Beautiful. The finest stand in football.

Za Luzankami Stadium former home of Brno in the Czech Republic has been abandoned!

Either that or the ground staff are having some tea break!!!😀

Built between 1949-1953 it was the home of Brno and had a capacity of 50,000.

It was the largest football stadium in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s and 1970s.

Empty now, sadly!

Packed in the mid 1990s.

Edited July 18, 20251 yr by erskblue

‘Ach it’s just a wee puddle!’ 😀

The kind of pitches we regularly played on ( wee puddles included!) mid 1970s- mid 1980s!!😀

You can stuff all your current multi coloured football boots.

The adidas ‘Copa Mundial’, are ,in my humble opinion, the greatest ever football boots.

The ‘Puma King’ 

A very honourable second, in my humble opinion!

Old Chelsea Git!😀

Photo: Bohemians 1905

Prague’s football stadium, Bohemians’ Ďolíček, was officially opened on 27 March 1932.

Standing by the Botič stream, the small Ďolíček (capacity 6,300) is famed for its raucous atmosphere and the unusually close connection between fans and players.

The old-school stadium is home to Bohemians 1905 (previously Bohemians Praha), who play in green and white. The club’s mascot is a kangaroo and stems from a 1927 tour of Australia.

Regularly seen at Ďolíček is club president and all-time legend Antonín Panenka, who scored 76 goals in 230 appearances for Bohemians.

Photo: Bohemians 1905

Boniek against Italy. 1982 World Cup Semi Final.

Zbigniew Boniek of Poland scoring against Belgium in the Nou Camp, 28th June 1982 ( Photo by Alain de Martignac / Onze / Icon Sport )

For Juventus against Hamburg in the 1983 European Cup Final.

1982 World Cup Finals, Third Place Play-Off, Alicante. 10th July, 1982, Poland 3 v France 2, Poland's Zbigniew Boniek is challenged by France's Gerard Janvion.

Edited July 20, 2025Jul 20 by erskblue

Zico . He simply ‘oozed class’ during the 1982 World Cup.

Billy Connolly with the Clydebank team. Davie Cooper in the front row.

FRANCE 3-2 PORTUGAL AT EURO 84:

THE GENIUS OF MICHEL PLATINI IN ALL ITS MAGNIFICENCE

these football times.co
23/06/2020 by STUART HORSFIELD  

 

This feature is a part of RETEUROSPECTIVE

As this tournament progresses, so the decision by the English broadcasting authorities looks ever more foolish. England may well be on a tour of South America due to their non-qualification, but meanwhile, Michel Platini and the rest of Europe’s finest have been putting on a footballing master-class across La Manche.

The BBC have so far only televised West Germany’s final group game defeat to Spain as well as an amalgamation of short news reports and assorted highlights of the other games so far. ITV have elected not to show any of the action from France, though there is a place in the BBCs schedule to show Wednesday night’s final. It is with regret that the game of the tournament has undoubtedly already been played.

The semi-final game between France and Portugal can certainly already be placed in the category of classic. A game that saw the lead change hands three times and an extra-time winner in the 119th minute for the host nation.

What is also certain is that French captain, Platini, is leading his nation inexorably to a maiden international football title.

Scoring in every game so far, including back-to-back hattricks and a last-minute winner to send his country to their first major final, never before has a tournament been dominated by an individual to such an extent in the way Platini is dominating the VII edition of the European Championships.

As the teams walked out into the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, the atmosphere generated by the fans was something to behold.

Ticker tape rained down at one end in scenes similar to Buenos Aries six years ago at the World Cup. The sticky warm French summer sun was starting to set and placed the entire scene into a wonderful golden hue that lit up the fervent French supporters. What no one realised as the sun started to set was that their Iberian cousins were intent on spoiling the French party.

The only thing that could possibly inhibit the progression of the Carré Magique was the unknown presence of any psychological damage in the French team’s psyche from the devastating defeat to West Germany in the World Cup semi-final two years earlier.

By the time the Portuguese kicked off, one half of the ‘Magic Square’ had already adopted their casual style of untucking their shirt. Platini and Jean Tigana demonstrating their very cool French chic, while Luis Fernández and Alain Giresse remained tucked in and ready to dominate.

After 24 minutes, Platini won a free-kick centre of goal 25 yards from the Portuguese goal. The French captain stood over the ball waiting to inflict the inevitable.  anuel Bento arranged the wall as best he could and waited. Goal! The outcome was predictable but the protagonist was not. Left-back Jean-François Domergue struck with his left foot into the top corner. 

What followed was incessant French domination; Bento made several saves to keep his country in the game, Giresse the unfortunate recipient of his brilliance. Then it happened … the nagging doubt that must have been gnawing away at the nerves of the partisan crowd basing in the humid summer’s night were exposed as Rui Jordão placed a header into the far corner. The shock was palpable, as was the momentary silence of a crowd that had been partying in the stands for the previous 74 minutes.

This French side, though, seem different to the one in Spain two years ago, Platini with a sense of self-destiny had an opportunity to win in it normal time, clean through on goal only for Bento to save at his feet and then deflect the subsequent shot from Didier Six on to the bar and over – a truly world-class double save. Once more the French were into extra-time at a major semi-final. 

Portugal started the first period in the ascendancy and forced Joel Bats into a wonderful early save but the momentum well and truly shifted on 98 minutes when Jordão scored his and Portugal’s second. If ever France needed Platini then now was the time. The current European Footballer of the Year had 15 minutes to answer the prayers of a deflated nation. 

With six minutes left of an unbelievable pulsating fixture, already worthy of the final, the game took yet another twist with birthday boy Domergue scoring his second.

The Vélodrome exploded with noise, more in relief than celebration.

With penalties only 60 seconds away so the game took its final twist. That low, monotonous hum of noise had settled among the French supporters, a mixture of relief from equalising and trepidation at the thought of a second consecutive semi-final penalty shoot-out.

Then, as if all the footballing gods had convened in the sky above Marseille and decreed that one man would define this tournament, Platini drove the ball high into the Portuguese net following a desperate scramble. Socks rolled down, shirt untucked, the Frenchman’s languid stride carried him to the French dugout where he collapsed under the weight of his teammates and a nation.

“ Tigana...Tigana...Platini...GOAL!!!!!!!!”
The late John Motson in commentary, as he describes Michel Platini’s winner for France v Portugal in the last minute of extra time. Semi Final of Euro 1984. 

This tournament will already go down as a classic edition and will most likely set the benchmarks for future European Championships. British broadcasters need to be aware that true football fans want to see the very best the game has to offer regardless of whether or not there is a home-nation presence.

France and Portugal served up a delightful feast of entertaining football, which will surely come to define these championships as much as the magnificence of Platini’s performances.

Never before has a tournament been so dominated by a single player and it will take something truly incredible in two years’ time when the World Cup gets underway in Mexico for a player to inspire and carry a single nation all the way to the final and possible victory.

If there is any justice in the world, Platini will score a goal in the final and France will finally lift a major trophy – but since when has football been a bastion of justice? 

By Stuart Horsfield @loxleymisty44

Edited July 21, 2025Jul 21 by erskblue

14 hours ago, erskblue said:

FRANCE 3-2 PORTUGAL AT EURO 84:

THE GENIUS OF MICHEL PLATINI IN ALL ITS MAGNIFICENCE

these football times.co
23/06/2020 by STUART HORSFIELD  

 

This feature is a part of RETEUROSPECTIVE

As this tournament progresses, so the decision by the English broadcasting authorities looks ever more foolish. England may well be on a tour of South America due to their non-qualification, but meanwhile, Michel Platini and the rest of Europe’s finest have been putting on a footballing master-class across La Manche.

The BBC have so far only televised West Germany’s final group game defeat to Spain as well as an amalgamation of short news reports and assorted highlights of the other games so far. ITV have elected not to show any of the action from France, though there is a place in the BBCs schedule to show Wednesday night’s final. It is with regret that the game of the tournament has undoubtedly already been played.

The semi-final game between France and Portugal can certainly already be placed in the category of classic. A game that saw the lead change hands three times and an extra-time winner in the 119th minute for the host nation.

What is also certain is that French captain, Platini, is leading his nation inexorably to a maiden international football title.

Scoring in every game so far, including back-to-back hattricks and a last-minute winner to send his country to their first major final, never before has a tournament been dominated by an individual to such an extent in the way Platini is dominating the VII edition of the European Championships.

As the teams walked out into the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, the atmosphere generated by the fans was something to behold.

Ticker tape rained down at one end in scenes similar to Buenos Aries six years ago at the World Cup. The sticky warm French summer sun was starting to set and placed the entire scene into a wonderful golden hue that lit up the fervent French supporters. What no one realised as the sun started to set was that their Iberian cousins were intent on spoiling the French party.

The only thing that could possibly inhibit the progression of the Carré Magique was the unknown presence of any psychological damage in the French team’s psyche from the devastating defeat to West Germany in the World Cup semi-final two years earlier.

By the time the Portuguese kicked off, one half of the ‘Magic Square’ had already adopted their casual style of untucking their shirt. Platini and Jean Tigana demonstrating their very cool French chic, while Luis Fernández and Alain Giresse remained tucked in and ready to dominate.

After 24 minutes, Platini won a free-kick centre of goal 25 yards from the Portuguese goal. The French captain stood over the ball waiting to inflict the inevitable.  anuel Bento arranged the wall as best he could and waited. Goal! The outcome was predictable but the protagonist was not. Left-back Jean-François Domergue struck with his left foot into the top corner. 

What followed was incessant French domination; Bento made several saves to keep his country in the game, Giresse the unfortunate recipient of his brilliance. Then it happened … the nagging doubt that must have been gnawing away at the nerves of the partisan crowd basing in the humid summer’s night were exposed as Rui Jordão placed a header into the far corner. The shock was palpable, as was the momentary silence of a crowd that had been partying in the stands for the previous 74 minutes.

This French side, though, seem different to the one in Spain two years ago, Platini with a sense of self-destiny had an opportunity to win in it normal time, clean through on goal only for Bento to save at his feet and then deflect the subsequent shot from Didier Six on to the bar and over – a truly world-class double save. Once more the French were into extra-time at a major semi-final. 

Portugal started the first period in the ascendancy and forced Joel Bats into a wonderful early save but the momentum well and truly shifted on 98 minutes when Jordão scored his and Portugal’s second. If ever France needed Platini then now was the time. The current European Footballer of the Year had 15 minutes to answer the prayers of a deflated nation. 

With six minutes left of an unbelievable pulsating fixture, already worthy of the final, the game took yet another twist with birthday boy Domergue scoring his second.

The Vélodrome exploded with noise, more in relief than celebration.

With penalties only 60 seconds away so the game took its final twist. That low, monotonous hum of noise had settled among the French supporters, a mixture of relief from equalising and trepidation at the thought of a second consecutive semi-final penalty shoot-out.

Then, as if all the footballing gods had convened in the sky above Marseille and decreed that one man would define this tournament, Platini drove the ball high into the Portuguese net following a desperate scramble. Socks rolled down, shirt untucked, the Frenchman’s languid stride carried him to the French dugout where he collapsed under the weight of his teammates and a nation.

“ Tigana...Tigana...Platini...GOAL!!!!!!!!”
The late John Motson in commentary, as he describes Michel Platini’s winner for France v Portugal in the last minute of extra time. Semi Final of Euro 1984. 

This tournament will already go down as a classic edition and will most likely set the benchmarks for future European Championships. British broadcasters need to be aware that true football fans want to see the very best the game has to offer regardless of whether or not there is a home-nation presence.

France and Portugal served up a delightful feast of entertaining football, which will surely come to define these championships as much as the magnificence of Platini’s performances.

Never before has a tournament been so dominated by a single player and it will take something truly incredible in two years’ time when the World Cup gets underway in Mexico for a player to inspire and carry a single nation all the way to the final and possible victory.

If there is any justice in the world, Platini will score a goal in the final and France will finally lift a major trophy – but since when has football been a bastion of justice? 

By Stuart Horsfield @loxleymisty44

Unbelievable that British broadcasters were indifferent to this competition..

8 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

Unbelievable that British broadcasters were indifferent to this competition..

Totally agree.

FRANCE 5-0 BELGIUM AT EURO 84: THE FOOTBALLING MASTERCLASS OF MICHEL PLATINI

16/06/2020 by THESE FOOTBALL TIMES

This feature is a part of RETEUROSPECTIVE

Now the party can truly get started. Michel Platini, France’s elegant and masterful playmaker, stamped his authority on this tournament with a hat-trick in Les Bleus’ magnificent performance against Belgium at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. 

Platini, the runaway winner of the European Footballer of the Year award, may have stolen the headlines but this was a splendid team performance. France moved effortlessly up through the gears after their nervy opener against Denmark four days ago to emphatically serve notice of their tournament credentials.

Belgium, the runners-up in 1980, were simply overwhelmed, struggling to cope with the carré magique French midfield who utterly dominated the proceedings. In fact, it was a slightly adjusted five-man midfield on this occasion for France, with the absence of the suspended Manuel Amoros causing a rejig in the French ranks, but it was no less an effective unit.

Far from being weakened, however, their midfield dominance was the platform form which the French attack was unleashed with devastating consequences.

Platini was the main instigator against Belgium, having already scored rather fortuitously in the 1-0 win over Denmark despite having been effectively shackled throughout by defender Klaus Berggreen. He drifted from one wing to the other, seeking the ball and causing a panic wherever he went, leaving his opponents disorientated and unable to cope. Alain Giresse, that diminutive dynamo in the centre of the field, was a never-ending bundle of energy and his tireless efforts helped pull the strings, complementing Platini’s headline act perfectly.

France, playing in white on this occasion, took the lead as early as the fourth minute, when a rocket free-kick from Patrick Battiston thudded against the woodwork, rebounded through a crowded defence for Platini. He sidestepped a couple of befuddled defenders before calmly sending a fierce shot of his own into the corner of Jean-Marie Pfaff’s goal. 

Even before this, France could have grabbed the lead with the Belgian defence scrambling to clear a cross from Didier Six, with Platini posed to head home. After the attacking difficulties of their opening match, this goal seemed to relieve the pressure on the hosts.  The pent-up energy and vibrance was released; the cork freed, and the bubbles of joy simply overflowed.

When Giresse added a fine second after 33 minutes, a one-two with Jean Tigana setting him up to neatly chip Jean-Marie Pfaff in the Belgian goal, it was no less than the French deserved.

There was time for another goal before the interval too as Giresse turned creator, picking up an overhit Luis Fernández cross and centring it back to the now unmarked Fernández to head home, amidst a euphoric atmosphere in the stands.

France only eased off marginally in the second half, but two goals in the last quarter of an hour gave their captain his hat-trick and gave France an astonishing 5-0 victory. 

First, Platini scored from nonchalantly from the penalty spot after Six had been brought down following a fine interchange between him and Bernard Genghini, before Platini added the fifth near the end, leaping high to head in Giresse’s lofted cross.

Belgium had briefly threatened, notably when Michel De Wolf hit a post with the score only at 1-0, and Erwin Vandenbergh later squandering a very presentable headed opportunity. Jan Ceulemans also forced Joel Bats in the French goal into action, but the threat was always kept at arm’s length.

Belgium will need to regroup and go again in what may turn out to be a straight knock-out match with Denmark for a place in the semi-finals alongside France.

As the Tricolore flags waved in celebration in the stands, France have truly served notice here of their ambitions in this tournament. With majestic form like this they will prove difficult to stop, and in Platini they have the potential star of the tournament.

His casual, languid elegance, dictating the play with a swagger, is France’s inspiration, but there is talent aplenty alongside their majestic genius which may yet push France towards the glory they so cruelly missed out on in the World Cup semi-final of 1982. 

Platini’s four goals in two games so far have easily propelled him to the top of the scoring charts, and with such a stellar supporting cast, there is little to doubt that the chances will keep on coming that could carry Les Bleus all the way to their first international trophy in two weeks’ time.

Michel Platini scores from the spot against Belgium

Great team with two great iconic adidas strips.

France line up in Nantes against Belgium in Euro 84.Getty Images

Edited July 22, 2025Jul 22 by erskblue

Joey Jones in action for Wales in 1981 - closely watched by his celebrated Soviet Union opponent Oleg Blokhin.

Wales missed out on the 1982 World Cup finals, their hopes being ended by a defeat in the Soviet Union as Jones was given the runaround by Oleg Blokhin, the Ballon d'Or winner in 1975.

A reporter informed Jones after the game that Blokhin's mother had been a notable champion pentathlete and that his father was a competitive sprinter.

Jones was quick in his reply: "Oh yeah? Well my dad's a hospital porter and my mam's a cleaner, what chance did I have of catching him?"😀

R.I.P. Joey Jones

Scotland v. England game, which was the first official international women’s match to be played in Great Britain.

This game took place on Saturday 18th of November at Ravenscraig Stadium, Greenock.

This match was played at Ravenscraig Stadium because the Scottish Football Association (S.F.A.) banned women from playing at Scottish F.A.-affiliated grounds or using Scottish F.A. registered referees.

Since 1921, the Scottish F.A. had withdrawn support from women’s football and banned the game in 1949, and it was not until 1974 that the ban was lifted, and the Scottish F.A. only assumed responsibility in 1998.

The Scottish F.A. justified their decision based on two arguments; one is they believed some of the money from these matches was being misappropriated (there was no evidence to substantiate these claims), and second, they thought that football was unsuitable for women.

In 1971, European member associations voted 39-1 in favour of UEFA’s motion to take control of women’s football. However, Scotland voted against this.

This is a programme from the “First Ever Ladies International Football Match.”

 

Alan Hodginson of England in action against Lawrie Reilly of Scotland in April 1957. A 2-1 England win.

‘Fast forward’ to April 1963 and this time a 2-1 win for Scotland.

Scotland defending. Wearing Lord Rosebery Colours. Goalkeeper still wearing outfield colours.

England v Scotland at Crystal Palace. 1901.

England v Scotland 1905. Crystal Palace.

"The Scottish team were first to appear, and they wore Lord Rosebery's racing colours, primrose and rose [pink] hoops", white shorts.
"The caps for the Scottish team were supplied by that prominent Glasgow outfitter, T. R. Charlton. The colours harmonised with the jerseys, which, as in 1901, were those of Lord Rosebery—primrose and pink."

Edited July 25, 2025Jul 25 by erskblue

Scotland v England. 7th April 1906. Official attendance of 102,741. A New World Record Attendance.

England first visit to ‘The New Hampden Park’.

Mr Fred A. Lumley, the well-known Glasgow and Edinburgh athletic outfitter, supplied the jerseys." -
"The Scotchmen...turning out in Lord Rosebery's racing colours of primrose and rose" hooped striped shirts and white shorts, dark socks.

Edited July 26, 2025Jul 26 by erskblue

A ‘mere’ 106,205 officially saw the above April 1910 match.

Another New World Record Attendance. 121,452 (officially saw it!)

Scotland v England in April 1946. A large crowd of 139,468 ‘officially’ witnessed the match. 

Add 20-25,000 for the true attendance.

This was an Unofficial ‘Victory International’. Part of the Home Championship Series of 1945/46.

The above picture is from April 1946.

Edited July 26, 2025Jul 26 by erskblue

Accrington Stanley (great name for a football team!)😀 ground in 1962.

Accrington Stanley's former ground, Peel Park, lies ruined after the club's collapse in 1966.

Accrington Stanley we’re formed in 1891 and Football League members from 1921 to 1962. They sadly folded under a debt mountain in 1966 after spending four seasons languishing in the Lancashire combination.

Two years later, in 1968, a new club was re-born and began climbing its way back up the non-league pyramid.

Finally, in 2006, Accrington Stanley returned to League Two. They replaced Oxford United, the team they had lost their League place to back in March 1962 when they resigned due to debts of almost £64,000.

7 hours ago, erskblue said:

Accrington Stanley (great name for a football team!)😀 ground in 1962.

Accrington Stanley's former ground, Peel Park, lies ruined after the club's collapse in 1966.

Accrington Stanley we’re formed in 1891 and Football League members from 1921 to 1962. They sadly folded under a debt mountain in 1966 after spending four seasons languishing in the Lancashire combination.

Two years later, in 1968, a new club was re-born and began climbing its way back up the non-league pyramid.

Finally, in 2006, Accrington Stanley returned to League Two. They replaced Oxford United, the team they had lost their League place to back in March 1962 when they resigned due to debts of almost £64,000.

Talking about great names for football clubs, what about "Crewe Alexandra" ?? Or.." Leyton Orient " ??! You would never ever see any connection if you were in Leyton, to the actual Orient !

On 26/07/2025 at 06:44, erskblue said:

A ‘mere’ 106,205 officially saw the above April 1910 match.

Another New World Record Attendance. 121,452 (officially saw it!)

Scotland v England in April 1946. A large crowd of 139,468 ‘officially’ witnessed the match. 

Add 20-25,000 for the true attendance.

This was an Unofficial ‘Victory International’. Part of the Home Championship Series of 1945/46.

The above picture is from April 1946.

I like the "Safer Hampden" information.

Yo ensure comfort and safety the attendance is to be limited to ....138,000 !!!

Gospin Dolac Stadium Croatia

28 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

Gospin Dolac Stadium Croatia

Now there’s a great place to watch a game! Great picture !