14th June 1947
On this day in 1947, the English football season concluded later than ever before due to a severe winter, a record that stood until the disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic. The final day of the League season featured seven matches, with Stoke City needing a victory to surpass Liverpool and claim the League title. However, Stoke’s hopes were dashed as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sheffield United. This result ensured that Liverpool retained their position at the top of the table, securing the League title.
14th June 1970
In 1970, 14th June marked the end of an era for English football as Bobby Charlton played his final match for the national team. Charlton concluded his distinguished international career with 106 caps and 49 goals, both of which were England records at the time. Despite this significant milestone, the day is more famously remembered for England’s dramatic exit from the 1970 World Cup. The quarter-final match against West Germany in Mexico was marred by unforeseen challenges for the England team.
Just before kick-off, England’s legendary goalkeeper, Gordon Banks, was forced to withdraw due to severe food poisoning. Despite this setback, England managed to take a 2-0 lead. However, the match took a controversial turn when Bobby Charlton and Martin Peters were substituted, a decision that has been debated ever since. England’s fortunes changed as West Germany levelled the score at 2-2, pushing the match into extra time. Ultimately, England succumbed to a 3-2 defeat, with two of the goals attributed to errors by Banks’s replacement, Peter Bonetti. This loss marked the end of England’s reign as World Champions, as they were eliminated from the tournament.