Trivia and Facts-Part 44

1-England Captain Bobby Moore almost missed the 1966 World Cup. He had a contract dispute with his club West Ham United (he was linked to Tottenham Hotspur). His contract was due to expire on June 30^th, 1966 with the World Cup kicking off in July.

If he was still unassociated with any club beyond that date, he would have been unaffiliated with the English FA and ineligible for the World Cup.

On July 7^th, West Ham United Manager Ron Greenwood arrived at the National team Headquarters at Hendon.

Moore signed a temporary contract to avoid missing the World Cup.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1999

(Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup, July 30, 1966, World Cup, England 4-West Germany 2)

Photo From: World Soccer, April 2006

(Ron Greenwood as England Manager with Kevin Keegan)

2-  The strangest non-transfer in the history of the Spanish La Liga took place during the 1970/71 season.

All four Real Madrid goalkeepers were on the injured list and a goalkeeper was needed in haste (48 hours).

Real Madrid Manager Miguel Munoz requested the signing of the 33 year old Jose Pesudo of Valencia, who had recently lost his starting position at the club.

The Management of both sides sanctioned the deal on the same day and Pesudo arrived at Madrid the next day, passed the medical and was x-rayed and was tested physically in training by Munoz. Within 24 hours the deal was done.

However, the following day Real Madrid announced the transfer would not be presented for ratification. Their reasoning was that Medical Exams had revealed an injury on Pesudo’s left shoulder.

Valencia were offended as it implied that they had purposefully sold an injured player. Pesudo returned to Valencia the next day and was examined by two of the most respected Spanish surgeons.

Their report made Real Madrid look bad. The report stated that  ‘The anomaly has been present since birth and correctly diagnosed when first joined Valencia in 1955 (when 18)… it has no medical significance and can have no effects upon his sporting activities…”

This further undermined Real Madrid’s own medical staff since all their goalkeepers and many outfield players were all injured.

Pesudo joined Real Betis at the end of the season.

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1971

(Jose Pesudo)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 125, October 9, 1973

(Real Madrid Manager Miguel Munoz and Pirri)

3- In England’s match vs. Morocco during the 1986 World Cup (June 6, 1986, scoreless tie), England had three captains within three minutes in the match.

Official Team Captain Bryan Robson had to be substituted in the 42^nd minute by Steve Hodge due to a shoulder injury.

Robson gave his captain’s armband to Ray Wilkins. Wilkins was sent off after he threw the ball at the referee over a disagreement over a decision. Peter Shilton then took over as skipper for the remainder of England’s games.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2080, February 18, 1986

(Bryan Robson)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2080, February 18, 1986

(Peter Shilton)

Photo From: 90 minutes, March 12, 1994

(Ray Wilkins at Queens Park Rangers)

4-Prior to their clash with Saint Etienne for the Final of the Champions Cup (May 12, 1976, Bayern Munich 1-Saint Etienne 0), Bayern Munich’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was very nervous.

To calm him down, Bayern Munich manager Dettmar Cramer made him drink two shots of cognac.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 5, May 1976

(Udo Horsmann and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (wearing an exchanged jersey), May 12, 1976, Champions Cup, Bayern Munich 1-Saint Etienne 0)

5-During USA’s match vs. Uruguay in the 1993 Copa America (June 16, 1993, 1-0 Uruguay win), USA Manager Bora Milutinovic was angry at his players who were not following his instructions. At one point he turned around to the armed Ecuadorian Police and jokingly told them to give him their guns because he wanted to shoot his players.

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 4, Issue 4, September 1993

(USA Manager Bora Milutinovic joking with the Police, June 16, 1993, Copa America, Uruguay 1-USA 0)