If only England had qualified for USA 94 and I could have collected the Panini album knowing that one day I would open a packet of stickers and get a mugshot of Stuart Ripley and Andy Sinton. Anyway, here it is the complete (Sinton-less) Panini USA 94 album. Interesting to see most of the USA team without a professional club and were instead contracted to the US Soccer Federation to play regular friendlies. Better still, Miguel Herrera the Mexican chuckle brother and some of those Bulgarian players who look like they have just had their handcuffs removed.

I have posted parts of this before but now someone has kindly uploaded the whole thing to YouTube.

In 1995 Channel 4 did a one-off fly-on-the-wall documentary that followed Leyton Orient through their disastrous 1994-95 relegation season. Highlights included a nine-match losing streak, a 0% away win record, the collapse of the chairman’s coffee business due to the war in Rwanda and the club finding itself unable to pay the milk bill, with their coach company demanding payment upfront before away trips.

Most memorably of all though was co-manager John Sitton who became the unwitting star of the film with his potty-mouthed tirades and the half-time sacking of defender Terry Howard.

Sadly, Sitton hasn’t worked in football since since but has been a taxi driver, martial arts instructor and now compiles match statistics for results services.

Bring Your Dinner

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This is one of my favourite videos on YouTube. It’s a video of Colombia hammering Argentina 5-0 in their own backyard in a USA 94′ qualifier. It features Asprilla (who scores a brilliant goal), Valderrama and Rincon in all their pomp. Maradona is on the losing side and it’s great to see his stunned and bewildered reactions to the crowd at the end of the game. Also Valderrama’s legendary ‘Viva Colombia’ cry at the end finishes it off brilliantly. A truly great victorious underdog story.

Packed to the brim with bicycle kicks, flying headers, volleys and Jurgen Klinsmann

The complete Panini Italia 90 collection with all 428 stickers. Collected, Swapped and Scanned.

It is scandalously missing Toto Schillaci and Roger Milla and if you look at the Italian side they have had three players who have since managed in the Premiership compared to just two of England’s. Enjoy…

While we’re on the subject of players making their way in the game here’s Lionel Messi the future Ballon d’Or winner back in 1993 as a five year old. SOMEONE STICK A FOOT IT!

It’s hard to find many penalty shoot-outs more dramatic than this one, if you’re a Wolves fan anyway, but the real highlight is the totally unstoppable effort from Kevin Pressman.

A couple of season’s ago Chelsea hosted Sunderland at Stamford Bridge and David Speedie was the guest of honour. Unfortunately for him his half-time lap of honour was ruined by the Sunderland fans singing “There’s only one Gary Bennett”. I expect he’s still checking the coast is clear before he leaves his house each morning.

Sit back, light up a Cohiba and enjoy

In 1995 Channel 4 did a one-off fly-on-the-wall documentary that followed Leyton Orient through their disastrous 1994-95 relegation season. Highlights included a nine-match losing streak, a 0% away win record, the collapse of the chairman’s coffee business due to the war in Rwanda and the club finding itself unable to pay the milk bill, with their coach company demanding payment upfront before away trips.

Most memorably of all though was co-manager John Sitton who became the unwitting star of the film with his potty-mouthed tirades and the half-time sacking of defender Terry Howard.

Sadly, Sitton hasn’t worked in football since since but has been a taxi driver, martial arts instructor and now compiles match statistics for results services.

Bring Your Dinner