April 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

April

1 Derby beat Leeds 2-0 and as Manchester C. unexpectedly lose at home to Stoke, go on top of the First Division. . . Promotion candidates Millwalllose at Fulham, Bournemouth draw with Brighton in a vital Third Division promotion clash. . . Minimum admission prices to the terraces will go up for next season. . .

2 Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0 and narrow the gap at the top of the Spanish league. . . St. Etienne beat Marseille in France but the latter are still five points ahead of the field. . . Brazil wins the junior tournament in Cannes.

3 Derby unexpectedly lose 1-0 at home to Newcastle. . . Norwich draw at Loftus Road v Q.P.R. . . . Liverpool triumph 3-0 at Old Trafford and are back in the championship race. . . Blackpool's Dave Hatton and the Middlesbrough forward Johnny Vincent are sent off after a punch-up. The two players resumed their fighting in the dressing room tunnel and had to be separated by members of the groundstaff.

4 Tottenhall cancel Alan Mullery's loan period to Fulhall and dramatically recall him for the U.E.F.A. Cup semi-final v Milan. Nereo Rocco the Italian's manager lodges a protest to the Organising Committee. . . Southallpton beat Manchester C. 2-0 at The Dell-a result vitally important at both ends of the table.

5 The Football League is asking approximately 45,000 pounds from the F.A. for the 'use of players', the money would go to needy clubs. A meeting on April 13 will discuss the demands. . . Another good day for Scotland in Europe. Both Celtic and Rangers drew their away fixtures which could pave their way into the Finals of the two major Cups. . . Wolves also collected a point at Budapest and Spurs narrowly beat Milan in the U.E.F.A. Cup. In this makh Sogliano was sent off for dissent by referee Iglosias. . . Derby, after a goal less draw at West Bromwich, are still on top of the League but Leeds are the latest favourites to win the title (v. Huddersfield 3-1 ).
6 The League now want 100,000 pounds from the F.A. otherwise the clubs will not take part in the F.A. Cup competition.

7 Greyhound racing might be introduced at Vicarage Road, Watford's football ground. . . The Charlton Athletic players will spend Friday night in a London hotel in preparation for their vital relegation clash v Fulhall . . . The F.A. issues a strongly worded statement concerning their dispute with the Football League. They point out that the Football Association must cope continuously against the biggest risk ofall, the disintegration of English football at all levels.

8 'Paper-form' day in the First Division. All four Championship contenders win and all the relegation candidates lose. . . Terry Cooper, the Leeds full-back, broke his left leg at Stoke minutes before the final whistle. . . Harper of Aberdeen scores 4 goals in his team's 7-0 win over Ayr United and goes on top of the European 'Golden Boots' list. . . International Friendlies: Rumania 2 France 0; Czechoslovakia 2 Austria 0. . . Ron Yeats has been appointed as manager of Tranmere.

9 Real Madrid are virtually certain to win the Spanish league championship after beating Las Palmas 2-0 . . . In Italy Torino and Juventus are joint first with Cagliari one point behind them. . . Anderlecht are chasing Bruges in Belgium.

10 Stoke C. field nine reserves in a league match v Nottm. F. and lose at home 2-0. Alan Hardaker says that the team sheet will be examined and might be an enquiry. . . Brazilian World Cup star Tostao leaves Cruzeiro and signs for Vasco Da Galla for a transfer fee of over 200,000 pounds. Over 56,000 people attend Roger Hunt's testimonial match at Anfield Road. . .C. Palace grab a vital point while Huddersfield lose at home to Coventry.

12 Rodney Marsh is dropped for no less than three games by Manchester C., because according to manager Allison, the ex Q.P.R. man is not fully fit for top-class football. . . John Mahoney is out of the Stoke semi-final squad with cartilage trouble. . . Manchester C. beat local rivals United 3-1-Francis Lee establishes a new post-war club scoring record and is now on 32 . . . Bayern Munich are surprisingly beaten in the W. German Cup 5-1 by Cologne.

13 The Football League 'war cabinet' meeting refuses to disclose any information about their decisions, but according to rullours a mass withdrawal from the F.A.Cup has been discussed.

15 Football history repeats itself-the Arsenal v Stoke F.A. Cup semi-final ends in a draw exactly like last season. Goalkeeper Bob Wilson was taken off with a torn cartilage 17 minutes from the end, John Radford taking over in goal. Wilson is out for the rest of the season and so is Osgood, who was injured against Tottenham . . . Leeds win the other semi-final 3-0 and will go to Wembley for the second time in three seasons. . . Hibernian and Rangers drew 1-1 in the Scottish Cup semi. . .Ajax beat Feyenoord 5-1 in the Dutch league. . . Ferencvaros beat Dozsa 2-0 in the Hungarian Championship.

17 Gordon Banks is elected 'Player of the Year' by the members of the Football Writer's Association. . . Ernie Machin of Coventry sues the F.A. for damages relating to his three weeks suspension earlier in the season. . . The F.A. are contesting this test case.

19 Arsenal beat Stoke C. 2-1 in the F.A. Cup replay and go to Wembley as holders of thetrophy. . . There will bean all-Englishfinal in the U.E.F.A.Cup-Tottenham and Wolves manage to knock out Milan and Ferencvaros . . . Rangers reach the Cup Winners' Cup final but Celtic go out against Inter Milan on penalties. . . Leeds are beaten at Newcastle and Derby are the latest bookmaker favourites for the title. . . John Richards (Wolves) and Steve Perryman (Spurs) are included in the Under-23 touring squad. . . The League propose a points system for controlling players which would eliminate appeal proceedings. The F.A. and the Players Union have to approve the scheme before it becomes standard practice.

20 Several Tottenham players demand a pay rise. . . George Eastham would like to return to South Africa to take up his job as player/manager of Cape Town club Hellenic. . . Dynamo Moscow beat Dinamo Berlin on penalties in the Cup Winners' Cup and become the first Russian club to reach the Final of a major European tournament.

21 Schoen announces the West German squad for the Wembley game. Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, the veteran A.C. Milan defender, is a surprise selection. . . Ron Greenwood drops Moore and Hurst for the league game against Arsenal so they could be fresh for the England match. . . Manchester U. put five players on the transfer list including John Aston, Ian Ure and Francis Burns.

22 Manchester C. beat Derby 2-0 in their last league match of the season but with only 57 points cannot win the title. . . Huddersfield lose at home and are certain to be relegated into Division 2 . . . Grimsby are the first club definitely promoted from the fourth Division. . . Brian Clough is still the favourite for the Coventry manager's job. . . Over one million people attended Liverpool's league matches at Anfield this season.

24 The Football League orders Leeds and Arsenal to play-off matches on the preceeding and following Mondays of the Cup Final. Both managers, Mee and Revie, protest although the latter declares himself 'speechless' . . . Dave Thomas of Burnley is 'on sale' if the right offer comes along. . . Terry Paine has been suspended for two weeks and fined 75 pounds . . . Norwich win 2-1 at Orient and the club is promoted to the First Division for the first time in its 67 years' history. . . Both Aston Villa and Brentford are certain to be promoted into Divisions 2 and 3 respectively. . . Hibernian beat Rangers 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final replay and will meet Celtic in the Final.

25 Tonight's results mean almost certain relegation for Nottingham F., definite promotion for Southend U. and Scunthorpe. . . Roy McFarland is out of the England team with a groin injury. . . John Sewell joined the St. Louis All-Stars in the U.S.A.

26 C. Palace beat Stoke C. 2-0 and ensure their First Division future. . . Nottingham F .
and Huddersfield T. are relegated - the latter after only two seasons in the top flight. . . Lincoln C. goalless draw with bottom of the table Crewe A. means that Scunthorpe U. are now certain to join Brentford, Southend U. and Grimsby in promotion to Division three. . . Bournemouth falter in their bid for a place in the Second Division, while both Brighton and Notts. Co. win their matches. . . Derby Co. win the Texaco Cup by beating Airdrieonians 2-1 on aggregate in the Final. . . Scotland beat the touring Peruvian national team 2-0 at Hampden Park. Denis Law playing his first game for his country for three years scored the second goal, after John O'Hare put the home team in front. . . Larry Lloyd will play in place of McFarland against W. Germany. . . Gunter Netzer is doubtful for the game.

27 Frank O'Farrell denies the rumours concerning the possible transfer of George Best to a London club. Both Arsenal and Tot ten ham H. are mentioned as likely buyers but Eddie Baily, Spurs Assistant Manager, says: 'It's a load of rubbish !' . . . The W. German party arrived in England, their manager Helmut Schoen says that he is a worried man because of the injuries: 'I have had much trouble with the team'. Later in the evening the Germans had a training session at Wembley - an unusual concession to a visiting team, which will be reciprocated in a fortnight's time in West Ber]in . . . Brian Labone (Everton) announced his retirement due to injury. He has played over 400 games for the 'Toffeemen' and was, of course, England's centre-half in the last World Cup. . . Brazil beat Paraguay 3-2 in a friendly at Rio. . . Switzerland drew with Sweden 1-1 at Geneva.

28 Burnley rejects a reputed 150,000 pounds offer for Dave Thomas. . .
George Best himself denies the possibility of parting with Manchester U. . . .
Helmut Schoen announces his team for Saturday - six Bayern Munich players are included despite the club's recent bad run. . .
According to the West German team manager there is a good understanding in the party and they are hoping for a draw. . .
The Italian team against Belgium will line up with Anastasi in place of the injured Boninsegna. Rivera is also absent due to his suspension. The Belgians will be without star defender Dewalque and forward Devrindt but both Van Himst and Lambert are playing. . .
Orient are bidding for the Middlesbrough winger Derek Downing. . .
News from the other European Championships contenders: Hungarian team boss dropped Ferenc Bene, captain of the national eleven for the game against Rumania. The visitors arrived at Budapest without crack forwards Dobrin and Dumitrache, both injured. . .
Albert Shesternev misses Russia's game at Belgrade but the Yugoslavs are also hit by injuries - goalkeeper Vukcevic and striker Filipovic are out. . .
Czechoslovakia beat Luxembourg 6-0 in a friendly. . .
Austria will line up without Ethmayer against Malta in the World Cup qualifying match next Sunday. . .
Alec Stock resigns as the manager of Luton because he finds the journey from his Epsom home too tiring. . .
Brian Clough is reported to have signed a new five-year contract with Derby County. . .
Bobby Moore and Norman Hunter are selected for the double centre-halfroles v W. Germany. Colin Bell gets the No.4 shirt in an attackorientated formation.

29 W. Germany beat England 3-1 at Wembley! It is the fourth time that a Continental country managed the feat - Hungary, Sweden and Austria were the others. Hoeness gave the lead to the visitors, but Lee equalised in the second half. Six minutes from the end Moore tripped Held and the French referee Robert Helies awarded a penalty which was converted by 'man of the match' Gunter Netzer. In the 88th minute, after a move on the right, the ball went to Gerd M uller , who swivelled round and scored a magnificent goal - one of the best seen at Wembley . . . In the other Quarter-finals Hungary drew with Rumania 1-1 (scorers: Branikovits-Satmareanu) and the Italy-Belgium match ended in a goalless draw at the San Siro stadium, Milan. . . After 37 years in the top two divisions Charlton Ath. are relegated to the third. . . Both Millwall and Birmingham C. win - the issue now depends on the result of next Tuesday's Orient v Birmingham C. match. . . Ted MacDougal1 scores for Bournemouth and is the League's leading scorer for season 71- 72 with 35 goals. Alf Wood of Shrewsbury is also credited with another goal to make him 35, too!

30 Another goalless draw in the European Championship: Yugoslavia 0 Russia 0. . . Austria beat Malta in a World Cup qualifying match. . . Real Madrid are slipping in the Spanish League race - Barcelona are only two points adrift with two games to play. . . Benfica beat Porto 6-0 and Sporting Lisbon defeated Belenses in the Portuguese Cup semi-finals. . . The English Press makes a concerted attack on Sir Alf Ramsey's team selection and tactics for the West Germany match.