June 1973

Note : The news from thirty years ago has an archive below

As appeared in Rothman's Football Yearbook 1973-74 (4th year) :

The Queen Anne Press, London 1973

June

1 The Football League Annual General Meeting agree to operate a 'three-up-andthree-down. promotion and relegation system between the first three divisions, while the present system of four each way between the third and fourth divisions will remain. All other proposals were defeated. . . the self-imposed 'one city, one club' restriction will apply to the UEFA Cup next season. Consequently the League will nominate Leeds, Ipswich, Tottenham, and Wolves. There will be a special general meeting in August to discuss the difficult problems of the players' transfer system, disciplinary matters. wages, and pensions. The Players Union applies to the Industrial Tribunal requesting a change in their working conditions. . . they wish to bring their contracts in line with the Common Market labour policies. Sir Matt Busby is elected as a member of the League Management Committee - the first exprofessional footballer to be so honoured. Czechoslovakia beat England 3-0 in an Under-23 international in Bratislava, making it one draw and two defeats in a disappointing tour.

As appeared in Rothman's Football Yearbook 1974-75 (5th year) :

The Queen Anne Press, London 1974

3 Newcastle win the Anglo-Italian Trophy by beating Fiorentina 2-1 at Florence.

4 Don Revie refuses an offer from the Greek national team and is now definitely staying with Leeds . . . Real Madrid offer 200,000 pounds for Johan Cruyff . . . England draw with Belgium 0-0 and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth Tournament.

5 Ronnie Allen is the new manager of Walsall . . . Terry Long, assistant manager and coach of C. Palace, is sacked after 18 years with the club. . . Newport pay a record 10,000 pounds transfer fee for Brian Godfrey of Bristol R. . . . Torquay buy Eddie Rowles for 6000 pounds from York City.

6 England beaten 2-0 by Poland in a World Cup qualifying match.

14 Italy beat England 2-O-their first-ever victory against England. Alan Ball is banned by FIFA for two matches.

20 Mike Keen is appointed manager of Watford.

22 Ted Croker, an ex-professional footballer, is appointed as the new FA Secretary.

24 Bill Dodgin, the former Fulham boss, takes over at Northampton and Ron Ashman is the new boss at Scunthorpe.

July 1973

July

1 The ban on Alan Hudson and Colin Todd is lifted, and they are both available for international selection.

11 Frank Blunstone quits Brentford, and takes thejob of youth coach at Manchester U.

13 Mike Kearns joins Walsall from Oxford for 13,000 pounds.

19 Rothmans 'adopt' the Isthmian League. There will be rewards for sportsmanship and an incentive scheme for goals. The 16,000 pounds package deal is welcomed in football circles as a 'great, progressive idea'.

25 Leeds and Birmingham are fined 3000 pounds each, because of their bad disciplinary record. The sentence has been suspended for a year and will be revised in the light of the players' future conduct.