Wonder save by Banks denies Pele
The decade began with a footballmg jamboree in Mexico. Many thought the squad Sir Alf Ramsey took to defend England’s world crown was stronger than that which had won the Jules Rimet trophy four years earher. Things got off to a bad start in Bogota, where England were England are acclimatising to the kind of temperatures they
Joint favourites would face m Mexico. Bobby Moore was accused
Of steahng a bracelet and taken into custody. Although the charge was soon dropped, the incident overshadowed the squad’s pre-toumament preparations.
England and Brazil were the joint favourites, and they were drawn in the same group. After each side had recorded a victory, die two teams met in Guadalajara. After a bright start by England, Jairzinho beat Cooper on the right wing and picked out Pele with his cross. Pele powered a downward header just inside the far post, but somehow Banks managed to scoop it up and over the bar. It was hailed as one of the greatest saves of all time. Pele set up Jairzinho for the only goal of the match 14 minutes into the second half, but England had reason to be optimistic. Peters and Lee had missed chances, and Astle missed a golden opportunity when he came on as substitute. There was every indication that the tw'o teams would meet again in the fmal.
England throw away 2-0 lead
That hope disappeared in Leon, where England faced West Germany in the quarter-fmal. 2-0 up through goals from MuUery and Peters, England looked odds-on to go through. In the second half Beckenbauer beat Peter Bonetti to pull one back for the Germans. The Chelsea keeper had been a late replacement for Banks, who had gone down with stomach cramps before the game. Suddenly it was the German side which had the momentum. Ramsey took off Bobby Charlton and Peters, replacing them with Colin Bell and Norman Hunter. A back header from Uwe Seeler looped agonisingly over Bonetti’s head, forcing extra time. England’s misery was complete when Gerd Muller, who would go on to be the tournament’s top scorer, volleyed the winner from close range.
Two years later. West Germany again proved to be the stumbling-block in the quarter-final of the European Championship. Helmut Schoen’s side was at its peak, and England had no answer as the Germans cruised to a 3-1 victory at Wembley. Ramsey’s men earned a goalless draw in Berlin a formight later, but the damage had been done. Worse was to come the following year, and it would be a disappointment too many for the England manager.
Left: Members of the England team training at the Atlas Club in Guadalajara as they prepare for their match against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Opposite above: As they receive cars and membership of the RAC, some of the England World Cup squad pose for photographs. The 1970s saw the beginnings of sponsorship which was to develop as a major feature in the 1980s.
Opposite below left: Martin Chivers scores for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs had paid ?125,000 for Chivers in 1968 and throughout the early 1970s continued to pay big money in transfer deals. However, the decade was not particularly successful for the London club and they spent the 1977-78 season in Division Two.
Opposite below right: Footballers on fashion parade - Bob McNab, Geoff Hurst and Peter Marinello show that they can impress off the pitch as much as on it!
World History
