CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 The Panini Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Mexico 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Joy of Buying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
München 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The Joy of Swapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Football 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Argentina 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 How Panini Stickers are Made . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Football 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Around the World: Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Football 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Europa 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Football 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Football 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Around the World: France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Espana 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Shinies, Foils and Glimmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Football 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 The Joy of Sticking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Football 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Euro 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Football 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Stylish Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Football 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Mexico 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Around the World: Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Football 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Football 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Euro 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Football 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Football 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 The Joy of Collecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Italia 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Around the World: Rest of the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Football 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Changing Hairstyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Football 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Euro 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Football 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Panini Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Copa America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
USA 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 England 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 France 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Around the World: Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Euro 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Korea/Japan 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Facial Hair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Euro 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Panini Legends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Germany 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Euro 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Africa Cup of Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
South Africa 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Germany 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Euro 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Brasil 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Canada 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Euro 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Euro 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Russia 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 France 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Football 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 The Panini Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Mexico 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Joy of Buying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
München 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The Joy of Swapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Football 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Argentina 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 How Panini Stickers are Made . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Football 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Around the World: Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Football 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Europa 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Football 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Football 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Around the World: France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Espana 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Shinies, Foils and Glimmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Football 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 The Joy of Sticking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Football 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Euro 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Football 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Stylish Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Football 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Mexico 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Around the World: Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Football 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Football 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Euro 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Football 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Football 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 The Joy of Collecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Italia 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Around the World: Rest of the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Football 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Changing Hairstyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Football 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Euro 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Football 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Panini Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Copa America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
USA 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 England 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 France 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Around the World: Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Euro 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Korea/Japan 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Facial Hair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Euro 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Panini Legends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Germany 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Euro 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Africa Cup of Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
South Africa 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Germany 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Euro 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Brasil 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Canada 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Euro 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Euro 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Russia 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 France 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Football 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
INTRODUCTION For millions of kids it was just sheer joy, played out in schoolyards and local newsagents, where grubby hands would part with pocket money in return for precious stickers. It would all start with Shoot! or Roy of the Rovers giving away a free album and a packet, which would signal the beginning of months of collecting and swapping, including lying in bed wondering how best to get those priceless ‘needs’ off your mates. Even the smell of the stickers created a desire to get your hands on them. If one brand symbolises the evocative world of football sticker collecting it is, of course, Panini. And as it celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2021, allow Panini Football Stickers: The Official Celebration to take you back to the world of ‘Got, Got, Need’. The UK was first introduced to Panini via its Mexico 70 World Cup collection and, although it took some time for the concept to get under the nation’s skin, by the 1980s an incredible nine out of every ten UK schoolchildren were buying Panini stickers in one way or another. Every World Cup (and European Championship) since has meant the release of a highly anticipated Panini album, all of which are gloriously chronicled in this book.
8
In Britain, the age of Panini really kicked off in January 1977. Prior to that, cards or picture stamps – often erratically produced and needing to be glued down – had been the collectables of choice. But nothing was ever the same again for football fans from the moment Panini gave away Euro Football via Shoot! It was a classy album, providing an education on the world of football beyond this nation’s shores. Not only that, the stickers were selfadhesive – just peel off the backs and away you went. At the time, it was revolutionary and it was clear there was something a little bit special about Panini. If Panini’s first mainstream outing wasn’t enough to pull the punters in, their debut UK domestic album – Football 78 – ended any debate over where the pocket money of a whole generation of school kids would be going. And perhaps the highlight of this book is the coverage of those albums, from Football 78 to Football 93, which have never been laid out in all their splendour until now. From Laurie Cunningham and Kenny Dalglish in Football 78 to Tony Adams and Alan Shearer in Football 93, Panini’s UK designs showcased this period in British football history with a style no other collectables company could match.
And talking of style, no one would deny that this period featured some of the most iconic fashions ever seen in football. The beards and moustaches were bushy and abundant, but it was the big hairstyles – the perms, mullets, afros and New Romantic highlights – that really made the period so memorable. Add in the sheepskins, tracksuits and cardigans worn by toughlooking managers and you have a pictorial history of an entire era, all featured heavily in the pages of this book. Panini eventually became the sophisticated embodiment of everything a collector wanted from a football album. With a lingo all of its own – ‘Doublers’, ‘Swapsies’, ‘Shinies’ and ‘Scrambles’ – collecting Panini became a lifestyle. The Modena-founded business has always documented the greatest players of every era – often looking youthful at their first clubs, or during their first appearances for their national sides. From Pelé and Moore to Platini and Maradona, and from Messi and Ronaldo to Mbappé and Haaland, Panini has been at the forefront of featuring world-
class talent. And while there have been many stars on Panini’s pages over the years, few have been eyed as longingly as the bicycle-kicking footballer who launched a million collections. Spotting the character on a packet has always been the mark of quality for collectors. At its peak, Panini was reportedly selling in the region of 100 million packets of stickers for their annual UK football album alone. Decades later, sticker fervour is as strong as ever in Britain, Europe and the world. And as women’s football comes to the fore, a whole new market has opened up, fully embraced by the company as it produces Women’s World Cup and European Championship albums. All of these facets, when fused together, make the Panini world of buying, swapping, sticking and collecting a delight. For all those who know what it’s like to pine for that missing Ian Rush sticker that always eluded them, welcome to Panini Football Stickers: The Official Celebration.
9
INTRODUCTION For millions of kids it was just sheer joy, played out in schoolyards and local newsagents, where grubby hands would part with pocket money in return for precious stickers. It would all start with Shoot! or Roy of the Rovers giving away a free album and a packet, which would signal the beginning of months of collecting and swapping, including lying in bed wondering how best to get those priceless ‘needs’ off your mates. Even the smell of the stickers created a desire to get your hands on them. If one brand symbolises the evocative world of football sticker collecting it is, of course, Panini. And as it celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2021, allow Panini Football Stickers: The Official Celebration to take you back to the world of ‘Got, Got, Need’. The UK was first introduced to Panini via its Mexico 70 World Cup collection and, although it took some time for the concept to get under the nation’s skin, by the 1980s an incredible nine out of every ten UK schoolchildren were buying Panini stickers in one way or another. Every World Cup (and European Championship) since has meant the release of a highly anticipated Panini album, all of which are gloriously chronicled in this book.
8
In Britain, the age of Panini really kicked off in January 1977. Prior to that, cards or picture stamps – often erratically produced and needing to be glued down – had been the collectables of choice. But nothing was ever the same again for football fans from the moment Panini gave away Euro Football via Shoot! It was a classy album, providing an education on the world of football beyond this nation’s shores. Not only that, the stickers were selfadhesive – just peel off the backs and away you went. At the time, it was revolutionary and it was clear there was something a little bit special about Panini. If Panini’s first mainstream outing wasn’t enough to pull the punters in, their debut UK domestic album – Football 78 – ended any debate over where the pocket money of a whole generation of school kids would be going. And perhaps the highlight of this book is the coverage of those albums, from Football 78 to Football 93, which have never been laid out in all their splendour until now. From Laurie Cunningham and Kenny Dalglish in Football 78 to Tony Adams and Alan Shearer in Football 93, Panini’s UK designs showcased this period in British football history with a style no other collectables company could match.
And talking of style, no one would deny that this period featured some of the most iconic fashions ever seen in football. The beards and moustaches were bushy and abundant, but it was the big hairstyles – the perms, mullets, afros and New Romantic highlights – that really made the period so memorable. Add in the sheepskins, tracksuits and cardigans worn by toughlooking managers and you have a pictorial history of an entire era, all featured heavily in the pages of this book. Panini eventually became the sophisticated embodiment of everything a collector wanted from a football album. With a lingo all of its own – ‘Doublers’, ‘Swapsies’, ‘Shinies’ and ‘Scrambles’ – collecting Panini became a lifestyle. The Modena-founded business has always documented the greatest players of every era – often looking youthful at their first clubs, or during their first appearances for their national sides. From Pelé and Moore to Platini and Maradona, and from Messi and Ronaldo to Mbappé and Haaland, Panini has been at the forefront of featuring world-
class talent. And while there have been many stars on Panini’s pages over the years, few have been eyed as longingly as the bicycle-kicking footballer who launched a million collections. Spotting the character on a packet has always been the mark of quality for collectors. At its peak, Panini was reportedly selling in the region of 100 million packets of stickers for their annual UK football album alone. Decades later, sticker fervour is as strong as ever in Britain, Europe and the world. And as women’s football comes to the fore, a whole new market has opened up, fully embraced by the company as it produces Women’s World Cup and European Championship albums. All of these facets, when fused together, make the Panini world of buying, swapping, sticking and collecting a delight. For all those who know what it’s like to pine for that missing Ian Rush sticker that always eluded them, welcome to Panini Football Stickers: The Official Celebration.
9
MEXICO 70 Pelé and Brazil lit up the first World Cup to be broadcast in glorious technicolour, while Panini brought their own brand of publishing magic to the table. After nearly a decade of making a name for themselves in their native Italy with the domestic football Calciatori albums, Panini now started thinking bigger. After all, if they could win the affection of football fans in Italy, why not also look further afield to other countries? They figured the best way to do this was through the biggest football event on the planet, the FIFA World Cup. Mexico 70 can be viewed as a soft launch because while the Italian album was heavily marketed and distributed, the International version (mostly available in West Germany, France and Spain, pictured on page 14) and the UK edition were much scarcer. Adhesive football stickers (with peel-off backing paper) were still in their infancy so Mexico 70 was mostly made up of cards,
14
with only a selection of stickers for first-page tournament logos and branding (including mascot Juanito, the little boy dressed in a sombrero and Mexico kit); official posters for previous World Cups; and national flags and football association emblems for each team in the finals. Players’ pictures – 11 to 14 per team – and team group shots were all printed on card. The Italian edition of Mexico 70 has strong Panini branding – ‘the knight’ is seen wielding his trusty lance on the front cover – while the increasingly prominent bicycle-kicking exponent takes aim at a supersized football. There were no Panini markings on the International or UK covers. Instead there was a map of Mexico with the host cities pinpointed, and a football imprinted with iconography from the Mexican flag. On the
15
MEXICO 70 Pelé and Brazil lit up the first World Cup to be broadcast in glorious technicolour, while Panini brought their own brand of publishing magic to the table. After nearly a decade of making a name for themselves in their native Italy with the domestic football Calciatori albums, Panini now started thinking bigger. After all, if they could win the affection of football fans in Italy, why not also look further afield to other countries? They figured the best way to do this was through the biggest football event on the planet, the FIFA World Cup. Mexico 70 can be viewed as a soft launch because while the Italian album was heavily marketed and distributed, the International version (mostly available in West Germany, France and Spain, pictured on page 14) and the UK edition were much scarcer. Adhesive football stickers (with peel-off backing paper) were still in their infancy so Mexico 70 was mostly made up of cards,
14
with only a selection of stickers for first-page tournament logos and branding (including mascot Juanito, the little boy dressed in a sombrero and Mexico kit); official posters for previous World Cups; and national flags and football association emblems for each team in the finals. Players’ pictures – 11 to 14 per team – and team group shots were all printed on card. The Italian edition of Mexico 70 has strong Panini branding – ‘the knight’ is seen wielding his trusty lance on the front cover – while the increasingly prominent bicycle-kicking exponent takes aim at a supersized football. There were no Panini markings on the International or UK covers. Instead there was a map of Mexico with the host cities pinpointed, and a football imprinted with iconography from the Mexican flag. On the
15
MEXICO 70 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 2 SHILLINGS NUMBER OF STICKERS/CARDS: 288 PACKET COST: 2d FOR THREE STICKERS/CARDS
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back was a pre-printed series of stamps issued for previous World Cups. As attractive as the album and sticker packets might have looked to would-be collectors in the UK, few ever got to see them as distribution was limited. The Mexico World Cup saw reigning world champions England drawn to play 1958 and 1962 winners Brazil in Group 3, with their clash in Guadalajara likely to decide which team topped the group. Despite one of the greatest saves of all time by Gordon Banks – seen with a wispy moustache and yellow jersey in Mexico 70 – to deny Pelé and that tackle by Bobby Moore, Jairzinho scored the only goal around the hour mark. That meant Brazil earned the right to face Peru in the quarter-final while England had a re-run of the 1966 final against West Germany. Peru had finished runners-up in Group 4 thanks to victories in their first two games. Teófilo Cubillas, a red sash running across his otherwise all-white shirt in Mexico 70, scored the winner in a 3–2 victory over Bulgaria (having been 2–0 down), then hit two more in the 3–0 defeat of Morocco. West Germany looked in ominous form with star striker Gerd Müller contributing six goals in the group phase, including a hattrick against Peru.
Hosts Mexico played out a goalless draw with the Soviet Union in the opening match of the tournament before each won their remaining two games to reach the last eight. Anatoliy Byshovets (or Anatole Bichevetz in Mexico 70) scored twice in Soviet wins over Belgium and El Salvador. Group 2 was short on incident as Italy finished top while Uruguay edged out Sweden for second place by a single goal. Having only scored once in their first three matches, Italy’s form in front of goal improved markedly in the knockout rounds, starting with a 4–1 win over Mexico, despite going a goal behind. Luigi Riva scored twice. Brazil’s 4–2 quarter-final win over Peru was equally exciting with two goals for Tostão and Jairzinho keeping up his record of scoring in every game. Víctor Espárrago’s late extra-time goal for Uruguay against Soviet Union set up an all-South American semi-final. Italy would meet the winners of the England v West Germany quarter-final and it seemed the holders were well on their way thanks to goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters. Franz Beckenbauer pulled a goal back and then German skipper Uwe Seeler took the game into extra-time. Müller then scored the winner in the 108th minute.
West Germany suffered their own high-scoring agony in the semi-final in one of the alltime great World Cup matches. Roberto Boninsegna’s early goal gave Italy an advantage they only relinquished in the 90th minute, when Karl-Heinz Schnellinger levelled. Müller added two goals in extra-time but Italy scored three of their own, Gianni Rivera hitting the winner nine minutes from the end. Brazil also had to come from behind to defeat Uruguay 3–1 after Luis Cubilla had given the favourites an early scare. Hopes were high for the final and it lived up to expectations as
Pelé and Boninsegna – a highprofile absentee from Mexico 70 – traded goals in the first half. Brazil then turned on the style in the second-half, Gérson putting them ahead, Jairzinho completing his run of scoring in every game and then Carlos Alberto emphasising their superiority by charging through from right-back to smash home a perfectly weighted pass from Pelé. It was a fitting way to end not only the maiden colour World Cup broadcast, but the first to be augmented by Panini – a tradition that continues to this day.
1970 WORLD CUP Winners: BRAZIL Runners-up: ITALY Third: WEST GERMANY Fourth: URUGUAY Golden Boot: GERD MÜLLER (10)
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MEXICO 70 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 2 SHILLINGS NUMBER OF STICKERS/CARDS: 288 PACKET COST: 2d FOR THREE STICKERS/CARDS
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back was a pre-printed series of stamps issued for previous World Cups. As attractive as the album and sticker packets might have looked to would-be collectors in the UK, few ever got to see them as distribution was limited. The Mexico World Cup saw reigning world champions England drawn to play 1958 and 1962 winners Brazil in Group 3, with their clash in Guadalajara likely to decide which team topped the group. Despite one of the greatest saves of all time by Gordon Banks – seen with a wispy moustache and yellow jersey in Mexico 70 – to deny Pelé and that tackle by Bobby Moore, Jairzinho scored the only goal around the hour mark. That meant Brazil earned the right to face Peru in the quarter-final while England had a re-run of the 1966 final against West Germany. Peru had finished runners-up in Group 4 thanks to victories in their first two games. Teófilo Cubillas, a red sash running across his otherwise all-white shirt in Mexico 70, scored the winner in a 3–2 victory over Bulgaria (having been 2–0 down), then hit two more in the 3–0 defeat of Morocco. West Germany looked in ominous form with star striker Gerd Müller contributing six goals in the group phase, including a hattrick against Peru.
Hosts Mexico played out a goalless draw with the Soviet Union in the opening match of the tournament before each won their remaining two games to reach the last eight. Anatoliy Byshovets (or Anatole Bichevetz in Mexico 70) scored twice in Soviet wins over Belgium and El Salvador. Group 2 was short on incident as Italy finished top while Uruguay edged out Sweden for second place by a single goal. Having only scored once in their first three matches, Italy’s form in front of goal improved markedly in the knockout rounds, starting with a 4–1 win over Mexico, despite going a goal behind. Luigi Riva scored twice. Brazil’s 4–2 quarter-final win over Peru was equally exciting with two goals for Tostão and Jairzinho keeping up his record of scoring in every game. Víctor Espárrago’s late extra-time goal for Uruguay against Soviet Union set up an all-South American semi-final. Italy would meet the winners of the England v West Germany quarter-final and it seemed the holders were well on their way thanks to goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters. Franz Beckenbauer pulled a goal back and then German skipper Uwe Seeler took the game into extra-time. Müller then scored the winner in the 108th minute.
West Germany suffered their own high-scoring agony in the semi-final in one of the alltime great World Cup matches. Roberto Boninsegna’s early goal gave Italy an advantage they only relinquished in the 90th minute, when Karl-Heinz Schnellinger levelled. Müller added two goals in extra-time but Italy scored three of their own, Gianni Rivera hitting the winner nine minutes from the end. Brazil also had to come from behind to defeat Uruguay 3–1 after Luis Cubilla had given the favourites an early scare. Hopes were high for the final and it lived up to expectations as
Pelé and Boninsegna – a highprofile absentee from Mexico 70 – traded goals in the first half. Brazil then turned on the style in the second-half, Gérson putting them ahead, Jairzinho completing his run of scoring in every game and then Carlos Alberto emphasising their superiority by charging through from right-back to smash home a perfectly weighted pass from Pelé. It was a fitting way to end not only the maiden colour World Cup broadcast, but the first to be augmented by Panini – a tradition that continues to this day.
1970 WORLD CUP Winners: BRAZIL Runners-up: ITALY Third: WEST GERMANY Fourth: URUGUAY Golden Boot: GERD MÜLLER (10)
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MÜNCHEN 74 After the sunshine of Mexico, the World Cup came back to Europe in 1974. West Germany had to find an answer to the ‘Total Football’ of the Dutch, while Panini also left their rivals stuck for a response. Panini may be synonymous with stickers, but their first World Cup album – Mexico 70 – had been predominantly made up of cards. However, München 74 went down as a landmark album for the company as it was their first allsticker World Cup album. Compared to Mexico 70, the follow-up was very text-heavy, with painstaking translations of the entire album into six different languages – international sales of their first World Cup album had given Panini the confidence to dip their toes into more regions. The album increased in scope from 288 cards and stickers to 400 stickers. As an officially licensed product, all the tournament branding was on show, including mascots Tip and Tap – a pair of smiling youths – who had a further nine stickers later in the album in various action poses. An eight-sticker puzzle of the Jules Rimet Trophy followed, along with a similar montage of its replacement for the 1974
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tournament a few pages on. The new trophy stood 36.8cm high, weighed 6.1kg and depicted two humans holding up the Earth. An historical section consisted of four stickers for each of the previous World Cup finals – made up of the official poster, winning team shot and significant action or players. Each stadium was depicted with a single photograph along with a map indicating its location (one of which was in West Berlin, a political enclave during the Cold War). Then came the national team pages – West Germany had 25 stickers while Australia and Zaire had only nine. Each team had three staple stickers – a (nonshiny) badge of their football federation, a team group and a caricature depicting a cartoon figure engaging with a national stereotype, such as a kangaroo for Australia, maracas for Brazil and bagpipes for Scotland. West Germany, Brazil and Italy really had the boat pushed out
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MÜNCHEN 74 After the sunshine of Mexico, the World Cup came back to Europe in 1974. West Germany had to find an answer to the ‘Total Football’ of the Dutch, while Panini also left their rivals stuck for a response. Panini may be synonymous with stickers, but their first World Cup album – Mexico 70 – had been predominantly made up of cards. However, München 74 went down as a landmark album for the company as it was their first allsticker World Cup album. Compared to Mexico 70, the follow-up was very text-heavy, with painstaking translations of the entire album into six different languages – international sales of their first World Cup album had given Panini the confidence to dip their toes into more regions. The album increased in scope from 288 cards and stickers to 400 stickers. As an officially licensed product, all the tournament branding was on show, including mascots Tip and Tap – a pair of smiling youths – who had a further nine stickers later in the album in various action poses. An eight-sticker puzzle of the Jules Rimet Trophy followed, along with a similar montage of its replacement for the 1974
20
tournament a few pages on. The new trophy stood 36.8cm high, weighed 6.1kg and depicted two humans holding up the Earth. An historical section consisted of four stickers for each of the previous World Cup finals – made up of the official poster, winning team shot and significant action or players. Each stadium was depicted with a single photograph along with a map indicating its location (one of which was in West Berlin, a political enclave during the Cold War). Then came the national team pages – West Germany had 25 stickers while Australia and Zaire had only nine. Each team had three staple stickers – a (nonshiny) badge of their football federation, a team group and a caricature depicting a cartoon figure engaging with a national stereotype, such as a kangaroo for Australia, maracas for Brazil and bagpipes for Scotland. West Germany, Brazil and Italy really had the boat pushed out
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MÜNCHEN 74 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 12P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 400
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for them as both the football federation president and ‘trainer’ appeared in their bumper 25-sticker sections, which spanned three pages each. Scotland – the UK’s only qualifier – had to settle for 17 stickers, including prominent names such as Danny McGrain, Billy Bremner, Denis Law and – appearing on his firstever Panini sticker – ‘Ken’ (not Kenny) Dalglish. On the pitch, the Netherlands brought their brand of ‘Total Football’ to West Germany, orchestrated by Johan Cruyff. As the Dutch failed to qualify for the 1970 World Cup and Cruyff opted to retire from international football the year before the 1978 event, this was his only World Cup finals participation. The Barcelona playmaker had a stellar supporting cast, including Rob Rensenbrink, Johnny Rep, Johan Neeskens and Ruud Krol, and they finished top of their first group – Rep leading the way with three goals. Group 1 pitted East and West Germany against each other with the latter qualifying for the next phase with a game to spare. East Germany’s prospects of making the second group stage hung in the balance going into their final match against the leaders in Hamburg. Jürgen Sparwasser – seen wearing a blue DDR tracksuit in München 74 – kept his cool to chip West Germany keeper Sepp Maier for the only goal of the game with 13 minutes left, a stunning victory for the amateurs of the East against
their professional counterparts. By coming second, West Germany managed to avoid the Netherlands and Brazil in the second round. The South Americans had disappointed in Group 2, finishing runners-up to Yugoslavia after failing to score in their opening two matches. With debutants Zaire losing all three games, the final group match between Yugoslavia and Scotland decided which of the two went through. Yugoslavia held the upper hand going into the game in Frankfurt as they had defeated Zaire 9–0, Dušan Bajevic (minus the accents in München 74) scoring a hat-trick. As would become a familiar tale of final group-match woe for the Scots in years to come, Stanislav Karasi’s 81st-minute goal all but ended their hopes with a late Joe Jordan equaliser too little, too late. Poland showed their elimination of England in qualifying was no flash in the pan as they finished top of Group 4, knocking Italy out of the tournament with a 2–1 victory in the third of their five straight wins in the 1974 World Cup finals. Grzegorz Lato scored three goals in the group stage, while the heavily-sideburned Kazimierz Deyna scored the second in the win over Italy. Moving to the second round, Poland and West Germany went into their final Group B meeting with two wins each, to set up a decider for a place in the World Cup final. Gerd Müller came up with a goal when it mattered in a 1–0 win.
There was another effective semi-final in Group A following back-to-back wins for the Netherlands and Brazil. A draw would have been enough for the Dutch, but they completed the job in their customary swaggering manner thanks to second-half goals from Neeskens and Cruyff. The 1974 World Cup final began in dramatic fashion when Cruyff was brought down by Uli Hoeness – pictured in München 74 with a vast mane of hair. Neeskens converted from the spot, but the home nation fought back strongly as Paul Breitner equalised following another penalty award. Müller then engineered space for himself in the Dutch area to put West Germany ahead just before the break. The Netherlands could not wear down their opponents in the second half, when they needed it most, but their legacy endures as one of the greatest teams ever to take part in a World Cup.
1974 WORLD CUP Winners: WEST GERMANY Runners-up: NETHERLANDS Third: POLAND Fourth: BRAZIL Golden Boot: GRZEGORZ LATO (7)
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MÜNCHEN 74 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 12P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 400
22
for them as both the football federation president and ‘trainer’ appeared in their bumper 25-sticker sections, which spanned three pages each. Scotland – the UK’s only qualifier – had to settle for 17 stickers, including prominent names such as Danny McGrain, Billy Bremner, Denis Law and – appearing on his firstever Panini sticker – ‘Ken’ (not Kenny) Dalglish. On the pitch, the Netherlands brought their brand of ‘Total Football’ to West Germany, orchestrated by Johan Cruyff. As the Dutch failed to qualify for the 1970 World Cup and Cruyff opted to retire from international football the year before the 1978 event, this was his only World Cup finals participation. The Barcelona playmaker had a stellar supporting cast, including Rob Rensenbrink, Johnny Rep, Johan Neeskens and Ruud Krol, and they finished top of their first group – Rep leading the way with three goals. Group 1 pitted East and West Germany against each other with the latter qualifying for the next phase with a game to spare. East Germany’s prospects of making the second group stage hung in the balance going into their final match against the leaders in Hamburg. Jürgen Sparwasser – seen wearing a blue DDR tracksuit in München 74 – kept his cool to chip West Germany keeper Sepp Maier for the only goal of the game with 13 minutes left, a stunning victory for the amateurs of the East against
their professional counterparts. By coming second, West Germany managed to avoid the Netherlands and Brazil in the second round. The South Americans had disappointed in Group 2, finishing runners-up to Yugoslavia after failing to score in their opening two matches. With debutants Zaire losing all three games, the final group match between Yugoslavia and Scotland decided which of the two went through. Yugoslavia held the upper hand going into the game in Frankfurt as they had defeated Zaire 9–0, Dušan Bajevic (minus the accents in München 74) scoring a hat-trick. As would become a familiar tale of final group-match woe for the Scots in years to come, Stanislav Karasi’s 81st-minute goal all but ended their hopes with a late Joe Jordan equaliser too little, too late. Poland showed their elimination of England in qualifying was no flash in the pan as they finished top of Group 4, knocking Italy out of the tournament with a 2–1 victory in the third of their five straight wins in the 1974 World Cup finals. Grzegorz Lato scored three goals in the group stage, while the heavily-sideburned Kazimierz Deyna scored the second in the win over Italy. Moving to the second round, Poland and West Germany went into their final Group B meeting with two wins each, to set up a decider for a place in the World Cup final. Gerd Müller came up with a goal when it mattered in a 1–0 win.
There was another effective semi-final in Group A following back-to-back wins for the Netherlands and Brazil. A draw would have been enough for the Dutch, but they completed the job in their customary swaggering manner thanks to second-half goals from Neeskens and Cruyff. The 1974 World Cup final began in dramatic fashion when Cruyff was brought down by Uli Hoeness – pictured in München 74 with a vast mane of hair. Neeskens converted from the spot, but the home nation fought back strongly as Paul Breitner equalised following another penalty award. Müller then engineered space for himself in the Dutch area to put West Germany ahead just before the break. The Netherlands could not wear down their opponents in the second half, when they needed it most, but their legacy endures as one of the greatest teams ever to take part in a World Cup.
1974 WORLD CUP Winners: WEST GERMANY Runners-up: NETHERLANDS Third: POLAND Fourth: BRAZIL Golden Boot: GRZEGORZ LATO (7)
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FOOTBALL 78 ‘A presentation that is novel, superior to its competitors, and which is certain to capture the imagination of the avid supporter,’ wrote Shoot! editor David Gregory in the introduction to Football 78. His words proved to be right on the money! Football collectables were not new in the UK – cigarette and trading cards, picture stamps and even coins had been popular since the late 19th century – but Panini’s self-adhesive stickers (just peel off the backing paper and hey presto) was a revelatory experience for most collectors who had been used to relying on a pot of glue to
Panini’s first UK domestic ‘Collector’s Album’ hit the shops in January 1978 with a four-sticker packet selling for a pocket-money friendly 5p. stick pictures into their albums. Panini released a Euro Football album in January 1977, which had already captured the imagination of UK collectors with a stylish design and mass-distributed overthe-counter packets of stickers. However, Football 78 was their biggest undertaking in Britain yet.
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Shoot! editor David Gregory said that, ‘No effort has been spared to compile an album which, when completed, presents the top teams and star players of Britain in a colourful, informative, unrivalled fashion.’ Panini’s first UK domestic ‘Collector’s Album’ hit the shops in January 1978 with a four-sticker packet selling for a pocket-money friendly 5p. Endorsed by the English and Scottish Players’ Associations, Football 78 featured 54 teams across 64 pages, with an incredible 525 stickers to collect. Each English First Division club had its own dedicated 17-sticker double-page spread (14 players, the manager, a team group and badge) with less heralded teams such as Middlesbrough and Bristol City getting equal billing with giants like Liverpool and Manchester United. In Scotland, Celtic and Rangers were given special privilege with two pages each, while the other Scottish League Premier Division teams –
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FOOTBALL 78 ‘A presentation that is novel, superior to its competitors, and which is certain to capture the imagination of the avid supporter,’ wrote Shoot! editor David Gregory in the introduction to Football 78. His words proved to be right on the money! Football collectables were not new in the UK – cigarette and trading cards, picture stamps and even coins had been popular since the late 19th century – but Panini’s self-adhesive stickers (just peel off the backing paper and hey presto) was a revelatory experience for most collectors who had been used to relying on a pot of glue to
Panini’s first UK domestic ‘Collector’s Album’ hit the shops in January 1978 with a four-sticker packet selling for a pocket-money friendly 5p. stick pictures into their albums. Panini released a Euro Football album in January 1977, which had already captured the imagination of UK collectors with a stylish design and mass-distributed overthe-counter packets of stickers. However, Football 78 was their biggest undertaking in Britain yet.
26
Shoot! editor David Gregory said that, ‘No effort has been spared to compile an album which, when completed, presents the top teams and star players of Britain in a colourful, informative, unrivalled fashion.’ Panini’s first UK domestic ‘Collector’s Album’ hit the shops in January 1978 with a four-sticker packet selling for a pocket-money friendly 5p. Endorsed by the English and Scottish Players’ Associations, Football 78 featured 54 teams across 64 pages, with an incredible 525 stickers to collect. Each English First Division club had its own dedicated 17-sticker double-page spread (14 players, the manager, a team group and badge) with less heralded teams such as Middlesbrough and Bristol City getting equal billing with giants like Liverpool and Manchester United. In Scotland, Celtic and Rangers were given special privilege with two pages each, while the other Scottish League Premier Division teams –
27
1977–78 HONOURS First Division: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Second Division: BOLTON WANDERERS Third Division: WREXHAM Fourth Division: WATFORD FA Cup: IPSWICH TOWN League Cup: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Scottish Premier Division: RANGERS Scottish First Division: MORTON Scottish Second Division: CLYDE Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: RANGERS British club European honours European Cup: LIVERPOOL
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league campaign, finishing just two places and three points off the drop zone. Roger Osborne was the matchwinner for Bobby Robson’s men, and was so overcome with emotion at scoring that he was substituted shortly after finding the back of the net. Robson (who took over as national team manager in 1982) was not the only England boss to feature in Football 78, as Sir Alf Ramsey took his place as manager of Birmingham City. Shown in a plain white, round-necked jersey, Ramsey is described in his album biography as ‘caretaker manager’. The 1966 World Cup winner took over from Willie Bell in September 1977 and remained in change until February 1978. His brief spell was not without success, stabilising the team in mid-table and overseeing a famous 3–2 victory against Liverpool at Anfield. Despite changing managers mid-way through the season – Ronnie Allen stepped down in December to be replaced by Ron Atkinson the following month – West Bromwich Albion finished sixth to claim the fourth and final UEFA Cup place. Although WBA lost their FA Cup semi-final to Ipswich at Highbury, defender John Wile’s bravery in staying on the pitch despite blood pouring out of his head remains an iconic image of the tie decades later. West Ham United, Newcastle United and Leicester City were
relegated from Division One, replaced by Bolton Wanderers, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur – the last of whom pipped Brighton and Hove Albion for promotion on goal difference. In Scotland, Rangers won the treble under manager Jock Wallace, who nonetheless resigned a few weeks later. Wallace was replaced by legendary defender John Greig, who finished his playing career in style by lifting the Scottish Cup, thanks to a 2–1 win over Aberdeen at Hampden Park. Motherwell had earlier been defeated 2–0 in the League Cup final, while four straight wins to round off the campaign gave Rangers a twopoint cushion over Aberdeen for the league title. Rangers weren’t the only side to change managers at the end of the season, St Mirren sacking Alex Ferguson (expect to see him turn up elsewhere!) while Billy McNeill left Aberdeen to return to Celtic, where he had enjoyed so much playing success. All in all, Panini’s Football 78 instantly established the brand as the leading UK football collection, no doubt reputedly generating over 80 million packet sales. And with another successful album launch just around the corner for the 1978 World Cup, this was only the beginning for Panini and its love affair with the UK.
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1977–78 HONOURS First Division: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Second Division: BOLTON WANDERERS Third Division: WREXHAM Fourth Division: WATFORD FA Cup: IPSWICH TOWN League Cup: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Scottish Premier Division: RANGERS Scottish First Division: MORTON Scottish Second Division: CLYDE Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: RANGERS British club European honours European Cup: LIVERPOOL
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league campaign, finishing just two places and three points off the drop zone. Roger Osborne was the matchwinner for Bobby Robson’s men, and was so overcome with emotion at scoring that he was substituted shortly after finding the back of the net. Robson (who took over as national team manager in 1982) was not the only England boss to feature in Football 78, as Sir Alf Ramsey took his place as manager of Birmingham City. Shown in a plain white, round-necked jersey, Ramsey is described in his album biography as ‘caretaker manager’. The 1966 World Cup winner took over from Willie Bell in September 1977 and remained in change until February 1978. His brief spell was not without success, stabilising the team in mid-table and overseeing a famous 3–2 victory against Liverpool at Anfield. Despite changing managers mid-way through the season – Ronnie Allen stepped down in December to be replaced by Ron Atkinson the following month – West Bromwich Albion finished sixth to claim the fourth and final UEFA Cup place. Although WBA lost their FA Cup semi-final to Ipswich at Highbury, defender John Wile’s bravery in staying on the pitch despite blood pouring out of his head remains an iconic image of the tie decades later. West Ham United, Newcastle United and Leicester City were
relegated from Division One, replaced by Bolton Wanderers, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur – the last of whom pipped Brighton and Hove Albion for promotion on goal difference. In Scotland, Rangers won the treble under manager Jock Wallace, who nonetheless resigned a few weeks later. Wallace was replaced by legendary defender John Greig, who finished his playing career in style by lifting the Scottish Cup, thanks to a 2–1 win over Aberdeen at Hampden Park. Motherwell had earlier been defeated 2–0 in the League Cup final, while four straight wins to round off the campaign gave Rangers a twopoint cushion over Aberdeen for the league title. Rangers weren’t the only side to change managers at the end of the season, St Mirren sacking Alex Ferguson (expect to see him turn up elsewhere!) while Billy McNeill left Aberdeen to return to Celtic, where he had enjoyed so much playing success. All in all, Panini’s Football 78 instantly established the brand as the leading UK football collection, no doubt reputedly generating over 80 million packet sales. And with another successful album launch just around the corner for the 1978 World Cup, this was only the beginning for Panini and its love affair with the UK.
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ARGENTINA 78 By the time host nation Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy Panini were celebrating their most successful tournament sticker album to date, as collecting frenzy took over the UK. Fresh from the success of their debut domestic UK album, Football 78, the release of Argentina 78 (or World Cup 78 as it was known in the UK) marked a significant breakthrough for Panini, despite Scotland being the only home nation to reach the finals. The album’s success was in part due to Panini taking control of distribution, which included establishing an office in the UK. Titled Argentina 78 around the world and World Cup 78 in the UK, each of the 16 qualifiers were represented in equal measure – 16 players, a team group and a sticker of their football governing body (though not in shiny foil, unlike the badges of Football 78). The format of the tournament consisted of four groups of four teams with the top two qualifying for another group stage – the top side in each of those groups reaching the final. Scotland were ushered off to Argentina serenaded by Rod Stewart, whose ‘Ole Ola’ collaboration with the squad reached number four in the UK
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singles chart. With players such as Archie Gemmill, Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and Joe Jordan in their squad, there were high hopes for the Tartan Army. Those ambitions rose further still when Jordan put Scotland ahead in their opening game with Peru. César Augusto Cueto equalised for the South Americans before Teófilo Cubillas, Peru’s greatest-ever player and star of three Panini World Cup albums, scored twice in the second half to complete a famous comeback. Scotland’s campaign veered further off course when they could only draw 1–1 with World Cup newcomers Iran in their second match. That left them needing a three-goal margin of victory over 1974 finalists, the Netherlands, to finish above the Dutch. When Rob Rensenbrink scored a penalty the game looked over for Scotland. But Kenny Dalglish equalised on the stroke of half-time and then Archie Gemmill scored in the first minute of the second half from the penalty spot. When Gemmill
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ARGENTINA 78 By the time host nation Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy Panini were celebrating their most successful tournament sticker album to date, as collecting frenzy took over the UK. Fresh from the success of their debut domestic UK album, Football 78, the release of Argentina 78 (or World Cup 78 as it was known in the UK) marked a significant breakthrough for Panini, despite Scotland being the only home nation to reach the finals. The album’s success was in part due to Panini taking control of distribution, which included establishing an office in the UK. Titled Argentina 78 around the world and World Cup 78 in the UK, each of the 16 qualifiers were represented in equal measure – 16 players, a team group and a sticker of their football governing body (though not in shiny foil, unlike the badges of Football 78). The format of the tournament consisted of four groups of four teams with the top two qualifying for another group stage – the top side in each of those groups reaching the final. Scotland were ushered off to Argentina serenaded by Rod Stewart, whose ‘Ole Ola’ collaboration with the squad reached number four in the UK
32
singles chart. With players such as Archie Gemmill, Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and Joe Jordan in their squad, there were high hopes for the Tartan Army. Those ambitions rose further still when Jordan put Scotland ahead in their opening game with Peru. César Augusto Cueto equalised for the South Americans before Teófilo Cubillas, Peru’s greatest-ever player and star of three Panini World Cup albums, scored twice in the second half to complete a famous comeback. Scotland’s campaign veered further off course when they could only draw 1–1 with World Cup newcomers Iran in their second match. That left them needing a three-goal margin of victory over 1974 finalists, the Netherlands, to finish above the Dutch. When Rob Rensenbrink scored a penalty the game looked over for Scotland. But Kenny Dalglish equalised on the stroke of half-time and then Archie Gemmill scored in the first minute of the second half from the penalty spot. When Gemmill
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WORLD CUP 78 (UK) ALBUM FACTS
1978 WORLD CUP
PAGES: 48
Winners: ARGENTINA
ALBUM PRICE: 15P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 400
Runners-up: NETHERLANDS
PACKET COST: 5P FOR SIX STICKERS
Third: BRAZIL Fourth: ITALY then conjured up one of the goals of the tournament the Scots were just one goal from achieving a miracle. But Johnny Rep put an end to the dream when he reduced the deficit to one. Cubillas scored a hat-trick in Peru’s last group match – a 4–1 win over Iran – to earn the South Americans top spot in Group 4. There was plenty of drama in Group 3 when Brazil’s Zico had a goal disallowed in injury time during their 1–1 draw with Sweden. Welsh referee Clive Thomas blew for full-time with the ball already on its way into the penalty area from a corner kick, a moment before it reached the head of the Brazil forward. Hans Krankl was Austria’s kingpin as they won their first two matches to top their group, while Brazil edged Spain out of second thanks to a win over the Austrians in the final round of group fixtures. Holders West Germany and Poland (who finished third in 1974) contested the opening match of the tournament – a goalless draw
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in Buenos Aires. The other two sides in Group 2 met the following day with Tunisia becoming the first African team to win a match in the World Cup finals. West Germany inflicted further pain on the Mexicans with a 6–0 win before playing out a 0–0 draw against Tunisia to secure qualification alongside Poland, for whom Zbigniew Boniek was another break-out star. Hosts Argentina were in a strong Group 1 alongside Italy and France, with Hungary proving to be the whipping boys, losing all three matches. Paolo Rossi burst onto the World Cup scene for Italy with a goal in the 2–1 win against France. Károly Csapó shocked Argentina by putting Hungary ahead in their opening game, but Leopoldo Luque – retaining his drooping moustache from World Cup 74 – and Daniel Bertoni retrieved the game. World Cup debutant Michel Platini scored for France in their second game against Argentina, but the hosts scored either side of half time to guarantee their
path to the second group stage, with Italy. Italy’s Roberto Bettega scored the only goal of the game to decide which team finished top when they met Argentina in front of 71,000 fans in Buenos Aires. Brazil finally found their shooting boots in the second group phase during a 3–0 win over Peru. Mario Kempes also found his range with two goals against Poland. When Argentina and Brazil then drew 0–0 it became likely that top spot – and a place in the World Cup final – would be decided on goals scored. Brazil’s 3–1 win over Poland left Argentina needing to beat Peru by four goals. They achieved their aim by the 50th minute – with another two for Kempes – in a 6–0 rout. The Netherlands turned on the style in Group A to clinch a place in the final alongside the home nation. A 5–1 win over Austria – two more for Rep – set the tone. Arie Haan’s long-range effort was the highlight of a 2–2 draw with West Germany. He did the same again, from even further out, in what was essentially a final-
decider with a swerving effort past Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff – the winning goal in a 2–1 win. In the final, Kempes put Argentina ahead in the first half before a header by Dirk Nanninga put the Dutch level. Rensenbrink nearly won the game in the closing stages, but his shot hit the post as the game went to extra time. Kempes added a second in the added 30 minutes and then Bertoni made sure of Argentina’s first World Cup.
Golden Boot: MARIO KEMPES (6)
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WORLD CUP 78 (UK) ALBUM FACTS
1978 WORLD CUP
PAGES: 48
Winners: ARGENTINA
ALBUM PRICE: 15P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 400
Runners-up: NETHERLANDS
PACKET COST: 5P FOR SIX STICKERS
Third: BRAZIL Fourth: ITALY then conjured up one of the goals of the tournament the Scots were just one goal from achieving a miracle. But Johnny Rep put an end to the dream when he reduced the deficit to one. Cubillas scored a hat-trick in Peru’s last group match – a 4–1 win over Iran – to earn the South Americans top spot in Group 4. There was plenty of drama in Group 3 when Brazil’s Zico had a goal disallowed in injury time during their 1–1 draw with Sweden. Welsh referee Clive Thomas blew for full-time with the ball already on its way into the penalty area from a corner kick, a moment before it reached the head of the Brazil forward. Hans Krankl was Austria’s kingpin as they won their first two matches to top their group, while Brazil edged Spain out of second thanks to a win over the Austrians in the final round of group fixtures. Holders West Germany and Poland (who finished third in 1974) contested the opening match of the tournament – a goalless draw
34
in Buenos Aires. The other two sides in Group 2 met the following day with Tunisia becoming the first African team to win a match in the World Cup finals. West Germany inflicted further pain on the Mexicans with a 6–0 win before playing out a 0–0 draw against Tunisia to secure qualification alongside Poland, for whom Zbigniew Boniek was another break-out star. Hosts Argentina were in a strong Group 1 alongside Italy and France, with Hungary proving to be the whipping boys, losing all three matches. Paolo Rossi burst onto the World Cup scene for Italy with a goal in the 2–1 win against France. Károly Csapó shocked Argentina by putting Hungary ahead in their opening game, but Leopoldo Luque – retaining his drooping moustache from World Cup 74 – and Daniel Bertoni retrieved the game. World Cup debutant Michel Platini scored for France in their second game against Argentina, but the hosts scored either side of half time to guarantee their
path to the second group stage, with Italy. Italy’s Roberto Bettega scored the only goal of the game to decide which team finished top when they met Argentina in front of 71,000 fans in Buenos Aires. Brazil finally found their shooting boots in the second group phase during a 3–0 win over Peru. Mario Kempes also found his range with two goals against Poland. When Argentina and Brazil then drew 0–0 it became likely that top spot – and a place in the World Cup final – would be decided on goals scored. Brazil’s 3–1 win over Poland left Argentina needing to beat Peru by four goals. They achieved their aim by the 50th minute – with another two for Kempes – in a 6–0 rout. The Netherlands turned on the style in Group A to clinch a place in the final alongside the home nation. A 5–1 win over Austria – two more for Rep – set the tone. Arie Haan’s long-range effort was the highlight of a 2–2 draw with West Germany. He did the same again, from even further out, in what was essentially a final-
decider with a swerving effort past Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff – the winning goal in a 2–1 win. In the final, Kempes put Argentina ahead in the first half before a header by Dirk Nanninga put the Dutch level. Rensenbrink nearly won the game in the closing stages, but his shot hit the post as the game went to extra time. Kempes added a second in the added 30 minutes and then Bertoni made sure of Argentina’s first World Cup.
Golden Boot: MARIO KEMPES (6)
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FOOTBALL 79 As Bob Paisley led Liverpool to his third Division One title and Forest splashed the cash to help conquer Europe, Panini further established its number one spot in the collectables market with Football 79. Now with formal approval from the Football League – as well as the English and Scottish Professional Footballers’ Associations – Panini’s collection stood out among all other football sticker albums. Football 79 was also a step up in quality from Panini on the back of their UK domestic debut the previous season. Player images were now almost all from the previous summer’s preseason photoshoots, ensuring the latest kits were shown (always an issue for rival albums that came out earlier). The shiny club badges were replaced by a denim-style material with a silky finish. Many collectors still look back on these as the high point of Panini innovation. All Scottish League Premier Division clubs (not just the ‘Old Firm’) now had a double-page spread in an album of nearly 600 stickers (an increase of 69 from the previous season). The stickers themselves changed shape a bit as well, and was
38
slightly taller and narrower than Football 78. Before getting into the usual team pages, Football 79 opened with a six-part map of the UK, pinpointing every club in the English First and Second Divisions, as well as the Scottish League Premier Division. This was a great feature, as well as being the kind of geography lesson no one ever got at school!
The shiny club badges were replaced by a denim-style material with a silky finish. Many collectors still look back on these as the high point of Panini innovation. Once more distributed via Shoot!, the album and a packet of stickers were given away with the magazine dated 27 January (to be precise, on sale on Friday 19 January), followed by two more packets the following week. The
39
FOOTBALL 79 As Bob Paisley led Liverpool to his third Division One title and Forest splashed the cash to help conquer Europe, Panini further established its number one spot in the collectables market with Football 79. Now with formal approval from the Football League – as well as the English and Scottish Professional Footballers’ Associations – Panini’s collection stood out among all other football sticker albums. Football 79 was also a step up in quality from Panini on the back of their UK domestic debut the previous season. Player images were now almost all from the previous summer’s preseason photoshoots, ensuring the latest kits were shown (always an issue for rival albums that came out earlier). The shiny club badges were replaced by a denim-style material with a silky finish. Many collectors still look back on these as the high point of Panini innovation. All Scottish League Premier Division clubs (not just the ‘Old Firm’) now had a double-page spread in an album of nearly 600 stickers (an increase of 69 from the previous season). The stickers themselves changed shape a bit as well, and was
38
slightly taller and narrower than Football 78. Before getting into the usual team pages, Football 79 opened with a six-part map of the UK, pinpointing every club in the English First and Second Divisions, as well as the Scottish League Premier Division. This was a great feature, as well as being the kind of geography lesson no one ever got at school!
The shiny club badges were replaced by a denim-style material with a silky finish. Many collectors still look back on these as the high point of Panini innovation. Once more distributed via Shoot!, the album and a packet of stickers were given away with the magazine dated 27 January (to be precise, on sale on Friday 19 January), followed by two more packets the following week. The
39
1978–79 HONOURS First Division: LIVERPOOL Second Division: CRYSTAL PALACE Third Division: SHREWSBURY TOWN Fourth Division: READING FA Cup: ARSENAL League Cup: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Scottish Premier Division: CELTIC Scottish First Division: DUNDEE Scottish Second Division: BERWICK RANGERS Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: RANGERS British Club European honours European Cup: NOTTINGHAM FOREST
42
games in hand. Already trailing by a goal, Johnny Doyle was then sent off and it seemed the game was up for the Bhoys. A see-saw match eventually went Celtic’s way as two goals in the last 10 minutes secured a 4–2 victory. Panini’s Football 79 featured a new manager at Aberdeen, Alec (no longer Alex) Ferguson. Ferguson’s biography in Football 79 predicted he would not find it easy in his new role. Despite the misgivings, Sir Alex – he later switched back to his more usual name – led the Dons to a UEFA Cup spot, as well as the League Cup final. As in England, that season’s top goalscorer in Scotland came from one of the lesser lights. Andy Ritchie, shown in Football 79 in front of a vivid blue backdrop, hit 22 of Morton’s 52 goals. Rangers earned some consolation for missing out
on the league by winning both domestic cups. After two goalless draws, the Gers beat Hibernian 3–2 at the third attempt to lift the Scottish Cup. Derek Johnstone – whose locks were far curlier in Football 79 than the previous album – was the two-goal hero. Alex MacDonald scored the winner in a 2–1 win over Aberdeen in the League Cup final. Along with all the trophy winners from that year, Panini ended the ’70s on a high, with the promise of much more to come in the new decade.
43
1978–79 HONOURS First Division: LIVERPOOL Second Division: CRYSTAL PALACE Third Division: SHREWSBURY TOWN Fourth Division: READING FA Cup: ARSENAL League Cup: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Scottish Premier Division: CELTIC Scottish First Division: DUNDEE Scottish Second Division: BERWICK RANGERS Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: RANGERS British Club European honours European Cup: NOTTINGHAM FOREST
42
games in hand. Already trailing by a goal, Johnny Doyle was then sent off and it seemed the game was up for the Bhoys. A see-saw match eventually went Celtic’s way as two goals in the last 10 minutes secured a 4–2 victory. Panini’s Football 79 featured a new manager at Aberdeen, Alec (no longer Alex) Ferguson. Ferguson’s biography in Football 79 predicted he would not find it easy in his new role. Despite the misgivings, Sir Alex – he later switched back to his more usual name – led the Dons to a UEFA Cup spot, as well as the League Cup final. As in England, that season’s top goalscorer in Scotland came from one of the lesser lights. Andy Ritchie, shown in Football 79 in front of a vivid blue backdrop, hit 22 of Morton’s 52 goals. Rangers earned some consolation for missing out
on the league by winning both domestic cups. After two goalless draws, the Gers beat Hibernian 3–2 at the third attempt to lift the Scottish Cup. Derek Johnstone – whose locks were far curlier in Football 79 than the previous album – was the two-goal hero. Alex MacDonald scored the winner in a 2–1 win over Aberdeen in the League Cup final. Along with all the trophy winners from that year, Panini ended the ’70s on a high, with the promise of much more to come in the new decade.
43
FOOTBALL 81 The early 80s were an exciting time in football. English clubs dominated in Europe while Panini’s bright new designs kept fans coming back for more – and brought delight to lower-league fans with an expanded range of stickers. Football 81 was a shiny heaven for collectors as every English First Division and Second Division club, as well as those in the Scottish Premier Division, were given their own gold-embossed badge. To cut down the number of stickers elsewhere in the album, First Division clubs only featured 12 individual player stickers and the manager. A short-lived innovation saw the team photos for First Division, Second Division and Scottish Premier Division clubs divided into two full-size stickers. This made it easier to pick out players in the shot and aligning the stickers became a fun extra task. And for the first of only two occasions during the Football 78 to Football 93 era, English Third Division clubs appeared via a single team group sticker and a potted club history. First Division clubs in Scotland were also given the same treatment – for some it would be the only time they made it into a Panini album.
54
There was also a great special feature section in the album, which went on to become common during the 1980s. In Football 81 there was a 10-sticker page on ‘The Cockney Cup Final 1980’, highlighting West Ham United’s FA Cup triumph over Arsenal. As well as action shots there was a four-piece puzzle of
Third Division clubs appeared via a single team group sticker and a potted club history. First Division clubs in Scotland were also given the same treatment. ‘The victorious Hammers group’. The Scottish Football League had now added their official approval, joining the English Football League, and English and Scottish PFAs on the front cover. And as usual, most collectors got
55
FOOTBALL 81 The early 80s were an exciting time in football. English clubs dominated in Europe while Panini’s bright new designs kept fans coming back for more – and brought delight to lower-league fans with an expanded range of stickers. Football 81 was a shiny heaven for collectors as every English First Division and Second Division club, as well as those in the Scottish Premier Division, were given their own gold-embossed badge. To cut down the number of stickers elsewhere in the album, First Division clubs only featured 12 individual player stickers and the manager. A short-lived innovation saw the team photos for First Division, Second Division and Scottish Premier Division clubs divided into two full-size stickers. This made it easier to pick out players in the shot and aligning the stickers became a fun extra task. And for the first of only two occasions during the Football 78 to Football 93 era, English Third Division clubs appeared via a single team group sticker and a potted club history. First Division clubs in Scotland were also given the same treatment – for some it would be the only time they made it into a Panini album.
54
There was also a great special feature section in the album, which went on to become common during the 1980s. In Football 81 there was a 10-sticker page on ‘The Cockney Cup Final 1980’, highlighting West Ham United’s FA Cup triumph over Arsenal. As well as action shots there was a four-piece puzzle of
Third Division clubs appeared via a single team group sticker and a potted club history. First Division clubs in Scotland were also given the same treatment. ‘The victorious Hammers group’. The Scottish Football League had now added their official approval, joining the English Football League, and English and Scottish PFAs on the front cover. And as usual, most collectors got
55
their album and first packet of stickers by buying a copy of Shoot! (published on 24 January 1981 to be precise). On the pitch, the 1980–81 First Division title race was fought out between Aston Villa and Ipswich Town. By midMarch there was a real prospect that Bobby Robson’s Ipswich could pull off the treble of First Division, FA Cup and UEFA Cup titles. But then they lost seven of their last 10 league games and were knocked out of the FA Cup at the semi stage thanks to a thumping Paul Power free-kick for Manchester City. In comparison to Ipswich’s exhausting 66-game season, Villa only played 46 matches and used just 14 players throughout their entire Division One campaign. Gary Williams, David Geddis and Eamon Deacy were the three to miss out on a Football 81 sticker, while Brian Little made the cut despite injury ending his career prematurely in 1980. Villa’s twopiece team group image featured a distracted Gordon Cowans, looking away from the camera, but he more than made up for it by being totally focused on the pitch. Villa travelled to Arsenal for their final league game knowing that a point would be enough to win the title. If the Villans slipped up there was still an opportunity for Ipswich to capitalise if they won their remaining two fixtures. In what became a celebratory affair for both sides at Highbury, Pelé was introduced to the crowd while goals from Willie Young and Brian McDermott
56
secured third place in the table for the hosts. Despite the defeat, Villa were crowned League Champions as Ipswich lost 2–1 at Middlesbrough. Under the management of Ron Saunders, Villa’s success was spearheaded by strike duo Peter Withe and Gary Shaw, rivalled only by Bodie and Doyle of ITV’s The Professionals as the deadliest duo around.
Chas ‘n’ Dave accompanied Spurs on their way to Wembley, performing ‘Ossie’s Dream’ as the first of four FA Cup Final songs recorded with the north London club. Ipswich did get the silverware they deserved when they beat AZ Alkmaar 5–4 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup Final. Midfielder John Wark scored in both legs of the final to cap an astonishing European campaign that saw him score 14 times. Paul Mariner, Alan Brazil and Eric Gates were also regular marksmen, while Russell Osman – sporting a much shorter haircut in his Panini sticker than normal, owing to his appearance as a POW in the film Escape To Victory – was the only Ipswich ever-present in their seemingly never-ending 1980-81 pilgrimage. Town’s FA Cup semi-final conquerors, Manchester City, went on to play Tottenham Hotspur in a memorable replay
after a less-than-inspiring 1–1 draw in the first game. City’s Cup Final line-up was very different from the squad featured in Football 81, with manager John Bond in the Norwich City section before he replaced Malcolm Allison at Maine Road in October 1980. Four of City’s starting XI were also absent from the album, while foreign signings Dragoslav Stepanovic and Kazimierz Deyna both made Panini’s cut despite being out of the picture come May 1981. Tommy Hutchison was among the absentees, but scored at both ends to send the final to a second game. Chas ‘n’ Dave accompanied Spurs on their way to Wembley, performing ‘Ossie’s Dream’ as the first of four FA Cup Final songs recorded with the north London club. The ‘Ossie’ in question was, of course, Argentinian Osvaldo Ardiles who, along with compatriot Ricardo Villa, wrote their names into White Hart Lane folklore. The first game had proved a damp squib for Villa as he trudged off after being substituted, but in
the replay, Villa, seen in Football 81 sporting a full beard and moustache combo, gave the north London side an early lead before Steve MacKenzie volleyed one of the best goals ever scored in an FA Cup Final. Then Villa shone, picking up the ball 35 yards from goal and evading two desperate City challenges before slipping the ball under ’keeper Joe Corrigan. Another side to revel in knockout football that season was Liverpool. While Nottingham Forest’s attempts to win the European Cup for the third successive year went wrong at the first hurdle – losing to CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria – Liverpool opened up with an 11–2 aggregate victory over easier opposition in the shape of Finland’s Oulun Palloseura. The Reds’ next opponents appeared to be a step-up in class but ‘Alec’ Ferguson’s Aberdeen were hammered, losing 5–0 on aggregate. Liverpool then did what Forest couldn’t, defeating CSKA Sofia 6–1 over two legs before facing the might of Bayern
57
their album and first packet of stickers by buying a copy of Shoot! (published on 24 January 1981 to be precise). On the pitch, the 1980–81 First Division title race was fought out between Aston Villa and Ipswich Town. By midMarch there was a real prospect that Bobby Robson’s Ipswich could pull off the treble of First Division, FA Cup and UEFA Cup titles. But then they lost seven of their last 10 league games and were knocked out of the FA Cup at the semi stage thanks to a thumping Paul Power free-kick for Manchester City. In comparison to Ipswich’s exhausting 66-game season, Villa only played 46 matches and used just 14 players throughout their entire Division One campaign. Gary Williams, David Geddis and Eamon Deacy were the three to miss out on a Football 81 sticker, while Brian Little made the cut despite injury ending his career prematurely in 1980. Villa’s twopiece team group image featured a distracted Gordon Cowans, looking away from the camera, but he more than made up for it by being totally focused on the pitch. Villa travelled to Arsenal for their final league game knowing that a point would be enough to win the title. If the Villans slipped up there was still an opportunity for Ipswich to capitalise if they won their remaining two fixtures. In what became a celebratory affair for both sides at Highbury, Pelé was introduced to the crowd while goals from Willie Young and Brian McDermott
56
secured third place in the table for the hosts. Despite the defeat, Villa were crowned League Champions as Ipswich lost 2–1 at Middlesbrough. Under the management of Ron Saunders, Villa’s success was spearheaded by strike duo Peter Withe and Gary Shaw, rivalled only by Bodie and Doyle of ITV’s The Professionals as the deadliest duo around.
Chas ‘n’ Dave accompanied Spurs on their way to Wembley, performing ‘Ossie’s Dream’ as the first of four FA Cup Final songs recorded with the north London club. Ipswich did get the silverware they deserved when they beat AZ Alkmaar 5–4 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup Final. Midfielder John Wark scored in both legs of the final to cap an astonishing European campaign that saw him score 14 times. Paul Mariner, Alan Brazil and Eric Gates were also regular marksmen, while Russell Osman – sporting a much shorter haircut in his Panini sticker than normal, owing to his appearance as a POW in the film Escape To Victory – was the only Ipswich ever-present in their seemingly never-ending 1980-81 pilgrimage. Town’s FA Cup semi-final conquerors, Manchester City, went on to play Tottenham Hotspur in a memorable replay
after a less-than-inspiring 1–1 draw in the first game. City’s Cup Final line-up was very different from the squad featured in Football 81, with manager John Bond in the Norwich City section before he replaced Malcolm Allison at Maine Road in October 1980. Four of City’s starting XI were also absent from the album, while foreign signings Dragoslav Stepanovic and Kazimierz Deyna both made Panini’s cut despite being out of the picture come May 1981. Tommy Hutchison was among the absentees, but scored at both ends to send the final to a second game. Chas ‘n’ Dave accompanied Spurs on their way to Wembley, performing ‘Ossie’s Dream’ as the first of four FA Cup Final songs recorded with the north London club. The ‘Ossie’ in question was, of course, Argentinian Osvaldo Ardiles who, along with compatriot Ricardo Villa, wrote their names into White Hart Lane folklore. The first game had proved a damp squib for Villa as he trudged off after being substituted, but in
the replay, Villa, seen in Football 81 sporting a full beard and moustache combo, gave the north London side an early lead before Steve MacKenzie volleyed one of the best goals ever scored in an FA Cup Final. Then Villa shone, picking up the ball 35 yards from goal and evading two desperate City challenges before slipping the ball under ’keeper Joe Corrigan. Another side to revel in knockout football that season was Liverpool. While Nottingham Forest’s attempts to win the European Cup for the third successive year went wrong at the first hurdle – losing to CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria – Liverpool opened up with an 11–2 aggregate victory over easier opposition in the shape of Finland’s Oulun Palloseura. The Reds’ next opponents appeared to be a step-up in class but ‘Alec’ Ferguson’s Aberdeen were hammered, losing 5–0 on aggregate. Liverpool then did what Forest couldn’t, defeating CSKA Sofia 6–1 over two legs before facing the might of Bayern
57
FOOTBALL 81 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 72 ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 558 PACKET COST: 5P FOR FOUR STICKERS
58
Munich in the semi-final. The tie was on a knife-edge throughout before Ray Kennedy volleyed a decisive away goal. Alan Kennedy – looking curlier up top than normal – returned from injury to score the winner in the final against Real Madrid. West Ham United walked the Second Division title, losing only four league games on their way to finishing 13 points ahead of Notts County. Swansea City, under John Toshack, were the third side to gain promotion, reaching the top-flight for the first time, having been in Division Four as recently as 1977–78. Looking a bit blurry, Rotherham United’s Third Division title-winning squad was also honoured with a Panini sticker that year. The most notable newcomer – as far as Panini was concerned – was Kevin Keegan, who took his place in the Southampton spread following three seasons at Hamburg. In the Scotland pages, Celtic’s Frank McGarvey had a distant look about him, perhaps dreaming of winning the title for Celtic in his first full season and finishing as top goalscorer – both of which came true. Billy McNeill’s men put together a sequence of 13 wins out of 14 games to win the title at a canter. Dundee United continued to flourish under Jim McLean as players such as David Narey, Paul Hegarty and Paul Sturrock all reached their peak. Sturrock scored twice as the Terrors
beat local rivals Dundee 3–0 in the League Cup final. United also reached the Scottish Cup Final after winning a pulsating semi-final replay 3–2 against Celtic, with teenage striker Charlie Nicholas scoring twice for the opposition. The final also went to a second game, with John MacDonald and Davie Cooper – who shared sticker 534 in Football 81 – scoring three of the goals in a 4–1 win for Rangers. First Division champions Hibernian were treated to an artistic side-on team photo, returning to the top-flight after one season away. Panini had enjoyed another triumph of their own in 1981, setting them up nicely for the World Cup year that lay ahead.
1980–81 Honours First Division: ASTON VILLA Second Division: WEST HAM UNITED Third Division: ROTHERHAM UNITED Fourth Division: SOUTHEND UNITED FA Cup: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR League Cup: LIVERPOOL Scottish Premier Division: CELTIC Scottish First Division: HIBERNIAN Scottish Second Division: QUEEN’S PARK Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: DUNDEE UNITED BRITISH CLUB EUROPEAN HONOURS European Cup: LIVERPOOL UEFA Cup: IPSWICH TOWN
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FOOTBALL 81 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 72 ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 558 PACKET COST: 5P FOR FOUR STICKERS
58
Munich in the semi-final. The tie was on a knife-edge throughout before Ray Kennedy volleyed a decisive away goal. Alan Kennedy – looking curlier up top than normal – returned from injury to score the winner in the final against Real Madrid. West Ham United walked the Second Division title, losing only four league games on their way to finishing 13 points ahead of Notts County. Swansea City, under John Toshack, were the third side to gain promotion, reaching the top-flight for the first time, having been in Division Four as recently as 1977–78. Looking a bit blurry, Rotherham United’s Third Division title-winning squad was also honoured with a Panini sticker that year. The most notable newcomer – as far as Panini was concerned – was Kevin Keegan, who took his place in the Southampton spread following three seasons at Hamburg. In the Scotland pages, Celtic’s Frank McGarvey had a distant look about him, perhaps dreaming of winning the title for Celtic in his first full season and finishing as top goalscorer – both of which came true. Billy McNeill’s men put together a sequence of 13 wins out of 14 games to win the title at a canter. Dundee United continued to flourish under Jim McLean as players such as David Narey, Paul Hegarty and Paul Sturrock all reached their peak. Sturrock scored twice as the Terrors
beat local rivals Dundee 3–0 in the League Cup final. United also reached the Scottish Cup Final after winning a pulsating semi-final replay 3–2 against Celtic, with teenage striker Charlie Nicholas scoring twice for the opposition. The final also went to a second game, with John MacDonald and Davie Cooper – who shared sticker 534 in Football 81 – scoring three of the goals in a 4–1 win for Rangers. First Division champions Hibernian were treated to an artistic side-on team photo, returning to the top-flight after one season away. Panini had enjoyed another triumph of their own in 1981, setting them up nicely for the World Cup year that lay ahead.
1980–81 Honours First Division: ASTON VILLA Second Division: WEST HAM UNITED Third Division: ROTHERHAM UNITED Fourth Division: SOUTHEND UNITED FA Cup: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR League Cup: LIVERPOOL Scottish Premier Division: CELTIC Scottish First Division: HIBERNIAN Scottish Second Division: QUEEN’S PARK Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: DUNDEE UNITED BRITISH CLUB EUROPEAN HONOURS European Cup: LIVERPOOL UEFA Cup: IPSWICH TOWN
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ESPANA 82 While Italy and Paolo Rossi reigned in Spain, Panini introduced ‘shinies’ to their World Cup sticker albums for the first time. By the time the World Cup was held in Spain, Brits had gone mad for Panini’s sticker collections. The stand-out addition since the Argentina 78 album was the appearance of shiny badges, first introduced for an international tournament in Europa 80. There were also three extra foil stickers at the front of the album displaying the World Cup trophy, the tournament logo, and the mascot – Naranjito, the little orange. Every team was splashed across two pages each, apart from Cameroon, Algeria, El Salvador, Kuwait and New Zealand who only got one. Two of these teams made contrasting marks on the 1982 World Cup – Algeria’s 2–1 victory over West Germany was a fonder memory than El Salvador’s humiliating 10–1 loss to Hungary. The 19 countries given doublepage spreads were treated to a team group, 16 individual player stickers, and a shiny badge depicting their governing body logo, all featuring a smiling Naranjito in the corner of each
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foil. Teams with only a single page were still represented by a badge, team group and 16 players, two players on each sticker.
The stand-out addition was the appearance of shiny badges, first introduced for an international tournament in Europa 80. Italy was the first team in the album, perhaps an omen as to what was to come, and with three British qualifiers – for the first time since 1958 – there was great excitement in the build-up to the tournament. When Bryan Robson – who still had a perm in Espana 82 – scored
69
ESPANA 82 While Italy and Paolo Rossi reigned in Spain, Panini introduced ‘shinies’ to their World Cup sticker albums for the first time. By the time the World Cup was held in Spain, Brits had gone mad for Panini’s sticker collections. The stand-out addition since the Argentina 78 album was the appearance of shiny badges, first introduced for an international tournament in Europa 80. There were also three extra foil stickers at the front of the album displaying the World Cup trophy, the tournament logo, and the mascot – Naranjito, the little orange. Every team was splashed across two pages each, apart from Cameroon, Algeria, El Salvador, Kuwait and New Zealand who only got one. Two of these teams made contrasting marks on the 1982 World Cup – Algeria’s 2–1 victory over West Germany was a fonder memory than El Salvador’s humiliating 10–1 loss to Hungary. The 19 countries given doublepage spreads were treated to a team group, 16 individual player stickers, and a shiny badge depicting their governing body logo, all featuring a smiling Naranjito in the corner of each
68
foil. Teams with only a single page were still represented by a badge, team group and 16 players, two players on each sticker.
The stand-out addition was the appearance of shiny badges, first introduced for an international tournament in Europa 80. Italy was the first team in the album, perhaps an omen as to what was to come, and with three British qualifiers – for the first time since 1958 – there was great excitement in the build-up to the tournament. When Bryan Robson – who still had a perm in Espana 82 – scored
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ESPANA 82 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 427 PACKET COST: 6P FOR 4 STICKERS
after 27 seconds in England’s opener against France it seemed that it really might be their time. Although Ron Greenwood’s men only conceded one goal in five matches, it was a lack of firepower in the second round that proved their undoing – not helped by the absences due to injury of Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, both of whom were only fit enough to appear as substitutes in the last game against Spain. Scotland’s Group 6 was an eventful one, which ultimately ended with Jock Stein’s team missing out on qualification for the next round on goal difference. The Scots defeated plucky underdogs New Zealand 5–2,
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only to be outclassed by Brazil in their next encounter as the South Americans unleashed all of their tricks in an easy-on-the-eye 4–1 win. As the Soviet Union had managed to restrict Brazil to a late 2–1 defeat, Scotland needed to beat their rival for second spot when they met in the final round of games. Joe Jordan gave Scotland a dream start, but the Soviets hit back with two goals. Graeme Souness – adding his trademark moustache to a Panini World Cup album for the first time – hit a second, but it wasn’t enough and the Scots exited at the first round again. Northern Ireland enjoyed a happier climax to their first-
round programme when they built on two earlier draws to shock hosts Spain with a 1–0 victory in Valencia. Billy Hamilton set up Gerry Armstrong – both sporting green tracksuit tops with huge Adidas logos in Espana 82 – for the only goal. Hamilton scored twice against Austria in their opening second-round match, but France had grown in confidence as the tournament went on, overwhelming the Irish 4–1 to top Group D. The French marched on to a semi-final meeting with West Germany, qualifiers at the expense of England from a Group B that produced two goalless draws in three games. A tense encounter finished 3–3 after extra-time before West Germany showed their mettle at penalty shoot-outs. Horst Hrubesch – the two-goal hero in the Europa 80 final – struck the winning kick. A final against Italy, who had earlier beaten Poland 2–0, awaited. But the Italians’ 1982 World Cup story really begins in the second phase, after a dull first round that saw then sneak through on goals scored at the expense of Cameroon, who were making their first appearance in the finals. Reigning champions Argentina lost 2–1 to Italy and then 3–1 to Brazil (a match that featured a bushy-haired Maradona being shown the red card), leaving the last match as the decider for semi-final qualification. A draw would have been enough for Brazil and they seemed on course to progress when Falcao
1982 WORLD CUP Winners: ITALY Runners-up: WEST GERMANY Third: POLAND
made full use of a decoy run to fire past Dino Zoff to make it 2–2 after 68 minutes. By that point in the match, Paolo Rossi had scored twice and he duly completed a hat-trick soon after to give Italy a memorable 3–2 victory. For the neutrals it was devastating to see the team of Zico, Eder, Junior, Socrates et al. exit the tournament, but memories endure of a side that lit up Spain 82. Rossi – seen in Espana 82 wearing an older national team jersey to his team-mates as he had only just returned to action following a ban – added a further two goals to his tally in the semifinal victory over Poland. After a cagey first-half in the final in Madrid, Rossi scored with a header as Italy then went on the rampage. Marco Tardelli’s outpouring of emotion following the second goal was more iconic than the strike itself, while substitute Alessandro Altobelli made the game safe with a third. Paul Breitner’s reply was too little, too late. Winning 3–1, Italy secured their third World Cup and the first of the Panini era.
Fourth: FRANCE Golden Boot: PAOLO ROSSI (6)
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ESPANA 82 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 427 PACKET COST: 6P FOR 4 STICKERS
after 27 seconds in England’s opener against France it seemed that it really might be their time. Although Ron Greenwood’s men only conceded one goal in five matches, it was a lack of firepower in the second round that proved their undoing – not helped by the absences due to injury of Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, both of whom were only fit enough to appear as substitutes in the last game against Spain. Scotland’s Group 6 was an eventful one, which ultimately ended with Jock Stein’s team missing out on qualification for the next round on goal difference. The Scots defeated plucky underdogs New Zealand 5–2,
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only to be outclassed by Brazil in their next encounter as the South Americans unleashed all of their tricks in an easy-on-the-eye 4–1 win. As the Soviet Union had managed to restrict Brazil to a late 2–1 defeat, Scotland needed to beat their rival for second spot when they met in the final round of games. Joe Jordan gave Scotland a dream start, but the Soviets hit back with two goals. Graeme Souness – adding his trademark moustache to a Panini World Cup album for the first time – hit a second, but it wasn’t enough and the Scots exited at the first round again. Northern Ireland enjoyed a happier climax to their first-
round programme when they built on two earlier draws to shock hosts Spain with a 1–0 victory in Valencia. Billy Hamilton set up Gerry Armstrong – both sporting green tracksuit tops with huge Adidas logos in Espana 82 – for the only goal. Hamilton scored twice against Austria in their opening second-round match, but France had grown in confidence as the tournament went on, overwhelming the Irish 4–1 to top Group D. The French marched on to a semi-final meeting with West Germany, qualifiers at the expense of England from a Group B that produced two goalless draws in three games. A tense encounter finished 3–3 after extra-time before West Germany showed their mettle at penalty shoot-outs. Horst Hrubesch – the two-goal hero in the Europa 80 final – struck the winning kick. A final against Italy, who had earlier beaten Poland 2–0, awaited. But the Italians’ 1982 World Cup story really begins in the second phase, after a dull first round that saw then sneak through on goals scored at the expense of Cameroon, who were making their first appearance in the finals. Reigning champions Argentina lost 2–1 to Italy and then 3–1 to Brazil (a match that featured a bushy-haired Maradona being shown the red card), leaving the last match as the decider for semi-final qualification. A draw would have been enough for Brazil and they seemed on course to progress when Falcao
1982 WORLD CUP Winners: ITALY Runners-up: WEST GERMANY Third: POLAND
made full use of a decoy run to fire past Dino Zoff to make it 2–2 after 68 minutes. By that point in the match, Paolo Rossi had scored twice and he duly completed a hat-trick soon after to give Italy a memorable 3–2 victory. For the neutrals it was devastating to see the team of Zico, Eder, Junior, Socrates et al. exit the tournament, but memories endure of a side that lit up Spain 82. Rossi – seen in Espana 82 wearing an older national team jersey to his team-mates as he had only just returned to action following a ban – added a further two goals to his tally in the semifinal victory over Poland. After a cagey first-half in the final in Madrid, Rossi scored with a header as Italy then went on the rampage. Marco Tardelli’s outpouring of emotion following the second goal was more iconic than the strike itself, while substitute Alessandro Altobelli made the game safe with a third. Paul Breitner’s reply was too little, too late. Winning 3–1, Italy secured their third World Cup and the first of the Panini era.
Fourth: FRANCE Golden Boot: PAOLO ROSSI (6)
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FOOTBALL 84 Liverpool’s neighbours ensured Merseyside took an even firmer grip at the top of English football, while Aberdeen ruled the roost once more in Scotland. Collectors had reason to cheer too, as Panini dished up another timeless classic. Pre-publicity billed Football 84 as ‘new and improved’, though in many ways this season’s offering was a throw-back to the tried and tested formula used before the renegade full-length player shots of Football 83. The cover was also similar to previous years, although a Union Jack incorporated into the design meant a slightly smaller action shot – Brighton and Hove Albion’s Gary Howlett and Sheffield Wednesday’s Pat Heard were chosen, from the 1983 FA Cup semi-final at Highbury. Both teams were in the Second Division in 1983–84, suggesting a more egalitarian approach to front page images back then than in more recent times, when only star players will do. A great new element for 1984 was the stadium pictures, featured as part of the doublepage spreads given to each First Division club. These are even more evocative today as so many of the grounds are no longer in
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existence. In total, English topflight clubs had 16 stickers each – 13 players, the manager, team group and a foil badge in gold with a silver border. Scottish Premier Division teams had seven ‘half-and-half’ stickers (13 players, plus the manager), a team group and a badge.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Gary Howlett and Sheffield Wednesday’s Pat Heard got chosen... suggesting a more egalitarian approach to front page images.
Meanwhile, English Second Division clubs retained shared badge stickers plus an individual team group. There was also a ‘Second Division AllStar Team’ with Portsmouth’s Alan Biley’s latest mullet earning him a place by itself, irrespective of his footballing
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FOOTBALL 84 Liverpool’s neighbours ensured Merseyside took an even firmer grip at the top of English football, while Aberdeen ruled the roost once more in Scotland. Collectors had reason to cheer too, as Panini dished up another timeless classic. Pre-publicity billed Football 84 as ‘new and improved’, though in many ways this season’s offering was a throw-back to the tried and tested formula used before the renegade full-length player shots of Football 83. The cover was also similar to previous years, although a Union Jack incorporated into the design meant a slightly smaller action shot – Brighton and Hove Albion’s Gary Howlett and Sheffield Wednesday’s Pat Heard were chosen, from the 1983 FA Cup semi-final at Highbury. Both teams were in the Second Division in 1983–84, suggesting a more egalitarian approach to front page images back then than in more recent times, when only star players will do. A great new element for 1984 was the stadium pictures, featured as part of the doublepage spreads given to each First Division club. These are even more evocative today as so many of the grounds are no longer in
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existence. In total, English topflight clubs had 16 stickers each – 13 players, the manager, team group and a foil badge in gold with a silver border. Scottish Premier Division teams had seven ‘half-and-half’ stickers (13 players, plus the manager), a team group and a badge.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Gary Howlett and Sheffield Wednesday’s Pat Heard got chosen... suggesting a more egalitarian approach to front page images.
Meanwhile, English Second Division clubs retained shared badge stickers plus an individual team group. There was also a ‘Second Division AllStar Team’ with Portsmouth’s Alan Biley’s latest mullet earning him a place by itself, irrespective of his footballing
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ability. Newcastle United’s Kevin Keegan also got in during what turned out to be his final season of professional football. Other new elements were ‘Collectors’ Corner’ – programme covers from classic matches; ‘First Division Goal Getters’ – nine of the top-flight’s sharpest shooters from the previous season, including Luther Blissett, whose goals earned him a move to AC Milan; and ‘Scottish Strike Force’ – eight of the leading
At the top of the table, Liverpool striker Ian Rush scored even more goals than the previous season, notching 32 in the league and 47 overall. strikers from 1982–83, two of whom had moved in the summer (Charlie Nicholas from Celtic to Arsenal, and Brian McClair from Motherwell to Celtic). On the pitch, Manchester United had looked well-placed
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to win their first league title since 1967 before ending the season with just two wins in their last 10 games. That meant Liverpool could stutter towards the title, winning only two of their last eight league games, as they focused on another European Cup bid. By contrast, Southampton took 20 points from the last possible 24 to finish second while Nottingham Forest also ended strongly to move above United into third. A pivotal moment in the league season came on 10 December, 1983 when Coventry City hosted Liverpool in front of the Match of the Day cameras. Nick Platnauer – whose summer 1983 haircut made him look like a member of Kajagoogoo – stunned the visitors with a goal in the opening minute. Terry Gibson then struck a hattrick as Coventry moved into fourth, just three points behind Liverpool at the top. While Liverpool quickly recovered to stay ahead of the chasing pack, the Sky Blues picked up only 19 points from
their remaining 25 games to eventually finish only two points above the drop zone. Coventry beat Norwich City on the final day while Birmingham City could only draw with Southampton, resulting in manager Ron Saunders enduring relegation with the Blues just three seasons after winning the title with rivals Aston Villa. Birmingham’s Martin Kuhl had extra cause for regret as his Football 84 sticker was actually an image of team-mate Wayne Mumford. Notts County and Wolverhampton Wanderers – who won only six league matches all season – went down too. Back at the top of the table, Liverpool striker Ian Rush scored even more goals than the previous season, notching 32 in the league, and 47 overall. Five of those came on one October day against Luton Town in a 6–0 win at Anfield. Remarkably, Tony Woodcock scored five goals for Arsenal on the same afternoon in a 6–2 victory away to Aston Villa. With new signing Charlie Nicholas playing alongside
Woodcock it seemed the Gunners were about to enjoy a goal glut, but it took Nicholas until 27 December to score his first goal at Highbury, by which time manager Terry Neill had been sacked. Newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers finished as the top London club, which brought manager Terry Venables to the attention of Barcelona, who he joined in the summer of 1984. There was another change of management in London at the end of the season as Keith Burkinshaw stepped down, despite masterminding his third trophy for Tottenham Hotspur in four seasons. In general, Britain dominated the European club competitions as six teams reached the semifinal stage. But for some corrupt refereeing in the second leg of the Anderlecht v Nottingham Forest semi-final, it should have been an all-English clash in the UEFA Cup Final. Fourteen years later it was discovered Anderlecht’s former President had bribed the referee to help the Belgian club overturn
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ability. Newcastle United’s Kevin Keegan also got in during what turned out to be his final season of professional football. Other new elements were ‘Collectors’ Corner’ – programme covers from classic matches; ‘First Division Goal Getters’ – nine of the top-flight’s sharpest shooters from the previous season, including Luther Blissett, whose goals earned him a move to AC Milan; and ‘Scottish Strike Force’ – eight of the leading
At the top of the table, Liverpool striker Ian Rush scored even more goals than the previous season, notching 32 in the league and 47 overall. strikers from 1982–83, two of whom had moved in the summer (Charlie Nicholas from Celtic to Arsenal, and Brian McClair from Motherwell to Celtic). On the pitch, Manchester United had looked well-placed
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to win their first league title since 1967 before ending the season with just two wins in their last 10 games. That meant Liverpool could stutter towards the title, winning only two of their last eight league games, as they focused on another European Cup bid. By contrast, Southampton took 20 points from the last possible 24 to finish second while Nottingham Forest also ended strongly to move above United into third. A pivotal moment in the league season came on 10 December, 1983 when Coventry City hosted Liverpool in front of the Match of the Day cameras. Nick Platnauer – whose summer 1983 haircut made him look like a member of Kajagoogoo – stunned the visitors with a goal in the opening minute. Terry Gibson then struck a hattrick as Coventry moved into fourth, just three points behind Liverpool at the top. While Liverpool quickly recovered to stay ahead of the chasing pack, the Sky Blues picked up only 19 points from
their remaining 25 games to eventually finish only two points above the drop zone. Coventry beat Norwich City on the final day while Birmingham City could only draw with Southampton, resulting in manager Ron Saunders enduring relegation with the Blues just three seasons after winning the title with rivals Aston Villa. Birmingham’s Martin Kuhl had extra cause for regret as his Football 84 sticker was actually an image of team-mate Wayne Mumford. Notts County and Wolverhampton Wanderers – who won only six league matches all season – went down too. Back at the top of the table, Liverpool striker Ian Rush scored even more goals than the previous season, notching 32 in the league, and 47 overall. Five of those came on one October day against Luton Town in a 6–0 win at Anfield. Remarkably, Tony Woodcock scored five goals for Arsenal on the same afternoon in a 6–2 victory away to Aston Villa. With new signing Charlie Nicholas playing alongside
Woodcock it seemed the Gunners were about to enjoy a goal glut, but it took Nicholas until 27 December to score his first goal at Highbury, by which time manager Terry Neill had been sacked. Newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers finished as the top London club, which brought manager Terry Venables to the attention of Barcelona, who he joined in the summer of 1984. There was another change of management in London at the end of the season as Keith Burkinshaw stepped down, despite masterminding his third trophy for Tottenham Hotspur in four seasons. In general, Britain dominated the European club competitions as six teams reached the semifinal stage. But for some corrupt refereeing in the second leg of the Anderlecht v Nottingham Forest semi-final, it should have been an all-English clash in the UEFA Cup Final. Fourteen years later it was discovered Anderlecht’s former President had bribed the referee to help the Belgian club overturn
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THE MANAGERS While players have generally been photographed wearing standard-issue team shirts, there has been more scope for individualism among the managers featured in Panini albums. Since winning the Premier League license from 2019–20, Panini have opted to print images of managers in albums. This is because so many managers get sacked so quickly these days that collectors could have found themselves picking up recurring Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino stickers despite their respective departures from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur before Football 2020 had been released. But it wasn’t always like that. When Panini issued their first UK domestic album, Football 78, there was a little more permanence about the position of a football manager. For example, Football 78 heralded an unbroken spell of 14 appearances in the
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Nottingham Forest manager’s spot for Brian Clough – his run only ended when English Football 1992 only featured player stickers. While Clough mixed up his attire over the years it is somewhat surprising to discover his trademark green jersey was rarely on display. Smart suits, sheepskin coats, colourful shirt and tie combinations, and even a natty cardigan (Eddie Turnbull of Hibernian in Football 78) were displayed by managers in early UK Panini albums. Ron Atkinson won the prize for most sartorially elegant manager during the 1980s, although French albums of the 1970s and ’80s arguably provide the best
entraineur (coach) entertainment (Strasbourg’s Gilbert Gress in France’s version of Football 78 is a sticker for the ages). With managers having been fazed out from the ‘90s onwards in both Panini UK and international tournament albums, attention has since turned to hunting out modern-day coaches in strikingly different guises during their playing days. One of the delights of Panini is spotting managerial titans such as Pep Guardiola, Franz Beckenbauer, Fabio Capello, Martin Jol and Steve Bruce in their previous roles as players, and the fine contributions they made to the game before donning a manager’s suit, tracksuit or cardigan.
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THE MANAGERS While players have generally been photographed wearing standard-issue team shirts, there has been more scope for individualism among the managers featured in Panini albums. Since winning the Premier League license from 2019–20, Panini have opted to print images of managers in albums. This is because so many managers get sacked so quickly these days that collectors could have found themselves picking up recurring Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino stickers despite their respective departures from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur before Football 2020 had been released. But it wasn’t always like that. When Panini issued their first UK domestic album, Football 78, there was a little more permanence about the position of a football manager. For example, Football 78 heralded an unbroken spell of 14 appearances in the
96
Nottingham Forest manager’s spot for Brian Clough – his run only ended when English Football 1992 only featured player stickers. While Clough mixed up his attire over the years it is somewhat surprising to discover his trademark green jersey was rarely on display. Smart suits, sheepskin coats, colourful shirt and tie combinations, and even a natty cardigan (Eddie Turnbull of Hibernian in Football 78) were displayed by managers in early UK Panini albums. Ron Atkinson won the prize for most sartorially elegant manager during the 1980s, although French albums of the 1970s and ’80s arguably provide the best
entraineur (coach) entertainment (Strasbourg’s Gilbert Gress in France’s version of Football 78 is a sticker for the ages). With managers having been fazed out from the ‘90s onwards in both Panini UK and international tournament albums, attention has since turned to hunting out modern-day coaches in strikingly different guises during their playing days. One of the delights of Panini is spotting managerial titans such as Pep Guardiola, Franz Beckenbauer, Fabio Capello, Martin Jol and Steve Bruce in their previous roles as players, and the fine contributions they made to the game before donning a manager’s suit, tracksuit or cardigan.
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FOOTBALL 86 Liverpool, Aberdeen and Panini all achieved notable doubles in 1985–86 during a season that reached a thrilling end both north and south of the border. Football 86 was more anticipated than ever by collectors as the connection between fans and the English game further eroded during the opening months of the campaign when a dispute involving The Football League and broadcasters meant there was no TV coverage. Giveaways were once more organised with Shoot! and Roy of the Rovers and Eagle & Tiger, while Roy Race, the star of the Roy of the Rovers comic, encouraged readers to ‘Carry On Collecting And Get Stuck In.’ The album cover displayed similarities to the Football 84 design – primarily red with a Union Jack incorporated into its design – with the action shot coming from the opening league game of the previous season featuring Chelsea’s Paul Canoville putting in a challenge on Arsenal’s Brian Talbot at Highbury. The long lead times required for the use of photography meant Talbot’s appearance in the red of Arsenal
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looked odd as he had already moved to Watford in the summer of 1985. Manchester United and England great Bobby Charlton provided the foreword. His Soccer Schools were promoted on the back cover, along with a competition to win 10 residential holidays at his training camps. Each English and Scottish topflight club was given space for 13 players, the manager, team group and badge (Scotland’s finest were again confined to two players per sticker). Panini experimented once more with their ‘shinies’ in Football 86, producing a holographic-appearance on the silver club badges and other glossy stickers. There was also the added attraction for the English clubs of a sepia-toned photograph displaying a classic team from the club’s history. In light of the European competition ban on English clubs, Panini decided to remind collectors of some of their past successes with a six-page
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FOOTBALL 86 Liverpool, Aberdeen and Panini all achieved notable doubles in 1985–86 during a season that reached a thrilling end both north and south of the border. Football 86 was more anticipated than ever by collectors as the connection between fans and the English game further eroded during the opening months of the campaign when a dispute involving The Football League and broadcasters meant there was no TV coverage. Giveaways were once more organised with Shoot! and Roy of the Rovers and Eagle & Tiger, while Roy Race, the star of the Roy of the Rovers comic, encouraged readers to ‘Carry On Collecting And Get Stuck In.’ The album cover displayed similarities to the Football 84 design – primarily red with a Union Jack incorporated into its design – with the action shot coming from the opening league game of the previous season featuring Chelsea’s Paul Canoville putting in a challenge on Arsenal’s Brian Talbot at Highbury. The long lead times required for the use of photography meant Talbot’s appearance in the red of Arsenal
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looked odd as he had already moved to Watford in the summer of 1985. Manchester United and England great Bobby Charlton provided the foreword. His Soccer Schools were promoted on the back cover, along with a competition to win 10 residential holidays at his training camps. Each English and Scottish topflight club was given space for 13 players, the manager, team group and badge (Scotland’s finest were again confined to two players per sticker). Panini experimented once more with their ‘shinies’ in Football 86, producing a holographic-appearance on the silver club badges and other glossy stickers. There was also the added attraction for the English clubs of a sepia-toned photograph displaying a classic team from the club’s history. In light of the European competition ban on English clubs, Panini decided to remind collectors of some of their past successes with a six-page
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FOOTBALL 86 ALBUM FACTS
1985–86 HONOURS
PAGES: 72 PAGES
First Division: LIVERPOOL
ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 574
Second Division: NORWICH CITY
PACKET COST: 12P FOR SIX STICKERS
Third Division: READING Wimbledon – who only joined the Football League in 1977 – also gained promotion. A pivotal season in Scotland coincided with the last full season for one managerial great and the arrival of another who would change the face of the game in his homeland, Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen and Graeme Souness at Rangers respectively. As in England, a thrilling season was shorn of television coverage for a large period due to a stalemate in contract negotiations – this time forcing the game off the small screen between September and March. When the cameras returned there was an exciting end to the league season that went to the final day. Heart of Midlothian only needed a point against Dundee to guarantee their first Scottish Premier Division title since 1960. With nearest rivals Celtic comfortably winning their final game against St Mirren – overhauling the deficit in goal difference to Hearts they started the day with – nerves were jangling at Dens Park as the game entered its closing stages. Dundee substitute
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Albert Kidd then went down in Celtic (and Hibernian) folklore as he struck twice in the last 10 minutes to change the course of Scottish football history. As if already knowing he would have a significant say in the season, Kidd was seen sporting a huge grin on his Football 86 sticker. Celtic thus claimed an unexpected league title with Brian McClair and Maurice Johnston sharing 36 goals between them. Old Firm rival Rangers may have finished 15 points behind the Bhoys, but their appointment of Souness in April, replacing Jock Wallace, would lead to a change in the balance in power. Alex MacDonald’s gallant Hearts side were unable to rally themselves a week later in the Scottish Cup Final when they were beaten 3-0 by Aberdeen. That completed a domestic cup double for Ferguson in his last entire season at Pittodrie, having already beaten Hibernian 3–0 in the League Cup final. Billy Stark scored in both finals as the Dons boss won his ninth and 10th major trophies in his eighth season at the club.
Fourth Division: SWINDON TOWN FA Cup: LIVERPOOL League Cup: OXFORD UNITED Scottish Premier Division: CELTIC Scottish First Division: HAMILTON ACADEMICAL Scottish Second Division: DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC Scottish Cup: ABERDEEN Scottish League Cup: ABERDEEN
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FOOTBALL 86 ALBUM FACTS
1985–86 HONOURS
PAGES: 72 PAGES
First Division: LIVERPOOL
ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 574
Second Division: NORWICH CITY
PACKET COST: 12P FOR SIX STICKERS
Third Division: READING Wimbledon – who only joined the Football League in 1977 – also gained promotion. A pivotal season in Scotland coincided with the last full season for one managerial great and the arrival of another who would change the face of the game in his homeland, Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen and Graeme Souness at Rangers respectively. As in England, a thrilling season was shorn of television coverage for a large period due to a stalemate in contract negotiations – this time forcing the game off the small screen between September and March. When the cameras returned there was an exciting end to the league season that went to the final day. Heart of Midlothian only needed a point against Dundee to guarantee their first Scottish Premier Division title since 1960. With nearest rivals Celtic comfortably winning their final game against St Mirren – overhauling the deficit in goal difference to Hearts they started the day with – nerves were jangling at Dens Park as the game entered its closing stages. Dundee substitute
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Albert Kidd then went down in Celtic (and Hibernian) folklore as he struck twice in the last 10 minutes to change the course of Scottish football history. As if already knowing he would have a significant say in the season, Kidd was seen sporting a huge grin on his Football 86 sticker. Celtic thus claimed an unexpected league title with Brian McClair and Maurice Johnston sharing 36 goals between them. Old Firm rival Rangers may have finished 15 points behind the Bhoys, but their appointment of Souness in April, replacing Jock Wallace, would lead to a change in the balance in power. Alex MacDonald’s gallant Hearts side were unable to rally themselves a week later in the Scottish Cup Final when they were beaten 3-0 by Aberdeen. That completed a domestic cup double for Ferguson in his last entire season at Pittodrie, having already beaten Hibernian 3–0 in the League Cup final. Billy Stark scored in both finals as the Dons boss won his ninth and 10th major trophies in his eighth season at the club.
Fourth Division: SWINDON TOWN FA Cup: LIVERPOOL League Cup: OXFORD UNITED Scottish Premier Division: CELTIC Scottish First Division: HAMILTON ACADEMICAL Scottish Second Division: DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC Scottish Cup: ABERDEEN Scottish League Cup: ABERDEEN
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MEXICO 86 Mexico hosted an iconic World Cup as Argentina’s Diego Maradona pulled no punches on his way to glory, while Panini added another classic to their pantheon. Panini’s Mexico 86 was eagerly awaited by England, Scotland and Northern Ireland fans, whose countries had all qualified for the finals. This was actually the second time in five tournaments that Mexico had staged the event – on this occasion the original hosts, Colombia, had pulled out, mostly due to financial issues. Mexico 86’s iconic Avant Garde Extra Light font graced the front of Panini’s latest World Cup album. A busy cover also
A busy cover also featured a red-panelled football, flanked by globes that gave off vibes of the BBC television ident of the time. featured a red-panelled football, flanked by globes that gave off vibes of the BBC television ident of the time. At the bottom of the page, blended in with the flags of the 24 qualifiers, was the tournament mascot, Pique – the moustachioed, sombrerowearing, jalapeño chili pepper.
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The opening page showcased foils of the tournament logos ahead of a brief World Cup history featuring the official posters of the first 12 World Cups. After that came three pages of stadium shots coupled with landmarks from each city. As they were drawn into Group A, holders Italy were once again the first nation to appear. A foil badge, team group and 16 players alongside results since the previous tournament continued the format of Espana 82. And in a similar vein to the previous album, five out of the 24 nations (South Korea, Iraq, Canada, Algeria and Morocco) had to settle for one page consisting of a shiny, a team group and eight ‘half-and-half’ stickers. Morocco proved to be the stand-out of those unfancied sides, finishing top of Group F by virtue of two goalless draws – including one against England – followed by a conclusive win over Portugal. Abderrazak Khairi – a smiling presence in Mexico 86 – scored twice in a 3–1 victory.
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MEXICO 86 Mexico hosted an iconic World Cup as Argentina’s Diego Maradona pulled no punches on his way to glory, while Panini added another classic to their pantheon. Panini’s Mexico 86 was eagerly awaited by England, Scotland and Northern Ireland fans, whose countries had all qualified for the finals. This was actually the second time in five tournaments that Mexico had staged the event – on this occasion the original hosts, Colombia, had pulled out, mostly due to financial issues. Mexico 86’s iconic Avant Garde Extra Light font graced the front of Panini’s latest World Cup album. A busy cover also
A busy cover also featured a red-panelled football, flanked by globes that gave off vibes of the BBC television ident of the time. featured a red-panelled football, flanked by globes that gave off vibes of the BBC television ident of the time. At the bottom of the page, blended in with the flags of the 24 qualifiers, was the tournament mascot, Pique – the moustachioed, sombrerowearing, jalapeño chili pepper.
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The opening page showcased foils of the tournament logos ahead of a brief World Cup history featuring the official posters of the first 12 World Cups. After that came three pages of stadium shots coupled with landmarks from each city. As they were drawn into Group A, holders Italy were once again the first nation to appear. A foil badge, team group and 16 players alongside results since the previous tournament continued the format of Espana 82. And in a similar vein to the previous album, five out of the 24 nations (South Korea, Iraq, Canada, Algeria and Morocco) had to settle for one page consisting of a shiny, a team group and eight ‘half-and-half’ stickers. Morocco proved to be the stand-out of those unfancied sides, finishing top of Group F by virtue of two goalless draws – including one against England – followed by a conclusive win over Portugal. Abderrazak Khairi – a smiling presence in Mexico 86 – scored twice in a 3–1 victory.
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MEXICO 86 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 427 PACKET COST: 12P FOR SIX STICKERS
England overcame the disappointment of losing their opener to Portugal and the draw with Morocco – during which Ray Wilkins was sent off and Bryan Robson dislocated his shoulder – to qualify for the knockout phase thanks to a 3–0 win against Poland. Gary Lineker – like most of his team-mates, photographed in Mexico 86 during the 1985 postseason tour of Mexico and USA – scored a hat-trick at the start of a run of six goals in three games for the Everton striker. Victory against Paraguay in round two brought Bobby Robson’s team up against Argentina in the quarter-finals. In an unforgiving match, both teams lacked the imagination to break the deadlock until Diego Armando Maradona (Panini once again going all-in with names) used his ‘ingenuity’. The playmaker opted for the infamous ‘Hand of God’ approach in beating England goalkeeper
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Peter Shilton to the punch. His second, sublime, goal came just four minutes later – leaving a succession of opponents trailing in his wake before sliding the ball past Shilton. Lineker scored a late reply – and nearly added a second – but Argentina made it through to a semi-final with Belgium. Maradona was again the hero – scoring both goals in a 2–0 win – to seal a place in the final against West Germany. Franz Beckenbauer’s German side had beaten France 2–0 at the last-four stage with Rudi Völler, bringing his mullet to a Panini World Cup album for the first time, scoring the second. France had impressed up to that point, knocking out holders Italy in round two and Brazil at the quarter-final stage on penalties. One of many legends to bow out of international football after the tournament was Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings, seen in Mexico 86 with a blue and red tracksuit top over his jersey. There was to be no fairy tale ending though, as his side went out at the group stage.
Scotland also exited in the first round, once more with their fate in their own hands right until the final whistle of the last match. Pitted in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Denmark, West Germany and Uruguay, Scotland narrowly lost their first two games but victory against the South Americans in their last fixture would see them qualify as one of the best third-placed sides. Despite José Batista being sent off in the first minute, Scotland were unable to find a breakthrough in a frustrating goalless draw. Group E winners Denmark – dubbed Danish Dynamite – had been in exhilarating form up to the knockout stage, the highlight of which was a 6–1 win over Uruguay. Preben Elkjaer Larsen scored a hat-trick with one each from stellar trio Soren Lerby, Michael Laudrup and Jesper Olsen – though sadly none were decked out in Mexico 86 with the iconic Hummel kit worn so flamboyantly during the tournament. But the Danes found themselves on the wrong end of
a hiding in the first knockout round when Spain’s Emilio Butragueño scored four times in a 5–1 victory. Among the other Round of 16 moments to live long in the memory was Mexico’s win over Bulgaria – famous for Manuel Negrete’s bicycle kick – and a hat-trick from USSR’s Igor Belanov (who missed out on a Panini World Cup sticker) in a 4–3 defeat to Belgium. The final proved to be another high-scoring thriller, with José Luis Brown and Jorge Alberto F. Valdano (as he was formally titled in Mexico 86) putting Argentina 2–0 up inside an hour. KarlHeinz Rummenigge – making his last appearance for West Germany – and Völler then pulled the game round via two Andreas Brehme corners. Almost inevitably, Maradona set up Jorge Luis Burruchaga for the winner.
1986 WORLD CUP Winners: ARGENTINA Runners-up: WEST GERMANY Third: FRANCE Fourth: BELGIUM Golden Boot: GARY LINEKER (6)
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MEXICO 86 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 20P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 427 PACKET COST: 12P FOR SIX STICKERS
England overcame the disappointment of losing their opener to Portugal and the draw with Morocco – during which Ray Wilkins was sent off and Bryan Robson dislocated his shoulder – to qualify for the knockout phase thanks to a 3–0 win against Poland. Gary Lineker – like most of his team-mates, photographed in Mexico 86 during the 1985 postseason tour of Mexico and USA – scored a hat-trick at the start of a run of six goals in three games for the Everton striker. Victory against Paraguay in round two brought Bobby Robson’s team up against Argentina in the quarter-finals. In an unforgiving match, both teams lacked the imagination to break the deadlock until Diego Armando Maradona (Panini once again going all-in with names) used his ‘ingenuity’. The playmaker opted for the infamous ‘Hand of God’ approach in beating England goalkeeper
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Peter Shilton to the punch. His second, sublime, goal came just four minutes later – leaving a succession of opponents trailing in his wake before sliding the ball past Shilton. Lineker scored a late reply – and nearly added a second – but Argentina made it through to a semi-final with Belgium. Maradona was again the hero – scoring both goals in a 2–0 win – to seal a place in the final against West Germany. Franz Beckenbauer’s German side had beaten France 2–0 at the last-four stage with Rudi Völler, bringing his mullet to a Panini World Cup album for the first time, scoring the second. France had impressed up to that point, knocking out holders Italy in round two and Brazil at the quarter-final stage on penalties. One of many legends to bow out of international football after the tournament was Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings, seen in Mexico 86 with a blue and red tracksuit top over his jersey. There was to be no fairy tale ending though, as his side went out at the group stage.
Scotland also exited in the first round, once more with their fate in their own hands right until the final whistle of the last match. Pitted in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Denmark, West Germany and Uruguay, Scotland narrowly lost their first two games but victory against the South Americans in their last fixture would see them qualify as one of the best third-placed sides. Despite José Batista being sent off in the first minute, Scotland were unable to find a breakthrough in a frustrating goalless draw. Group E winners Denmark – dubbed Danish Dynamite – had been in exhilarating form up to the knockout stage, the highlight of which was a 6–1 win over Uruguay. Preben Elkjaer Larsen scored a hat-trick with one each from stellar trio Soren Lerby, Michael Laudrup and Jesper Olsen – though sadly none were decked out in Mexico 86 with the iconic Hummel kit worn so flamboyantly during the tournament. But the Danes found themselves on the wrong end of
a hiding in the first knockout round when Spain’s Emilio Butragueño scored four times in a 5–1 victory. Among the other Round of 16 moments to live long in the memory was Mexico’s win over Bulgaria – famous for Manuel Negrete’s bicycle kick – and a hat-trick from USSR’s Igor Belanov (who missed out on a Panini World Cup sticker) in a 4–3 defeat to Belgium. The final proved to be another high-scoring thriller, with José Luis Brown and Jorge Alberto F. Valdano (as he was formally titled in Mexico 86) putting Argentina 2–0 up inside an hour. KarlHeinz Rummenigge – making his last appearance for West Germany – and Völler then pulled the game round via two Andreas Brehme corners. Almost inevitably, Maradona set up Jorge Luis Burruchaga for the winner.
1986 WORLD CUP Winners: ARGENTINA Runners-up: WEST GERMANY Third: FRANCE Fourth: BELGIUM Golden Boot: GARY LINEKER (6)
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ITALIA 90 Gazza’s tears, Pavarotti singing ‘Nessun Dorma’, the Republic of Ireland’s army of fans, New Order’s ‘World in Motion’… they contributed to the magic of Italia 90 – alongside the ever-reliable Panini World Cup sticker album. The UK release of Italia 90 once more replicated the standard ‘International’ version, unlike in several other nations such as Sweden, Mexico and Brazil who all opted for their own cover design. Italia 90’s front cover dotted the flags of the 24 qualifiers around a drawing of two players battling for a stray ball, one in a generic red kit and the other immediately redolent of the Sweden strip.
Costa Rica were undone in round two by a hat-trick from the spectacularly mulleted Tomáš Skuhravý whose Italia 90 sticker didn’t do his hair justice. Tournament branding, stadiums and picturesque images of the host cities filled the opening five pages, along with nine extra images of mascot Ciao showing off his ball skills. Hosts Italy took what now appeared to be their usual place
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as the first nation in the team pages. In a design change, the player section was kicked off by two goalkeepers near the top of the first of the double-page spreads, just below the foil badge. Each team had 17 players (one more than in Espana 82 and Mexico 86), as well as the team group and badge. Five nations were restricted to a single page, which only had room for 16 players (two to a sticker), to go with the team shot and badge. Out of those five, Cameroon and Costa Rica won four of their six combined group matches while UAE, South Korea and Egypt didn’t win a match between them. Costa Rica were undone in round two by a hat-trick from the spectacularly mulleted Tomáš Skuhravý from Czechoslovakia – whose Italia 90 sticker didn’t do his hair justice. Cameroon made it past the Round of 16 thanks to two goals from 38-year-old Roger Milla. The striker didn’t
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ITALIA 90 Gazza’s tears, Pavarotti singing ‘Nessun Dorma’, the Republic of Ireland’s army of fans, New Order’s ‘World in Motion’… they contributed to the magic of Italia 90 – alongside the ever-reliable Panini World Cup sticker album. The UK release of Italia 90 once more replicated the standard ‘International’ version, unlike in several other nations such as Sweden, Mexico and Brazil who all opted for their own cover design. Italia 90’s front cover dotted the flags of the 24 qualifiers around a drawing of two players battling for a stray ball, one in a generic red kit and the other immediately redolent of the Sweden strip.
Costa Rica were undone in round two by a hat-trick from the spectacularly mulleted Tomáš Skuhravý whose Italia 90 sticker didn’t do his hair justice. Tournament branding, stadiums and picturesque images of the host cities filled the opening five pages, along with nine extra images of mascot Ciao showing off his ball skills. Hosts Italy took what now appeared to be their usual place
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as the first nation in the team pages. In a design change, the player section was kicked off by two goalkeepers near the top of the first of the double-page spreads, just below the foil badge. Each team had 17 players (one more than in Espana 82 and Mexico 86), as well as the team group and badge. Five nations were restricted to a single page, which only had room for 16 players (two to a sticker), to go with the team shot and badge. Out of those five, Cameroon and Costa Rica won four of their six combined group matches while UAE, South Korea and Egypt didn’t win a match between them. Costa Rica were undone in round two by a hat-trick from the spectacularly mulleted Tomáš Skuhravý from Czechoslovakia – whose Italia 90 sticker didn’t do his hair justice. Cameroon made it past the Round of 16 thanks to two goals from 38-year-old Roger Milla. The striker didn’t
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ITALIA 90 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 50 ALBUM PRICE: 40P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 448 PACKET COST: 15P FOR SIX STICKERS
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appear in the Italia 90 album as he had retired from international football in 1988, only for the President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, to persuade him to make a comeback ahead of the 1990 World Cup. That second round victory came at the expense of Colombia’s Carlos Alberto Valderrama, whose blonde afro stood out in Italia 90 as much as his mastery of a football. England put an end to Cameroon’s dream run, which had begun with victory over holders Argentina in the opening game, during a dramatic 3–2 win in Naples. David Platt put England in front, but Emmanuel Kundé and Eugène Ekéké then scored twice in four minutes for the Indomitable Lions. Gary Lineker – opting for a buttonedup collar shunned by most of his team-mates in Italia 90 – then scored twice from the penalty spot, the second in extra time, to send England through to the semi-finals. Scotland recovered from a shock defeat in their opening match against Costa Rica to come within nine minutes of reaching the knockout phase, only for Müller to come off the bench and score for alreadyqualified Brazil.
After sneaking through as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase, Argentina soaked up Brazilian pressure in their second-round meeting before the lustrously coiffured Claudio Caniggia scored the winner in a breakaway. With Diego Maradona’s goal threat now on the wane – he only found the net in a penalty shoot-out during Italia 90 – the Argentinians were largely reliant on their rearguard to see them past the quarter-final and semifinal stages against Yugoslavia and Italy respectively. Italy had previously been in imposing form, coasting through the group phase with Roberto Baggio’s goal against Czechoslovakia as the standout moment. Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci scored the winner in the opening match against Austria after coming on as a substitute – the first of the six goals that earned him the Golden Boot. Having only made his full international debut at the end of March 1990, Panini were caught unaware of the Juventus striker’s impact in what turned out to be his only major tournament appearance.
One of Schillaci’s crucial goals came in the 1–0 quarter-final victory over the Republic of Ireland, still managed by England 1966 World Cup-winner Jack Charlton. After three draws in the group stage – including against England and Netherlands – the Irish pulled off a shock victory over Romania on penalties in round two. Goalkeeper Pat Bonner – seen in a yellow jersey in Italia 90 similar in colour to that of his round two opponents – saved Daniel Timofte’s kick before veteran Arsenal defender David O’Leary slotted home the winning penalty. West Germany had been in impressive form throughout the tournament, spearheaded by Lothar Matthäus and Jürgen Klinsmann – both of whom went for the fully zipped tracksuit look in Italia 90. Their semi-final meeting with England in Turin became legendary. England midfielder Paul Gascoigne had been one of the stand-out players of the tournament and he once more held his own against the might of the West Germans, despite his evening ultimately
being ruined by a booking that would have seen him miss the final. His tears endeared him to an entire nation. Andreas Brehme’s deflected free-kick put West Germany ahead before Lineker equalised with 10 minutes remaining. Extra time saw both sides come near to finding a winner but penalty kicks once again decided the outcome. Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle – the latter on top of his mullet game in Italia 90 – were both unsuccessful from the spot, while the opposition characteristically went ‘four from four’ to seal their place in the final in Rome. Caniggia was among Argentina’s absentees in the final (due to suspension), which blunted their attacking threat. As a result, the showpiece was a turgid affair decided by an 85th minute penalty converted by Brehme. Despite the damp squib of a final, West Germany had proved themselves to be the best team in the tournament, in the same way that Panini could claim to having produced the stand-out album to mark the occasion.
1990 WORLD CUP Winners: WEST GERMANY Runners-up: ARGENTINA Third: ITALY Fourth: ENGLAND Golden Boot: SALVATORE ‘TOTÒ’ SCHILLACI (6)
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ITALIA 90 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 50 ALBUM PRICE: 40P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 448 PACKET COST: 15P FOR SIX STICKERS
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appear in the Italia 90 album as he had retired from international football in 1988, only for the President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, to persuade him to make a comeback ahead of the 1990 World Cup. That second round victory came at the expense of Colombia’s Carlos Alberto Valderrama, whose blonde afro stood out in Italia 90 as much as his mastery of a football. England put an end to Cameroon’s dream run, which had begun with victory over holders Argentina in the opening game, during a dramatic 3–2 win in Naples. David Platt put England in front, but Emmanuel Kundé and Eugène Ekéké then scored twice in four minutes for the Indomitable Lions. Gary Lineker – opting for a buttonedup collar shunned by most of his team-mates in Italia 90 – then scored twice from the penalty spot, the second in extra time, to send England through to the semi-finals. Scotland recovered from a shock defeat in their opening match against Costa Rica to come within nine minutes of reaching the knockout phase, only for Müller to come off the bench and score for alreadyqualified Brazil.
After sneaking through as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase, Argentina soaked up Brazilian pressure in their second-round meeting before the lustrously coiffured Claudio Caniggia scored the winner in a breakaway. With Diego Maradona’s goal threat now on the wane – he only found the net in a penalty shoot-out during Italia 90 – the Argentinians were largely reliant on their rearguard to see them past the quarter-final and semifinal stages against Yugoslavia and Italy respectively. Italy had previously been in imposing form, coasting through the group phase with Roberto Baggio’s goal against Czechoslovakia as the standout moment. Salvatore ‘Totò’ Schillaci scored the winner in the opening match against Austria after coming on as a substitute – the first of the six goals that earned him the Golden Boot. Having only made his full international debut at the end of March 1990, Panini were caught unaware of the Juventus striker’s impact in what turned out to be his only major tournament appearance.
One of Schillaci’s crucial goals came in the 1–0 quarter-final victory over the Republic of Ireland, still managed by England 1966 World Cup-winner Jack Charlton. After three draws in the group stage – including against England and Netherlands – the Irish pulled off a shock victory over Romania on penalties in round two. Goalkeeper Pat Bonner – seen in a yellow jersey in Italia 90 similar in colour to that of his round two opponents – saved Daniel Timofte’s kick before veteran Arsenal defender David O’Leary slotted home the winning penalty. West Germany had been in impressive form throughout the tournament, spearheaded by Lothar Matthäus and Jürgen Klinsmann – both of whom went for the fully zipped tracksuit look in Italia 90. Their semi-final meeting with England in Turin became legendary. England midfielder Paul Gascoigne had been one of the stand-out players of the tournament and he once more held his own against the might of the West Germans, despite his evening ultimately
being ruined by a booking that would have seen him miss the final. His tears endeared him to an entire nation. Andreas Brehme’s deflected free-kick put West Germany ahead before Lineker equalised with 10 minutes remaining. Extra time saw both sides come near to finding a winner but penalty kicks once again decided the outcome. Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle – the latter on top of his mullet game in Italia 90 – were both unsuccessful from the spot, while the opposition characteristically went ‘four from four’ to seal their place in the final in Rome. Caniggia was among Argentina’s absentees in the final (due to suspension), which blunted their attacking threat. As a result, the showpiece was a turgid affair decided by an 85th minute penalty converted by Brehme. Despite the damp squib of a final, West Germany had proved themselves to be the best team in the tournament, in the same way that Panini could claim to having produced the stand-out album to mark the occasion.
1990 WORLD CUP Winners: WEST GERMANY Runners-up: ARGENTINA Third: ITALY Fourth: ENGLAND Golden Boot: SALVATORE ‘TOTÒ’ SCHILLACI (6)
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CHANGING HAIRSTYLES From bubble perms to daring mullets, and from New Romantic crops to highlights and lowlights, Panini’s albums have always brilliantly captured football’s hairstyle fashions. As footballers increasingly became seen as the new rock ‘n’ roll stars, music and fashion went hand in hand with footballers’ haircuts during Panini’s classic UK albums of the 1970s and ’80s. It was probably no coincidence that the rock band Queen (featuring a heavily permed Brian May) and the similarly-coiffured Leo Sayer were both riding high in the Top 40 in the late 1970s. Although he was in West Germany at the time, Kevin Keegan was among the first adopters of the bubble perm and his footballing compatriots back home soon followed suit, many examples of
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which populated Football 79 and Football 80. Liverpool duo Phil Neal and Phil Thompson were generally known for their conventional approach to hairstyles, but they both opted for curls in the late 70s and early 80s albums. Alan Brazil and Alan Sunderland were among the most expansive purveyors of the perm and they reached their peaks in Football 80 and Football 82 respectively. New Romantics such as Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran and the Human League dominated the pop charts in the first part of 1980s, and their look was
reflected by the likes of David Hodgson (Middlesbrough), Martyn Bennett (West Bromwich Albion) and Charlie Nicholas (Celtic and Arsenal). Pat Nevin, on the other hand, was more influenced by the indie scene and he wouldn’t have looked out of place as a member of one of the bands he admired, such as New Order or the Cocteau Twins. Rod Stewart was an obvious influence on Alan Biley’s mullet in Football 82 (having earlier deployed a perm in Football 80 wearing Cambridge United colours). The striker was among the first to adopt the look and the mullet became a major player throughout the rest of the ’80s and into the ’90s – Chris Waddle
and Barry Venison were among the poster boys for it. World Cup albums have also thrown up many hairy moments: Mexico’s Leonardo Cuéllar ticked all three boxes of big hair, moustache and bushy beard in World Cup 78 while Italia 90 and USA 94 contained some of the all-time great mullets. Meanwhile, Colombia’s Carlos Valderrama could merit a spread all to himself. In more recent times there has been a distinct lack of outlandish styles – many players standing out more for their tattoos than a particularly distinctive head of hair – but given how fashions come around surely it is only a matter of time before the bubble perm makes a welcome return.
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CHANGING HAIRSTYLES From bubble perms to daring mullets, and from New Romantic crops to highlights and lowlights, Panini’s albums have always brilliantly captured football’s hairstyle fashions. As footballers increasingly became seen as the new rock ‘n’ roll stars, music and fashion went hand in hand with footballers’ haircuts during Panini’s classic UK albums of the 1970s and ’80s. It was probably no coincidence that the rock band Queen (featuring a heavily permed Brian May) and the similarly-coiffured Leo Sayer were both riding high in the Top 40 in the late 1970s. Although he was in West Germany at the time, Kevin Keegan was among the first adopters of the bubble perm and his footballing compatriots back home soon followed suit, many examples of
150
which populated Football 79 and Football 80. Liverpool duo Phil Neal and Phil Thompson were generally known for their conventional approach to hairstyles, but they both opted for curls in the late 70s and early 80s albums. Alan Brazil and Alan Sunderland were among the most expansive purveyors of the perm and they reached their peaks in Football 80 and Football 82 respectively. New Romantics such as Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran and the Human League dominated the pop charts in the first part of 1980s, and their look was
reflected by the likes of David Hodgson (Middlesbrough), Martyn Bennett (West Bromwich Albion) and Charlie Nicholas (Celtic and Arsenal). Pat Nevin, on the other hand, was more influenced by the indie scene and he wouldn’t have looked out of place as a member of one of the bands he admired, such as New Order or the Cocteau Twins. Rod Stewart was an obvious influence on Alan Biley’s mullet in Football 82 (having earlier deployed a perm in Football 80 wearing Cambridge United colours). The striker was among the first to adopt the look and the mullet became a major player throughout the rest of the ’80s and into the ’90s – Chris Waddle
and Barry Venison were among the poster boys for it. World Cup albums have also thrown up many hairy moments: Mexico’s Leonardo Cuéllar ticked all three boxes of big hair, moustache and bushy beard in World Cup 78 while Italia 90 and USA 94 contained some of the all-time great mullets. Meanwhile, Colombia’s Carlos Valderrama could merit a spread all to himself. In more recent times there has been a distinct lack of outlandish styles – many players standing out more for their tattoos than a particularly distinctive head of hair – but given how fashions come around surely it is only a matter of time before the bubble perm makes a welcome return.
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FOOTBALL 93 The start of a new era of domination for Manchester United is mixed with the end of Panini’s long reign as uncontested sticker kings of the UK. Panini’s Football 93 was the only sticker album to mark the inaugural season of the FA Premier League, but there was no tie-in with the new governing body of England’s top flight, who had other priorities. A Football 93 album and a sheet of eight stickers was given away with the 31 October 1992 issue of Match Weekly, while spinoff poster magazine Big Shots
This first Premier League season felt like the dawning of a new age for the English game and Panini was keen to tap into this. also gave away the album and a packet of stickers with the ‘2nd Hot Issue’, dated December 1992. Panini’s existing relationship with the PFA meant the front cover was branded ‘The Official Players Collection’. Also highlighted were the ‘Giant Size Stickers’, not much different in
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size to the previous season but with more impact due to the return of the traditional headand-shoulder player mug shots. Arsenal’s David Hillier was seen on the cover, hotly contesting a stray ball with Leeds United’s David Batty and Gary McAllister during the Yorkshire club’s titlewinning season of 1991–92. The introduction mentioned the reduction in the cost of packets of stickers from 25p to 20p: ‘Now you get five mystery stars in a pack for just 20p so it’s five packs instead of four for the price of £1!’ In general, this first Premier League season felt like the dawning of a new age for the English game and Panini’s album was keen to tap into this. Twelve players were featured for each Premier League team but there were no club badges, team groups or managers. Each player was given a ‘Transfer Rating’ with the strikers generally commanding the highest fees. Ian Wright was valued at £3.5m while Alan Shearer was listed at £3.2m – he had, in fact, moved
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FOOTBALL 93 The start of a new era of domination for Manchester United is mixed with the end of Panini’s long reign as uncontested sticker kings of the UK. Panini’s Football 93 was the only sticker album to mark the inaugural season of the FA Premier League, but there was no tie-in with the new governing body of England’s top flight, who had other priorities. A Football 93 album and a sheet of eight stickers was given away with the 31 October 1992 issue of Match Weekly, while spinoff poster magazine Big Shots
This first Premier League season felt like the dawning of a new age for the English game and Panini was keen to tap into this. also gave away the album and a packet of stickers with the ‘2nd Hot Issue’, dated December 1992. Panini’s existing relationship with the PFA meant the front cover was branded ‘The Official Players Collection’. Also highlighted were the ‘Giant Size Stickers’, not much different in
160
size to the previous season but with more impact due to the return of the traditional headand-shoulder player mug shots. Arsenal’s David Hillier was seen on the cover, hotly contesting a stray ball with Leeds United’s David Batty and Gary McAllister during the Yorkshire club’s titlewinning season of 1991–92. The introduction mentioned the reduction in the cost of packets of stickers from 25p to 20p: ‘Now you get five mystery stars in a pack for just 20p so it’s five packs instead of four for the price of £1!’ In general, this first Premier League season felt like the dawning of a new age for the English game and Panini’s album was keen to tap into this. Twelve players were featured for each Premier League team but there were no club badges, team groups or managers. Each player was given a ‘Transfer Rating’ with the strikers generally commanding the highest fees. Ian Wright was valued at £3.5m while Alan Shearer was listed at £3.2m – he had, in fact, moved
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for that approximate figure from Southampton to Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 1992. Despite his role in Leeds winning the 1991–92 title, and some bright moments early on in the following campaign, Eric Cantona was left out of the album. Maybe Panini knew something others didn’t as he was sold to Manchester United a month after the October release of Football 93. Leeds endured a miserable season in defence of their league title, finishing just two points off the drop zone and going out to Rangers in a second round Champions League tie dubbed ‘The Battle of Britain’. There was an unfamiliar look to the top of the table at Christmas as Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa filled the top three places. Norwich, managed by Mike Walker, produced the shock of the opening weekend by overturning a 2–0 half-time deficit at Arsenal to win 4–2 thanks to goals from Mark Robins (2), David Phillips and Ruel Fox, all of whom donned the new floral-patterned Canaries shirt in Football 93. Ron Atkinson’s Villa produced some breathtaking football over the course of the season, including a 3–2 victory in October away to Wimbledon. Two goals from Dean Saunders (seen in Football 93 in a Liverpool shirt, ahead of his move to Villa) were added to by Dalian Atkinson’s 60yard mazy run and chipped finish. Norwich kept up the pace and were top of the league going into April before a pivotal 3–1 home
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defeat to Manchester United spelled the beginning of the end for the Norfolk club’s title bid. That left Villa and Alex Ferguson’s United battling to be the first winners of the Premier League. Villa kept up the pressure but United never faltered, and the title was decided when the Midlands club lost at home to Oldham Athletic on the penultimate weekend. United eventually won the league by a comfortable margin of 10 points, but it had been a more fiercely contested title race than the final table suggested. The signing of Cantona proved crucial in pushing a side that went close the previous season over the edge in their pursuit of a first league title since 1967. August 1992 saw Rupert Murdoch’s BSkyB start to broadcast the Premier League, branding it ‘A Whole New Ball Game’. Teddy Sheringham scored the first goal of their ‘live’ coverage in the opening ‘Super Sunday’ game between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool. It was the only goal of the match but that was to be the high point in manager Brian Clough’s last season in charge at the City Ground. Sheringham was sold to Tottenham Hotspur a week later and the two-time European Cup winners ended the season nine points adrift of safety. Middlesbrough also went down before the final day, but the last relegation spot was only decided on the last weekend, with Crystal Palace going down just two seasons after finishing third in the top flight.
Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United earned promotion to the Premier League as winners of the Football League First Division. West Ham United edged out Portsmouth for the second automatic place, while Swindon Town won a thrilling Play-Off final against Leicester City 4–3. The 1992–93 domestic cup competitions were all about Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday, who contested both the League Cup and FA Cup finals. John Harkes became the first American to score in a major final at Wembley to put Wednesday ahead in the League Cup final, but Steve Morrow scored the winner for the Gunners, only for his moment in the sun to be
overshadowed by a freak postmatch accident that led to the Northern Irishman sustaining a broken arm after an over-zealous celebration by Tony Adams. The Arsenal skipper’s intervention in the FA Cup semi-final was more welcome as he scored the only goal of the game against Tottenham with a back-post header to avenge the 1991 defeat. The other last-four match-up also pitted local rivals together in a Sheffield ‘derby’. Chris Waddle – complete with a spiky, blonde-tinted coiffure in Football 93 – put the Owls ahead with a free-kick before Alan Cork – whose seemingly lucky grey beard had helped to get The Blades that far – levelled.
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for that approximate figure from Southampton to Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 1992. Despite his role in Leeds winning the 1991–92 title, and some bright moments early on in the following campaign, Eric Cantona was left out of the album. Maybe Panini knew something others didn’t as he was sold to Manchester United a month after the October release of Football 93. Leeds endured a miserable season in defence of their league title, finishing just two points off the drop zone and going out to Rangers in a second round Champions League tie dubbed ‘The Battle of Britain’. There was an unfamiliar look to the top of the table at Christmas as Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa filled the top three places. Norwich, managed by Mike Walker, produced the shock of the opening weekend by overturning a 2–0 half-time deficit at Arsenal to win 4–2 thanks to goals from Mark Robins (2), David Phillips and Ruel Fox, all of whom donned the new floral-patterned Canaries shirt in Football 93. Ron Atkinson’s Villa produced some breathtaking football over the course of the season, including a 3–2 victory in October away to Wimbledon. Two goals from Dean Saunders (seen in Football 93 in a Liverpool shirt, ahead of his move to Villa) were added to by Dalian Atkinson’s 60yard mazy run and chipped finish. Norwich kept up the pace and were top of the league going into April before a pivotal 3–1 home
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defeat to Manchester United spelled the beginning of the end for the Norfolk club’s title bid. That left Villa and Alex Ferguson’s United battling to be the first winners of the Premier League. Villa kept up the pressure but United never faltered, and the title was decided when the Midlands club lost at home to Oldham Athletic on the penultimate weekend. United eventually won the league by a comfortable margin of 10 points, but it had been a more fiercely contested title race than the final table suggested. The signing of Cantona proved crucial in pushing a side that went close the previous season over the edge in their pursuit of a first league title since 1967. August 1992 saw Rupert Murdoch’s BSkyB start to broadcast the Premier League, branding it ‘A Whole New Ball Game’. Teddy Sheringham scored the first goal of their ‘live’ coverage in the opening ‘Super Sunday’ game between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool. It was the only goal of the match but that was to be the high point in manager Brian Clough’s last season in charge at the City Ground. Sheringham was sold to Tottenham Hotspur a week later and the two-time European Cup winners ended the season nine points adrift of safety. Middlesbrough also went down before the final day, but the last relegation spot was only decided on the last weekend, with Crystal Palace going down just two seasons after finishing third in the top flight.
Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United earned promotion to the Premier League as winners of the Football League First Division. West Ham United edged out Portsmouth for the second automatic place, while Swindon Town won a thrilling Play-Off final against Leicester City 4–3. The 1992–93 domestic cup competitions were all about Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday, who contested both the League Cup and FA Cup finals. John Harkes became the first American to score in a major final at Wembley to put Wednesday ahead in the League Cup final, but Steve Morrow scored the winner for the Gunners, only for his moment in the sun to be
overshadowed by a freak postmatch accident that led to the Northern Irishman sustaining a broken arm after an over-zealous celebration by Tony Adams. The Arsenal skipper’s intervention in the FA Cup semi-final was more welcome as he scored the only goal of the game against Tottenham with a back-post header to avenge the 1991 defeat. The other last-four match-up also pitted local rivals together in a Sheffield ‘derby’. Chris Waddle – complete with a spiky, blonde-tinted coiffure in Football 93 – put the Owls ahead with a free-kick before Alan Cork – whose seemingly lucky grey beard had helped to get The Blades that far – levelled.
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FOOTBALL 93 ALBUM FACTS
1992–93 HONOURS
PAGES: 48
FA Premier League: MANCHESTER UNITED
ALBUM PRICE: 50P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 276
Football League First Division: NEWCASTLE UNITED
PACKET COST: 20P FOR FIVE ‘LARGE’ STICKERS
Football League Second Division: STOKE CITY Mark Bright headed the winner in extra-time to set up another Arsenal–Wednesday final. Ian Wright and David Hirst traded goals in the first match to leave the teams requiring a replay to settle matters. With the game deep into extra-time it seemed the FA Cup would be decided on penalties for the first time, only for an Andy Linighan header to give Arsenal a cup double. Although there were no Scottish teams depicted in sticker or card form in 1992–93, there was little change from the preceding years on the pitch as Rangers won the treble of Premier Division title, League Cup and Scottish Cup. Goalkeeper Andy Goram added both the Scottish PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards to his trophy haul, as much for his efforts in the Champions League as on the domestic front. The Ibrox club narrowly lost out on a place in the final to Marseille. While sticker fans were again deprived of a Scottish album the following season, a series of
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Panini Scottish Premier Division albums appeared again from the 1994–95 season, starting with the Scottish Premier Division 95. These ran all the way to 2011–12. For English football, Football 93 was the end of an era for Panini. Despite missing out on the Premier League collectables license, Panini’s relationship with the PFA meant they returned in 1995–96 with their next album, this time for top-flight players only, called Super Players ’96. As the Football League was now a separate entity from the Premier League in England, Panini was also free to negotiate with them for a series of albums – starting with Football League 95, which covered all three tiers of the Endsleigh League. All good things come to those who wait, and Panini’s patience did eventually pay off when they won the license to print the Premier League sticker album for 2019–20. In the meantime, back in the ’90s, there were many other collectables markets to be conquered.
Football League Third Division: CARDIFF CITY FA Cup: ARSENAL League Cup: ARSENAL Scottish Premier Division: RANGERS Scottish First Division: RAITH ROVERS Scottish Second Division: CLYDE Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: RANGERS
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FOOTBALL 93 ALBUM FACTS
1992–93 HONOURS
PAGES: 48
FA Premier League: MANCHESTER UNITED
ALBUM PRICE: 50P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 276
Football League First Division: NEWCASTLE UNITED
PACKET COST: 20P FOR FIVE ‘LARGE’ STICKERS
Football League Second Division: STOKE CITY Mark Bright headed the winner in extra-time to set up another Arsenal–Wednesday final. Ian Wright and David Hirst traded goals in the first match to leave the teams requiring a replay to settle matters. With the game deep into extra-time it seemed the FA Cup would be decided on penalties for the first time, only for an Andy Linighan header to give Arsenal a cup double. Although there were no Scottish teams depicted in sticker or card form in 1992–93, there was little change from the preceding years on the pitch as Rangers won the treble of Premier Division title, League Cup and Scottish Cup. Goalkeeper Andy Goram added both the Scottish PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards to his trophy haul, as much for his efforts in the Champions League as on the domestic front. The Ibrox club narrowly lost out on a place in the final to Marseille. While sticker fans were again deprived of a Scottish album the following season, a series of
164
Panini Scottish Premier Division albums appeared again from the 1994–95 season, starting with the Scottish Premier Division 95. These ran all the way to 2011–12. For English football, Football 93 was the end of an era for Panini. Despite missing out on the Premier League collectables license, Panini’s relationship with the PFA meant they returned in 1995–96 with their next album, this time for top-flight players only, called Super Players ’96. As the Football League was now a separate entity from the Premier League in England, Panini was also free to negotiate with them for a series of albums – starting with Football League 95, which covered all three tiers of the Endsleigh League. All good things come to those who wait, and Panini’s patience did eventually pay off when they won the license to print the Premier League sticker album for 2019–20. In the meantime, back in the ’90s, there were many other collectables markets to be conquered.
Football League Third Division: CARDIFF CITY FA Cup: ARSENAL League Cup: ARSENAL Scottish Premier Division: RANGERS Scottish First Division: RAITH ROVERS Scottish Second Division: CLYDE Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: RANGERS
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USA 94
Football’s biggest event came to America for the first time, while Panini offered up an album full of razzamatazz as players like Romario, Yordan Lechkov and Roberto Baggio shone. Just in case there was any doubt about the identity of the host nation, the exterior and first few pages of USA 94 featured plenty of stars and stripes, as well as the Statue of Liberty – far jazzier than previous Panini World Cup albums. These lively artworks helped distract from the fact that this album didn’t carry official World Cup branding. For the International, and UK and Eire editions, every country (bar Bolivia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia) was given a double-page spread containing 17 individual player stickers. The tournament did not feature England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, who all failed to make it through the qualifiers. Romania made the most of their narrow escape during qualifying to be one of the most attractive sides during the tournament. Gheorghe Hagi led the way, with a supporting cast of players including Dan Petrescu, Gheorghe Popescu, Ilie Dumitrescu and Florin Răducioiu, who all went on to
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play in the Premier League. Although Brazil and Italy reached the final, most of the stand-out USA 94 moments were provided by some of the less-fancied nations going into the tournament – besides Romania, Bulgaria, Sweden and Nigeria all shone.
USA 94 was an album festooned with some fine mullets, including Bulgaria’s Trifon Ivanov, Switzerland’s Alain Sutter and Mexico’s Miguel Herrera. USA 94 was an album festooned with some fine mullets, including Bulgaria’s Trifon Ivanov, Switzerland’s Alain Sutter and Mexico’s Miguel Herrera among them, but it was a more folically challenged player who outshone them all on the biggest stage. Yordan
USA 94
Football’s biggest event came to America for the first time, while Panini offered up an album full of razzamatazz as players like Romario, Yordan Lechkov and Roberto Baggio shone. Just in case there was any doubt about the identity of the host nation, the exterior and first few pages of USA 94 featured plenty of stars and stripes, as well as the Statue of Liberty – far jazzier than previous Panini World Cup albums. These lively artworks helped distract from the fact that this album didn’t carry official World Cup branding. For the International, and UK and Eire editions, every country (bar Bolivia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia) was given a double-page spread containing 17 individual player stickers. The tournament did not feature England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, who all failed to make it through the qualifiers. Romania made the most of their narrow escape during qualifying to be one of the most attractive sides during the tournament. Gheorghe Hagi led the way, with a supporting cast of players including Dan Petrescu, Gheorghe Popescu, Ilie Dumitrescu and Florin Răducioiu, who all went on to
170
play in the Premier League. Although Brazil and Italy reached the final, most of the stand-out USA 94 moments were provided by some of the less-fancied nations going into the tournament – besides Romania, Bulgaria, Sweden and Nigeria all shone.
USA 94 was an album festooned with some fine mullets, including Bulgaria’s Trifon Ivanov, Switzerland’s Alain Sutter and Mexico’s Miguel Herrera. USA 94 was an album festooned with some fine mullets, including Bulgaria’s Trifon Ivanov, Switzerland’s Alain Sutter and Mexico’s Miguel Herrera among them, but it was a more folically challenged player who outshone them all on the biggest stage. Yordan
1994 WORLD CUP
USA 94 ALBUM FACTS – UK AND EIRE EDITION
Winners: BRAZIL
PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 50P
Runners-up: ITALY
NUMBER OF STICKERS: 444 (INTERNATIONAL); 416 (UK AND EIRE)
Third: SWEDEN
PACKET COST: 25P FOR SIX STICKERS Lechkov’s (mostly) bald head had changed little from his sticker by the time he headed in the winning goal for Bulgaria in their quarterfinal with holders Germany.The Republic of Ireland were generally underwhelming, but still gave us Ray Houghton’s memorable winner and celebratory forwardroll in their opening match against Italy. Houghton had also stayed with the reliable haircut that had seen him through many Panini albums of the ’80s and ’90s. Saudi Arabia’s Saeed Owairan (as listed on his USA 94 sticker, although he went by the more commonly used Saeed AlOwairan by the time of Panini’s France 98) scored one of the all-time great World Cup goals with his lung-busting dribble past half of the opposition in a 1–0 win against Belgium. Barcelona’s Hristo Stoichkov was Bulgaria’s talisman, scoring six goals on the way to sharing the Golden Boot with Oleg Salenko, who also scored half a dozen times for Russia despite
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getting knocked out in the first round. Salenko scored a penalty in his team’s second match (against Sweden), before adding five more in an astonishing 6–1 win over Cameroon, when they had already been eliminated. The African side’s consolation goal came from Roger Milla – back in a Panini World Cup album for the first time since Espana 82, at the grand old age of 42. Sweden qualified (along with Brazil) from Group A in what was a golden period for them, having reached the semi-finals of Euro 92. Tomas Brolin and Martin Dahlin were once again their attacking threat, along with Kennet Andersson, who missed out on a Panini sticker to a dreadlocked Henrik Larsson. Goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli became another well-known face during the tournament, his penalty-saving heroics against Romania securing the Swedes a place in the last four. Nigeria left an indelible mark on their first World Cup, from the moment Rashidi Yekini cavorted
with the goal net after putting his side ahead on the way to a 3–0 opening win over Bulgaria. Daniel Amokachi scored twice in the group stage as the Super Eagles reached the last 16, where they met Italy. Emmanuel Amuneke scored early on and Nigeria held firm until the 88th minute, when Roberto Baggio equalised. Despite being down to 10 men –
Italy kept up the pressure in extra time and Baggio, whose ‘Divine Ponytail’ could be seen peeking from behind his right shoulder in USA 94 added his second from the penalty spot Gianfranco Zola having been sent off – Italy kept up the pressure in extra time and Baggio, whose ‘Divine Ponytail’ could be seen peeking from behind his right shoulder in USA 94, added his second from the penalty spot. Baggio was again the matchwinner in the quarter-final and semi-final against Spain and Bulgaria respectively to set up a final with Brazil.
The South American side’s charge to the final had been underpinned by a mixture of flair – led by attackers Romario and Bebeto, he of the baby-rocking celebration – and pragmatism, exemplified by captain Dunga. Their most exciting match on the way to the final came against the Netherlands when their formidable strike duo put them 2–0 up, seemingly coasting. Dennis Bergkamp – fixing a steely gaze in his first Panini World Cup sticker – pulled one back before Aron Winter levelled. Branco then did what one expects from Brazilians – he pulled a long-range screamer out of the bag to win the game with nine minutes left. After everything that had gone before, there was much anticipation for the heavyweight final between Brazil and Italy. As it turned out, the 120 minutes – including extra-time – were dull. Italy missed three times from the spot – Franco Baresi, Daniele Massaro and Roberto Baggio all failed to hit the net – while Brazil scored three out of four to win their fourth World Cup.
Fourth: BULGARIA Golden Boot: HRISTO STOICHKOV AND OLEG SALENKO (6)
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1994 WORLD CUP
USA 94 ALBUM FACTS – UK AND EIRE EDITION
Winners: BRAZIL
PAGES: 48 ALBUM PRICE: 50P
Runners-up: ITALY
NUMBER OF STICKERS: 444 (INTERNATIONAL); 416 (UK AND EIRE)
Third: SWEDEN
PACKET COST: 25P FOR SIX STICKERS Lechkov’s (mostly) bald head had changed little from his sticker by the time he headed in the winning goal for Bulgaria in their quarterfinal with holders Germany.The Republic of Ireland were generally underwhelming, but still gave us Ray Houghton’s memorable winner and celebratory forwardroll in their opening match against Italy. Houghton had also stayed with the reliable haircut that had seen him through many Panini albums of the ’80s and ’90s. Saudi Arabia’s Saeed Owairan (as listed on his USA 94 sticker, although he went by the more commonly used Saeed AlOwairan by the time of Panini’s France 98) scored one of the all-time great World Cup goals with his lung-busting dribble past half of the opposition in a 1–0 win against Belgium. Barcelona’s Hristo Stoichkov was Bulgaria’s talisman, scoring six goals on the way to sharing the Golden Boot with Oleg Salenko, who also scored half a dozen times for Russia despite
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getting knocked out in the first round. Salenko scored a penalty in his team’s second match (against Sweden), before adding five more in an astonishing 6–1 win over Cameroon, when they had already been eliminated. The African side’s consolation goal came from Roger Milla – back in a Panini World Cup album for the first time since Espana 82, at the grand old age of 42. Sweden qualified (along with Brazil) from Group A in what was a golden period for them, having reached the semi-finals of Euro 92. Tomas Brolin and Martin Dahlin were once again their attacking threat, along with Kennet Andersson, who missed out on a Panini sticker to a dreadlocked Henrik Larsson. Goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli became another well-known face during the tournament, his penalty-saving heroics against Romania securing the Swedes a place in the last four. Nigeria left an indelible mark on their first World Cup, from the moment Rashidi Yekini cavorted
with the goal net after putting his side ahead on the way to a 3–0 opening win over Bulgaria. Daniel Amokachi scored twice in the group stage as the Super Eagles reached the last 16, where they met Italy. Emmanuel Amuneke scored early on and Nigeria held firm until the 88th minute, when Roberto Baggio equalised. Despite being down to 10 men –
Italy kept up the pressure in extra time and Baggio, whose ‘Divine Ponytail’ could be seen peeking from behind his right shoulder in USA 94 added his second from the penalty spot Gianfranco Zola having been sent off – Italy kept up the pressure in extra time and Baggio, whose ‘Divine Ponytail’ could be seen peeking from behind his right shoulder in USA 94, added his second from the penalty spot. Baggio was again the matchwinner in the quarter-final and semi-final against Spain and Bulgaria respectively to set up a final with Brazil.
The South American side’s charge to the final had been underpinned by a mixture of flair – led by attackers Romario and Bebeto, he of the baby-rocking celebration – and pragmatism, exemplified by captain Dunga. Their most exciting match on the way to the final came against the Netherlands when their formidable strike duo put them 2–0 up, seemingly coasting. Dennis Bergkamp – fixing a steely gaze in his first Panini World Cup sticker – pulled one back before Aron Winter levelled. Branco then did what one expects from Brazilians – he pulled a long-range screamer out of the bag to win the game with nine minutes left. After everything that had gone before, there was much anticipation for the heavyweight final between Brazil and Italy. As it turned out, the 120 minutes – including extra-time – were dull. Italy missed three times from the spot – Franco Baresi, Daniele Massaro and Roberto Baggio all failed to hit the net – while Brazil scored three out of four to win their fourth World Cup.
Fourth: BULGARIA Golden Boot: HRISTO STOICHKOV AND OLEG SALENKO (6)
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FRANCE 98 The 1998 World Cup in France saw the number of teams at the festival of football increased to 32, which called for Panini’s biggest-ever World Cup album – a bonus for collectors! After missing out on USA 94, Panini’s France 98 album was once again an ‘Official Licensed Product’. However, collectors were in for a surprise – there were no Iran stickers as Panini had been unable to secure a license in time to feature the Middle Eastern nation. Eventually, an agreement was reached whereby a UK publisher was allowed to produce a sheet of Iran stickers, under license from Panini, with this disclaimer: ‘Use of photographs does not imply endorsement by the Iranian Football Association or by individual players.’ There were also image issues with other teams, including England, who agreed to appear in the album, but did not allow pictures that showed any of the branding connected to the national team. As a result, all England players – along with Morocco, Chile and Nigeria – were pictured in logo-free tracksuit tops. In addition, there was no team group and the foil was of the national flag rather than football governing body.
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Image problems aside, the album was sold on a stand-alone basis, or supplied free with the 2 May 1998 issue of Shoot! magazine. Spain – for whom pop-up versions rather than conventional stickers were issued in some regions – were the biggest casualties of the first round, once again failing to live up to the expectations of a squad featuring the likes of Fernando Hierro, Luis Enrique and Raúl. Host nation France made it through to the knockout phase with maximum points as 20-yearold World Cup debutant Thierry Henry scored three goals in his first two appearances. Zinedine Zidane – opting for an unlaced shirt front in France 98 – had a less successful group stage, picking up a yellow card in the first match, followed by a red against Saudi Arabia. The midfielder returned to greater effect later in the tournament. France’s progress to the final was nerve-shredding for home fans, requiring a late extra time goal from Laurent Blanc to get past Paraguay, a penalty shoot-
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FRANCE 98 The 1998 World Cup in France saw the number of teams at the festival of football increased to 32, which called for Panini’s biggest-ever World Cup album – a bonus for collectors! After missing out on USA 94, Panini’s France 98 album was once again an ‘Official Licensed Product’. However, collectors were in for a surprise – there were no Iran stickers as Panini had been unable to secure a license in time to feature the Middle Eastern nation. Eventually, an agreement was reached whereby a UK publisher was allowed to produce a sheet of Iran stickers, under license from Panini, with this disclaimer: ‘Use of photographs does not imply endorsement by the Iranian Football Association or by individual players.’ There were also image issues with other teams, including England, who agreed to appear in the album, but did not allow pictures that showed any of the branding connected to the national team. As a result, all England players – along with Morocco, Chile and Nigeria – were pictured in logo-free tracksuit tops. In addition, there was no team group and the foil was of the national flag rather than football governing body.
176
Image problems aside, the album was sold on a stand-alone basis, or supplied free with the 2 May 1998 issue of Shoot! magazine. Spain – for whom pop-up versions rather than conventional stickers were issued in some regions – were the biggest casualties of the first round, once again failing to live up to the expectations of a squad featuring the likes of Fernando Hierro, Luis Enrique and Raúl. Host nation France made it through to the knockout phase with maximum points as 20-yearold World Cup debutant Thierry Henry scored three goals in his first two appearances. Zinedine Zidane – opting for an unlaced shirt front in France 98 – had a less successful group stage, picking up a yellow card in the first match, followed by a red against Saudi Arabia. The midfielder returned to greater effect later in the tournament. France’s progress to the final was nerve-shredding for home fans, requiring a late extra time goal from Laurent Blanc to get past Paraguay, a penalty shoot-
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FRANCE 98 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 64 ALBUM PRICE: 99P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 561 (INTERNATIONAL) PACKET COST: 25P FOR FIVE STICKERS
178
out save from Fabian Barthez (and a further miss by Italy) to get past the quarter-finals, and two goals from the unlikely source of Lilian Thuram to overturn a deficit in the semifinal against Croatia. Making their World Cup debut, Croatia’s star-studded line-up was captained by AC Milan star Zvonimir Boban and included a host of players who played in English football, among them Robert Prosinečki, Aljoša Asanovic, Davor Šuker (who won the Golden Boot) and Slaven Bilić. Bilić was involved in a controversial incident in the semi-final that led to France centre-back Blanc getting sent off and receiving a ban from the final. There was more red-card drama when England met Argentina in the second round in Saint-Étienne. The first-half ended 2–2 and is remembered for some outstanding football, notably a solo effort from 18-year-old Michael Owen, who had only made his England debut a few months earlier and so missed out on a France 98 sticker. There was also a well-worked free-kick converted by Javier Zanetti. Then things took a twist in the second half as David Beckham – a surprise omission from the France 98 album as he had been a regular starter for England – took a petulant kick at Diego Simeone, after a foul by the Argentinian, and got sent off. England fought gallantly into extra time, but came unstuck on penalties for the third time in a major tournament during the ’90s. Carlos Roa saved from Paul Ince and David Batty,
while England keeper David Seaman could only keep out Hernan Crespo in return. Argentina’s quarter-final saw both sides reduced to 10 men, but the match will forever be remembered for the 90th-minute winner from Dennis Bergkamp. Frank de Boer’s raking pass from inside his own half found the Arsenal star in the opposition penalty area. He controlled the ball with his right foot, cut inside a defender and flicked the ball into the net with the outside of the same foot – a work of art from the master craftsman. The Netherlands went on to meet Brazil in the semi-final. Brazil had begun their campaign with a 2–1 victory over Scotland in the first match of the tournament. John Collins’ penalty equaliser would prove to be the highlight of the tournament for the Scots as they only picked up one point, finishing bottom of Group A. Ronaldo – who was only 17 years old when he was selected to be part of the 1994 World Cup-winning squad – was by now a superstar and was expected to lead his nation to another trophy. But he wasn’t Brazil’s only potential matchwinner, as Rivaldo proved with his two goals in the 3–2 quarter-final victory over Denmark. But it was Ronaldo who scored Brazil’s goal in the 1–1 semi-final draw with the Dutch – cancelled out late on by Patrick Kluivert – as well as a penalty in the shootout victory. Brazil’s preparations ahead of the final against France were thrown into chaos when Ronaldo
suffered a seizure just a few hours before the game. The Inter Milan striker was initially left out of the starting line-up, only to be reinstated shortly before kick-off. An out-of-sorts Brazilian side were put to the sword by France’s own talisman – Zidane – who scored with two first-half headers. The second-half became a procession and the coup de grace was supplied by substitute Patrick Vieira, who set up Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Petit for number three.
1998 WORLD CUP Winners: FRANCE Runners-up: BRAZIL Third: CROATIA Fourth: NETHERLANDS Golden Boot: DAVOR ŠUKER (6)
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FRANCE 98 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 64 ALBUM PRICE: 99P NUMBER OF STICKERS: 561 (INTERNATIONAL) PACKET COST: 25P FOR FIVE STICKERS
178
out save from Fabian Barthez (and a further miss by Italy) to get past the quarter-finals, and two goals from the unlikely source of Lilian Thuram to overturn a deficit in the semifinal against Croatia. Making their World Cup debut, Croatia’s star-studded line-up was captained by AC Milan star Zvonimir Boban and included a host of players who played in English football, among them Robert Prosinečki, Aljoša Asanovic, Davor Šuker (who won the Golden Boot) and Slaven Bilić. Bilić was involved in a controversial incident in the semi-final that led to France centre-back Blanc getting sent off and receiving a ban from the final. There was more red-card drama when England met Argentina in the second round in Saint-Étienne. The first-half ended 2–2 and is remembered for some outstanding football, notably a solo effort from 18-year-old Michael Owen, who had only made his England debut a few months earlier and so missed out on a France 98 sticker. There was also a well-worked free-kick converted by Javier Zanetti. Then things took a twist in the second half as David Beckham – a surprise omission from the France 98 album as he had been a regular starter for England – took a petulant kick at Diego Simeone, after a foul by the Argentinian, and got sent off. England fought gallantly into extra time, but came unstuck on penalties for the third time in a major tournament during the ’90s. Carlos Roa saved from Paul Ince and David Batty,
while England keeper David Seaman could only keep out Hernan Crespo in return. Argentina’s quarter-final saw both sides reduced to 10 men, but the match will forever be remembered for the 90th-minute winner from Dennis Bergkamp. Frank de Boer’s raking pass from inside his own half found the Arsenal star in the opposition penalty area. He controlled the ball with his right foot, cut inside a defender and flicked the ball into the net with the outside of the same foot – a work of art from the master craftsman. The Netherlands went on to meet Brazil in the semi-final. Brazil had begun their campaign with a 2–1 victory over Scotland in the first match of the tournament. John Collins’ penalty equaliser would prove to be the highlight of the tournament for the Scots as they only picked up one point, finishing bottom of Group A. Ronaldo – who was only 17 years old when he was selected to be part of the 1994 World Cup-winning squad – was by now a superstar and was expected to lead his nation to another trophy. But he wasn’t Brazil’s only potential matchwinner, as Rivaldo proved with his two goals in the 3–2 quarter-final victory over Denmark. But it was Ronaldo who scored Brazil’s goal in the 1–1 semi-final draw with the Dutch – cancelled out late on by Patrick Kluivert – as well as a penalty in the shootout victory. Brazil’s preparations ahead of the final against France were thrown into chaos when Ronaldo
suffered a seizure just a few hours before the game. The Inter Milan striker was initially left out of the starting line-up, only to be reinstated shortly before kick-off. An out-of-sorts Brazilian side were put to the sword by France’s own talisman – Zidane – who scored with two first-half headers. The second-half became a procession and the coup de grace was supplied by substitute Patrick Vieira, who set up Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Petit for number three.
1998 WORLD CUP Winners: FRANCE Runners-up: BRAZIL Third: CROATIA Fourth: NETHERLANDS Golden Boot: DAVOR ŠUKER (6)
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PANINI LEGENDS Where there’s stickers there’s gold – the collectability of Panini’s brilliant output has changed dramatically in recent times. For many football fans – young and old – the word ‘legend’ is frequently bandied about for the likes of Pelé, Diego Maradona, Bobby Moore, George Best, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and a handful of others. But in Panini’s own list of royalty there are three players whose place in the company’s esteemed history remains assured. Nils Liedholm, the Sweden captain in 1958 when they reached the World Cup Final and AC Milan star throughout their golden 1950s era, was the cover star of the first Panini Calciatori album, for the 1961–62 season. Inter Milan midfielder Bruno Bolchi – who was the team’s captain and had just broken into the national side – was the first card (they were cards rather than stickers in the early days) to be printed for that debut Panini collection.
192
But most famous of the trio in football sticker terms is Carlo Parola, whose signature bicycle kick move inspired Panini for the cover of the 1965–66 Calciatori album. From that point onwards the illustrated image – known fondly as ‘La Rovesciata di Panini’ – has been used in one form or other in numerous albums and packet designs, including from Football 78 to Football 88 in the UK. While stickers for some of the game’s more celebrated players have always been a little more sought after, nothing prepared the Panini community for a gamechanging year in 2020. While a global pandemic was wreaking havoc, the extra time spent indoors meant lots of people started sifting through their own possessions. A lot of football stickers and sports trading cards were unearthed in various lofts and attics, kickstarting an urge
to either return to collecting or expand their portfolio. That included a sudden surge in interest from North Americans for football (‘soccer’) collectables (‘collectibles’). The phenomenon of the ‘rookie’ card or sticker has actually been of longstanding interest to those in many markets such as the USA, Canada and China and usually refers to the first, or at least an early card or sticker, for a particular player, usually produced in the player’s first year or major league season. Fast forward to April 2021 and and one of Diego Maradona’s first ever Panini stickers – from the Calciatori 1979–80 album – was
sold for $555,960 (£393,466) at a US auction. Although published far more recently, early Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Panini cards and stickers now command many thousands of pounds, as does the first-ever sticker release for Kylian Mbappé from the 2016–17 Panini Foot release in France. Pele’s Mexico 70 World Cup card is also a huge favourite with collectors while his earliest Panini issue – from the 1964–65 Calciatori album – is another certain to rise significantly in value as the years go on. Football sticker collecting just got serious!
193
PANINI LEGENDS Where there’s stickers there’s gold – the collectability of Panini’s brilliant output has changed dramatically in recent times. For many football fans – young and old – the word ‘legend’ is frequently bandied about for the likes of Pelé, Diego Maradona, Bobby Moore, George Best, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and a handful of others. But in Panini’s own list of royalty there are three players whose place in the company’s esteemed history remains assured. Nils Liedholm, the Sweden captain in 1958 when they reached the World Cup Final and AC Milan star throughout their golden 1950s era, was the cover star of the first Panini Calciatori album, for the 1961–62 season. Inter Milan midfielder Bruno Bolchi – who was the team’s captain and had just broken into the national side – was the first card (they were cards rather than stickers in the early days) to be printed for that debut Panini collection.
192
But most famous of the trio in football sticker terms is Carlo Parola, whose signature bicycle kick move inspired Panini for the cover of the 1965–66 Calciatori album. From that point onwards the illustrated image – known fondly as ‘La Rovesciata di Panini’ – has been used in one form or other in numerous albums and packet designs, including from Football 78 to Football 88 in the UK. While stickers for some of the game’s more celebrated players have always been a little more sought after, nothing prepared the Panini community for a gamechanging year in 2020. While a global pandemic was wreaking havoc, the extra time spent indoors meant lots of people started sifting through their own possessions. A lot of football stickers and sports trading cards were unearthed in various lofts and attics, kickstarting an urge
to either return to collecting or expand their portfolio. That included a sudden surge in interest from North Americans for football (‘soccer’) collectables (‘collectibles’). The phenomenon of the ‘rookie’ card or sticker has actually been of longstanding interest to those in many markets such as the USA, Canada and China and usually refers to the first, or at least an early card or sticker, for a particular player, usually produced in the player’s first year or major league season. Fast forward to April 2021 and and one of Diego Maradona’s first ever Panini stickers – from the Calciatori 1979–80 album – was
sold for $555,960 (£393,466) at a US auction. Although published far more recently, early Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Panini cards and stickers now command many thousands of pounds, as does the first-ever sticker release for Kylian Mbappé from the 2016–17 Panini Foot release in France. Pele’s Mexico 70 World Cup card is also a huge favourite with collectors while his earliest Panini issue – from the 1964–65 Calciatori album – is another certain to rise significantly in value as the years go on. Football sticker collecting just got serious!
193
PANINI AROUND THE WORLD
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Africa’s growing impact on the World Cup during the 1980s made Panini’s entry into Africa inevitable, and what better place to start collecting than with the Africa Cup of Nations. Panini’s first albums covering football in Africa centred around the Egyptian domestic game in the 1980s. Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Nigeria had produced stand-out displays in the World Cup tournaments from 1982 to 1994 and many of the continent’s top players had moved to top European clubs. George Weah (Liberia), Lucas Radebe (South Africa), Moussa Saïb (Algeria), Hany Ramzy (Egypt), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia), Anthony Yeboah (Ghana) and Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria) were all part of Panini’s debut African Cup of Nations ’96. There was even a section at the back for three
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non-qualifiers: Morocco, Senegal and Zimbabwe – offering up a few more names well-known to those in the UK, such as Moustapha Hadji (Morocco), and Zimbabwe pair Bruce Grobbelaar and Peter Ndlovu. As with Yugoslavia in Panini’s Euro 92, Nigeria did not go on to compete in the finals due to political intervention. That reduced the field to 15 teams, with hosts South Africa – who replaced original hosts Kenya – facing Tunisia in the final. Mark Williams, who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers during that same 1995–96 season – scored twice as South
Africa earned their first title. There was also a nod to previous tournaments – including those who had also starred in past World Cups – with stickers assigned to the likes of Lakhdar Belloumi (Algeria), Aziz Bouderbala (Morocco) and Roger Milla (Cameroon), as part of the introduction. Africa Cup 2008 – staged in Ghana – was Panini’s next album covering the continent’s showpiece tournament, which had risen greatly in popularity around the world. The roll call in the 281-sticker collection reads like a Who’s Who of the leading players of the day: Michael Essien (Ghana), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Seydou Keita (Mali) and Eto’o of Cameroon (forgoing first name, Samuel, on his sticker) among many others. Egypt’s own collection of stars upstaged them all, beating Ivory Coast 4–1 in the semi-final and then edging out Cameroon 1–0 in the final, thanks to a late goal from Mohamed Aboutrika. Another Panini album – Africa Cup 2010 – was produced for the next tournament, with Egypt again triumphing in the Angola-
hosted event. Premier League players abounded in the 300 spaces provided: Alexandre Song (Cameroon), Joseph Yobo (Nigeria) and Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) were among those taking time out from the English Premier League for national team commitments. There was also an early sticker appearance for Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – as well as his brother Willy – who was making his way in the French league at the time, before prolific spells in Germany and England with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal respectively. Ahmed Hassan, who made 184 international appearances during a glittering career, scored twice for Egypt to get past Cameroon in the quarter-finals before his side overwhelmed Algeria 4–0 in the last four. Mohamed Nagy, also known as Gedo, struck the winner against Ghana in the final with five minutes remaining. With Africa’s teams and players continuing to take a more pivotal role in the World Cup and in Europe’s domestic competitions, there remains plenty of room for Panini to develop its presence on the continent in the years ahead.
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PANINI AROUND THE WORLD
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Africa’s growing impact on the World Cup during the 1980s made Panini’s entry into Africa inevitable, and what better place to start collecting than with the Africa Cup of Nations. Panini’s first albums covering football in Africa centred around the Egyptian domestic game in the 1980s. Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Nigeria had produced stand-out displays in the World Cup tournaments from 1982 to 1994 and many of the continent’s top players had moved to top European clubs. George Weah (Liberia), Lucas Radebe (South Africa), Moussa Saïb (Algeria), Hany Ramzy (Egypt), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia), Anthony Yeboah (Ghana) and Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria) were all part of Panini’s debut African Cup of Nations ’96. There was even a section at the back for three
200
non-qualifiers: Morocco, Senegal and Zimbabwe – offering up a few more names well-known to those in the UK, such as Moustapha Hadji (Morocco), and Zimbabwe pair Bruce Grobbelaar and Peter Ndlovu. As with Yugoslavia in Panini’s Euro 92, Nigeria did not go on to compete in the finals due to political intervention. That reduced the field to 15 teams, with hosts South Africa – who replaced original hosts Kenya – facing Tunisia in the final. Mark Williams, who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers during that same 1995–96 season – scored twice as South
Africa earned their first title. There was also a nod to previous tournaments – including those who had also starred in past World Cups – with stickers assigned to the likes of Lakhdar Belloumi (Algeria), Aziz Bouderbala (Morocco) and Roger Milla (Cameroon), as part of the introduction. Africa Cup 2008 – staged in Ghana – was Panini’s next album covering the continent’s showpiece tournament, which had risen greatly in popularity around the world. The roll call in the 281-sticker collection reads like a Who’s Who of the leading players of the day: Michael Essien (Ghana), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Seydou Keita (Mali) and Eto’o of Cameroon (forgoing first name, Samuel, on his sticker) among many others. Egypt’s own collection of stars upstaged them all, beating Ivory Coast 4–1 in the semi-final and then edging out Cameroon 1–0 in the final, thanks to a late goal from Mohamed Aboutrika. Another Panini album – Africa Cup 2010 – was produced for the next tournament, with Egypt again triumphing in the Angola-
hosted event. Premier League players abounded in the 300 spaces provided: Alexandre Song (Cameroon), Joseph Yobo (Nigeria) and Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) were among those taking time out from the English Premier League for national team commitments. There was also an early sticker appearance for Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – as well as his brother Willy – who was making his way in the French league at the time, before prolific spells in Germany and England with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal respectively. Ahmed Hassan, who made 184 international appearances during a glittering career, scored twice for Egypt to get past Cameroon in the quarter-finals before his side overwhelmed Algeria 4–0 in the last four. Mohamed Nagy, also known as Gedo, struck the winner against Ghana in the final with five minutes remaining. With Africa’s teams and players continuing to take a more pivotal role in the World Cup and in Europe’s domestic competitions, there remains plenty of room for Panini to develop its presence on the continent in the years ahead.
201
SOUTH AFRICA 2010 Fresh from the success of their Germany 2006 album, Panini’s South Africa 2010 was their biggest World Cup offering yet as an African nation hosted the tournament for the first time.
LICENSED OFFICIAL ALBUM R
STICKE R
by r licence tured unde Manufac
.com inigroup www.pan
04/05/10
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202
1
10:24
For the first instance in a Panini World Cup album, every nation received an identical double-page spread made up of 17 player stickers, a team group and a shiny foil badge, with no need for any of the qualifying nations – or their fans – to feel an inferiority complex. There would be no going back. After taking tentative steps with update stickers for Germany 2006, Panini produced a set of 80 stickers, on sheets, as final squads were announced. These included England centre-backs Jamie Carragher and Ledley King, both of whom made the 23-man selection but not the 17 chosen by Panini. Having won Euro 2008, Spain were among the favourites to win the World Cup. Reverting to type, however, they lost their opening game of the tournament, 1–0 to
Switzerland. It seemed a long way back for Spain as no team had ever gone on to win the World Cup after losing their first game. But they achieved their first task of getting out of the group, chiefly thanks to the goals of David Villa, who rocked a short, spiky hair do in South Africa 2010. France continued their trend of following up a World Cup Final appearance with a disastrous campaign next time around – this time doing even worse than in 2002. Unrest in the French camp was heightened when Nicolas Anelka – shaven-headed and goatee-bearded in South Africa 2010 – was sent home for expressing his feelings towards coach Raymond Domenech at half-time in the 2–0 defeat to Mexico. A number of team-mates (including captain Patrice Evra) then boycotted training ahead of
203
SOUTH AFRICA 2010 Fresh from the success of their Germany 2006 album, Panini’s South Africa 2010 was their biggest World Cup offering yet as an African nation hosted the tournament for the first time.
LICENSED OFFICIAL ALBUM R
STICKE R
by r licence tured unde Manufac
.com inigroup www.pan
04/05/10
def.indd
tck_cover_
2010fwc_s
202
1
10:24
For the first instance in a Panini World Cup album, every nation received an identical double-page spread made up of 17 player stickers, a team group and a shiny foil badge, with no need for any of the qualifying nations – or their fans – to feel an inferiority complex. There would be no going back. After taking tentative steps with update stickers for Germany 2006, Panini produced a set of 80 stickers, on sheets, as final squads were announced. These included England centre-backs Jamie Carragher and Ledley King, both of whom made the 23-man selection but not the 17 chosen by Panini. Having won Euro 2008, Spain were among the favourites to win the World Cup. Reverting to type, however, they lost their opening game of the tournament, 1–0 to
Switzerland. It seemed a long way back for Spain as no team had ever gone on to win the World Cup after losing their first game. But they achieved their first task of getting out of the group, chiefly thanks to the goals of David Villa, who rocked a short, spiky hair do in South Africa 2010. France continued their trend of following up a World Cup Final appearance with a disastrous campaign next time around – this time doing even worse than in 2002. Unrest in the French camp was heightened when Nicolas Anelka – shaven-headed and goatee-bearded in South Africa 2010 – was sent home for expressing his feelings towards coach Raymond Domenech at half-time in the 2–0 defeat to Mexico. A number of team-mates (including captain Patrice Evra) then boycotted training ahead of
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2010 WORLD CUP
SOUTH AFRICA 2010 ALBUM FACTS
Winners: SPAIN
PAGES: 72 ALBUM PRICE: £1.50 NUMBER OF STICKERS: 640
Runners-up: NETHERLANDS
PACKET COST: 50P FOR FIVE STICKERS
Third: GERMANY Fourth: URUGUAY Golden Boot: DIEGO FORLAN, THOMAS MULLER, WESLEY SNEIJDER, DAVID VILLA (5) the final group match – another defeat, to hosts South Africa. Holders Italy did no better as they also crashed out at the group stage, following up two draws with a 3–2 defeat to Slovakia. Robert Vittek – kitted out like the rest of the squad in a red-and-white tracksuit in South Africa 2010 – was the two-goal hero for the World Cup debutants. Argentina’s group stage form contrasted starkly with France and Italy as they won all three games under coach Diego Maradona. Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick against South Korea but Lionel Messi (minus the ‘Andres’ of his Germany 2006 sticker) entered the knockout phase still looking for his range. Portugal recorded the biggest win of the tournament when they beat North Korea 7–0. Surprisingly, only one of them came from skipper Cristiano Ronaldo. England limped through Group
204
C in second place, earning them the dubious pleasure of facing Germany in the second round. After quickly going two goals behind, Matthew Upson pulled one back for England before Frank Lampard’s shot was adjudged to have not crossed the line, contrary to what TV replays showed viewers. Thomas Müller – omitted from the South Africa 2010 album having only made his full German debut in March 2010 – scored twice after the break to end any doubt. Müller scored again in the quarter-final as Germany emphatically burst Argentina’s bubble in a 4–0 win. Netherlands knocked out Brazil at the same stage thanks to two goals from Wesley Sneijder. Like his compatriots, he wore a fully zipped-up Oranje tracksuit top in South Africa 2010. Meanwhile, Villa was again the match-winner for
Spain against Paraguay. But the main drama of the last eight came in Johannesburg, where Ghana were only a penalty kick away from becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals. Luis Suarez – then at Ajax – had got Uruguay to that stage with two goals in the secondround defeat of South Korea. His quarter-final efforts are best remembered for his goalkeeping skills, however, as the striker handled Dominic Adiyiah’s goalbound header, resulting in a red card and a penalty. Asamoah Gyan had the chance to put Ghana 2–1 ahead in time addedon of extra-time – only to hit the crossbar. Gyan was successful with his spot-kick in the shootout but two of his team-mates were less precise, which sent the South Americans into the last four. Missing the suspended Suarez, Diego Forlan – one of
two Uruguay strikers going for the hairband look in South Africa 2010, along with Edinson Cavani – kept up his good form with an equaliser against the Netherlands. The Dutch then surged 3–1 ahead after the break through Sneijder and Arjen Robben, before a consolation injury-time goal for Uruguay. There were fewer goals in the other semi-final, but Spain v Germany was no less absorbing as Carles Puyol headed in the only goal of the game to put the Spanish into the final for the first time. Both finalists lived on their nerves throughout the deciding game in Soccer City, Johannesburg, with neither anywhere near their best. With the match seemingly destined for penalties, Cesc Fabrégas set up Andrés Iniesta for the only goal of the game with four minutes of extra-time left.
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2010 WORLD CUP
SOUTH AFRICA 2010 ALBUM FACTS
Winners: SPAIN
PAGES: 72 ALBUM PRICE: £1.50 NUMBER OF STICKERS: 640
Runners-up: NETHERLANDS
PACKET COST: 50P FOR FIVE STICKERS
Third: GERMANY Fourth: URUGUAY Golden Boot: DIEGO FORLAN, THOMAS MULLER, WESLEY SNEIJDER, DAVID VILLA (5) the final group match – another defeat, to hosts South Africa. Holders Italy did no better as they also crashed out at the group stage, following up two draws with a 3–2 defeat to Slovakia. Robert Vittek – kitted out like the rest of the squad in a red-and-white tracksuit in South Africa 2010 – was the two-goal hero for the World Cup debutants. Argentina’s group stage form contrasted starkly with France and Italy as they won all three games under coach Diego Maradona. Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick against South Korea but Lionel Messi (minus the ‘Andres’ of his Germany 2006 sticker) entered the knockout phase still looking for his range. Portugal recorded the biggest win of the tournament when they beat North Korea 7–0. Surprisingly, only one of them came from skipper Cristiano Ronaldo. England limped through Group
204
C in second place, earning them the dubious pleasure of facing Germany in the second round. After quickly going two goals behind, Matthew Upson pulled one back for England before Frank Lampard’s shot was adjudged to have not crossed the line, contrary to what TV replays showed viewers. Thomas Müller – omitted from the South Africa 2010 album having only made his full German debut in March 2010 – scored twice after the break to end any doubt. Müller scored again in the quarter-final as Germany emphatically burst Argentina’s bubble in a 4–0 win. Netherlands knocked out Brazil at the same stage thanks to two goals from Wesley Sneijder. Like his compatriots, he wore a fully zipped-up Oranje tracksuit top in South Africa 2010. Meanwhile, Villa was again the match-winner for
Spain against Paraguay. But the main drama of the last eight came in Johannesburg, where Ghana were only a penalty kick away from becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals. Luis Suarez – then at Ajax – had got Uruguay to that stage with two goals in the secondround defeat of South Korea. His quarter-final efforts are best remembered for his goalkeeping skills, however, as the striker handled Dominic Adiyiah’s goalbound header, resulting in a red card and a penalty. Asamoah Gyan had the chance to put Ghana 2–1 ahead in time addedon of extra-time – only to hit the crossbar. Gyan was successful with his spot-kick in the shootout but two of his team-mates were less precise, which sent the South Americans into the last four. Missing the suspended Suarez, Diego Forlan – one of
two Uruguay strikers going for the hairband look in South Africa 2010, along with Edinson Cavani – kept up his good form with an equaliser against the Netherlands. The Dutch then surged 3–1 ahead after the break through Sneijder and Arjen Robben, before a consolation injury-time goal for Uruguay. There were fewer goals in the other semi-final, but Spain v Germany was no less absorbing as Carles Puyol headed in the only goal of the game to put the Spanish into the final for the first time. Both finalists lived on their nerves throughout the deciding game in Soccer City, Johannesburg, with neither anywhere near their best. With the match seemingly destined for penalties, Cesc Fabrégas set up Andrés Iniesta for the only goal of the game with four minutes of extra-time left.
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EURO 2017 Winners: NETHERLANDS Runners-up: DENMARK
EURO 2017 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 40 ALBUM PRICE: £1.50 NUMBER OF STICKERS: 334 PACKET COST: 60P FOR FIVE STICKERS
EURO 2017 The Netherlands came out on top in Euro 2017 on their home turf, as Panini releases its firstever Women’s Euro album. The cover for Panini’s debut Women’s Euro album said it all: ‘The continued rise of women’s football’. With the number of teams in the finals increasing from 12 in Euro 2013 to 16 for this Netherlands-hosted tournament, lots of nations were able to make their first appearance in sticker form. As well as Euro 2017 tournament branding, the album was kick-started by eight action shots from the qualifying stage, featuring star players such as Norway’s Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg, Germany’s Anja Mittag and England’s Karen Carney. Each qualifier was then illustrated by a shiny badge, a team group and 18 player stickers.
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With Scotland joining England in the finals as first-timers, UK collectors could get going with a starter pack consisting of an album and 26 stickers for £2.99. There was another first for the women’s game as a Digital Trading Card Collection called ‘UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 Adrenalyn XL Digital Trading Cards’ further brought players into the spotlight. Germany had carried off the six previous Euro tournaments and had also won the 2016 Olympic title. But they faced growing competition as Sweden had pushed them close in the Olympic final and England had beaten them in the 2015 World Cup thirdplace play-off. France were also looking strong, ranked third in the
Third: AUSTRIA AND ENGLAND (NO THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF) world going into the tournament. Hosts Netherlands were another team on the up, winning all of their Group A matches. Denmark joined the Dutch in the quarter-finals while the traditionally strong Norwegians flopped, losing all three games. Germany and Sweden progressed from Group B as expected, while Austria topped Group C thanks to crucial strikes from Nina Burger in wins over Switzerland and Iceland. France made it through as runners-up but were lacklustre – their only win coming via a late Eugénie Le Sommer penalty against Iceland. Scotland’s Euro debut was the stuff of nightmares as England beat them 6–0 in Utrecht – Jodie Taylor hitting a hat-trick. England went on to achieve maximum points, but the battle for second spot went to the last seconds, Caroline Weir’s goal not quite enough for Scotland to overtake Spain. Theresa Eslund’s late goal caused the shock of the quarterfinals as Denmark beat serial winners Germany 2–1. The Netherlands displayed the best of their attacking talents in a
2–0 win over Sweden, the goals coming from Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema. Austria beat Spain on penalties, while Jodie Taylor’s fifth goal of the tournament was enough for England to overcome France. Stina Lykke Borg was Denmark’s penalty-saving heroine in their semi-final shoot-out win against Austria, following a goalless draw. The Netherlands were far more decisive in their last four game against England and an early goal from Miedema, who had just agreed a move to Arsenal, set them on their way. Daniëlle van de Donk – who was already at Arsenal – made it 2–0. Millie Bright’s own goal capped England’s misery. Nadia Nadim gave Denmark an early advantage from the penalty spot in the final, which was played in Enschede. Miedema quickly replied and then Martens added a second for the Dutch. Pernille Harder than made it 2–2 to bring a breathless first half to a close. Sherida Spitse restored the Netherlands’ lead and Miedema’s late second made sure of their first major trophy.
Top scorer: JODIE TAYLOR (5)
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EURO 2017 Winners: NETHERLANDS Runners-up: DENMARK
EURO 2017 ALBUM FACTS PAGES: 40 ALBUM PRICE: £1.50 NUMBER OF STICKERS: 334 PACKET COST: 60P FOR FIVE STICKERS
EURO 2017 The Netherlands came out on top in Euro 2017 on their home turf, as Panini releases its firstever Women’s Euro album. The cover for Panini’s debut Women’s Euro album said it all: ‘The continued rise of women’s football’. With the number of teams in the finals increasing from 12 in Euro 2013 to 16 for this Netherlands-hosted tournament, lots of nations were able to make their first appearance in sticker form. As well as Euro 2017 tournament branding, the album was kick-started by eight action shots from the qualifying stage, featuring star players such as Norway’s Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg, Germany’s Anja Mittag and England’s Karen Carney. Each qualifier was then illustrated by a shiny badge, a team group and 18 player stickers.
222
With Scotland joining England in the finals as first-timers, UK collectors could get going with a starter pack consisting of an album and 26 stickers for £2.99. There was another first for the women’s game as a Digital Trading Card Collection called ‘UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 Adrenalyn XL Digital Trading Cards’ further brought players into the spotlight. Germany had carried off the six previous Euro tournaments and had also won the 2016 Olympic title. But they faced growing competition as Sweden had pushed them close in the Olympic final and England had beaten them in the 2015 World Cup thirdplace play-off. France were also looking strong, ranked third in the
Third: AUSTRIA AND ENGLAND (NO THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF) world going into the tournament. Hosts Netherlands were another team on the up, winning all of their Group A matches. Denmark joined the Dutch in the quarter-finals while the traditionally strong Norwegians flopped, losing all three games. Germany and Sweden progressed from Group B as expected, while Austria topped Group C thanks to crucial strikes from Nina Burger in wins over Switzerland and Iceland. France made it through as runners-up but were lacklustre – their only win coming via a late Eugénie Le Sommer penalty against Iceland. Scotland’s Euro debut was the stuff of nightmares as England beat them 6–0 in Utrecht – Jodie Taylor hitting a hat-trick. England went on to achieve maximum points, but the battle for second spot went to the last seconds, Caroline Weir’s goal not quite enough for Scotland to overtake Spain. Theresa Eslund’s late goal caused the shock of the quarterfinals as Denmark beat serial winners Germany 2–1. The Netherlands displayed the best of their attacking talents in a
2–0 win over Sweden, the goals coming from Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema. Austria beat Spain on penalties, while Jodie Taylor’s fifth goal of the tournament was enough for England to overcome France. Stina Lykke Borg was Denmark’s penalty-saving heroine in their semi-final shoot-out win against Austria, following a goalless draw. The Netherlands were far more decisive in their last four game against England and an early goal from Miedema, who had just agreed a move to Arsenal, set them on their way. Daniëlle van de Donk – who was already at Arsenal – made it 2–0. Millie Bright’s own goal capped England’s misery. Nadia Nadim gave Denmark an early advantage from the penalty spot in the final, which was played in Enschede. Miedema quickly replied and then Martens added a second for the Dutch. Pernille Harder than made it 2–2 to bring a breathless first half to a close. Sherida Spitse restored the Netherlands’ lead and Miedema’s late second made sure of their first major trophy.
Top scorer: JODIE TAYLOR (5)
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