On this day in 1974, Chelsea Football Club faced a significant internal upheaval as manager Dave Sexton made the decision to suspend and transfer-list two of the club’s prominent players, Peter Osgood and Alan Hudson. The decision followed a disagreement between Sexton and the players, leading to their exclusion from the team. This marked the end of their tenure at Chelsea, with Hudson subsequently moving to Stoke City and Osgood transferring to Southampton. The incident was a notable moment in Chelsea’s 1973/74 season, reflecting the challenges within the club during that period.
3rd January 1999
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Fast forward to 1999, FIFA President Sepp Blatter made headlines with a proposal that could have dramatically altered the landscape of international football. Blatter suggested that the World Cup, traditionally held every four years, should be staged biennially. He argued that the existing format was outdated, harking back to the 1930s when teams travelled by ship across continents. The proposal implied that the European Championship (Euros) might be repurposed as a qualification tournament for the World Cup. However, the idea was met with widespread scepticism, as many viewed it as a move by FIFA to increase revenue while potentially diminishing UEFA’s influence. Ultimately, the proposal did not gain traction, and the World Cup’s four-year cycle remained unchanged.
3rd January 2004
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In 2004, Plymouth Argyle delivered a memorable performance during their successful 2003/04 campaign in the Second Division. On 3rd January, they hosted Chesterfield at Home Park and achieved a resounding 7-0 victory. The match saw Argyle take an early lead with a goal from Lee Hodges just four minutes in. By the 18th minute, they had extended their lead to 5-0. The final scoreline equalled Plymouth Argyle’s record winning margin in a League match, a feat they had achieved twice before with 8-1 victories. This dominant performance was part of a remarkable run for Argyle, who went on to win nine out of ten league matches between November and January, conceding goals in only one of those games. Their impressive form ultimately led them to finish the season as Second Division champions.