MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 13.6.1987

Charlie Nicholas is cover star of Match as he reveals he won’t be returning to Celtic.

The reason for that, were recent comments made by Mick McCarthy of Celtic, who said that Scottish football was better than English football.

A series of players voice their opinion, include Charlie Nicholas, Steve Bruce and Andy Goram give their verdicts. Charlie Nicholas said he would prefer to play for Arsenal, while Steve Bruce says there are only two teams worth playing for in Scotland.

Match looks at the signings made in the summer of 1986 and rates them, the best being Paul Power of Everton and the worst being Neale Cooper of Aston Villa.

Match looks back at Aston Villa’s League Cup winning team of 1977, profiling where they are now.

There is a double page profile on Charlton’s win over Leeds United in a Play-Off (after 1-0 home wins in both legs) Replay to stay in Division One.

There is a four page photo pull-out of the highlights of the 1986-1987 season.

In Scotland, Gordon McQueen has just been appointed as manager of Airdrie.

In Division Three, there is a full page profile of Swindon Town, who beat Gillingham in a Replay to get promoted to Division Two.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 21.5.1994

Steve Bruce, holding aloft the FA Cup, is the cover star of Match as Manchester United have just won the double for the first time in their history.

England are playing two friendlies this week, and Match interviews captain David Platt to get the lowdown on the England team.

Steve Chettle of Nottingham Forest is subject to a Q and A, where he reveals he loves Chinese and Italian food.

There is a pull-out of Group B as the countdown to the 1994 World Cup is in full swing. That group contained Brazil, Cameroon, Russia and Sweden.

Ryan Giggs is the subject of a double page spread, as Match goes on location with him at Selhurst Park as he films an advert for Reebok.

Giggs also appears (sort of) in an advert later in the magazine to flog his own video game.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 21.11.1998

This week, Match has an exclusive interview with Pierre Van Hooijdonk, labelled “Britain’s most dangerous footballer” after going on strike at Nottingham Forest due to a dispute.

Leeds United players go to a computer class as part of a community project, while Alexi Lalas has released an album called Ginger.

Dwight Yorke drew a crowd in Dublin as he paid a visit to sign autographs for fans.

Elsewhere in news, Eric Hall has brought out his autobiography, while Frank Lampard described abuse from his own fans when he broke into the team at 17 as character building.

Van Hooijdonk’s interview sees him deny reports of a rift with Forest team-mates, and claim Forest priced him out of a move to a club outside England.

John Robinson of Charlton is this week’s subject of Job Swap, where he reveals if he could be a Football Legend, he would be Kenny Dalglish, and if he was a Pop Star, R Kelly.

Another Dutch player getting interviewed in this edition if Jaap Stam of Manchester United.

There is a double page interview with Hearts duo Paul Ritchie and Gary Naysmith, who say that Hearts are noe considered a big scalp for rival clubs, as much as Rangers and Celtic.

Match goes behind the scenes with Ian Wright as he prepares for his acting debut, staring in an advert for Chicken Tonight.

David Batty gets interviewed where he says he wants to revive Newcastle’s season. Within weeks, he had rejoined Leeds United.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 11.11.1989

It’s crunch time for countries wanting to qualify for the 1990 World Cup, as David Platt is the cover star of Match, himself having ambitions of going to Italy in seven months time.

Scotland and Republic Of Ireland both need a point from their final group match to qualify, with Erik Thorstvedt has a warning for Scotland that Norway have come to crash the party.

Mark Wright gets a double page spread, amid calls for him to get a recall to the England squad, with testimonials from fellow First Division defenders.

Match has a feature where they review fanzines. This week’s subject is “A Load Of Bull”, dedicated to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The scored 8 out of 10 for Quality and Value For Money, but only 4 for Pictures and 5 for Campaigning.

York City were the subject of a one page team poster.

Peter Beagrie has just joined Everton from Stoke, and tells Match he is full of praise of Stoke’s managerial team of Alan Ball and Mick Mills, who he credits for turning him into a top flight footballer.

In ads, you could buy a VHS of 110 Serie A goals from the 1988-1989 season for just £9.99

Match looks at Bristol Rovers, who are challenging for promotion to Division Two despite having one of the worst away records in Division Three.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 2.9.1989

Bryan Robson is the cover star of Match as the race the reach the 1990 World Cup reaches the final stages.

Match reviews games involving the home nations, noting that England have traditionally struggled in September during the 1980s.

The recent Old Firm game gets a double page spread, a 1-1 draw which saw Mo Johnston jeered throughout by Celtic fans.

John Gregory has just been appointed Portsmouth manager, and is determined to take them back to the top flight, and might even come out of retirement to play for them at the age of 35.

Joe McLaughlin has recently left Chelsea to join Charlton, and is hoping the move will earn him a place in the Scotland squad.

In world news, Feyenoord manager Pim Verbeek has threatened to resign after a violent pitch invasion by fans, just two weeks into his reign.

This magazine is ad heavy, with products being advertised by Nigel Clough, John Aldridge and Steve McMahon.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 2.4.1988

Tony Adams is the cover star of Match after scoring at both ends during England’s recently friendly against Holland.

As you open the magazine, Craig Johnston is interviewed, telling Match of his frustration at a lack of gametime at Anfield, but of his delight at getting a call-up to the England squad.

As it is Easter, there will be a lot of football, and Match previews the best games, the highlight of which is Liverpool v Man United on Easter Monday.

Emlyn Hughes gets a full page in his role as a pundit to answer questions from fans, while Leroy Rosenior speaks of his delight at returning to England’s top flight, having recently signed for West Ham.

England’s recent friendly against Holland (a 2-2 draw) gets covered, with Ruud Gullit warning that Holland will be improved when the sides meet again that summer in the European Championship group stages.

The second leg of the British Cup Winners Cup Final between Coventry City and St Mirren has been put back until the start of the 1988-1989 season. It has still never been played.

Crystal Palace get a full page profile on the basis of being the highest scoring team in England.

Liverpool made a record equalling 29 game unbeaten start to the season, and Match pays tribute to this with a four page feature.

In foreign news, Olaf Thon has turned down a move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Careca’s goals have given Napoli a four point lead at the top of Serie A.

Colin Foster of Nottingham Forest gets a profile, where he reveals his favourite cartoon character is Inspector Gadget.

The magazine ends with Davie Cooper of Rangers using his column to congratulate Celtic on their recent title win.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH -14.10.1989

Gary Pallister is the cover star of Match, as this edition has a competition where you can win a day with Man United.

As you open the magazine, there is a double page feature on Coventry City, with manager John Sillett believing they can win the league, spearheaded by Kevin Drinkell, the latest English striker to have a horrid time at Ibrox after Colin West, Trevor Francis and Mark Falco.

The two Sheffield clubs get a double page feature, focusing on their contrasting fortunes – Wednesday are bottom of Division One and United are top of Division Two.

Alan Curtis has left Cardiff City to join Swansea City, his third spell at the club. At the age of 35, he intends on this being the last move of his career.

Paul Allen of Spurs gets a double page profile, where he reveals he cycles 30 miles a day during pre-season to stay fit.

Match has a competition where you phone up Peter Shilton to answer quiz questions to win a pair of football boots.

Dundee United and Hibernian are in European action this week, and both their games get previewed, with Match doing a feature on Peter Hinds of Dundee United, whose sol European game for United saw him travel as far as Northern Ireland, having played all over the world prior to moving to Tannadice.

In foreign news, John Aldridge’s Real Sociedad suffered a 5-0 defeat to Real Oviedo.

The magazine ends with Dave Beasant advertising Reusch goalkeeper gloves.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 14.5.1994

Roy Keane is the cover star in a weekend that Manchester United face Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

It is his fellow Corkonian and United team-mate Denis Irwin who is interviewed, getting a double page feature.

Across Manchester, Garry Flitcroft shows Match around his house, showing off his Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey CDs. His dad is a builder and has told him to invest his money in property.

Arsenal’s win over Parma in the European Cup Winners Cup Final gets a double page spread.

There is a pull out of World Cup Group A, featuring USA, Switzerland, Romania and Colombia.

David Elleray gets a profile, as he gets ready to referee the FA Cup Final, revealing that Carrow Road is his favourite ground.

Alan Moore of Middlesbrough gets a profile, being predicted as a star of the future.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 11.5.1985

Andy Gray of Everton is the cover star of this edition of Match, which looks forward to Everton’s European Cup Winners Cup Final against Rapid Vienna.

As you open the magazine, there is a double page preview of that match, with Peter Reid saying that victory will “Put Everton on the map” as an international force.

Also getting a double page profile is Oxford United who have secured back to back promotions, and will be a top flight club for the first time in 1985-1986.

Match goes behind the scenes at Match Of The Day, with a double page report from their reporter Dave “The Mighty Atom” Smith.

Fact fans can rejoice in the fact that you can read about 20 Things You Didn’t Know About Kerry Dixon, with the Chelsea player’s favourite singers being Al Green and Lionel Richie.

In foreign news, Italy manager Enzo Bearzot predicts that Juventus will beat Liverpool in the European Cup Winners Cup Final at the end of the month.

The magazine ends with a sneak peek at the FA Cup Final, looking at the peak times of goals scored by Everton and Manchester United this season.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MATCH – 22.7.1989

Mo Johnston is the cover star of Match as Match asks how good he is.

This was prompted by a claim by Rangers manager Graeme Souness that Johnston was the best striker in Britain, so Match organised a poll to end the arguement once and for all.

Match also revealed that Johnston predicted in 1982 that one day he would sign for Rangers.

Another big summer signing was Chris Waddle of Marseille, who tells Match that money wasn’t a factor in his move.

Also moving to the Continent was Alan McInally, who hopes his move to Bayern Munich will earn him a place in Scotland’s squad for the 1990 World Cup if they qualify.

Match looks at the race for promotion to Division One, asking players from clubs promoted in 1989 (Chelsea, Manchester City, Crystal Palace) who they think will go up in 1990, the general consensus being Leeds.

Some footballers are without a club, and Match writes about those top flight players looking for a club.

If they end up at another top flight club, you’ll know how much it will cost to watch them, as Match does a chart of admission prices at Division One clubs, apart from Southampton and Liverpool, who didn’t provide information.