In the second ever When Saturday Comes podcast, magazine editor Andy Lyons, writer Harry Pearson and host Daniel Gray discuss stadium food and drink from Bovil to Quovril, talk over three obscure football records and gossip about the idiosyncrasies of old-school chairmen. Plus, Ralph Milne’s ear trick, the footballer who could fly (over Minis) and Ron Noades’ favourite cheese.
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Stories
Tom Davies reacts to Crystal Palace going into administration and looks at other teams threatened by HM Revenue & Customs
In a season of such widespread financial dysfunction, it’s perhaps surprising that it has taken until January for any professional club to go into administration, the fate that befell Crystal Palace at the end of last month. The administrator was called in by the London-based investment fund Agilo, a “specialist in distressed companies”, to whom chairman Simon Jordan had mortgaged much of the club’s asset base, including player wages, sale income and the basic fixtures and fittings.
Wigan throw it away as Preston capture the title, by Mark Barr
The long-term significance
This was the season that revived two traditional Lancashire clubs. Preston returned to the second level after a nineteen year absence, while runners-up Burnley had spent only two years outside the lower divisions during the same period. Both clubs have remained in the Championship, with Preston qualifying for the playoffs twice. This season Burnley’s victories over Chelsea and Arsenal have take them to their first major cup semi final since 1982-83.
Villa and Ipswich battle it out for the title. By Josh Widdicombe
The long-term significance
The new decade brought the first signs of a new England team. West Brom captain Bryan Robson made his international debut, becoming Captain Marvel for club and country for a decade before taking to management like a duck to oil. Terry Butcher also established himself at the centre of the England defence, becoming the youngest England player at Spain 1982. Gary Lineker made his first appearance in the top flight for Leicester, often playing out wide, while Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and Mark Wright were also starting out. After this campaign the rule of three points for a win was introduced, replacing the system that had operated since the Football League’s formation in 1888-89.