On this day in 1934, a tragic incident occurred during a Third Division South fixture between Gillingham and Brighton. Gillingham’s centre-forward, Sim Raleigh, and Brighton defender, Paul Mooney, were involved in a clash of heads. Raleigh collapsed on the field and was later taken to hospital, where he sadly passed away from a brain haemorrhage. The incident had a profound impact on Mooney, who was so distressed by the accident that he decided to retire from playing football.
1st December 1959
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In 1959, Liverpool, then a Second Division club, made a significant announcement that would change the course of their history. Bill Shankly was appointed as their new manager. Shankly, who had previously managed Carlisle, Grimsby, Workington, and Huddersfield Town, was tasked with transforming Liverpool into a top-tier club. His tenure at Anfield would eventually see Liverpool rise to become one of the greats of English football.
1st December 1973
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Brian Clough, known for his remarkable achievements in football, experienced one of his most challenging days as a manager on 1st December 1973. At the time, Clough was managing Brighton, and the team suffered a heavy defeat in a Third Division match. Brighton lost 2-8 at home to Bristol Rovers, a result that Clough described as a performance he was ashamed of. This defeat came shortly after a 4-0 home loss to non-league Walton & Hersham in an FA Cup First Round replay, marking a difficult period for Clough at Brighton.
1st December 1999
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On this day in 1999, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) made headlines by purchasing a piece of football memorabilia at Sotheby’s. The item was a painting by LS Lowry titled “Going to the Match,” which depicts fans on their way to a match at Burnden Park, the former home of Bolton Wanderers. The painting was acquired for £1,926,500, setting a record at the time for a modern British painting. PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor remarked that the painting represented “the heart and soul of the game – the anticipation of crowds going to the match.” There were rumours that David Beckham was interested in the painting, but his wife, Victoria, reportedly did not want it on their walls, ending his interest. The PFA later sold the painting in October 2022 through Christie’s for £6.6 million, with an additional buyer’s premium bringing the total cost to £7.8 million, resulting in a substantial profit.