SEASON
THE BADGER
23 24
ISSUE 14
OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME
vs EASINGTON SPORTS UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH SATURDAY 26th DECEMBER 2023 I 3pm KICK OFF
Bugbrooke St Michaels FC The Badgers, founded 1929
CLUB COMMITTEE PRESIDENT - WILLY MARRIOTT CHAIRMAN - KEVIN GARDNER VICE-CHAIRMAN - NIGEL THOMAS CLUB SECRETARY - GRAHAM CONNEW YOUTH SECRETARY & TREASURER - NICK INWOOD FIXTURES SECRETARY - DAVE MELLOR GROUNDSMAN - DANNY POWELL WELFARE OFFICER – HELEN GILLIGAN COMMITTEE – RICHARD GIBBON, STUART WYKES, RICHARD FAULKNER, STEPH NASH
MANAGEMENT / COACHING TEAM FIRST TEAM – DALE WALTON RESERVE TEAM - ROB JONES ‘B’ TEAM - ANDY DEMIDOW LADIES TEAM - STUART WHITE UNDER 18s BLACK (NSYL) - LOUIE GALBRAITH UNDER 18s WHITE (NSYL) - DARREN SMITH UNDER 18s (NDYAL) - DEANO GOMES UNDER 16s - MARK LINNELL UNDER 15s - SIMON WHEELER UNDER 14s - RYAN NASH UNDER 13s - CHRIS ASHTON UNDER 12s BLACK - DANIEL BLAND / BEN SMITH UNDER 12s WHITE - TONY HILL UNDER 11s BLUE - IAN MARRIOTT UNDER 11s WHITE - MIKE BRINKLEY UNDER 11s GIRLS - STEPH NASH UNDER 10s GIRLS - KERRY HOUGHTON UNDER 9s - ANDREW JACKMAN UNDER 8s - NEIL BYRNE / DARREN WILLIX
WELCOME TO THE SETT From the Chairman … As Chairman of Bugbrooke St Michael’s Football Club I would like to offer you a warm welcome to The Sett and hope that you have an enjoyable visit. Here at Bugbrooke St Michaels we are working hard to develop a club with a strong inclusive ethos, offering opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. We are extremely proud of our youth development programme, supporting players from seven all the way up to eighteen. Many of our young players go on to have success with one of adult teams, with some players going on to even bigger and better things! There is a great wealth of local support for the club, everyone that helps does so on a voluntary basis and through everyone’s hard work and dedication we have been able to achieve and maintain FA Accredited status.
Whilst some clubs choose to reinvest their revenue into players wages, here at Bugbrooke we hold a different set of values. All of our profits go into upgrading our equipment and facilities, building a solid future-proof foundation that will be here for future generations to enjoy. Whilst this can sometimes hold us back from gaining huge success on the pitch, we feel our excellent facilities, youth development programme and ethos on community set us apart from other clubs. Success and progression starts from the beginnings. Thank you for your support today, we hope that you enjoy the game, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Kev Kevin Gardner, Chairman
Bugbrooke St Michaels Football Club would like to place on record our thanks to our team of volunteers, our advertisers and sponsors.
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MANAGERS NOTES We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Easington Sports who are the visitors to the Sett for todays United Counties Premier Division South Boxing Day fixture.
We hope that you had a great Christmas, managing to relax and celebrate with friends, family and loved ones. We are writing these notes ahead of the trip to Eynesbury Rovers on Saturday, hopefully we are coming into today’s fixture with 3-points in the bag following what was a disappointing result in the local derby against Cogenhoe United. Looking at today’s opponents and without knowing the resources available to any of the clubs in our Division we could hazard a guess that Easington Sports are like ourselves in terms of what they have available. It is therefore no surprise to see them competing in mid-table, with aspirations of pushing on in the New Year to achieve a top-half finish come the end of the season. They have proved to be something of a bogey side for us over recent times, completing the double against us last season with both fixtures ending in 1-0 reversals following two closely contested affairs. Starting today let’s hope that we can turn the tables. First and foremost a good performance will be required and with that we hope it will be enough to come away with the points. We have reached that point in the season where availability can become a challenge. Suspensions, knocks and niggles start taking their toll. That said we have lads who are waiting in the wings and chomping at the bit for an opportunity with the First Team, if called upon we know they won’t let us down. Before signing off we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout the year, we have one final fixture at Coventry United on Saturday before we enjoy the celebrations that will welcome 2024, we hope that it is a prosperous one for all! Thank you for your support, enjoy the game and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Dale & Daniel
“Starting today let’s hope that we can turn the tables. First and foremost a good performance will be required and with that we hope it will be enough to come away with the points”
OUR HISTORY
Formed in 1929, Bugbrooke St. Michael’s Football Club took over from Bugbrooke United who folded in 1928 after being in existence since 1910. The club, which is named after the local St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, initially took its place in the Northants Central Village League and had immediate success, winning the league title from 1931 to 1937. The club closed for the Second World War before reforming in 1947 and were once again successful winning the CVL title from 1947 to 1950 and were Northants Lower Junior Cup runners-up in 1949, a feat repeated in 1954. We finally won the N.F.A. Lower Junior Cup in 1956 and followed this in 1957 by winning the prestigious Daventry Charity Cup. The club had its most successful years from 1966 to 1972 when we won the Northants Central Combination Premier title and again from 1976 to 1979 with 1977 also seeing us win the N.F.A. Lower Junior Cup again. The club continued to succeed in the Northants Combination until 1987 when the we took the decision to join the United Counties League.
At this time, we decided to run two teams in the U.C.L. and two teams in the C.N.C. We also began our youth section and have continued this ever since. Today we run 4 adult sides, including a recently formed Ladies team as well as 15 youth teams. The club has had continued to enjoy success across all age groups over those 30 years, the most notable being N.F.A. Junior Cup winners in 1992, N.F.A Lower Junior Cup in 1993 and U.C.L. Division One winners in 2001. The reputation for producing successful youth teams has increased over those years and 4 of our youth players (under 16) have been signed by professional league clubs. The achievements of the club on the field have always been supported by a hardworking committee whose chief officers are recorded on a roll in the clubhouse foyer. They along with supporters of the club have built up the excellent changing rooms and clubhouse since 1980. We hope that you enjoy the facilities that they have provided over those years, and we look forward to seeing you again in the future
‘LOVE FOOTBALL. PROTECT THE GAME.’ A message from Bugbrooke St Michaels Football Club about antisocial and criminal behaviour As we commence the new season we want to make you aware of new measures being taken across all of football, and the NLS, to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience. We are supporting strong action from the FA, and across the NLS to tackle antisocial and criminal behaviours that put all of us at risk. Please remember the following activities are illegal, dangerous, have serious consequences and have no place in our game: • Carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros • Invading the pitch or entering the pitch without permission
For everyone’s safety, we will report anyone carrying out these offences to the police, which can result in a criminal record. Anyone who enters the pitch without permission and those carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros will now receive an automatic club ban. These measures could also now apply to the parents or guardians of children involved in these activities. This reflects the seriousness of the risks to fans and staff – pyros can burn at 2000 degrees Celsius and cause life changing injuries, while entering the pitch endangers players, managers and match officials. It also impacts the hard working volunteers, who ensure that our special part of the game continues to run.
• Drug use within the football ground
We know those who commit these illegal acts do not represent the majority of supporters. Please work with us to call out the risks.
• Discriminatory behaviour
#LoveFootball #ProtectTheGame
• Throwing objects onto the pitch
TODAYS VISITORS
EASINGTON SPORTS The Club was formed in the immediate post-war period of 1945/46 to fulfil the sporting and social needs of the young people of the Easington housing estate in Banbury, many of who were returning from war service. Full name:
Easington Sports
Nickname(s):
The Clan
Founded:
1946
Ground:
Addison Road
Capacity:
Unknown
Manager:
Andy Sharman
League:
United Counties Premier Division South
2022–23:
United Counties Premier Division South, 11th of 18
Current Position
13th- P18, W6, D3, L9, Pts 21
Last Time Out:
Lost 1-3 vs Leicester Nirvana
Form:
DLLLL
The Club, then known as ‘The Clan’, soon prospered, as there was an obvious need for such a facility, and formed a cricket, tennis and a ladies section. Football was, however, the main branch of the Club’s activity, and they began playing in the local Junior Leagues as Easington Sports F.C. The football was played on pastureland to the west of Wykham Lane, and for a few years endured the lack of facilities enjoyed today by almost all clubs. (No water available on site, no real changing facilities to name but two of the privations to be met on a cold winter’s afternoon). Fortunately, this situation was soon to change, for as a result of tireless fund raising by all concerned and some dedicated work by stalwarts such as Gordon Vivash, Tim Fountain and many other committed club members, the prospect of a new ground owned by the Club became a reality.
The purchase of the Addison Road ground and the building of a clubroom, together with the Club’s entry to the Oxfordshire Senior League was the beginning of senior football for Sports, and to their credit they proved to be a formidable force at that level. (Becoming winners and finalists in the Senior Cup and heading the Premier League table on two occasions in the early and mid-fifties). In view of their success at county level the Club sought entry, and was accepted into the old Warwickshire Combination, which at that time counted professional and semi-professional teams. (Aston Villa ‘A’, West Bromwich Albion ‘B’ and teams which now grace the Conference as members). Although having moderate success in this competition, as with many other amateur clubs; finance played its part in the decision to return to the Oxfordshire Senior League, where the expenses, in particular travelling, were much more in line with the club’s limited income.
Looking to raise their standards once more, the Club sought entry to the Hellenic League. Subject to certain ground improvements they were readily accepted and remained as members until 2021. In 2018/19 Ben Milner and squad won promotion to the Premier League being crowned Champions. Covid then affected the following two seasons.
A review of the NLS saw Sports moved into the United Counties League South. In our first season in the UCLS, Matt Giles managed the squad to 14th with impressive wins including those against Coventry United and Rugby Town. In 2021/2022 Andy Sharman managed the Development squad to the UHL Division 2 title and OFA Intermediate Cup Final. With Matt Giles stepping down, Andy Sharman was appointed managed with Tommy Kinch and Mark Boyland assisting. Sharman will once again focus on using local Banbury based talent to compete in the UCL, giving a chance to many from the Dev and Clan squads. In 2022/23 the club were awarded Level 3 FA Accreditation, with 38 affiliated teams. Our youth teams include boys and girls and our open age section now includes three male, two female, a pan disability squad and over 50’s football. We also work in partnership with Oxford United in the Community and offer Women Wellbeing Sessions, Premier League Kick sessions and Primary Stars. Relocation remains a priority for the committee and trustees to ensure that our facilities match the growth and needs of the club.
We remain committed to providing those in the local community with a pathway into football with over 600 registered players.
BUGBROOKE ST MICHAELS DATE
OPPOSITION
VENUE RESULT SCORE STARTING LINE-UP
29.07.22 St Neots Town
Away
Lost
0-3
REEVE
CALVER
SHEHI
SMYTH
POWELL
WALTON
01.08.22 Racing Club Warwick
Home
Lost
0-3
REEVE
SPENCER
BAZELEY
SMYTH
POWELL
WALTON
05.08.22 Hinckley LRFC - FA Cup
Home
Lost
2-3
REEVE
MALKIN
BAZELEY
SMYTH
POWELL
12.08.23 Aylestone Park
Home
Lost
2-5
REEVE
MALKIN
BAZELEY
SMYTH
POWELL
15.08.23 Cogenhoe United
Away
Won
4-0
REEVE
MALKIN
SHEHI
1
SMYTH
POWELL
WALTON
19.08.23 Lutterworth Town
Home
Won
4-1
REEVE
MALKIN
SHEHI
1
SMYTH
POWELL
WALTON
29.08.23 Wellingborough Town
Away
Lost
2-5
REEVE
MALKIN
02.09.23 Desborough Town
Home
Lost
1-5
REEVE
MALKIN
09.09.23 Leicester Nirvana
Away
Won
4-0
REEVE
MALKIN
16.09.23 Yaxley
Away
Lost
3-4
REEVE
MALKIN
19.09.23 Desborough Town - NFA Cup
Away
Lost
2-2
W.PANTER
23.09.23 Raunds Town – FA Vase
Away
Won
2-0
26.09.23 Newport Pagnell Town
Home
Won
30.09.23 G.N.G Oadby Town
Home
Draw
03.10.23 Wellingborough Town - KO Cup
Away
Lost
1
WALTON 1
WALTON
SHEHI
SMYTH
P RICKETT-REED
WALTON
SURACE
SMYTH
POWELL
WALTON
1
SHEHI
SMYTH
POWELL
WALTON
1
SIMMONS
SMYTH
POWELL
WALTON
P RICKETT-REED
SIMMONS
BINDER
PRICE
WALTON
REEVE
MALKIN
SIMMONS
SMYTH
PRICE
WALTON
4-0
REEVE
MALKIN
SIMMONS
POWELL
PRICE
WALTON
4-4
REEVE
MALKIN
SIMMONS
POWELL
PRICE
WALTON
2-2
W.PANTER
MALKIN
SIMMONS
SMYTH
PRICE
SHEHI
CAREY
PRICE
WALTON
1
( 5- 6 PENS)
14.10.23 Godmanchester Rovers
Away
Won
3-1
REEVE
NASH
SIMMONS
21.10.23 Lincoln United - FA Vase
Away
Lost
1-4
REEVE
MALKIN
SIMMONS
CAREY
POWELL
WALTON
24.10.23 Daventry Town
Home
Lost
1-2
REEVE
MALKIN
MEMOLI
MAKEKERA
POWELL
WALTON
28.10.23 March Town United
Away
Lost
1-2
REEVE
MEMOLI
SIMMONS
GIBBON
PRICE
SHEHI
31.10.23 Coventry United
Home
Won
1-0
REEVE
MEMOLI
SIMMONS
SHEHI
PRICE
WALTON
11.11.23 Yaxley
Home
Won
2-1
REEVE
MEMOLI
SIMMONS
STEWART
PRICE
WALTON
18.11.23 Aylestone Park
Away
Lost
1-2
REEVE
MEMOLI
SIMMONS
ALHASSAN
PRICE
25.11.23 Histon
Home
Won
3-0
REEVE
MEMOLI
SIMMONS
STEWART
1
PRICE
02.12.23 Rugby Borough
Away
Draw
4-4
REEVE
MEMOLI
SIMMONS
EMERY
2
PRICE
WALTON
09.12.23 RC Warwick
Away
Lost
2-8
REEVE
SMYTH
SIMMONS
POWELL
PRICE
WALTON
16.12.23 Cogenhoe United
Home
Lost
1-2
REEVE
MEMOLI
SIMMONS
POWELL
PRICE
WALTON
23.12.23 Eynesbury Rovers
Away
26.12.23 Easington Sports
Home
30.12.23 Coventry United
Away
06.01.24 Lutterworth Town
Away
13.01.24 Leicester Nirvana
Home
20.01.24 Daventry Town
Away
27.01.24 Rugby Borough
Home
03.02.24 Eynesbury Rovers
Home
10.02.24 March Town United
Home
17.02.24 G.N.G Oadby Town
Away
24.02.24 Newport Pagnell Town
Away
02.03.24 Histon
Away
16.03.24 Desborough Town
Away
23.03.24 St Neots Town
Home
01.04.24 Easington Sports
Away
06.04.24 Godmanchester Rovers
Home
13.04.24 Wellingborough Town
Home
1
WALTON 1
WALTON 1
2023/24 RESULTS & APPEARANCES SUBS A.WEBSTER
ALHASSAN
PANTER
PORTER
MALKIN
SPENCER
REZA
BINDER
HALLMARK
J.WEBSTER
A.WEBSTER
ALHASSAN
PANTER
PORTER
REZA
SHEHI
CALVER
BINDER
MALKIN
J.WEBSTER
A.WEBSTER
ALHASSAN
PANTER
PORTER
REZA
GREEN
SURACE
BINDER
1
1
GREEN
ALHASSAN
1
PANTER
PORTER
REZA
SHEHI
SURACE
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
1
PANTER
PORTER
BINDER
ALHASSAN
SURACE
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
3
SURACE
PORTER
BINDER
ALHASSAN
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
1
REZA
PORTER
BINDER
ALHASSAN
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
ALHASSAN
PORTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
1
PRICE
PORTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
2
ALHASSAN
PORTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
1
PANTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
1
PANTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
1
PANTER
2
PORTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
PANTER
1
PORTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
PANTER
2
PORTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
PANTER
1
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
PANTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
PANTER
A.WEBSTER
GREEN
PANTER
CAREY
GREEN
EMERY
OAKES
GREEN
PANTER
PANTER
1
1
1
J.WEBSTER
CAREY
MAY
REZA
SPENCER
CAREY
MAY
SURACE
SPENCER
CAREY
GIBBON
CAREY
SHEHI
SIMMONS
UNDERWOOD
BINDER
ALHASSAN
SIMMONS
UNDERWOOD
CAREY
CAREY
SHEHI
SPENCER
BINDER
PANTER
PORTER
CAREY
ALHASSAN
STEWART
PORTER
BINDER
SHEHI
STEWART
BINDER
ALHASSAN
SHEHI
SMYTH
BINDER
ALHASSAN
SHEHI
SMYTH
BINDER
ALHASSAN
CAREY
BINDER
POWELL
MAKEKERA
PORTER
BINDER
SHEHI
MAKEKERA
OBENG
1
1
PANTER
PORTER
BINDER
1
PANTER
ANKRAH
BINDER
PANTER
STEWART
BINDER
1
ALHASSAN
PORTER
BINDER
1
PORTER
1
PORTER PORTER STEWART
1
A.WEBSTER
BINDER
PORTER
2
1
1
BINDER BAZELEY
1
1
1
1
PANTER
UNDERWOOD
SHEHI
SMYTH
POWELL
ALHASSAN
SURACE
CAREY 1
2
PORTER
CAREY
STEWART
SURACE
GIBBON
J.WEBSTER
MEMOLI
GIBBON
STEWART
ANKRAH
SPENCER
J.WEBSTER J.WEBSTER
SHEHI
CAREY
STEWART
SPENCER
ALHASSAN
MAKEKERA
STEWART
OAKES
1
POWELL
MAKEKERA
PORTER
MALKIN
GIBBON
1
SHEHI
CAREY
GIBBON
J.WEBSTER
ANKRAH
BINDER
SHEHI
STEWART
POWELL
OAKES
BINDER
ALHASSAN
SHEHI
CAREY
OAKES
GIBBON
BINDER
ALHASSAN
SHEHI
CAREY
OAKES
POWELL
BINDER
ALHASSAN
SHEHI
MEMOLI
J.WEBSTER
STEWART
ALHASSAN
SHEHI
MAKEKERA
MALKIN
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LEAGUE TABLE - FIRST TEAM
PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH as at 22/12/23
POS
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
Racing Club Warwick
22
16
2
4
34
50
2
Wellingborough Town
20
15
4
1
32
49
3
Aylestone Park
20
14
1
5
22
43
4
Newport Pagnell Town
19
14
0
5
23
42
5
March Town United
20
13
3
4
21
42
6
St Neots Town
19
12
3
4
21
39
7
Daventry Town
21
12
1
8
16
37
8
G.N.G Oadby Town
23
10
4
9
-16
34
9
Yaxley FC
19
10
3
6
14
33
10
Bugbrooke St.Michaels
21
8
2
11
-4
26
11
Cogenhoe United
19
7
3
9
-13
24
12
Lutterworth Town
19
7
1
11
-7
22
13
Easington Sports
18
6
3
9
-1
21
14
Rugby Borough
21
5
5
11
-17
20
15
Coventry United
20
5
4
11
-7
19
16
Histon FC
19
4
4
11
-16
16
17
Godmanchester Rovers
19
5
1
13
-21
16
18
Eynesbury Rovers
19
5
1
13
-23
16
19
Desborough Town
20
3
3
14
-25
12
20
Leicester Nirvana
20
2
4
14
-33
10
FORM GUIDE
LWDLL 30/12 vs Coventry United (Away)
NEXT UP
06/01 vs Lutterworth Town (Away) 13/01 vs Leicester Nirvana (Home)
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LEAGUE TABLE - RESERVES
RESERVE DIVISION as at 22/12/23
POS
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
Kempston Rovers Reserves
10
9
1
0
45
28
2
Bourne Town Reserves
13
8
1
4
10
25
3
Buckingham Development
13
7
2
4
19
23
4
Bugbrooke St.Michaels Reserves
12
7
1
4
18
22
5
Desborough Town Reserves
11
7
1
3
16
22
6
Northampton ON Chenecks Reserves
10
7
1
2
9
22
7
Harborough Town Reserves
13
6
2
5
12
20
8
Wellingborough Whitworth Reserves
14
6
2
6
2
20
9
Rothwell Corinthians Reserves
11
5
1
5
-5
16
10
Irchester United Reserves
10
4
2
4
4
14
11
Godmanchester Rovers Reserves
10
3
2
5
-15
11
12
Wellingborough Town Reserves
12
2
1
9
-22
7
13
Raunds Town Reserves
13
0
1
12
-46
1
14
Huntingdon Town U23s
10
1
0
9
-47
1*
FORM GUIDE
LDWWL 06/01 vs Wellingborough Town (Away)
NEXT UP
13/01 vs Raunds Town (Away) 20/01 vs ON Chenecks (Home)
TODAYS FIXTURES
PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH
Eynesbury Rovers
Vs
St Neots Town
Lutterworth Town
Vs
Aylestone Park
Wellingborough Town
Vs
Desborough Town
Histon FC
Vs
Godmanchester Rovers
Newport Pagnell Town
Vs
Cogenhoe United
Bugbrooke St.Michaels
Vs
Easington Sports
Daventry Town
Vs
Rugby Borough
March Town United
Vs
Yaxley FC
Racing Club Warwick
Vs
Coventry United
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” The Original Buffon” Gianluigi Buffon is one of the greatest goalkeepers the game has ever seen. A precocious teenager so talented that when he broke into Parma’s first team at 16, he was told he would be his country’s number one by the time he was twenty. ‘Why would I wait that long?’ was his confident reply. But goalkeeping was in Buffon’s genes. Some three decades before Gianluigi arrived in the world, and half a century before he sat atop it, his grandfather’s cousin was making his debut for Portogruaro. It wasn’t long before he was on the move to Italian giants Milan, where Lorenzo Buffon would become a legend. Lorenzo’s career started in the chaos of post-war Italian football. The first national championships had been created under facism, and with the financial struggles of football following the war, that required a restructure. Despite a mid-table finish, Portogruaro were dropped into the vast, regional, amateur fourth tier, and turned to their academy for an immediate return to Serie C. Buffon would probably not have been given such an early start in a higher division, but at that level, he was given the gloves. And so nearly, he achieved immediate success. Portogruaro struggled to score goals, but Buffon’s performance in goal kept them in the title race right to the end of the season. In the end, they were massively outscored by San Dona, who took the single promotion place, but the young goalkeeper had done enough to grab the attention of at the top of the tree. Milan were in a period of rebuilding that would define them for a decade. Gunnar Gren and Nils Liedholm joined their Swedish compatriot Gunnar Nordahl in the famous Gre-No-Li attacking line, which meant the signing of a backup goalkeeper happened without much fanfare at all. Content to warm the bench as a profession, Buffon had to wait until January of 1950 to make his debut for the Rossoneri. He stood out in a 5-1 win, and was given a second game, then a third, a game against Juventus which was the first Serie A game to be televised live.
Milan destroyed their opponents, winning 7-1, and while the super Swedes took the headlines, Buffon was now un-droppable. Despite their win, Milan failed to take the Scudetto away from Turin until the following season, when they were so dominant that they failed to win any of their final five games, and still secured the title. The power was shifting to the city and Inter made their own claim on the Italian title, bolstered by their own young goalkeeper Giorgio Ghezzi. He and Buffon developed a rivalry both on and off the pitch. Ghezzi went to the World Cup in 1954 as first choice, owing to Inter’s back-to-back titles, but a poor showing soon had the Azzurri turning to Buffon. Ghezzi suffered a double blow. Edy Campagnoli was a catwalk model and tv star, and Ghezzi’s girlfriend. But when he was dropped by the national team, she dropped him as well. In a move that could have come straight from her tv shows, she ended up in Buffon’s arms. They married in 1958, and Ghezzi reportedly never recovered from the rejection. MIlan returned to title-winning form following the World Cup and qualified for the European Cup. He saw them to another title in 1957, and Milan made the European Cup final in 1958, but without an injured Buffon in goal they conceded 3 and lost in injury time to Real Madrid.
In fact, injuries would prove to be his downfall. Following that European Cup defeat, the Milan board started to question Buffon’s injury record and looking for a replacement. He played one more season for the Rossoneri before another soap-opera twist. Ghezzi, following his heartbreak, had left the city of Milan on the eve of Buffon and Campagnoli’s wedding and spent a year at Genoa. Milan made their move and brought him in. Buffon went the other way, and was unable to prevent his new side’s relegation, because once again he’d spent most of the season on the injury table. But Inter had struggled to replace Ghezzi, and saw an opportunity. He joined the Nerazurri, and resumed his rivalry with Ghezzi.
Juventus won the 1961 title, but all attention was on the Milan rivalry. Buffon and Inter won the first tie, before Ghezzi and Milan won the return. But it was less about results, and more about who would get that coveted number 1 jersey at the 1962 World Cup. Buffon suffered a blow in 1962, conceding the title to Milan and Ghezzi, but he had conceded the fewest goals. The call came, and he was off to Chile. He had won once again.
Sadly, after keeping a clean sheet in the first game, he got injured once more. Italy crashed out of the World Cup, and neither Buffon or Ghezzi would play for them again. Buffon won the Scudetto the following year, but his time was coming to an end. He retired in 1965 after short spells at Fiorentina and Ivera
His cousin’s grandson would eventually go on to surpass him, but Lorenzo will always be the original Buffon.
Enjoy the game!
Martyn Green The Untold Game Find us at TheUntoldGame.co.uk or on social media @TheUntoldGame
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