1970 was the last proper World Cup - with 16 elite teams. We had a better team in 1970 than 1966, but a combination of Bogota bracelets, Gordon Banks getting the squitters, Bobby Charlton getting taken off when we were 2-0 up, and the high altitude/heat, did for us.
In 1970, we had El Salvador, Israel, Bulgaria, Morocco and Peru. Then that greedy **** Havelange (Blatter's mentor) enlarged it 24 thus guaranteeing his permanent re-election.
Probably my favourite World Cup. The 1982 one in Spain even with our absence was another. The first one expanded to 24. teams. Now ever expanding numbers diminish it.
The only thing in favour of expansion is that a number of countries which only made up the numbers have progressed whilst others, including,and especially, ourselves have stood still.
On my colour set, watching it on the BBC, England did in fact take part in 1982, when Europe's handwringers were still livid about the liberation of the Falklands and we had Bulldog Bobby as our mascot. I would have to go for Argentina 78 as my personal best. For atmosphere and fervour, unlike any previous WC.
We were at Spain 82 - went out in second phase. Although, I'm too young to remember it fully. Mexico 86 and Italia 90 are the only World Cups I rate (probably an age thing). Personally, I see Italia 90 as the official end of the 1980s.
Italia 90 save England's unexpected showing was regarded by and large as a poor WC for quality (the final was the worst of all time). It was the last WC where you get tix easily. Saw BEL-SKOR in a half full stadium, and even got tix for ENG-GER at less than face value. Very few games were full except Italy and Germany.
Matters not for me on quality. More the rememberance, the time etc. It was at the cusp of things changing for ever for me personally (as I approached adulthood) and football in general. In truth, I find most football boring in honesty apart from the games that have some sort of emotional attachment or other special interest. Love combing through youtube to watch old snippets of The Big Match from the 70s and 80s - ideally the whole programmes with advert breaks. Fascinating social history.
Obviously I am too old to remember it properly. Needless to say watching the 1966 one the highlight. The lack of hype and hysteria surrounding it would surprise modern day fans. And some of the low crowds. 2 games at Old Trafford 24,000 and 25,000, a far from,full Hillsborough, under 30,000 at Sunderland, one game at Boro with less than 14,000. Went in one of the few pubs around our way with a TV, after checking my old man wasn' t in- I was 16 at the time, for the England v Uruguay game and the TV wasn't even switched on. Had to be a night game, in the Swinging Sixties pubs shut at 3pm. Always a good question to ask if anyone knows without googling is which ground outside of Wembley had the highest attendance?
2 games on MOTD Saturday night, then a local game on Sunday afternoon with brief highlights from anther regional game- and that was your lot. Cannier folk realised that mid evening BBC2 news on Saturday night usually included a 90 second feature on a game too- but not with proper outside broadcast cameras, just the normal news camera.
2 games on a Saturday night were luxury in my day, lad.. I was 14 before we were spoilt like that. FA Cup finals, England v Scotland Internationals and the odd friendly and live .European Cup Final after the launching of the firstTV satellite were your lot. Though they did have some live Italian games on a Sunday afternoon where if the score wasn't 0-0 it was 1-0. I do remember my dad saying we had watched the only goal scored live in a football league game before SKY came along but to be honest I can't remember seeing it. Funny to think the first edition of Match of the Day had less than half the number of people watching it than had been at the game. Not surprised, even as 14 year old everybody, at least round our way, was out on a Saturday night. It is in this link but I bet, unless they are old and were there, not many could name where the first live competitive TV game was from. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match_of_the_Day
I was at the 1994 final between Brasil and Italy in Pasadena and it wasn't brilliant. 0-0 after extra time with Brasil winning on penalties. Fortunately, I was behind the goal where the penalties were taken. The highlight was probably Whitney Houston in the pregame show!
