Feyenoord’s somewhat unexpected triumph in the 1970 edition of the European Cup was a watershed moment for Dutch football in general, and the country’s club football in particular. For the next few years the Dutch dominance continued with an impressive total of five European trophies in as many seasons, and peaked with the Netherlands’ national…

  It was David Beckham’s birthday last week, and it’s been 13 years since he made the momentous decision to move from Real Madrid to MLS side LA Galaxy. Since then, football in the United States has grown enormously, with teams becoming wealthier, viewing figures increasing and more high-profile players joining.   One of those…

Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels utilised the Total Football system during the 1960s and 1970s to form a strong Ajax and Holland team, resulting in a new era of Dutch and European football. The footballing prosperity in Holland mirrored the cultural changes and resurrection that occurred after the destruction of Amsterdam during World War II.…

It’s midway through the 1986/87 season, and Arsène Wenger has just touched down in North London. Fresh-faced and by no means the heralded revolutionary he would become in these parts, the then Monaco manager has made arrangements with countryman Gérard Houllier to watch what he perceives to be the envy of European football.    It…

In recent years there has been an almost overwhelming influx of football documentaries, some good some less so.   And with more time on my hands than usual, I re-watched one of the better ones, that being Gabriel Clarke’s and Torquil Jones’s exhaustive ‘Bobby Robson: More Than a Manager.’   The film painted the picture…

Costa Rica’s national football team are well known among football fans today for their exploits in the 2014 World Cup. Their achievements were notable, as they finished top of a group including England, Italy and Uruguay.   In addition, Greece was toppled in the round of 16 via penalties to reach the quarter finals, before…

The second group stage ratcheted the step up in opponents for Austria. Group A was an all European affair, as the Austrians faced Italy, the Netherlands and West Germany. Only the winners of the group would progress to the World Cup final and finishing second meant a trip to the 3rd place playoff. There was…

It took just nine minutes for the deadlock to be broken in Austria’s opening World Cup fixture against Spain in Buenos Aires. Centre back Bruno Pezzey’s anticipation helped quickly snuff out a pass that was intended for Spain’s full back Antonio De La Cruz. Pezzey then sprayed the ball to Walter Schachner near the touchline…

Austrian football has a rich history that goes back decades – from the Wunderteam of the 1930s to finishing third at the 1954 World Cup. Yet the 1978 World Cup in Argentina is fondly etched into the hearts of Austrian fans – a last hurrah where they made their mark on the world stage. Their…