1992-93 ushered in die new era of the Premier League. Squad numbers were introduced and players’ shirts sported their names. Sponsorship was now big business, and Carling put their name - and money - into the new venture. Only nine fixtures on the opening Saturday showed that one of the game’s great traditions was no longer set in stone. BskyB wanted football to fit in with its schedule, rather than the other way round. It was a case of he who pays the piper calls the tune.
Manchester United were the inaugural Premiership champions. Ferguson’s side romped home 10 points clear of the pack to bring the league crown to Old Trafford for the first time since 1967. Arsenal were left languishing in mid-table, while Liverpool could finish only 6th, failing to qualify for Europe for the first time in 30 years. The Gunners did have the consolation of winning both cups, beating Sheffield Wednesday in each of the fmals. Bit-part player Steve Morrow scored the winner in the League Cup final, and suffered a broken arm after Tony Adams hoisted him aloft and then dropped him. It was another fringe player, Andy Linighan, who headed a dramatic winner in the FA Cup final, which went to a replay.
Keane joins United
United added Roy Keane to their ranks for the defence of their title. His arrival from Nottingham Forest for a British record ?3.75 million made the United side even more formidable. This time diey went one better, finishing eight points clear of Blackburn in the tide race, and completing the double with an FA Cup victory over Chelsea.
The national team’s fortunes went from bad to worse. Defeats against Norway and Holland left England needing to beat minnows San Marino by seven goals and hope that Holland lost in Poland. England started disastrously, conceding a goal in under ten seconds, which was beheved to be an international record. The team recovered to win 7 -1 but that was of little consequence as Holland got the win they needed. England had failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1978. Taylor, who had come in for some vitriolic criticism in the press, fell on his sword.
Venables replaces Taylor
Terry Venables was named as his successor. Venables had been ousted from White Hart Lane in a power struggle with chairman Alan Sugar, a dispute that was being played out in the High Court. With England hosting Euro ’96, Venables had no immediate concerns of getting his England side through a competitive series. Graeme Souness’s immediate concern was in finding another job as the Liverpool board finally lost patience. He became the first Liverpool manager to be shown the door since the 195Os. The club reverted to their tried and trusted system of appointing from widiin, Roy Evans being given the task of bringing back the glory days.
George Graham’s record
Manchester United’s first European Cup campaign since 1967-68 came to an abrupt end as they were beaten by Galatasaray in the Second Round. It was left to Arsenal to fly the flag for England in the 1993-94 European Cup Winners’ Cup, and they did so in fine style. An Alan Smith goal was enough to beat Parma in the final, and although George Graham’s side wasn’t known for champagne football, six trophies in eight years told its own story.
The following season Graham nearly made it seven when they reached die final again. A freak 50-yard lob by ex-Spurs player Nayim won the match for Real Zaragoza seconds before the end of extra time.
World History
