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February 2001 News

News of other stars from the 1970-71 season .

27 February

Sven-Göran Whittles England Hopefuls to 31.

Sven-Göran Eriksson (Karlskoga) has chosen his first squad to play for England against Spain in a friendly tomorrow. Initially faced with the prospect of assessing 30 million Englishmen, and several more million males with English parents, grandparents and UK citizenship, Sven-Göran kept his choice down to just 31 hopefuls. Disappointment will be further restricted by Sven-Göran's promise of playing 7 substitutes during the match.

Next Generation stars Michael Owen and Frank Lampard were among those that made the the squad.

See BBC SPORT FOOTBALL Eriksson springs England shocks

Real Sven-Göran

Whilst on the subject of Sven-Göran BBC SPORT FOOTBALL On the trail of Sven has the following interesting piece on Sven-Göran's Swedish background

BBC Sport's Sue Thearle heads for Sweden to unearth the real Sven Goran Eriksson.

Blink and you would have missed the tiny sign welcoming you to Torsby, the timber town in central Sweden that Sven-Göran Eriksson calls home.

With a population of just 4,000, the timber industry is the main pre-occupation in these parts - that and football.

Even though there was deep snow covering the hills and farmland around Torsby, talk was already turning to the Swedish season which doesn't kick off until April.

And you're never far away from animated conversation about Torsby's most famous son.

Eriksson was born in a modest house in a quiet street here 53 years ago and still has an obvious affection for his home town.

He returns often to unwind, renew acquaintances and lose himself in the peace and quiet of Sweden's Varmland, which is a million miles away from the pressures of international football.

At Torsby FC, one of three clubs that Eriksson represented in a modest 11-year playing career, his old coach remembers him well.

"He was very light for his age and when he first played in the team at the age of 16 some of the fans weren't too sure about him," admitted Sven Ake Olsson.

"But he could run fast and do his job well. I'd say he was slightly better than average, not a star, but he worked hard for the team."

The Torsby clubhouse had some intriguing pictorial evidence of Eriksson's time there.

Fading black and white photographs show a fresh-faced 16-year-old proudly displaying his one playing honour.

It was a tin of coffee, which he won in 1966 - the year that England were collecting their last major trophy.

Jarl Lander grew up with him in Torsby. They skied and hiked together and also played in tandem for Torsby.

But when Svennis, as the locals call him, first began to show an interest in coaching, his team-mates were surprised.

"I didn't see him as a coach," said Lander. "He had tactics in his mind when we were younger, certainly more than us, but I never thought he would go on to be a big coach.

"So I was surprised. But after he succeeded at Gothenburg I knew he had it in him to do big things."

There is nothing bigger than the England job, as anyone who's done it will tell you. But his friends in Torsby believe he will succeed.

"He can handle all the pressure, I'm sure," said Lander. "He's coached in Italy where football is an obsession and the press follow your every move. So if you can handle that you can cope with it."

What about the tabloid pressure and interest in his personal life?

"He's an old man of Torsby," replied Lander. "He takes each day as it comes. He's very laid back and relaxed. He can handle it."

Everyone wanted to talk about Eriksson. Even the Mayor.

"He's great for PR for us," she said. "We'll all so proud of him. There's nothing he won't do for the town and everyone here wants him to do well."

About an hour's drive from Torsby is Degerfors - an industrial town of about 15,000.

It's also the place where Eriksson made his coaching debut when his playing career ended at the age of 27 because of injury.

It was also here that he linked up with Tord Grip, then manager of the club.

Eriksson spent a year as youth team coach before Grip moved on to a job at the Swedish FA.

And promotion to first team duties promptly meant promotion for the club as Eriksson's talent began to emerge. Gothenburg spotted it and came calling with an offer he couldn't refuse.

In Degerfors, there is a museum which acts as a shrine to the club and Swedish football as a whole.

There is also plenty of Eriksson memorabilia. Team photos of a young man destined for international acclaim and a career that was to lead him to England.

But at Degerfors, where he also played, Grip is an even bigger hero.

Cartoons and pictures adorn the walls and in one corner there are photos of Grip and Eriksson side by side.

They are a team again with England - undoubtedly the biggest challenge that either have ever had to face. And this chapter of their story will surely be the most compelling.

Francis Worthy Runner-Up

Trevor Francis, the manager of Birmingham City, the team he debuted with in the 70-71 season, took his side to within just penalty kicks from winning the Worthington Cup (the old League Cup) on Sunday. Birmingham City of Division One were level at 1-1 after extra time against Liverpool from the Premiership.

To put this achievement into further perspective, the last time Birmingham City won a major trophy it was the 1963 League Cup win, when the competition was just 3 years old !

The final was played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the first major English football final to take place in Wales - this was due to Wembly's closure for rebuilding.

See Birmingham City FC - Trevor Francis League Cup Final and League Cup Final

Under 21 Supporters

Whilst looking at the Birmingham site I see that tonight's Under-21 England versus Spain match, is taking place at St Andrew's - Birmingham City's ground. On the website Howard Wilkinson the England Under-21 coach is seen urging Brummies to attend. See Birmingham City FC - Under 21s

16 February

Francis 'Steps Down'

Gerry Francis (QPR squad), the manager of the side at the bottom of Division One, QPR, has agreed to 'step down' today. Gerry had intended to retire at the end of the season anyway. Gerry will not leave the club, but will help the new manager settle in, apparantly. See what old team mate Rodney Marsh has to say about QPR's predicament at February News.

See Queens Park Rangers FC - The Official Web Site

Moss Sacked !

David Moss (Swindon Town), the Stockport County assistant manager has been sacked. Moss had signed to Swindon Town from Witney Town in July 1969, but was still to make his League debut in the 70-71 season. He went on to play 230 league games scoring 60 times for Swindon Town before moving to Luton Town for a 221 League game and 88 goal spell at Luton Town. A final four goaless games at Swindon Town in the 85-86 season saw the end of his League career.

Stockport are due to play Spurs in the FA Cup this weekend, and David would have been reunited with his Luton Town boss, David Pleat (Peterborough United). However, he wasn't getting on with the Stockport manager, Andy Kilner. David had been at the club three years and was promoted to the assistant manager's post by a former manager, Gary Megson. See stockporthatstand.com - Moss Story

There's a picture and voice recoring of David at David Moss Stockport Official site

15 February

Meet Sven-Göran - again !

Ok, if you didn't win last week's competition to meet Sven-Göran Eriksson (Karlskoga) (below) then here's your next chance. On February 28 Sven gets to be in charge of England for the first time at Villa Park, against Spain. This week 'Match' (17 February 2001) along with 'The 3 Lions' are offering someone to be Sven-Göran and England's mascot for the game. Now I can't see anywhere that says how old you have to be. The winner and three runners-up will also win a pair of tickets to the match for 'your parent or guardian'. I would love to see an eighty year old win ...

The question set is, Who was the manager when England played Spain at Euro '96 ? Which was, of course, Bob 70-71's own Terry Venables (QPR).

Once again it's answers on a postcard to Three Lions Mascot Comp., MATCH, Bretton Court, Bretton, Peterborough, PE3 8DZ, and you've got until 20 February 2001, so hurry !!!

14 February

To Be confirmed ...

This is a general update for people who probably belong to the site, but I can't at this moment confirm their 70-71 status !

1) Bassett Sacked !

I know, I know, it happened months ago, well 19 December last year to be precise. I've been trying to locate him in the 70-71 season when he was 26, and Walton and Hersham seem the best bet, but I'm still not sure. He was manager of Barnsley in the First Division at the start of the season, and now he's sacked he's the first person named in the speculation for every available post ! One being Sheffield Wednesday ... (See Barnsley FC December 2000 -Bassett sacked and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club -Dave Bassett)

N.B. Dave was at Walton and Hersham, I've since confirmed it.

2) Shreeves Returns !

Peter Shreeves, another 'homeless' person on the site, has once again been appointed by Sheffield Wednesday to oversee their relegation. Wednesday are due to drop in their second successive season, unless sacking their manager with only a few matches to go and replacing him with Peter Shreeves works this time just like it didn't last time.

The sacked manager this time round was Paul Jewel, who successfully prevented a doomed-looking Bradford City from dropping down at the very time Wednesday did drop, so the decision seems even more barmy than ever.

Peter Shreeves clearly has no qualms about owning League football's worst C.V. since Alan Ball, and with rather sweet fighting talk has stated Wednesday only need 6 more victories to stay up. To be fair last night he got his first, so all the best to you Peter!

See Sheffield Wednesday Football Club - Peter Shreeves

3) On the Double

Meanwhile anyone who's read last month's emails will have learnt that Den Haag's team in 1972 had none other than Dick Advocaat, the current Rangers manager in it. Dick was definately a player in 70-71, but once again, I can't confirm the team yet. Rangers are going through a comparative 'rough patch' at the moment, but last year Dick oversaw a Scottish League and Cup double ... and he wasn't even nominated as Bob's 70-71 player of the 1999-2000 season, whoops!

11 February

Macari Manager of the Month

Superbly late reporting, this, but Lou Macari (Celtic squad) was named January's manager of the month in the Nationwide Division One for the way he has turn round Huddersfield from relegation certs. to survival hopefuls. See Nationwide's Awards - Lou Macari

9 February

Meet Sven-Göran !

'Match' the weekly soccer magazine is running a competition to meet Bob 70-71 star, Sven-Göran Eriksson (Karlskoga). All you have to do is answer the question : 'What emblem features on the England shirt ?' And send it to

Three Lions Competition, MATCH, Bretton Court, Bretton, Peterborough, PE3 8DZ. But you've only got till 15 February 2001. If you win, write a report and I'll include it on the site !! Ask him if he still keeps in touch with any Degerfors pals ...

Hatters Matters Update - Kinnear Returns.

I'm in the rare position of offering news AHEAD of an official site, but Joe Kinnear has been revealed that he is not only the Director of Football but also Luton Town's new manager This move is not the first time that the manager has been pushed aside by the Director of Football Kenny Dalglish (Celtic squad) at Celtic and Bryan Hamilton (Linfield) at Norwich City, are just two recent examples, but to do it within 24 hours must be some kind of record.

There's still 20 games go, but Luton are 7 points behind the nearest team out of the relegation zone, so it's a tough job to take on. So good luck Joe !

See BBC SPORT LUTON TOWN Kinnear I'm the boss

8 February

Hatters Matters

Joe Kinnear has left his job at Oxford United saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family and looking after his health ... which he did for an entire six days until taking up a similar role as Director of Football with a club struggling even harder to survive. Luton Town missed out on Premiership football only by being relegated in the last season of the old Division One, but are now 23rd in the current Division Two.

Of his appointment Joe said: “I am delighted to be involved with Luton and believe the club has huge potential. My role is to ensure that this potential is realised on the field of play and that the club quickly regains some of the ground it has lost in recent years.”

See more February 2001 news at the following ...

Click here for further soccer headlines www.bobdunning.net