22nd December 1972
On this day in 1972, Tommy Docherty was appointed as the manager of Manchester United. His appointment came with a reputed salary of £15,000 a year. Docherty’s tenure at Old Trafford is notably remembered for coinciding with the end of the playing careers of the club’s legendary trio: Bobby Charlton, George Best, and Denis Law. During his time, Manchester United faced relegation to Division 2. Docherty’s personal life also made headlines when he began a relationship with the wife of the club’s physio.
22nd December 1998
On 22nd December 1998, Jermaine Pennant made his senior debut for Notts County in an Auto Windscreens Shield First Round match. The game, held at Meadow Lane, saw Hull City secure a 1-0 victory in front of 1,109 spectators. At just 15 years and 341 days old, Pennant became the youngest player to appear for Notts County in a senior fixture. He made only one more appearance for the Magpies, coming on as a substitute in a drawn FA Cup tie against Sheffield United on 2nd January 1999. Shortly thereafter, Pennant was transferred to Arsenal in a deal worth £2 million, setting a record for a player of his age.
Despite a promising start, including scoring a hat-trick in his first starting League appearance for Arsenal, these were the only League goals he scored for the club. Over six seasons with the Gunners, Pennant made just 12 League appearances. His career saw him play for several clubs, including Watford, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Stoke, Wolves, Wigan, and Bury, as well as having spells abroad.