FLASHBACK: Germany 1-5 England

15 years after a 5-1 win over Germany in Munich, James Dutton looks back at the greatest result in England’s recent history and the lessons that have not been learned…

‘It’s Neville to Campbell, Campbell to Rio,

Rio to Scholesy, Scholesy-Gerrard,

Gerrard to Beckham, Beckham to Heskey,

Heskey to Owen, it’s a goal, 5-1!’

It is perhaps a sign of the times that Ant and Dec soundtracked the greatest moment of the English football team in the last 15 years. Ignoring the fact the lyrics are incorrect – Michael Owen did not score the fifth goal – ‘We’re on the Ball’ reflected the fresh optimism that had been injected into the national side at the start of the Sven-Goran Eriksson era.

It was England’s official song as they travelled half-way across the world to Japan and South Korea for the 2002 World Cup, a journey that had looked a remote fantasy when Kevin Keegan resigned in the Wembley toilets after a 1-0 defeat to the Germans in October 2000. Continue reading

Lambert to Liverpool and 12 other big moves for British veterans

rickie-lambert-press.ashx

Following Rickie Lambert’s move to Liverpool, we remember 12 other experienced British players who signed for big clubs…

Who are your favourite Indian Summer signings? Which twilight moves did we miss out that deserved to make our list? Let us know in the comments below.

David Platt, Sampdoria to Arsenal, 1995

gun__1375889176_platt_bergkamp

Best remembered for his volley against Belgium in the 1990 World Cup, David Platt shot to continental acclaim in the early 90s as a goal-scoring midfielder.  After spells at Bari and Juventus, Platt spent two seasons at Sampdoria under Sven-Goran Eriksson. Having just signed Dennis Bergkamp for £7.5 million, Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch swooped to bring in Platt (then 29) for a further £4.75 million to add some attacking flair. Rioch was sacked after one season but Platt was used by Arsene Wenger as an experienced head to play alongside a 20-year-old Patrick Vieria in midfield. He featured mostly from the bench in the Double-winning season of 1997-8 but did score the crucial winner in the 3-2 victory against Manchester United at Highbury. Hugo Greenhalgh
Continue reading