So on 2nd October 1976, the idea of using red and yellow cards by referees was credited to Ken Ashton. An Englishman, he had refereed at the top level and was well-versed in the problems refs had communicating with players, particularly when differing languages were concerned. As he was driving down Kensington High Street in London a traffic light in front of him turned red. He thought what was good enough for the traffic would be perfect for referees - 'Yellow, take it easy; red, stop, you're off’. The cards were trialled at the 1970 World Cup finals in Mexico and it was on Saturday October 2nd 1976 that they were introduced to the Football League when two players were red-carded. The first was David Wagstaff of Blackburn Rovers after 36 minutes of their Second Division match at Orient after arguing with the ref. The second came in the 67th minute of another Second Division match when a Fulham player was red-carded for foul language at Southampton. That Fulham player was George Best - guess which player got the most publicity!
He was born in Oldham 1913, died in Guildford in 2002. I was lucky enough to invite Walter to dinner at Charterhouse, to meet my "coaches".
and on October 3rd 1962 England played their first match in the European Championship, then known as the European Nations' Cup. It was a first leg of a "Qualifier" against the old foe, France. Hillsborough hosted a crowd of over 35,000 and Ron Flowers scored a penalty that earned England a 1-1 draw. Walter Winterbottom, who had been England manager from 1946-62, gave way to Alf Ramsey, who made his debut management for the second leg, played in February in Paris. England LOST that one 2-5.
Sir Walter Winterbottom CBE (31 March 1913 – 16 February 2002) was the first manager of England and FA Director of Coaching. He resigned from the FA in 1962 to become General Secretary of the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) and was appointed as the first Director of the Sports' Council in 1965. He was knighted for his services to sport in 1978 when he retired. The FA marked the 100th anniversary of Winterbottom's birth by commissioning a bust which was unveiled at St George's Park on 23 April 2013 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of English football.
Johnny Haynes, the Fulham legend, had been captain of Fulham, playing over 200 times and earning 76 caps for his country. Haynes made his international debut on November 2nd 1955, playing with England heroes such as Jimmy Dickinson of Portsmouth, Tom Finney of Preston and Billy Wright of Wolves.
He captained England since May 15th 1960 against Spain and continued to lead England until October 13th 1962, when suffering from a car accident, the Fulham captain lost his place. (one of the first footballers to be "commercial")
Walter Winterbottom also fell out of favour with the "England FA" committee in 1962, opening up a door for two candidates, Jimmy Adamson and Dennis Wilshaw....now... these were both successful players, post war, so have you heard of them?? Wilshaw "pulled out" and Adamson became unpopular.
The FA looked towards Alf Ramsey, who had led Ipswich Town from Division Three to the First (Top) Division and Champions in 1962, in seven years on a small budget. On October 25th, Ramsey took over and was paid £4,500 a year, His duties were: to arrange a training programme, bringing players together for these gatherings, working with the FA Director of Coaching (somebody employed by The FA to "keep an eye on goings on"! and being responsible for selection (something that had not happened for the England manager, Alf Ramsey, before!). Finally, England had to WIN THE WORLD CUP! Ramsey did not leave Ipswich until December 31st and in the meantime England drew 1-1 with France at Hillsborough. AND I met Ramsey on a train out of Liverpool Street once, on a Saturday evening, in the early 1970s! I did exchange a word or two! he had obviously been to a game.
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