alan Sugar was angered by Klinnsman’s decision and went on Television (Match of the Day Program) on August 30^th, 1995, and threw away a Tottenham jersey signed by Klinnsman and said he would not even wash his car with it and took credit for relaunching Klinnsman’s career.

Klinnsman eventually rejoined Tottenham midway through the 1997/98 season.

Photo From: Goal, October 1995

(Alan Sugar throwing away Klinnsman’s jersey)

Photo From: World Soccer, May 1995

(Jurgen Klinnsman)

3- Gary Lineker and Vinnie Jones, 1996

In a ‘Radio Times’ interview on September 18, 1996, Gary Lineker criticized Vinnie Jones by saying ‘we don’t need people like Vinnie Jones, who is just a self hyped personality…’

In response, Jones called Lineker ‘a jellyfish, a wanker, a tart, and a big eared boring prat’.

Photo From: Goal, January 1996

(Wimbledon’s Vinnie Jones)

4- Karl Allgower and Juup Derwall, 1982

West German Manager Juup Derwall had wanted to call up Stuttgart’s Karl Allgower in the Fall of 1982, once for a friendly vs. Belgium in September 1982 and also vs. England in October 1982.

However, Allgower was so angry and disappointed about not being selected for the World Cup that he refused both call-ups.

Photo From: Sport Illuestrierte, Fussball 1984 Sonderheft

(Juup Derwall)

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, August 1986

(Karl Allgower)

5- Arie Haan and George Knobel, 1976

Holland Manager George Knobel did not select Arie Haan for the European Championship Finals of 1976.

Allegedly Arie Haan was instrumental for Knobel’s sacking at Ajax in 1974.

Wim van Hanegem  was quoted telling Knobel "You're not a straight guy" .

He shortly resigned after the Tournament.

Photo From: Voetbal International, July 26-31, 1982

(George Knobel)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 36, December 1978

(Arie Haan during the 1978 World Cup)

The First Time ….., Part Six

1-The First time that the Irish national team wore Green was in 1931. Before that their traditional uniform colors were blue.

2- The First Time that Scotland used a substitution in International Football was on May 29, 1960 at Vienna vs. Austria (1 to 4 Scotland loss).

Alexander Young of Hearts replaced Denis Law in the 12^th minute.

Photo From: Scotland, The Team, 1987

(Alex Young)

 3- The First Time that a goalkeeper saved a penalty kick in the World Cup was in the very first World Cup.

French goalkeeper Alex Thepot saved Chile’s Carlos Vidal’s attempt in the 35^th minute of their encounter (July 19, 1930, Chile 1-France 0)

Photo From: Les Bleus, Le livre official de l'equipe de France, Author: Dominique Grimault, 1997

(Alex Thepot making a dive, May 27, 1934, World Cup, Austria 3-France 2)

4- The First Time that a National team used air travel was in 1947 when the Belgian National flew for a friendly vs. Switzerland at Geneva. (November 2, 1947, Switzerland 4-Belgium 0)

5- The First Time that a pair of brothers ever played for the Italian National team was during the years 1911-1913, when brothers Giuseppe and Felice Milano represented Italy.

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(Felice Milano II and Giuseppe Milano I, May 1, 1913, Italy 1-Belgium 0)

Short International Careers, Part Six

1- Karl Del’Haye

Karl Del’Haye was a West German winger who made his name at Borussia Moenchengladbach in the 70s.

He earned his only two caps in 1980. For his first cap, he replaced Klaus Allofs in the 71^st minute in a friendly vs. Austria (April 2, 1980, West Germany 1-Austria 0).

He made the 1980 European Championship Finals squad and earned his second and final cap in a scoreless tie vs. Greece on June 17, 1980.

He joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 1980, but was a fringe squad member and as a result was never called up again.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 32, November 1982

(Karl Del’Haye with Bayern Munich)

2- Kevin Richardson

English midfielder Kevin Richardson won League titles with Everton (1985) and Arsenal (1989) despite not being a first choice squad member.

He was one of the first foreign players to join Real Sociedad after they adopted a policy of signing foreign imports.

After a year, he returned to the English league and joined Aston Villa, where he had a successful spell.

However, he must have been as surprised as anyone when newly appointed England Manager Terry Venables selected him for a friendly vs. Greece (May 17, 1994, England 5-Greece 0), aged 31 and clearly not a future prospect.

He was never called up again after this.

Photo From: Voetbal International, June 1, 1985

(Kevin Richardson with Everton, 1985)

3- Giovanni Stroppa

Italian midfielder Giovanni Stroppa was considered a young hope for the future, but was always on the fringes of AC Milan’s star studded squad.

He joined Lazio for couple of seasons, but he was at his best when he joined Foggia in 1993.

He earned all of his 4 caps during the 1993/94 season under Arrigo Sacchi his former club manager at AC Milan.

His first two were the critically important World Cup qualifiers vs. Scotland (October 17, 1993, Italy 3-Scotland 1) and Portugal (November 17, 1993, Italy 1-Portugal 0).

He was substituted in both matches (in the 90^th vs. Scotland by Gianfranco Zola and 61^st minute vs. Portugal by Demetrio Albertini).

In 1994, he played the friendly vs. France (February 16, 1994, Italy 0-France 1) and was substituted in the 65^th minute by Massimiliano Cappiolli.

He earned his final cap in a friendly vs. Germany (March 23, 1994, Germany 2-Italy 1); he came on as a substitute and replaced Dino Baggio in the 70^th minute.

After four straight caps, he was not selected again.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 21, July 1999

(Giovanni Stroppa with Piacenza 1999)

4- Juan Gilberto Funes

Juan Gilberto Funes was an Argentina striker who caught the attention of Carlos Bilardo when starring for Millionarios of Colombia and River Plate.

He earned all of his 4 caps in 1987.

His first cap was vs. Italy (June 10, 1987, Italy 3-Argentina 1), Pedro Pasculli substituted him in the 59th minute.

His second was ten days later in a   home friendly vs. Paraguay that Argentina lost 0 to 1.

His last two caps were during the 1987 Copa America on July 9^th (vs. Uruguay, 0-1 loss) and July 11^th (vs. Colombia, 1 to 2 loss).

In both matches he came on as a substitute at the start of the second half.

He therefore lost every match he played for Argentina.

He died at the age of 28 on January 11^th, 1992 due to a heart attack.

Photo From: El Grafico, Historia de la seleccion Argentina, 1971-75

(Juan Gilberto Funes)

5- Richard Niederbacher

Richard Niederbacher was an Austrian striker, whose best season was at Belgian club Waregem during the 1983/84 season when he scored 24 goals.

His first cap was in a friendly vs. France (March 28, 1984, France 1-Austria 0).

His second cap was vs. Greece (April 18, 1984, scoreless tie), where Peter Pacult substituted him in the 62nd minute.

His third was a World Cup qualifier vs. Cyprus (May 2, 1984, Cyprus 1-Austria 2); Gerald Wilfurth substituted him in the 88th minute.

He was surprisingly called up for two more caps in 1988 in February 1988, in a couple of Friendlies (February 2, 1988, Morocco 3-Austria 1   and February 5, 1988, Switzerland 2-Austria 1).

He is mostly remembered for his disappointing season at Paris St Germain (1984/85).

Paris St Germain President Francis Borelli had the option to sign Danish striker Preben Elkjaer, but chose Niederbacher, because he was younger and had scored more goals in the Belgian League than Elkjaer.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 53, August 1984 I

(Richard Niederbacher with Waregem, 1983/84)

Magazine Awards, Part Seven

France Football’s Ballon d’Or:

Year 1978:

Player of the year: Kevin Keegan (England and SV Hamburg)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1707, December 27, 1978

(Kevin Keegan)

France Football’s Ballon d’Or

Onze’s Onze d’Or:

Year 1983:

Player of the year: Michel Platini (France and Juventus)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 96, December 1983

(Michel Platini)

Onze d’Or

World Soccer’s Player of the Year:

Year 1988:

Player of the year: Marco van basten (Holland and AC Milan)

Manager of the Year:  Rinus Michells (Holland)

Team of the year: Holland

Photo From: World Soccer, December 1988

(Marco van Basten)

World Soccer, Player of the Year

France Football’s African Ballon d’Or:

Year 1983:

Player of the year: Mahmoud El-Khatib (Egypt and Al Ahly)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1964 , January 3, 1984 

(Mahmoud El-Khatib)

France Football’s African Ballon d’Or

Events and Consequences, Part Eight

1- Event:

Republic of Ireland International Timothy O’Keeffe stealing a Belgian player’s wallet.

Timothy O’Keeffe played in a World Cup qualifier vs. Belgium on February 25, 1934 at Dublin ( 4 to 4 tie).

At the post match banquet, one of the Belgian players reported his wallet stolen and it was found in O’Keeffe’s possession.

Consequence:

Timothy O’Keeffe was banned from the National team until 1938. In all he gained just 3 caps.

Photo From: The Boys in Green, THE FAI international Story, Author: Sean Ryan

(Timothy O’Keeffe)

2- Event:

France playing a Friendly vs. Switzerland in Geneva on February 29, 1920 (0 to 2 France win).

Consequence:

England were boycotting Germany (because of World War I) and also the countries that did not boycott Germany which included Switzerland

They insisted on France doing the same. But the match went ahead and in anger England left FIFA.

Because of this they did not particpate in the first three World Cups.

3- Event:

French striker Rene Bliard getting injured before the 1958 World Cup.

Consequence:

Initially Rene Bliard was to be the starter for France as a striker with Just Fontaine in reserve.

Rene Bliard’s injury made Fontaine the starter and he scored his record setting 13 goals during the World cup.

Photo From: Les Bleus, Le livre official de l'Equipe de France, Author: Dominique Grimault, 1997

(Just Fontaine, June 15, 1958, World Cup, France 2-Scotland 1)

Photo From: Les Bleus Author Denis Chaumier, 2004

(Rene Bliard, February 15, 1956, Italy 2-France 0)

4- Event:

Diego Maradona’s drugs ban in 1991 in addition to his arrest in 1991 for possession of Cocaine.

Consequence:

Argentina were due to participate in the Kirin Cup of 1994 held in Japan, along with the hosts and France.

However, Maradona had problems obtaining a visa to Japan as a result of his past with drugs.

As a result Argentina did not particpate in the Kirin Cup and Australia replaced them.

Similarly in 1997 , Maradona was refused entry in USA to train as a result of this past drugs ban.

Photo From: L’Equipe Magazine, June 18, 1994

(Diego Maradona being arrested in Buenos Aires on April 26, 1991)

5- Event:

Yugoslavia midfielder Mehmet Bazdarevic spitting at match referee Yousouf Namoglou of Turkey, in the 13^th minute of a World Cup Qualifier vs. Norway at Sarajevo on October 11, 1989 (Yugoslavia 1-Norway 0).

Consequence:

On February 2, 1990, FIFA announced that Mehmet Bazdarevic was banned from the World Cup for spitting at referee in Norway match.

Bazdarevic had been an integral part of Yugoslavia’s squad and had actively participated in the qualification, however, this incident took away his opportunity of playing in the 1990 World Cup.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 4, May 1989

(Mehmet Bazdarevic with Sochaux 1988/89, in front of Matra Racing Paris’ Enzo Francescolli)

Transfers that did not happen, Part Eight

1- In December 1980, NY Cosmos offered to swap with Fiorentina, Dutchman Johann Neeskens with Argentine Striker Daniel Bertoni.

Fiorentina refused the offer.

Photo From:  Mondial, new series, issue 44, November 1983

(Daniel Bertoni and Claudio Gentile in a Fiorentina and Juventus encounter)

Photo From:  Onze, Issue 12, December 1976

(Johann Neeskens with Barcelona)

2- Initially, prior his transfer to Juventus in 1992, German midfielder Andreas Moller was to spend a season on loan at Atalanata.

However, Moller refused and wanted to join Juventus outright.

In Fall 1990, Lazio had offered 7 Million Marks to Eintracht Frankfurt for Andreas Moller, that was turned down.

Photo From:  World Soccer, February 1994

(Andreas Moller after scoring, December 15, 1993, Argentina 2-Germany 1)

3- As a teenager Dutchman Ruud Gullit had trials at Arsenal and Ipswich Town. However, both teams managers Terry Neill and Bobby Robson refused to sign him.

Photo From:  World Soccer, May 1996

(Ruud Gullit at Chelsea, 1995/96)

4-After the 1990 World Cup, Juventus wanted to sign England defender Des Walker who had been one of the revelations of the tournament.

Juventus and FIAT owner Gianni Agnelli had been very impressed with him and had made a significant offer to Nottingham Forest.

However, Nottingham Forest Manager Brian Clough refused the offer and chose to hang on to Walker.

Photo From:  France Football, Issue 2406, May 19, 1992

(Des Walker and John Aldridge, November 14, 1990, EC Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-England 1)

5-When Dutch Manager Dick Advocaat was appointed as Rangers Glasgow Manager (1998-2002), he attempted to sign Dutch striker Pierre van Hooydonk.

However, van Hooydonk refused the offer due to his past with Celtic Glasgow.

Advocaat even called him a coward for his refusal, but van Hooydonk believed in time Advocaat would understand his reason.

Photo From:  World Soccer, April 1996

(Pierre van Hooydonk with Celtic Glasgow, 1995/96)

Eric Batty, Brian Glanville and other World Soccer Columns- Part Nine

I.  Eric Batty

WS Magazine Issue: July 1963                 

Article Title(s): ‘Brazil’s Tour Meaning’

-Eric Batty’s analysis on Brazil’s European Tour of Summer of 1963      

WS Magazine Issue: August 1970

Article Title(s): ‘England’s Defeats Were No Surprise’

-Eric Batty’s Analysis on England’s 1970 World Cup performances

WS Magazine Issue: April 1980     

Article Title(s): ‘Top Coaches All Under One Cover’

-Eric Batty’s analysis of Team management

WS Magazine Issue: August 1976 and October 1977

Article Title(s):  ‘World XI’, ‘Muller Still World Class’

-The World XI selections for the years 1976 and 1977.

(Eric Batty)

Eric Batty Columns-Part 9

II.   Brian Glanville

WS Magazine Issue: August 1963

Article Title(s): ‘Shortages in the Goalkeeping Art’

-Discussing the goalkeepers of the day

WS Magazine Issue: April 1970

Article Title(s): ‘Lee,My Choice but Who Else?’ and “Peters and Hurst Find Appetites’

-Brian Glanville’s regular ‘Looking at Soccer’ column and Analyzing England’s Team for the 1970 World Cup

WS Magazine Issue: July 1980

Article Title(s): ‘The Brian Glanville Column’, ‘Three Strikers Make Their Marks’ and ‘Et Tu Rossi… It Is Hard To believe’

- His regular Column and under his pseudonym of Andre Duclos reporting on the French scene and an Article on Paolo Rossi’s bribery scandal

WS Magazine Issue: World Soccer, January 1992

Article Title(s): ‘A Bizarre Way To Make A Silk Purse’

- His regular Column

(Brian Glanville)

Brian Glanville Columns -Part 9

III.  Other Writers:

a) Leslie Page

WS Magazine Issue: August 1963

Article Title(s): ‘Learning From Foreigners?’

-Martin Rodgers discussing the English League teams picking up ideas from other Leagues

b) Arthur Rotmil

WS Magazine Issue: May 1970

Article Title(s): ‘English Depart from Conservative Attitudes Regarding European Soccer’

          -Arthur Rotmil’s regular column ‘Searching the Soccer Scene’

c) Cian O’Mahony

WS Magazine Issue: January 1980

Article Title(s): ‘The Dutch Phoenix’

-Discussing Holland’s problems at International Level

d) Keir Radnedge

WS Magazine Issue: December 1994

Article Title(s): His Regular Column ‘Keir Radnedge Commentary’


Other Writers’ Columns-Part 9