SPORTING MEMORIES

BOLTON Wanderers finally wrapped up the deal that brought Walsall striker Michael Ricketts to the Reebok, but Sam Allardyce made it clear that would not be the last of his summer signings.

In fact a host of players were queuing up to join the Allardyce revolution.

Midfielder Ian Woan, who had fallen out with Nottingham Forest manager David Platt, joined Wanderers on their tour of Denmark in the hope of landing a contract and he was joined by German international midfielder Matthias Hagner.

Dutchman Rob Maas and former Cameroon international Alphonse Tchami had also joined Wanderers on trial as Allardyce, who was strapped for cash, set out to assemble a squad for his first full season in charge.

There were many more on his hit list but, after seeing Wanderers lose their opening tour match 2-1 to Brondby, the Bolton boss vented his frustrations at the actions of unreliable agents who were wasting his time.

“It gets disappointing that people say they have a player for me to look at who will come within our budget,” he said.

“You have a look at his record and invite him to come and show what he can do.

“But in the end it doesn’t happen.

“We went to the airport today, we had the flights they were coming in on and they weren’t there.

“We just have to move on and concentrate on those players who want to play for Bolton Wanderers.”

Lennox Lewis was world heavyweight champion but, having forged his career across the Atlantic, had still to win the hearts of a somewhat sceptical British public.

All that would change if he impressed in his forthcoming title fight with Frans Botha in London, but promoters were struggling to sell tickets.

15 Years Ago

MIKE Watkinson led Lancashire to victory in the Benson and Hedges Cup final at Lord’s then set his sights on the elusive county championship.

“We’ve won all the one-day competitions in recent years, but not the championship,” the Old Trafford captain said.

“I think taking that prize would give us most pride.”

Kearsley’s calypso cricketer had already set a new Bolton League mark by smashing a century off just 35 balls, but when he took on unsuspecting Heaton bowler Rob Slater, he claimed a new world record, hitting 48 runs off a single over on his way to another high-speed ton to secure a place in the Hamer Cup final.

Slater didn’t help himself by bowling three no-balls but Dublin was clearly in the mood as he smashed eight sixes off the nine deliveries – the only blip coming when he made room for another towering hit, only to snick the ball to the wicketkeeper, who dropped the catch.

“If I hadn’t seen it I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Kearsley captain Craig Lavelle.

“I saw his quick century a few weeks ago and never thought I would see hitting like that again, but this was unbelievable. People have forgotten we are in the Hamer Cup final. They’re just talking about Steve.”

Down at Burnden Park, Wanderers newly-appointed joint managers Roy McFarland and Colin Todd found themselves having to deal with daily speculation over the futures of their two young stars Jason McAteer and Alan Stubbs as the prepared for life in the Premier League.

McAteer didn't help matters when he was reported in a national newspaper as saying he would go to any club in “the top six”.

40 Years Ago

SIR Stanley Matthews – the legendary former Blackpool, Stoke and England winger – was tipped to make his debut in European club football at the age of 55.

Sir Stanley, rated by some as England’s greatest ever player, was apparently planning to play for Hibernians of Malta in their upcoming European Cup tie against Real Madrid.

Since moving to Malta two years earlier, he had played a number of exhibition matches and had taken over as coach of Hibernians after their previous team boss resigned.

But the one thing he did not like about Maltese football was the rock hard pitches.

But he was definitely up for playing on turf for Hibernians in the away leg in Madrid.

Back in England, another footballing knight, Sir Alf Ramsey, received a vote of confidence from the Football Association following England’s failure to retain the World Cup.

England lost to West Germany in the quarter-finals in Mexico, but the FA’s international committee had no doubts Sir Alf was still the man to lead the national side.

England lost 3-2 to their old foes, after extra time.

As the Commonwealth Games got underway in Edinburgh, there were doubts over whether one of the world’s most famous athletes would actually compete.

Australian distance runner Ron Clarke – who had broken a string of world records but never won a Games gold – landed himself in trouble when he went missing from the athletes village to spend the night with his wife.

The Australians warned Clarke he could be banned from competing in the 10,000metres.