The BADGER 2023/24 Issue 13 vs Cogenhoe United

SEASON

THE BADGER

23 24

ISSUE 13

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

vs COGENHOE UNITED UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH SATURDAY 16th DECEMBER 2023 I 3pm KICK OFF

Bugbrooke St Michaels FC The Badgers, founded 1929

CLUB COMMITTEE PRESIDENT - WILLY MARRIOTT CHAIRMAN - KEVIN GARDNER VICE-CHAIRMAN - NIGEL THOMAS CLUB SECRETARY - GRAHAM CONNEW YOUTH SECRETARY & TREASURER - NICK INWOOD FIXTURES SECRETARY - DAVE MELLOR GROUNDSMAN - DANNY POWELL WELFARE OFFICER – HELEN GILLIGAN COMMITTEE – RICHARD GIBBON, STUART WYKES, RICHARD FAULKNER, STEPH NASH

MANAGEMENT / COACHING TEAM FIRST TEAM – DALE WALTON RESERVE TEAM - ROB JONES ‘B’ TEAM - ANDY DEMIDOW LADIES TEAM - STUART WHITE UNDER 18s BLACK (NSYL) - LOUIE GALBRAITH UNDER 18s WHITE (NSYL) - DARREN SMITH UNDER 18s (NDYAL) - DEANO GOMES UNDER 16s - MARK LINNELL UNDER 15s - SIMON WHEELER UNDER 14s - RYAN NASH UNDER 13s - CHRIS ASHTON UNDER 12s BLACK - DANIEL BLAND / BEN SMITH UNDER 12s WHITE - TONY HILL UNDER 11s BLUE - IAN MARRIOTT UNDER 11s WHITE - MIKE BRINKLEY UNDER 11s GIRLS - STEPH NASH UNDER 10s GIRLS - KERRY HOUGHTON UNDER 9s - ANDREW JACKMAN UNDER 8s - NEIL BYRNE / DARREN WILLIX

WELCOME TO THE SETT From the Chairman …

As Chairman of Bugbrooke St Michael’s Football Club I would like to offer you a warm welcome to The Sett and hope that you have an enjoyable visit.

Here at Bugbrooke St Michaels we are working hard to develop a club with a strong inclusive ethos, offering opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.

We are extremely proud of our youth development programme, supporting players from seven all the way up to eighteen. Many of our young players go on to have success with one of adult teams, with some players going on to even bigger and better things!

There is a great wealth of local support for the club, everyone that helps does so on a voluntary basis and through everyone’s hard work and dedication we have been able to achieve and maintain FA Accredited status.

Whilst some clubs choose to reinvest their revenue into players wages, here at Bugbrooke we hold a different set of values. All of our profits go into upgrading our equipment and facilities, building a solid future-proof foundation that will be here for future generations to enjoy.

Whilst this can sometimes hold us back from gaining huge success on the pitch, we feel our excellent facilities, youth development programme and ethos on community set us apart from other clubs.

Success and progression starts from the beginnings.

Thank you for your support today, we hope that you enjoy the game, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Kev Kevin Gardner, Chairman

Bugbrooke St Michaels Football Club would like to place on record our thanks to our team of volunteers, our advertisers and sponsors.

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MANAGERS NOTES We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Cogenhoe United who are the visitors to the Sett for todays United Counties Premier Division South fixture.

Having made the short trip to Compton Park back in August today’s game represents the return fixture and whilst we came away with a 4-0 win that evening, it will have no bearing on today’s game.

No doubt Biff will have his players up for the challenge and being a local derby, there is always extra spice to the fixture, especially with the connections within both camps.

Whilst there are local bragging rights at stake its the 3-points that matters as we look to improve our standing in the table.

It’s nice to be back on home turf following back-to-back away games, games that we were fortunate to play given the recent wet spell which has decimated grassroots football; as luck would have it our last two opponents both play on artificial pitches!

Firstly, we made the trip to Rugby Borough and in a real topsy-turvey affair we were forced to settle for a point following a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Last week we made the trip to high-flying Racing Club Warwick. We turned in an excellent first half performance that saw us overturn a deficit to lead 2-1 at the interval, young Levon Stewart who has made the step up from the Under 18’s this season, scoring both goals.

Unfortunately, and with the wind at their backs our hosts showed their class in the second period scoring seven unanswered goals, 4 of which came in the last 7 minutes to make the final score 8-2, a result which saw them move to the leagues summit heading into the Christmas period.

Talking of the Christmas period we’d like to wish all our members and supporters a fantastic Christmas and happy New Year, remember that we have lots of football to look forward to over the festive period with a trip to Eynesbury next Saturday which is followed by the visit of Easington Sports, who come to the Sett on Boxing Day, 3pm kick off.

Good luck to our sides over the weekend. Thank you for your support, enjoy the game and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Dale & Daniel

“It’s nice to be back on home turf following back-to-back away games, games that we were fortunate to play given the recent wet spell which has decimated grassroots football”

OUR HISTORY

Formed in 1929, Bugbrooke St. Michael’s Football Club took over from Bugbrooke United who folded in 1928 after being in existence since 1910.

The club, which is named after the local St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, initially took its place in the Northants Central Village League and had immediate success, winning the league title from 1931 to 1937.

The club closed for the Second World War before reforming in 1947 and were once again successful winning the CVL title from 1947 to 1950 and were Northants Lower Junior Cup runners-up in 1949, a feat repeated in 1954.

We finally won the N.F.A. Lower Junior Cup in 1956 and followed this in 1957 by winning the prestigious Daventry Charity Cup. The club had its most successful years from 1966 to 1972 when we won the Northants Central Combination Premier title and again from 1976 to 1979 with 1977 also seeing us win the N.F.A. Lower Junior Cup again.

The club continued to succeed in the Northants Combination until 1987 when the we took the decision to join the United Counties League.

At this time, we decided to run two teams in the U.C.L. and two teams in the C.N.C. We also began our youth section and have continued this ever since. Today we run 4 adult sides, including a recently formed Ladies team as well as 15 youth teams.

The club has had continued to enjoy success across all age groups over those 30 years, the most notable being N.F.A. Junior Cup winners in 1992, N.F.A Lower Junior Cup in 1993 and U.C.L. Division One winners in 2001.

The reputation for producing successful youth teams has increased over those years and 4 of our youth players (under 16) have been signed by professional league clubs.

The achievements of the club on the field have always been supported by a hardworking committee whose chief officers are recorded on a roll in the clubhouse foyer.

They along with supporters of the club have built up the excellent changing rooms and clubhouse since 1980.

We hope that you enjoy the facilities that they have provided over those years, and we look forward to seeing you again in the future

‘LOVE FOOTBALL. PROTECT THE GAME.’ A message from Bugbrooke St Michaels Football Club about antisocial and criminal behaviour As we commence the new season we want to make you aware of new measures being taken across all of football, and the NLS, to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

We are supporting strong action from the FA, and across the NLS to tackle antisocial and criminal behaviours that put all of us at risk.

Please remember the following activities are illegal, dangerous, have serious consequences and have no place in our game: • Carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros • Invading the pitch or entering the pitch without permission

For everyone’s safety, we will report anyone carrying out these offences to the police, which can result in a criminal record.

Anyone who enters the pitch without permission and those carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros will now receive an automatic club ban. These measures could also now apply to the parents or guardians of children involved in these activities.

This reflects the seriousness of the risks to fans and staff – pyros can burn at 2000 degrees Celsius and cause life changing injuries, while entering the pitch endangers players, managers and match officials. It also impacts the hard working volunteers, who ensure that our special part of the game continues to run.

• Drug use within the football ground

We know those who commit these illegal acts do not represent the majority of supporters. Please work with us to call out the risks.

• Discriminatory behaviour

#LoveFootball #ProtectTheGame

• Throwing objects onto the pitch

TODAYS VISITORS

COGENHOE UNITED Full name:

Cogenhoe United

Nickname(s):

The Cooks

Founded:

1967

Ground:

Compton Park

Capacity:

5,000 (100 seated)

Manager:

Scott Carlin

League:

United Counties Premier Division South

2022–23:

United Counties Premier Division South, 12th of 18

Current Position

13th- P18, W6, D3, L9, Pts 21

Last Time Out:

Won 2-1 vs Leicester Nirvana

Form:

LWLDW

After playing friendly matches, the club joined the Central Village League and were Division Two champions in 1951– 52. However, they folded in the late 1950s or early 1960s, before being reestablished in 1967, when they joined Division Two of the Central Northamptonshire Combination.

They were promoted to Division One in the early 1970s, and a fourth-place finish in Division One in 1977–78 saw them promoted to the Premier Division.

A period of success in the early 1980s saw them win the Premier Division title in 1980–81 and finish as runners-up the following season. They went on to win back-to-back titles in 1982–83 and 1983–84.

After finishing third in the Premier Division in 1984–85, Cogenhoe joined Division One of the United Counties League.

After finishing second-from-bottom in their first season in the league and being forced to apply for re-election, the 1986–87 season saw them finish second in Division One, earning promotion to the Premier Division.

They won the Premier Division Knock-Out Cup in 1995–96 and 1999–2000 and finished as Premier Division runners-up in 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

In 2004–05 the club won the Premier Division.

GROUND The club played on several pitches around the village before settling at the Playing Fields in 1950, with the first match played against Northampton Yeomanry.

However, in order to gain promotion to the United Counties League, the club were required to build a new ground.

A site was leased from the Marquis of Northampton, on which Compton Park was established. The first competitive match played at Compton Park was the club's final match in the Northamptonshire Central Combination before moving up to the United Counties League, with Cogenhoe beating ourselves 1–0.

An official opening match was arranged with Manchester United.

Floodlights were installed in 1992. The ground currently has a capacity of 5,000, of which 100 is seated and 200 covered.

BUGBROOKE ST MICHAELS DATE

OPPOSITION

VENUE RESULT SCORE STARTING LINE-UP

29.07.22 St Neots Town

Away

Lost

0-3

REEVE

CALVER

SHEHI

SMYTH

POWELL

WALTON

01.08.22 Racing Club Warwick

Home

Lost

0-3

REEVE

SPENCER

BAZELEY

SMYTH

POWELL

WALTON

05.08.22 Hinckley LRFC - FA Cup

Home

Lost

2-3

REEVE

MALKIN

BAZELEY

SMYTH

POWELL

12.08.23 Aylestone Park

Home

Lost

2-5

REEVE

MALKIN

BAZELEY

SMYTH

POWELL

15.08.23 Cogenhoe United

Away

Won

4-0

REEVE

MALKIN

SHEHI

1

SMYTH

POWELL

WALTON

19.08.23 Lutterworth Town

Home

Won

4-1

REEVE

MALKIN

SHEHI

1

SMYTH

POWELL

WALTON

29.08.23 Wellingborough Town

Away

Lost

2-5

REEVE

MALKIN

02.09.23 Desborough Town

Home

Lost

1-5

REEVE

MALKIN

09.09.23 Leicester Nirvana

Away

Won

4-0

REEVE

MALKIN

16.09.23 Yaxley

Away

Lost

3-4

REEVE

MALKIN

19.09.23 Desborough Town - NFA Cup

Away

Lost

2-2

W.PANTER

23.09.23 Raunds Town – FA Vase

Away

Won

2-0

26.09.23 Newport Pagnell Town

Home

Won

30.09.23 G.N.G Oadby Town

Home

Draw

03.10.23 Wellingborough Town - KO Cup

Away

Lost

1

WALTON 1

WALTON

SHEHI

SMYTH

P RICKETT-REED

WALTON

SURACE

SMYTH

POWELL

WALTON

1

SHEHI

SMYTH

POWELL

WALTON

1

SIMMONS

SMYTH

POWELL

WALTON

P RICKETT-REED

SIMMONS

BINDER

PRICE

WALTON

REEVE

MALKIN

SIMMONS

SMYTH

PRICE

WALTON

4-0

REEVE

MALKIN

SIMMONS

POWELL

PRICE

WALTON

4-4

REEVE

MALKIN

SIMMONS

POWELL

PRICE

WALTON

2-2

W.PANTER

MALKIN

SIMMONS

SMYTH

PRICE

SHEHI

CAREY

PRICE

WALTON

1

( 5- 6 PENS)

14.10.23 Godmanchester Rovers

Away

Won

3-1

REEVE

NASH

SIMMONS

21.10.23 Lincoln United - FA Vase

Away

Lost

1-4

REEVE

MALKIN

SIMMONS

CAREY

POWELL

WALTON

24.10.23 Daventry Town

Home

Lost

1-2

REEVE

MALKIN

MEMOLI

MAKEKERA

POWELL

WALTON

28.10.23 March Town United

Away

Lost

1-2

REEVE

MEMOLI

SIMMONS

GIBBON

PRICE

SHEHI

31.10.23 Coventry United

Home

Won

1-0

REEVE

MEMOLI

SIMMONS

SHEHI

PRICE

WALTON

11.11.23 Yaxley

Home

Won

2-1

REEVE

MEMOLI

SIMMONS

STEWART

PRICE

WALTON

18.11.23 Aylestone Park

Away

Lost

1-2

REEVE

MEMOLI

SIMMONS

ALHASSAN

PRICE

25.11.23 Histon

Home

Won

3-0

REEVE

MEMOLI

SIMMONS

STEWART

1

PRICE

02.12.23 Rugby Borough

Away

Draw

4-4

REEVE

MEMOLI

SIMMONS

EMERY

2

PRICE

WALTON

09.12.23 RC Warwick

Away

Lost

2-8

REEVE

SMYTH

SIMMONS

PRICE

WALTON

16.12.23 Cogenhoe United

Home

23.12.23 Eynesbury Rovers

Away

26.12.23 Easington Sports

Home

30.12.23 Coventry United

Away

06.01.24 Lutterworth Town

Away

13.01.24 Leicester Nirvana

Home

20.01.24 Daventry Town

Away

27.01.24 Rugby Borough

Home

03.02.24 Eynesbury Rovers

Home

10.02.24 March Town United

Home

17.02.24 G.N.G Oadby Town

Away

24.02.24 Newport Pagnell Town

Away

02.03.24 Histon

Away

16.03.24 Desborough Town

Away

23.03.24 St Neots Town

Home

01.04.24 Easington Sports

Away

06.04.24 Godmanchester Rovers

Home

13.04.24 Wellingborough Town

Home

1

POWELL

WALTON 1

WALTON 1

2023/24 RESULTS & APPEARANCES SUBS A.WEBSTER

ALHASSAN

PANTER

PORTER

MALKIN

SPENCER

REZA

BINDER

HALLMARK

J.WEBSTER

A.WEBSTER

ALHASSAN

PANTER

PORTER

REZA

SHEHI

CALVER

BINDER

MALKIN

J.WEBSTER

A.WEBSTER

ALHASSAN

PANTER

PORTER

REZA

GREEN

SURACE

BINDER

1

1

GREEN

ALHASSAN

1

PANTER

PORTER

REZA

SHEHI

SURACE

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

1

PANTER

PORTER

BINDER

ALHASSAN

SURACE

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

3

SURACE

PORTER

BINDER

ALHASSAN

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

1

REZA

PORTER

BINDER

ALHASSAN

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

ALHASSAN

PORTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

1

PRICE

PORTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

2

ALHASSAN

PORTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

1

PANTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

1

PANTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

1

PANTER

2

PORTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

PANTER

1

PORTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

PANTER

2

PORTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

PANTER

1

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

PANTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

PANTER

A.WEBSTER

GREEN

CAREY

GREEN

PANTER

1

1

1

A.WEBSTER

J.WEBSTER

CAREY

MAY

REZA

SPENCER

CAREY

MAY

SURACE

SPENCER

CAREY

GIBBON

CAREY

BINDER

SHEHI

SIMMONS

UNDERWOOD

BINDER

ALHASSAN

SIMMONS

UNDERWOOD

CAREY

CAREY

SHEHI

SPENCER

BINDER

PANTER

PORTER

CAREY

ALHASSAN

STEWART

PORTER

BINDER

SHEHI

STEWART

BINDER

ALHASSAN

SHEHI

SMYTH

BINDER

ALHASSAN

SHEHI

SMYTH

BINDER

ALHASSAN

CAREY

BINDER

POWELL

MAKEKERA

PORTER

BINDER

SHEHI

MAKEKERA

OBENG

1

1

PANTER

PORTER

BINDER

1

PANTER

ANKRAH

BINDER

PANTER

STEWART

BINDER

1

ALHASSAN

PORTER

BINDER

1

PORTER

1

PORTER

PANTER

PORTER

EMERY

STEWART

2

1

1

BINDER BAZELEY

1

1

1

1

PANTER

UNDERWOOD

SHEHI

SMYTH

POWELL

ALHASSAN

SURACE

CAREY 1

2

PORTER

CAREY

STEWART

SURACE

GIBBON

J.WEBSTER

MEMOLI

GIBBON

STEWART

ANKRAH

SPENCER

J.WEBSTER J.WEBSTER

SHEHI

CAREY

STEWART

SPENCER

ALHASSAN

MAKEKERA

STEWART

OAKES

1

POWELL

MAKEKERA

PORTER

MALKIN

GIBBON

1

SHEHI

CAREY

GIBBON

J.WEBSTER

ANKRAH

BINDER

SHEHI

STEWART

POWELL

OAKES

BINDER

ALHASSAN

SHEHI

CAREY

OAKES

GIBBON

BINDER

ALHASSAN

SHEHI

CAREY

OAKES

POWELL

BINDER

ALHASSAN

SHEHI

MEMOLI

J.WEBSTER

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LEAGUE TABLE - FIRST TEAM

PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH as at 15/12/23

POS

P

W

D

L

GD

PTS

1

Racing Club Warwick

21

15

2

4

33

47

2

Wellingborough Town

19

14

4

1

29

46

3

March Town United

19

13

2

4

21

41

4

Aylestone Park

19

13

1

5

20

40

5

Newport Pagnell Town

18

13

0

5

22

39

6

Daventry Town

20

12

1

7

19

37

7

St Neots Town

18

11

3

4

18

36

8

Yaxley FC

18

10

3

5

16

33

9

G.N.G Oadby Town

22

10

3

9

-16

33

10

Bugbrooke St.Michaels

20

8

2

10

-3

26

11

Lutterworth Town

18

7

1

10

-6

22

12

Easington Sports

17

6

3

8

1

21

13

Cogenhoe United

18

6

3

9

-14

21

14

Rugby Borough

20

5

4

11

-17

19

15

Coventry United

19

4

4

11

-10

16

16

Godmanchester Rovers

18

5

1

12

-18

16

17

Eynesbury Rovers

18

5

1

12

-20

16

18

Histon FC

18

4

3

11

-16

15

19

Desborough Town

19

3

3

13

-24

12

20

Leicester Nirvana

19

1

4

14

-35

7

FORM GUIDE

WLWDL 23/12 vs Eynesbury Rovers (Away)

NEXT UP

26/12 vs Easington Sports (Home) 30/12 vs Coventry United (Away)

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LEAGUE TABLE - RESERVES

RESERVE DIVISION as at 16/12/23

POS

P

W

D

L

GD

PTS

1

Kempston Rovers Reserves

10

9

1

0

45

28

2

Buckingham Development

12

7

2

3

21

23

3

Bugbrooke St.Michaels Reserves

11

7

1

3

19

22

4

Desborough Town Reserves

10

7

1

2

17

22

5

Bourne Town Reserves

12

7

1

4

9

22

6

Northampton ON Chenecks Reserves

9

6

1

2

7

19

7

Harborough Town Reserves

12

5

2

5

11

17

8

Wellingborough Whitworth Reserves

13

5

2

6

-1

17

9

Rothwell Corinthians Reserves

10

4

1

5

-10

13

10

Irchester United Reserves

9

3

2

4

2

11

11

Godmanchester Rovers Reserves

10

3

2

5

-15

11

12

Wellingborough Town Reserves

11

2

1

8

-20

7

13

Raunds Town Reserves

12

0

1

11

-41

1

14

Huntingdon Town U23s

9

1

0

8

-44

1*

FORM GUIDE

LLDWW 16/11 vs Harborough Town (Away)

NEXT UP

06/01 vs Wellingborough Town (Away) 13/01 vs Raunds Town (Away)

TODAYS FIXTURES PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

Lutterworth Town

Vs

Racing Club Warwick

Rugby Borough

Vs

Histon FC

Bugbrooke St.Michaels

Vs

Cogenhoe United

Daventry Town

Vs

Coventry United

G.N.G Oadby Town

Vs

March Town United

Leicester Nirvana

Vs

Easington Sports

Newport Pagnell Town

Vs

Desborough Town

St Neots Town

Vs

Godmanchester Rovers

Wellingborough Town

Vs

Eynesbury Rovers

Yaxley FC

Vs

Aylestone Park

RESERVE DIVISION

Desborough Town Reserves

Vs

Bourne Town Reserves

Godmanchester Rovers Reserves

Vs

Kempston Rovers Reserves

Huntingdon Town U23s

Vs

Wellingborough Whitworth Reserves

Buckingham Development

Vs

Northampton ON Chenecks Reserves

Harborough Town Reserves

Vs

Bugbrooke St.Michaels Reserves

Irchester United Reserves

Vs

Wellingborough Town Reserves

Rothwell Corinthians Reserves

Vs

Raunds Town Reserves

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” Sporting dominance in Europe” Sport…is war minus the shooting. Or so said George Orwell. The essayist had no great love of sport, or of football in general, but understood the tribal nature of the rivalries and how, despite FIFA’s express directive, politics creeps into the game at every turn. So, when the first European Championship was created in 1960, it is unsurprising that the Cold War loomed large in everybody’s minds. UEFA, working across the iron curtain, wanted to unify Europe in football, but some of western Europe’s giants pulled out in protest at the invitation of communist teams. Which left the way open for the worst result of all, by their reckoning; Soviet victory.

The inaugural European Championships - called the European Nations Cup - was very unlike the modern tournament. The opening rounds were played over two legs, home and away, rather than being concentrated in a single nation. 16 of UEFA’s 33 members withdrew, including Italy, the 1954 World Champions West Germany and all four Home Nations, who were only just discovering the importance of the World Cup. The Soviet team, boasting stars like Valentin Ivanov (who would share the Golden Boot at the 1962 World Cup), Igor Netto and of course Lev Yashin, kicked off their campaign in Moscow in September 1958, off the back of their first ever World Cup, against a waning Hungary side. In front of 100,000 fans, they saw of their opponents 3-1, the Hungarian goal coming from a player who hadn’t even started his career when the Golden Team had reached the 1954 World Cup final. The return leg in Budapest, one day short of a whole year later, was a more sedate affair - just the 80,000 fans - and was settled by a single goal from Yuriy Voynov. This set up a tie against Spain.

The quarter finals were due to take place in December 1959 and March 1960, but Spain at the time were under the rule of fascist dictator

General Franco and competing with the communists as equals proved impossible for him.

He withdrew his nation from the competition, making the Soviet Union the first team to ever qualify for the main tournament of the European Championships..

They were joined by Czechoslovakia, who defeated Romania, Yugoslavia who saw off Portugal, and France, who came out on top of a pulsating, highscoring affair against Austria.

France, the only western country to have made it to the semi-finals, were chosen as the hosts of the final tournament, to be held in the summer of 1960. France were drawn against a Czechoslovakia side containing the legendary Andrej Kvasnak but were undeterred. Ivanov opened the scoring just past the half hour, relishing the withdrawn role that the Soviet’s adaptable WM formation allowed, him and doubled the lead ten minutes into the second half. Viktor Ponedelnik added a third, and with Yashin at his brilliant best, there was nothing their opponents could do to get back in the game.

Yugoslavia beat France in the other semi-final, avoiding the Cold War playing out on the football field, but that didn’t mean that the final wasn’t dripping with eastern European political tension.

Tito and Stalin had ended the Second World War as firm allies, and the Communist International (Comintern), an organisation of eastern bloc countries, had based itself in Belgrade. But as early as 1948 the two leaders stopped seeing eye-to-eye.

Yugoslavia were expelled from Comintern and set itself apart as an ostensibly less repressive regime, more receptive to western overtures. If George Orwell is right, and sport is just war without the shooting, then the final would be a fight for the soul of communism.

Yugoslavia started the brighter, testing Yashin throughout the first half while the Soviet team struggled to cope with the muddy pitch in Paris.

They scored in the 43rd minute, but at half time everything changed.

Legend has it that they wore studs for the second half, but Netto definitely improved, beginning to dominate the midfield. Slava Metreveli scored right after half time, but the two sides cancelled each other out before entering a relatively new innovation; extra time

The victory was tainted by the withdrawal of so many sides, but Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabeu was impressed. He made offers for five players, including Yashin, Netto and Ivanov, but all were refused. Political tensions at the time made it untenable for Soviet champions to cross the Iron Curtain. Not that it diminished their greatness in any way

The extra 30 minutes proved too much for Yugoslavia, who were not used to the added demands. The Soviet team, theoretically mostly soldiers, were fitter and started to dominate. It took until the second half of extra time, but Ponedelnik headed home on 113 minutes to secure the first ever European Championships for the Soviet Union.

Enjoy the game!

Martyn Green

The Untold Game Find us at TheUntoldGame.co.uk or on social media @TheUntoldGame

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