We review the breaking stories on this day in soccer history for February 22.
1958
Two weeks after the tragic Munich Disaster, Manchester United returned to the pitch for the first time. Assistant manager Jimmy Murphy takes control, and Alex Dawson helps them to a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. With Sir Matt Busby’s assistant Jimmy Murphy as manager, a threadbare United team finished the 1957–58 season.
February 22, 1969
Shaka Hislop was born. In addition to playing for England at the under-21 level, he represented Trinidad and Tobago at the senior international level. During the majority of his career, he played for Newcastle United, which finished second in the top division in England. The player has also played for Reading, West Ham United on two occasions, and Portsmouth.
1978 – Breaking Stories On This Day In Soccer
In manager Ron Greenwood’s first official match in charge following Don Revie’s resignation in 1977, England lost unluckily to West Germany 2-1 in Munich. Late in the first half, Stuart Pearson beats goalkeeper Sepp Maier with a looping header from a Steve Coppell cross, and they hold the lead until the 75th minute, when Germany’s substitute, Ronnie Worm, equalizes shortly after coming on. In the previous evening’s ‘B’ international, he had scored after being replaced.
Kevin Keegan runs himself to the edge of exhaustion in his attempts to make the game safe and is replaced by Trevor Francis, but in the closing moments, Dave Watson is adjudged to have fouled Burgsmuller. However, England is still forming their defensive wall when Rainer Bonhof smacks the free-kick low into the net.
Greenwood comments: “We have the nucleus of an excellent team. We would have come away with a deserved draw if we had not lost our concentration when the free-kick was being taken. When you consider we were playing on the home patch of the world champions, that wasn’t bad.”
1979
West Ham United set a new transfer record for a goalkeeper when they paid £527,000 for Queens Park Rangers’ Phil Parkes. He went on to play 344 times for the Hammers before moving to Ipswich in 1990.
1991 – Breaking Stories On This Day In Soccer
Kenny Dalglish stepped down as manager of Liverpool. Bob Paisley had paid Celtic £440,000 for him in 1977, and he had become player-manager in 1985 shortly before the Heysel tragedy. It appears that the stress of his job finally took its toll on the Scot during his time at Liverpool, where the club won practically everything.
February 22, 1996
After nearly twelve years and 288 senior appearances at Anfield, Jan Mølby joins Swansea City as a player/manager on a free transfer. He ended up at Swansea for two seasons before moving on to Kidderminster Harriers. Jan Mølby is best known for his time as a professional football player and manager. The Kolding-born midfielder moved on to Ajax before playing twelve years for Liverpool in England. Denmark capped him 33 times, scoring twice.
1997
Arsenal signed Nicolas Anelka from Paris Saint-Germain during the 1996/97 season. He was 17 years old at the time. As a striker for the Gunners, he appeared 65 times in the Premier League, scoring 23 goals and winning the title in 1997/98. During the summer of 1999, he joined Real Madrid £22.3 million transfer fee. As Arsenal paid £500,000 for the Nicolas Anelka, this was seen as good business.
February 22, 2003
During half-time of Leicester City’s match against Wimbledon on Saturday 22nd February 2003, Leicester fans had to choose their club’s name! Leicester Fosse was the club’s name until 1919, and they were considering reverting to that name. The fans were given the final say – each received a card with City on one side and Fosse on the other. At half-time, the name Leicester City won.
Breaking Stories On This Day In Soccer – 2016
As part of an ambitious plan to grow into a soccer superpower, China plans to have 50,000 football academies by 2025. Vice President Wang Dengfeng announced on February 22, 2016, that China’s football association would build 20,000 academies by 2020. According to state media, Wang has said that each school will be able to train 1,000 young players on average, thus fulfilling the goal of training 50 million competent players throughout the country.
2017
For his involvement in the wacky protest, Huynh Quang Thanh was banned by the Vietnamese Football Federation for two years. While playing a game, the team walked off the pitch in protest after not receiving a penalty. Despite being persuaded to come back, some players pretended that they were not there. As a result, a three-year suspension was imposed on the team’s coach.
February 22, 2020
Juventus’ 2-1 win over SPAL marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s 1,000th senior appearance. During 186 international matches, Ronaldo scored 115 goals and is currently looking forward to scoring more goals in the upcoming 2022 Qatar World Cup.
2021 Breaking Stories On This Day In Soccer
Joey Barton has been appointed as the new manager of Bristol Rovers on February 22, 2021. A deal has been signed by the former Manchester City, Newcastle, and QPR player with Rovers. Many controversial incidents and disciplinary problems have marked Barton’s soccer career and life.
