The Big Match - Opening Titles (Part 2)

David Poza, creator of the epic YouTube nostalgiafest 'On This Day' returns with Part 2 of his look back at the opening titles of The Big Match...

1973-74

The big change arrived: a new theme tune. And it’s probably what the fans most remember; it was called La Soiree, by David Ordini. In this season, we saw a longer version than in following seasons, and there were three different versions:

Early season: It includes a panoramic view of Wembley, a terrible miss by Roger Davies of Derby County, an Arsenal player doing funny things (funny at the time, not today), the marvellous double save by Jim Montgomery in the 1973 FA Cup Final (which marks the title), the famous banner (‘NORMAN BITES YER LEGS’) and Bob Stokoe running across the pitch to hug the keeper at the end of the final. From this set of titles some snippets were cut and appeared only during those months, like Jupp Heynckes goal at the UEFA Cup Final the previous season.

Rest of the season: Not so many changes in the format, except from added moments from that season, like Brian Clough laughing at Muhammad Ali or a great save in a Spurs vs Arsenal game. Another change is that Stokoe’s run is shortened, because they wanted to make space for Bill McGarry’s run to hug Phil Parkes after an epic League Cup Final in March.

1974-75

Maybe the season with the most sets of titles; I have counted up to four different kinds. They used a shortened version of the song and there are many things to say about that season.

Early-early season (August-September): It is not currently available on YouTube (but surely I will upload later) and from what I saw before, it’s just a goal and action review from the 73-74 season. Many things survived until the next set of titles, including Dennis Tueart’s goal at Oxford, Kevin Keegan’s goal in the 1974 FA Cup Final and Keith Weller’s magnificent goal at Luton were shown - all surviving until December. Also the way the 'The Big Match' logo was shown was very bizarre indeed...

September until December: Not so many changes in the format. The items previously mentioned were intact, and only minor changes appeared like Terry Mancini having fun in a game against Stoke and Bobby Gould celebrating a goal with West Ham (remember those two names). Also the appearance of a banner showing 'City Prepare to Meet Thy Doog' and the man himself, Derek Dougan, praying on his knees.

December until March-April: Probably the major change of this season. Many things disappeared and many others were updated. First, a great goal from West Ham against Wolves, moving through Malcolm Allison or a great save at Millwall (not sure), we see the logo stopping a great play by Chelsea... which finishes with a goal. Then, Frank Worthington doing comedy and our Terry Mancini with a wig... or is it his real hair? Also notice a Spurs player with a black eye and the magic sponge being applied. The end of the titles include a diving Newcastle player, a goal by Stan Bowles and a magnificent goal by Orient at the Texaco Cup.  Bobby Gould (remember?) is the last image of this set.

Late season: Another big change, with only two games included: both FA semi-final replays and both winners’ celebrations. But notice one thing: the so-called underdogs (Fulham) are shown in almost three quarters of the whole video, including celebrations in the dressing room, with some fans having a drink and singing (is this what happens nowadays?) West Ham only has 20 seconds with a slow-down picture of the players celebrating a goal. Oh! And Bobby Gould smiling again.

1975-76

In this season we see up to three versions of the opening titles, and during the first part of the season we're invited to watch the first moments of the FA Cup Final! As the whistle blows, Alan Taylor scores one of his goals to help West Ham win the Cup. Bobby Moore and Alan Mullery appear as Fulham players after the game and then Billy Bonds appears with the Cup as 'THE BIG MATCH' appears. After that, this happened:

In the early season, we were shown several clips from the 1974-75 season, including Freddie Starr dressed as Hitler, Dickie Guy saving his penalty against Leeds United in the FA Cup or some mistakes by strugglers Chelsea and Spurs. A wonderful team goal from the Home Championships (by Brian Flynn) appeared for the rest of the season, and we were delighted to see women’s football in the form of a rather funny celebration.

During September to February, new material was added; Willie Carr’s goal against Birmingham, Franny Lee and Mike Summerbee not playing for Man City, and a certain character whose identity is not yet known at present (Note: If someone knows who is he, please, tell us!) Oh - and don’t forget that great name in British refereeing called Mr Kirkpatrick and his funny way of running.

End of the season, and the longer version of the theme was played, introducing several teams leaving their locker rooms heading to the ground (Arsenal, Leicester and Spurs are shown). After that, some action from the season including Alan Woodward’s scorcher at Derby, Bobby Moore in the Christmas Special and a couple of great saves too. The women’s football celebration is still in there and we have another scene of Mister Kirkpatrick telling us “When will this game finish?!”

1976-77

For this season, I only have one set of opening titles and this is the last time the familiar tune sounded in the full original style. This time we see various scenes from last season and the early part of the current season (which leads me to believe this set was from September). There’s a Fulham player bleeding, Alan Gowling celebrating, a Leeds United player changing his shorts in the middle of a game and Dennis Tueart scoring his wonder goal against Newcastle United in the 1976 League Cup Final. And then, Terry Mancini again, Malcolm MacDonald in the yellow shirt of Arsenal and several pictures from Southampton’s FA Cup victory. The last scene is George Best and Rodney Marsh playing for Fulham – the best of friends.

‘La Soiree’ didn't remain as The Big Match theme after that season, and more changes were on the way...


See also:

• The Big Match - Opening Titles (Part 1)
• The Big Match: Studio Timeline (Part 2)
• The Big Match: Studio Timeline (Part 1)

The Big Match - Opening Titles (Part 1)

Time for another guest post now as David Poza, creator of the epic 'On This Day' series on YouTube that showcases historical football matches for every day of the year, takes us through the ever-changing opening titles from ITV's classic football highlights programme. Here's Part 1...

The Big Match was the famous rival of Match of The Day and during 15 years it featured some of the best opening titles that I have ever seen. The music changed during the years and probably followed the changing times.

1968-69

The first opening titles are very basic; without much fuss or effort. Just some goals and actions from the last season of the old ATV ‘Star Soccer’ show in London. Very nice to see Leeds United’s goal in the League Cup Final against Arsenal. The longest action shown is the magnificent goal of Bobby Charlton against Spurs, which ends with the commentary of Hugh Johns’ “Oh, a fine goal!”

The music during the next four seasons will be the famous song by Keith Mansfield ‘Young Scene,’ a very catchy song that takes us to the sofa to see… West Ham v QPR for example.

1969-70

We find the first versions of the opening titles, and these will be a constant in almost every season.

Up to October or November, The Big Match had a very simple intro; some goals from the past season including Neil Young’s goal at the FA Cup Final, Bobby Gould celebrating in the League Cup or a very long individual play that ends in a corner at Stamford Bridge (notice the lack of hoardings at the time).

The transformation is complete when colour arrives at LWT. The problem arrives when the archive team doesn’t have any colour pictures from games covered by ITV. The troubles have a very easy answer: take a bit from World Cup ’66, a bit from Pathé recordings of Chelsea v Arsenal and the European Cup of ’68, and everything will be clear!

1970-71

Up to three changes to the opening line-up in the first season of the 70’s.

1. From the early season: First color pictures in the archive! It was just like a review of the late season: Rivelino scoring against Uruguay, George Best sent off for Northern Ireland or the Goal of the Season 1970 (George Graham against Palace) are featured.

2. From December to the end of the season: A random selection of bits and pieces from the early season including Jimmy Greaves at West Ham, Rodney Marsh’s magnificent goal against Birmingham, and the banner of THE BIG MATCH showing Gary Sprake in disbelief after another mistake. At the end, another Golden Goal: Johnny Hollins against Arsenal in September.

3. 24 April1971: A one-off title made to celebrate Frank McLintock’s Footballer of The Year Award. He’s seen at Stamford Bridge talking to his team-mates.

1971-72

The last one to feature Keith Mansfield’s song. It was unaltered until the end of the season except from one fact I will mention later. The titles include some of the most striking pictures so far. Starting with a wrestle at Hull, a Derby player attacking Paddy Crerand (imagine this going backwards and forwards and you get what was funny in those days), George Best humiliating Gordon Banks and finishing with the three winners of the cups making the banner. The variation is the ending, changing Tottenham’s League Cup celebration and Charlie George’s goal at the FA Cup Final the previous year for Stoke’s League Cup final bath and the goal by ’The Old Man,’ George Eastham.

1972-73

There are three versions of the opening credits during this season. The biggest change was the theme tune. Mansfield was retired and The Big Match saluted a piece made by The Don Harper Orchestra called ‘Cheekybird.’ For most, it was a big change (including me) and more changes happened in the presentation of the opening credits.

During the early season, we saw one of the most bizarre titles of the 70’s. This contained superimposed pictures from various Finals and games, so we can see a vicious foul at the FA Cup Final in 1972 and Denis Law celebrating a goal, all superimposed at the same time.

Then a revamp was needed. Maybe the first set of titles didn’t catch the attention of the audience, so a radical change appeared. With THE BIG MATCH title in front, the two teams that were playing the main match were seen leaving the tunnel behind, and that was during a 2-3 month period. And again there was a need for change… so what better than to go back to the classics: pictures of goals and saves.

In January 1973 we were delighted to see… Gordon Banks’ underwear. Probably not the best beginning for an opening credit, but in my opinion, the song and the pictures chosen were appropriate and caught my attention as soon as I saw them. That included among others, Cyril Knowles’ own goal against Crystal Palace, Peter Lorimer’s screamer at Selhurst Park or Jimmy Hill acting as linesman. Great opening credits indeed.

But things were to change again the following season…



Our thanks go to Jamie Pollob for his guest post. Part 2 of his series 'The Big Match - Opening Titles' will feature here on The Football Attic soon.

If you'd like to share your nostalgia memories with us, why not send your words to us like David did? Just drop us a line to admin [at] thefootballattic [dot] com and we'll do the rest!

Football and Comedy: The Goodies (1982)

Football and comedy: two worlds that only usually collide whenever someone employs Joe Kinnear, yet hidden away in the depths of our psyche are images and memories we've harvested from decades spent watching the television.

Though we may have forgotten by now, the world of football has featured in many of our favourite comedy TV programmes. Sometimes a mere passing reference (no pun intended) is all we've needed while at other times nothing less than a full blown tribute to the beautiful game was provided for our viewing pleasure.

And that's why The Football Attic feels it necessary to begin this new series where we highlight these funny football memories from the past, no matter how slight or unfunny they may be. To start off, we bring you a bumper post highlighting an entire episode of The Goodies which is jam-packed full of football references from start to finish.

You can watch the video below, and if you'd like your experience enhanced further still, we've provided a few things to look out for in the listing further down this page. (Oh, and a warning: Some of the language used during this episode is a little... how shall we say... 'of its era'?)



00:00
The opening titles beckon the start of series 9, episode 3 of The Goodies. This series was the only one to be shown on ITV (London Weekend Television specifically) and our featured episode was originally broadcast on 16 January 1982.

During its 12-year run on British TV, The Goodies had several different variations on their theme tune, and if I'm honest this is probably my favourite. Not that you needed to know that or anything.

00:49
Our first sight of football and, if we're not mistaken, it's some grainy stock footage of the 1976 FA Cup Final between Southampton and Manchester United.

01:20
A nice use of some replica Admiral Southampton away kits on the actors there. Of course there's no disguising the fact that this spliced into the original stock footage, but hey ho...

02:17
Our first sight of The Goodies' flat, and there's Tim Brooke-Taylor showing support for his favourite club in real life, Derby County. Then we catch sight of the opening titles to The Big Match, such as they were at the time, but connoisseurs will note that the music doesn't match up to the graphics. The reason for that, we suppose, is that this footage is taken from a 1986 VHS release featuring this episode and one other from series 9. Presumably Jeff Wayne wouldn't allow his excellent theme tune to be used at the time, but at least we can confirm the issue was put right on subsequent DVD releases of this episode.

02:29
Yes, it's the warmest of welcomes to Fred Dinenage, occasional understudy for Dickie Davies on World of Sport and here a more than capable stand-in for Brian Moore. To his credit, Dinenage plays it absolutely straight, telling it like it is - or at least how it was back in the early 1980's. References to Manchester United's entire supporters club being arrested and Chelsea 'hitting six, punching twelve and strangling four' were funny yet satirically reflected the poor state of football in Britain at the time, as the episode goes on to explain...

03:35
Fans of The Goodies will know that their favourite show has a rich tradition of sending up TV commercials that stretches way back to the early 1970's. This time the target was a commercial for Barbican alcohol-free beer, one of several fronted by former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy (and here's another). Graeme Garden does an excellent impersonation of Gateshead-born McMenemy, finishing off with a wonderful punchline and comedy pass-out that was so good it made its way into the show's opening titles.

04:59

Who better to report on the growing violent tendencies among football's elite supporters than mild-mannered Kenneth Wolstenholme. Here he is talking to 'Twerp of the Month' Bill Oddie who brilliantly adopts the phraseology of the modern footballer to great effect ("I dunno, I just seem to be getting them right at the moment, Ken...")

06:27
A lovely bit of interplay between Tim Brooke-Taylor and himself on the TV screen where his alter ego appears as a Chief of Police, intent on ridding football of its hooliganism...

07:37
...and to that end Tim removes his football supporter's gear to reveal his Chief of Police uniform. Frustratingly for Brooke-Taylor, his outer garb is taking a long time to remove, so Tim ad libs his way through the sequence with the occasional "Hang on" and "Wait for it" to keep the audience amused.

08:13
A nice reference to the football kit designs of the early 80's. "Look at those shirts" says Tim. "In the old days they didn't have silk shirts. No, they had rough hessian shirts - with collars. Yes, I said collars, but they don't have collars nowadays, oh no. They have plunging necklines..." I'm not sure collars actually had died out by that stage, but the observations made in the dialogue are nonetheless delightfully written.

09:12

Once again we see some location footage taken at a football ground somewhere... but exactly where is it? The answer: Selhurst Park, home of Crystal Palace. There are the terraces upon which Bill stands in his thug persona, and onto the pitch run our traditionally dressed players. Tim Brooke-Taylor provides the commentary, perfectly mimicking the newsreel films of the wartime era.

11:52
Part Two of the show begins with Graeme Garden in traditional 'mad scientist' mode using Subbuteo to test the effects of watching football on some unsuspecting mice in the stands. A great setup you've got there, Graham - not sure about that playing technique though...

16:38

Having converted to the supposedly safe pastime of watching ballet, we're treated to new opening titles for The Big Match complete with David Ordini's theme tune, 'La Soiree', and updated logo. Graeme Garden this time impersonates Brian Moore ('- or Less')

17:10
Over at Covent Garden, the match is about to begin between Aston Villa (featuring Wayne Sleep) and Cricklewood, the latter featuring Garden, Oddie and three men bearing a striking resemblance to Kevin Keegan, Pele and Johann Cruyff.

19:06

A Big Match-style caption provides us with the half-time score, then it's Graeme Garden x 3 thanks to some split-screen jiggery-pokery. Having already given us his Moore-than-capable depiction of the Big Match presenter, we then see him impersonating pundits Brian Clough and Tommy Docherty with some aplomb.

20:41
A small detail it might be, but why is the old guy in the ballet crowd wearing an Ipswich Town rosette?

20:48
Listen out for some fruity narration from Garden: "Are we going to see Sleep's famous banana as he tries to bend it round the wall?"

21:24
A lovely little sequence here as Garden plays the dying swan, and a dying swan with a floppy arm and an itch, at that...

22:32
The game ends as a draw, so penalties are required. But what's this? The players themselves are being thrown into the net starting with Pele, but not before some more fruity narration from Garden who tells us that the Brazilian legend "usually goes to the left."

Unfortunately for Cricklewood, Pele's body crosses the line but his head doesn't, so it's no goal. (A case for goal-line technology if ever we saw one...?)

Wayne Sleep in goal deals capably with Cruyff but he's unable to stop Bill Oddie who fully crosses the line and claims a moral victory for Cricklewood.

Funny game, ballet...

ITV Saturday Soccer Special Annual, 1980

If, as a child, you saw this slim tome in your local bookshop back in 1980, you might have expected it to contain articles about football and ITV’s presentation of it. Sadly for anyone interested in The Big Match or On The Ball, this book featured only one such article, and at no point did it even mention Jim Rosenthal. Devastating as this is, I beg you to read on.

This was, in real terms, a football annual much like those produced by Shoot or Match years ago, but it’s distinction derived from the fact that it was a one-off - published purely to coincide with ITV taking over the prime Saturday night highlights slot from the BBC.

The acquisition of those TV rights came to be known as ‘Snatch of the Day’ as it was the first time the BBC’s Match of the Day had not been bumped from its traditional slot in the schedules. Having finally been given the go-ahead to switch from Sunday afternoons, The Big Match was finally where it wanted to be, and to celebrate, it produced... a children’s football annual.

They could have called it ‘The Big Match Annual’ (as a few other books had been in the mid-1970’s) but clearly the aim was to reinforce the word ‘Saturday’, as if ITV had finally laid their hands on the holy grail. Having emblazoned that on the front cover, they also included a nicely painted composition by Bill Ireland representing the home footballing nations. The ever-present image of Kevin Keegan took centre stage as you’d expect, while around him Kenny Dalglish, Terry Yorath, Peter Shilton and a couple of other less identifiable types were depicted doing their thing too.

This being the early-80’s, it was almost against the law to publish a football annual without Kevin Keegan in it, and this one didn't disappoint. Inside we were told why Keegan chose to sign for Southampton on July 1, 1980 rather than the other clubs that were said to be after his signature, namely Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Aside from the chance to play at The Dell alongside his England teammate Mick Channon, “private chats with Johan Cruyff convinced him Barcelona would expect too much from him for the fistful of pesetas he would get” or so we were led to believe. In addition, Italy was “torn by internal strife and terrified by kidnappings, bombings and murders in recent years” while Liverpool couldn't offer Keegan anything new by way of a challenge because he’d won everything there first time around.

As for Chelsea, they weren't guaranteed to get promotion from the Second Division in 1979/80 (they would ultimately miss out on goal difference) so in the following season “Keegan would have been appearing at Second Division clubs like Oldham, Cardiff, Bolton and Orient. Clearly a waste of the great man’s talent.” Ouch.

Talent was something very much on the mind of Denis Law, according to the annual. The former Man United and Man City star was pondering the dearth of skilful British players apparently seen more widely in in previous decades. The reason, Law surmised, was down to coaching. “Players like Bobby Charlton, George Best and Tom Finney never had any coaching” he said. “Look at their skills, their class and natural ability - it came through without any of the fanatical coaching people demand today.”

There was, it seemed, only one way to improve matters in the mind of The Law Man: “The sooner we throw out coaches, the better. The flair isn't there anymore and I am concerned it is because of the craving for coaches.” A curiously controversial view, and one that the average 15-year-old may have been at a loss to comprehend.

A happier man was Tony Woodcock. His move to Cologne had been all the more successful because of the determination to succeed shown by Kevin Keegan before him. ‘Keegan was virtually shunned by his Hamburg team-mates who even refused to pass to him during club matches’ said the annual. Woodcock continued: “Everyone knew the problems he was having and when he finally won through the following season, they really admired him for his determination.”

“Kevin’s battle at Hamburg certainly made life a lot easier for me, I realise that” he went on. “It will be the same for any more English players who come out here - they’re bound to find a more sensible and realistic attitude from the German players who can make or break such a move.” Tell that to Man City’s Dave Watson who, it was noted, went home to Southampton only a matter of weeks after joining Werder Bremen.

Elsewhere in the annual, John Burridge explained why his rigorous fitness regime enabled him to keep in tip-top condition as he travelled around the UK looking for another club to join (sorry - might have made that last bit up) while Sunderland manager Ken Knighton stated why he was intent on keeping the Roker Park club in the top flight with nothing but success as his main priority. “If Sunderland hasn't made progress within three years, I don’t deserve to be in charge anymore” said Knighton. After a series of disputes with the club chairman, Knighton and his assistant Frank Clark left Sunderland Football club just a few months after the annual was published.

John Richards, meanwhile, was extolling the virtues of a growing partnership between himself and Andy Gray. Wolves had won the League Cup in 1980 on the back of it and had finished sixth in the First Division. They’d even played in the UEFA Cup during September 1980, albeit going out after a home and away tie against PSV Eindhoven.

Richards said of record signing Gray: “He cost us a bomb but helped us win the League Cup and that was the first effect. Now we aim for the League Championship title.” When this annual was published, there were still five months of the 1980-81 season left to be played, but when it ended, Wolves were 18th in the First Division - just two places above the relegation zone. The following season saw them relegated to the Second Division, yet Gray and Richards remained at the club until it regained its place in the top flight in 1983.

ITV’s Saturday Soccer Special Annual certainly wasn't found wanting in its provision of articles, even providing a brief outline of Ipswich Town’s plan to become ‘Team of the Eighties’ and the role of smaller regional clubs like Brentford, Stockport and Tranmere to provide the talent for their bigger local rivals - but what about that one article on ITV itself?

Step forward Brian Moore to explain the fresh challenge of broadcasting a football show on Saturday nights instead of Sunday afternoons: “We had to gear our thinking much more to a totally hard news programme, plus plenty of action from three games” he said.

“Presenting three games on Saturday night was a new idea. The BBC had only shown two matches, plus some occasional film from another match. But covering three games fully meant a far wider spectrum” said Moore. “The BBC set a high standard for us to follow, make no mistake about that. But I feel they didn't go deeply enough into the stories arising from the Saturday matches.” Frank views indeed.

On an operational level, Brian Moore found his whole work routine transformed. “After commentating on a top match, he has his commitments to World of Sport, which involve a comprehensive after-match summary report. Then after lining up and doing the necessary interviews, it’s off from the ground at around 6pm... Brian likes to write his own scripts and then have something to eat. A change of clothes after that, and the clock is already ticking on to 8.30 or 9pm and it’s time for rehearsals.” After that, Moore could be seen presenting the live show on LWT after 10pm - a long day indeed for ITV’s main commentator.

In many ways, that level of commitment and professionalism shines through in this football annual. Everything’s well written and the presentation is neat and smart. Unfortunately one is left with the feeling that the book lacks a little soul - as if the book was conceived and produced by a committee of senior managers rather than football writers and designers.

Perhaps it’s just as well, then, that this was a one-off attempt by ITV to make a football annual. They didn't do a bad job, but to be as frank as Brian Moore himself, they were never going to match Shoot’s passion for football writing that kids loved for years long before and since.

FA Cup Final Day - ITV-style (Part 2)

The second and final part of our look at the way ITV's World of Sport created a Cup Final Day experience for all of us watching in on the box.

1976
Duration: 12pm to 5.10pm

Everyone remembers the novelty of seeing the Cup Final teams in their chosen hotels before the big game, and in 1976 World of Sport made it their first port of call on the day. "Up-to-the-minute news on the fitness, mood and morale of the finalists" was what we were promised, but if anything we were probably more fascinated by the sight of both teams sitting around in their smart Admiral sweaters and freshly pressed slacks.

Fred Dinenage punctuated the day's coverage with 'Man In The Crowd' (i.e. interviews with fans and celebrities) while Ed Stewart returned for a third successive year with 'Football Crazy.' On this occasion, he took Martin Buchan and Peter 'Rodreegs' Rodrigues to a local school to meet young fans of Man United and Southampton rather than enlist the help of ne'er-do-wells like Gary Glitter. No bad thing either, if you ask us.

At 1.15pm, it was time for 'Be a Soccer Commentator' - a ten-minute feature where Brian Moore "talks to the winner of a brand new competition designed to find an under-16 year old who will surely never forget his Wembley debut." And you wondered how it all started for Clive Tyldesley...

But that wasn't the only quirky item on the agenda. An hour before kick-off, 'Cup Final Prediction' saw ITV once again aim for notoriety as Georges Bode, "famous Dutch astrologer who predicted the World Cup Finalists and result, and picked today's finalists" attempted to do the same for the 1976 FA Cup Final. Having tried to do the same with the 'ITV Computer' in 1970 and TV Times astrologer Roger Elliot in 1974, it was surely only a matter of time before someone or something got the score right beforehand.

Luckily the Final itself did live up to expectations with Kevin Keegan, Don Revie and Jack Charlton providing Dickie Davies and Brian Moore with all the wit and wisdom they required.

1977
Duration: 12pm to 5.10pm

The preamble to the 1977 FA Cup Final on ITV had a refreshingly cheeky sense of humour about it. Five minutes after World of Sport began, Brian Moore reported from the team hotels with 'On The Ball'. At 1.20pm, it was time for 'On The Coach' - a self-explanatory and by now familiar opportunity to share the journey to Wembley with one of the teams. Then at 1.40 there was 'On The Pitch' - interviews with the players on the hallowed turf. Who says programme planners can't have fun too?

Arguably the strangest feature in the 1977 Cup Final show on ITV was 'Eurovision Penalty Prize Final'. The description, courtesy of the TV Times magazine for that week states: "Jamie Gould from Manchester, representing ITV, challenges four other young European national champions in Rotterdam's giant Feyenoord Stadium for the TV Times trophy." Now a penalty-kick competition in itself is no bad thing, but European penalty champions competing under the Eurovision banner for a trophy sponsored by the TV Times?  The mind truly boggles...

As if that wasn't strange enough, there was also a chance before kick-off for viewers to win a competition by spotting 'Wembley's Wittiest Banners'. Go figure.

1978
Duration: 12pm to 5.10pm

The big build-up to Ipswich v Arsenal began with 'Cup Final On The Ball' in which Brian Moore presented team news from the hotels, plus "the views of two of the country's most famous football fans - Eric Morecambe and Elton John."

After that initial bout of celebrity hero worship, however, World of Sport opted for an altogether pared down approach for the rest of its broadcast. Gone were the eye-catching attempts to innovate, replaced by nothing more than a Golden Goals competition for viewers to enter and a raft of interviews with players on the coach, players arriving at the stadium or players standing on the Wembley pitch.

Kevin Keegan and Jack Charlton provided some punditry, but apart from that, not much to write home about.

1979
Duration: 11.30am to 5.30pm

As if someone had sent a memo to ITV's Head of Sport demanding a greater sense of occasion be created, an extra 50 minutes of broadcast time were spared this year, but it wasn't necessarily used for footballing purposes, so it would seem.

Soon after World of Sport had started, there was a 15-minute segment focusing on the European Women's Gymnastics Championships from Copenhagen. After a half-hour of Ian St.John speaking to some of the players and replaying some of the goals from previous rounds of the FA Cup, it was then time for wrestling in the first of two segments during the programme. Once the football was over and done with, there was also a second round of gymnastics to watch, too.

A by-the-numbers approach was once again used in the pre-match build-up, but a novel idea was applied in the sequence 'Matchwinners of the Seventies' where ITV tracked down all those players that had scored the winning goal in the last nine Cup Finals.

Yet again, the format for Cup Final Day on ITV looked a little tired on paper, even if it looked a little better on the screen. From here on in, though, the 1980's seemed to bring rather less in the way of innovation and freshness, relying ever more on the old ideas that worked best in the past and were easiest to achieve.

Then in 1985, it was announced that World of Sport would no longer appear on our screens after September of that year, and so the 1985 FA Cup Final would be the last to be featured in the Dickie Davies-fronted programme.

By this point, the Wembley Conference Centre bar had become a frequent focus for celebrities enjoying a drink and a chat with Jimmy Tarbuck in the hours leading up to the game, while up in the skies, Anneka Rice was buzzing around in a helicopter (where else) to provide an aerial view of the growing crowds down below.

Saint and Greavsie put in another Cup Final shift as was becoming the norm by then, and with Martin Tyler, Jim Rosenthal and Elton Welsby doing what they do best, this was a competent, cosy and comfortable way to bring World of Sport's biggest show of the year to an end.

The format had been set in stone, the gimmicks had been tried and the standard of broadcasting improved year on year, but the fact remained that the novelty of early starts and quirky features had well worn off by 1985. A new and ever-expanding era of live football on TV was just around the corner, and the FA Cup Final would soon have to compete for the viewers' attention with it all.

As it is, then, we're left with nothing more to do than pause and reflect on an era when the folk of ITV Sport - in front of and behind the cameras - tried their utmost to create a great sense of occasion for all of us watching on the big day. Though some of the ideas failed to hit the spot, there were undoubtedly some successes and in the round it's a combination of the two that will ensure the memory of ITV's Cup Final Day will linger on for many years to come.

FA Cup Final Day - ITV-style (Part 1)

With just seven days to go until the 2013 FA Cup Final, we begin a week-long series of FA Cup-themed articles here on The Football Attic..

If you heard our recent podcast called 'FA Cup Memories', you'll know that many people (ourselves included) still fondly remember the classic Cup Final Day coverage on TV.

As a child growing up in the UK, one tends to recall ITV and BBC starting their build-up to the big event well before lunchtime. Special features would be shown involving the Cup Final players, celebrities and all manner of novelty fare. This was, after all, the biggest game of the domestic season and the two main UK TV channels did all they could to make sure you tuned in to them for Cup Final Day.

While the BBC's coverage was somewhat earnest and straight-laced, ITV allowed itself to have a bit more fun in its presentation of the big event. To that end, let's remind ourselves of how World of Sport did 'FA Cup Final Day' down the years, starting here with Part 1...

1967

Duration: 12.30pm to 4.55pm

Presented by Eamonn Andrews, Dickie Davies (or Richard Davies as he was still known at the time) was just a roving reporter at Wembley along with Peter Lorenzo (father of Matt, ITV's anchorman during the 1994 World Cup).

The era of bold, eye-catching coverage hadn't yet arrived, so if Davies or Lorenzo had managed to grab a quick chat with a celebrity before kick-off, you'd have counted yourself lucky. This was, to all intents and purposes, a fairly ordinary edition of World of Sport, albeit one presented from Wembley.

Among the non-football items were horse racing from Lingfield, wrestling from the Clifton Hall, Rotherham (featuring Jackie Pallo), and the Australian Pools results.

1969

Duration: 12pm to 5.15pm

Richard Davies was now the main presenter of World of Sport while Brian Moore had taken over commentating duties from Hugh Johns. Jimmy Hill and Barry Davies were on hand to interview ITV's pundits including Danny Blanchflower and Billy Wright, while Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Charlton were brought in as special guests.

One or two special features were now forming part of the Cup Final feast on the commercial channel, one of which was 'Wembley In The Sixties' - a chance to show highlights from great games including the 1966 World Cup Final, the 1968 European Cup Final and the 1969 League Cup Final between Arsenal and Swindon Town. Ten minutes were also spared to look at the Football Writers Dinner at London's Café Royal.

Once again, a few footballing palate cleansers were provided in the form of Whitbread Gold Cup horse racing and professional wrestling.

1970

Duration: 12pm to 5.15pm

Not much change on the previous year. Instead of 'Wembley in the Sixties' we had 'Cup Finals of the Sixties', plus there was the usual recap of all the best goals scored earlier in the competition and interviews with players and pundits.

One big gimmick came to light, however, in the form of the ITV Computer. Fred Dinenage provided an early explanation on how the computer (think tape reels and flashing lights) would, by 2.15pm, be churning out a prediction on the FA Cup Final result. Inevitably the prediction, based on the statistical data fed into it, was wrong, but it did give Jimmy Hill and co. plenty of reasons to discuss its accuracy prior to kick-off.

No horse racing this year, but the wrestling was an 'International Special,' for what it's worth.

1971

Duration: 11.30am to 5.15pm

ITV's earliest start yet as Richard Davies partnered up with Jimmy Hill who refereed a pre-Final debate on the Arsenal v Liverpool match with Malcolm Allison, Pat Crerand and Derek Dougan - the classic ITV Sport panel, for many people.

'Wembley Starspot' was a regular feature throughout the day where Davies interviewed personalities in the 'World of Sport Celebrity Bar.' Around lunchtime was 'Penalty Prize' - a five-minute item where "On The Ball's penalty champion, 15-year-old Ken Henderson from Sunderland" tried to outdo "the panel's penalty king, Bob McNab".

Kids also featured in 'My Dad's At Wembley' where the sons of some of the Arsenal and Liverpool players talked to Brian Moore and Keith Macklin about their fathers and favourite players.

Again, horse racing and wrestling were present in the line-up, along with the cursory five-minute check to see how the Scottish FA Cup Final had gone.

1972
Duration: 11.15am to 5.10pm

Very much 'as you were' in '71 with many of the pundits, presenters and features from the previous year retained, but fortunately we could now call Richard Davies 'Dickie' to cast aside all that unnecessary formality.

Fortunately a couple of new items were brought in to freshen up the schedule. 'Cup Final Comedians' appeared at 1.25pm with 15 minutes of football fun and gags from the likes of Mike Reid, Frank Carson, Bernard Manning and Charlie Williams. With half an hour to go before kick-off, 'The Football Association Pageant' was a 20-minute parade inside Wembley to celebrate the FA's centenary, commentated on by Brian Moore.

'International Athletics' was also added to the non-football content.

1973
Duration: 10.30am to 5.10pm

ITV really pushed the boat out with a super-early start in 1973. Replacing 'The Comedians' this year was a special edition of 'Who Do You Do?' - a popular show featuring impersonators of the day including Eddie Large and Janet Brown. A five-minute segment called 'My Man's At Wembley' also appeared at 1.15pm where the British public got to 'meet' the players' wives.

Another brief change of pace came along in the shape of 'Cup Final Athletics' - "special pre-match invitation races held at Wembley Stadium." Exactly why we're not entirely sure. More interesting, perhaps, was the ITV 'Sky-High' camera providing "a sensational plan-view of the stadium."

1974
Duration: 11am to 5.10pm

Back to an 11 o'clock start this time, shortly after which was 'Football Crazy!'  Here, Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart combined football songs and goal action with children from Liverpool and Newcastle, the 1974 finalists. "Two pop-stars who love their football" were also on hand along with some kids "with well-known sporting dads."

This was the year when 'Camera on the Coach' arrived to give us a unique insight into how 20 angst-ridden men travelled five miles to Wembley in near silence but for the encouraging words of a roving reporter and his microphone. And if the satellite link remained intact for more than five minutes at a time, so much the better, but there was no guarantee of this.

'Talk of the Stars' gave a knowing nod back to the days of the ITV computer by enlisting TV Times astrologer Roger Elliot to predict the outcome of the 1974 FA Cup Final. Five minutes later, 'Footballer's Fancies' invited some of the players to give their tips for the winner of the 2,000 Guineas which was shown immediately afterwards as part of ITV's Cup Final coverage.

A reminder for anyone that might have forgotten: this was 1974 - not 2013.

1975

Duration: 11am to 5.10pm

Quite honestly there wasn't much innovation in ITV's 1975 Cup Final schedule, except for the inclusion of some... how shall we say... 'dubious' personalities?

Aside from the wrestling, the horse racing, the highlights package from previous rounds of the Cup and the Australian Pools results, the only 'highlights' of note were 'Freddie Starr!' at 12pm, 'Freddie Starr Again!' at 1pm and 'Football Crazy' which followed the same format as in 1974 but this time featured various guests including Gary Glitter.

We'll be moving not-so-swiftly onto Part 2 of our ITV Cup Final Day guide very soon, and in it we'll take in juvenile commentators, Dutch astrologers and hopefully no-one questioned as part of Operation Yewtree.

Chris O's Favourite 5... Football TV Theme Tunes

Continuing our 'Favourite 5' series, here's my best five TV theme tunes for British football shows (in no particular order of preference...)


'Jellicle Ball'
(World Cup Grandstand, BBC 1982) 



A rip-roaring in-your-face toboggan ride of a theme tune, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber for the musical Cats. It’s a great theme tune because it encapsulates all the drama and excitement usually associated with a World Cup. The quiet start quickly explodes into a bold and (literally) brassy fanfare that hints at the urgency to succeed and the memory of erstwhile defeats. The final euphoric flourish, however, is born of a growing, repetitive momentum resulting in ultimate glory and a realised sense of exaltation. (That’s except for viewers in Northern Ireland.)

‘Jubilation’
(The Big Match, ITV 1980) 



Another fanfare to kick this one off, this time to herald a symphony of blaring synthesisers and twanging guitars. Like Jellicle Ball, the biggest virtue of this piece is its relentless pace that somehow symbolises the pace of modern football. The six-note signature phrase is wonderfully catchy and crops up at the beginning, end and several points in between, fitting in beautifully with the dynamism that Jeff Wayne used throughout. And yes, we are talking about the same Jeff Wayne that composed the musical version of HG Wells’ War of the Worlds, along with countless other musical pieces for TV and radio. Why here’s another one…

‘Matador’
(World Cup ‘82, ITV 1982) 



In many ways, this ITV theme tune from the 1982 World Cup just doesn’t work. It’s slower and more ponderous than my first two choices, has a moody feel to it which is perhaps at odds with the action-packed nature of the game and leans more than a little on the sounds of Mexico rather than host nation Spain. For all that though, this is a beautifully crafted tapestry of Spanish guitar, electric guitar, pan pipes, a melodious string section and Jeff Wayne’s ubiquitous synths. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea but certainly evocative of that wistful feeling back in 1982 as we waited for one of the British sides to do well under the blazing Spanish sun.

‘Tutti Al Mondo’
(World Cup ’90, ITV 1990)



Staying with ITV (why did their theme tunes always outrank the BBC’s in my mind?), here’s a wonderful composition by Rod Argent and Peter Van Hooke that was used by the commercial station during Italia ’90. While the Beeb went for the safe operatic option with the Pavarotti-fest Nessun Dorma, ITV were altogether more creative by using this energetic fusion of both operatic and contemporary styles. This piece seemed to have everything: soaring vocals, crashing drum sequences, synth stings… all set to a beguiling rhythm. Scandalously overlooked, this was the perfect accompaniment to a World Cup that seemed mediocre by comparison.

'Argentine Melody'
(World Cup Grandstand, BBC 1978) 



And as if to prove that Rod Argent was no stranger to this sort of thing, here's another contribution of his, this time for the BBC back in 1978. Once again, we go through the list of national musical stereotypes, this time for Argentina: Castanets? Tick… Accoustic guitar? Tick… Yet for all that it's a positively harmonious romp through the foothills of Patagonia that seems to work delightfully despite being a little too slow to complement football coverage on TV. Working with Andrew Lloyd Webber (who wrote and produced the piece), the song was was released as a chart single 'performed by San Jose featuring Rodriguez Argentina'… or 'Rod Argent' for short. Who says musicians don't have a sense of humour?