On this day in 1933, Wales faced Northern Ireland in a Home International match in Belfast. The Welsh team faced significant selection challenges, prompting FA of Wales Secretary Ted Robins to seek recommendations from clubs for players. As a result, Alf Day of Tottenham Hotspur made his international debut for Wales. Prior to this, Day had only played in non-league football and for the Spurs reserves. Interestingly, he did not make his first-team debut for Tottenham until April 1934 and never played for Wales again. Alongside Day, three other Welsh players earned their international debuts: Tommy Mills of Clapton (now Leyton) Orient, Harry Hanford of Swansea, and David Jones of Leicester. Eugene O’Callaghan, another Tottenham player, was the most experienced Welsh international on the field, marking his ninth appearance for his country. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw.
4th November 1952
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The FA Youth Cup, inaugurated in the 1952/53 season, witnessed a record-setting score in its early stages. On 4th November 1952, Manchester United faced Nantwich Town at The Cliff training ground in the Second Round of the competition. Manchester United triumphed with an astonishing 23-0 victory, a record score that remains unbeaten in the competition. Duncan Edwards, one of the famed ‘Busby Babes’, was a standout performer, contributing five goals to the tally.
4th November 1970
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The 1970/71 season marked a significant development in European football with the introduction of the penalty shoot-out in the European Cup. On 4th November 1970, Everton faced Borussia Mönchengladbach in a match that went down to penalties. Joe Royle, an English player, took the first-ever European Cup shoot-out penalty, but his attempt was saved. Despite this initial setback, Everton emerged victorious, winning the shoot-out 4-3 and advancing to the Third Round. This result was particularly notable given the formidable reputation of their German opponents, Borussia Mönchengladbach.