November 4th

In 1933 on November 4th: If you were Welsh and knew how to kick a football you may have been in contention for an appearance for Wales when they played Northern Ireland in a Home international match on this day in 1933. Their team selection problems were so bad that FA of Wales Secretary Ted Robins had to ring round clubs asking for recommendations for the Welsh side. Alf Day of Tottenham made his debut for Wales that day based on such a recommendation – his football up to then having been in non-league and the Spurs reserves side! He didn’t make his debut for the Spurs first team until April 1934 – and he never played for Wales again. Alf Day was one of 4 Welshman to earn his international debut in that match  Alfred Day, below, (born 2 October 1907 – died 15 November 1997) played for Spurs, Millwall, Southampton,Tranmere Rovers and Swindon Town in the 1930s.

Other players being Tommy Mills of Clapton, now known as Leyton Orient, Harry Hanford of Swansea Town (as it was known then) and David Jones of Leicester City. Another Spurs player, Eugene O’Callaghan, was the most experienced Welsh international that day, making just his ninth appearance for his country. The match was drawn 1-1 in Belfast.

and on 4th November 1952: The FA Youth Cup was first competed for in the 1952/53 season and in as early as the Second Round in 1952, a record score was set, which still stands to this day. At the Cliff training ground Manchester United beat non-leaguers Nantwich Town 23-0 with 'Busby Babe' Duncan Edwards scoring five of the goals.

 Bobby Charlton comments on Duncan, who died in the Munich air crash.

Same date in 1970: The 1970/71 season saw the penalty shoot-out reach the "premier" inter-club tournament in Europe - the European Cup. The first-ever European Cup shoot-out penalty was taken by an English player and ... it was saved! Joe Royle was the player and Everton his club but despite his failure Everton reached the Third Round 4-3 on penalties. Perhaps that was a surprising result considering the opposition that evening were the Germans of Borussia Mönchengladbach - if only future shoot-outs against the Germans were equally as successful!