SWEDES 2 TURNIPS 1

On this day in 1992, there was another England failure when Gary Lineker's career ended after 48 international goals, one short of Sir Bobby Charlton's national record. It was Lineker's last cap, playing in a do or die match against Sweden in the European Championships. Lineker was substituted by national manager Graham Taylor, a gamble that misfired for Taylor and he was "lambasted" in the national press following his team's failure. The Sun as you would expect ran the headline "Swedes 2 Turnips 1" putting Taylor head on the obvious parts of the forementioned turnip vegetable! See below.

1992 European Championship The populous was not convinced about Taylor's appointment as our national manager. From his appointment, England lost just once in Taylor's first 23 matches, this the 1–0 defeat to Germany at Wembley in September 1991. However, England struggled to qualify for EGuro 92. In a group containing Turkey, Ireland and Poland, England were held to two 1–1 draws by Ireland and managed just 1–0 wins home and away against Turkey. It was only a late goal from Gary Lineker, against Poland that saw England qualify at Ireland's expense. England's qualification for the Euro 92 finals proved to be the high point of Taylor's tenure.

The number of players that Taylor was using in the run up to the championship was also questioned, the press and public viewed this as evidence Taylor did not know his best team. He used 59 players in total, as he struggled to find a "new spine" after the retirement of Peter Shilton, Terry Butcher and Bryan Robson. He also faced accusations he could not cope with "stars", after he dropped Gascoigne for the less controversial Gordon Cowans, for a qualifying game against Ireland, fearing Gazza might "lose his head" in what would be a "bruising" encounter. Matters were not helped by Taylor's reluctance to use creative players who were not perceived to have high work rates, such as Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley. He also suffered several injuries, notably to stalwart, Gary Stewart, Lee Dixon, John Barnes and Paul Gascoigne, leaving the squad in a makeshift position going into the finals.

England were drawn to face France, Denmark and hosts Sweden in Group 1. In the opening game against Denmark, England started brightly and missed several chances to take a lead. Platt was guilty of a particularly glaring miss. Thereafter, Denmark began to dominate the match, and nearly won with minutes left as John Jensen struck a post. The game ended 0–0. In the match against France, Platt nearly scored with a diving header which went inches wide of the post, and Stuart Pearce hit the bar with a free-kick. The game also ended 0–0.

England needed to beat hosts Sweden to advance to the semi-finals. Lineker crossed for Platt to open the scoring on four minutes with a mishit volley. However, England wasted several chances to extend their lead. Platt made a pass to Tony Daley who wasted a chance to pass to Lineker in the open. England held a slender 1–0 lead at half-time. After half-time, Sweden changed their personnel and formation, and dominated the second half, scoring twice to win 2–1......eliminating England.

During the game, after 60 minutes and with the score at 1–1, Taylor substituted Gary Lineker in his final game for England, preventing Lineker from having the chance to equal, or possibly break, Bobby Charlton's record of 49 goals for England. Many were dismayed to see Taylor substitute England's top striker when his side needed a goal. Taylor was vilified, including the "turnip" campaign by The Sun, which began the morning after the game under the headline: "Swedes 2 Turnips 1". During that campaign, the newspaper's back page featured an image of Taylor's face superimposed onto a turnip.

On 24th November 1993. Taylor died suddenly and unexpectedly from a "suspected heart attack" at his home early on the morning of 12th January 2017. Aged, 72. His funeral was held nearby, on 1 February at St Mary's Church, Watford, with many football figures in attendance.

Lincoln City

• Football League Fourth Division Champions: 1975–76

Watford

• Football League Fourth Division Champions: 1977–78
• Football League Third Division Runners-up: 1978–79
• Football League Second Division Runners-up: 1981-2
• Football League First Division Runners-up: 1982–83
• FA Cup Runners-up: 1984
• Football League Division Two Champions: 1997–98
• Football League Division On Play-off winner: 1998-9

Aston Villa: Second Division Runners-up: 1987-8, First Division Runners-up: 1989-90