I WAS out shopping recently and minding my own business when a guy about 60 introduced himself with his teenage kids.
He said: “It’s lovely to meet you, Alan.” And I replied likewise.
And then he turned to the youngsters next to him and proudly boasted: ‘This is Alan Mullery. He was the first player to be sent off for England.’
It’s strange but despite playing over 700 games for club and country I will always have that tag around my neck for being the first senior player to be sent off for England.
I have always been hugely patriotic and I’m incredibly proud that I played 35 times for England at senior level.
It remains my greatest honour to have been able to walk out and play for my country.
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Unfortunately this was a match in which Spanish referee Jose Maria Oritz de Mendibil allowed the Yugoslavian team to kick and scythe us down at every opportunity.
The official was an absolute disgrace. He let them get away with blue murder.
Dragan Dzajic gave them the lead in the 86th minute. Then with a minute to go Dobrivoje Trivic — who had been the worst of all the dirty Yugoslav players that day — raked his studs down my calf and blood started pouring down my leg.
It was the last straw. Human reaction got the better of me.
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All my pent-up frustrations over the previous 88 minutes turned to anger and I turned round and kicked him with my best foot in Trivic’s how’s your fathers!
The ref was about two yards away from me. I’m sure it was the only thing he had seen the whole match.
It didn’t affect the result of the game. There was only a minute to go so by the time I was going down the tunnel the ref blew the final whistle.
I had no idea at that moment that I had become the first English player in 424 internationals to be sent off.
However, I will forever be remembered for and be the ultimate football quiz question.
Manager Alf Ramsey was very unhappy at the end and had a few harsh words with me but he was more raging about how our opponents had kicked lumps out of us.
Typically Alf stuck up for me and even agreed to pay the £50 fine dished out to me by the FA.
Since that game in 1968 there have been another 19 red cards dished out to England players — but I’m the one that no one ever forgets.
The fact we were beaten by a team who just went out to kick us off the park and had a referee who let them — it made the game an absolute joke.
These were different times. Today, games are analysed and under the same scrutiny the Yugoslavs would have been found out for their outrageous dirty tricks.
Had we had some sort of protection from the officials, I am convinced the result would have been different.
We may have lost 1-0 but I still have a great deal of sympathy for the other losing semi-finalists Italy.
Their match against the Soviet Union finished goalless after extra-time. There was no replay or even a penalty shootout.
Can you believe that the outcome was decided by the toss of a coin?
Indeed these were different times.
I hope Euro 2024 is a tournament we get to see this outstanding crop of English talent produce what we know they are capable of.
For instance, I watch and drool when I see the way Phil Foden plays for Manchester City.
But I have yet to see him do the same in an England shirt.
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It would be magical to see Foden and Co turn on the style for their country as they do for their clubs over the next month in Germany.
It would certainly lift the grey skies from this miserable June.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
