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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