At the dawn of the 1960s few could have foreseen not only the momentous moral, political and cultural changes about to take hold, but also the far-reaching effect they would have.
Even before 1963 had been waved on its way the U.K. had endured the coldest winter (1962-63) on record and was coming to terms with ramifications from the Profumo Scandal, the Great Train Robbery while at the same time trying to make sense of a phenomena dubbed ‘Beatlemania‘ – thus named due to the hysterical reaction toward a Merseyside pop group called The Beatles from a legion of adoring teenage female followers.
Therefore in an era when the times they were a-changin’, to slightly misquote a phrase synonymous with the period, it feels a tall order seeking out a constant not affected by the new order. In terms of scheduling, however, at least British football could offer some continuing certainties.
Since 1952 the FA Cup Final had been routinely held on the first Saturday in May, while the England v Scotland clash was always staged, (bi-annually at Wembley or Hampden Park), on the second Saturday, give or take, of April.
Yet in keeping with the early-60s aesthetic of things no longer being the same, on the field when the longest established opponents in international football faced each other, there also came notice of a shift in superiority – the upper hand switching from one nation to another after the cataclysmic fixture of 1961.
Through the 1950s, indeed from the end of World War Two in 1945, an impression had been created that whether played beneath the Twin Towers or in Glasgow, England turned up and won the match – Scotland winning just three opposed to eight English victories in the 14 matches to have been contested since 1946 when the fixture resumed in earnest.
At the mid point of the ’50s England gave full license to their current dominance with a 1955, 7-2 Wembley demolition of their oldest rivals, the Scottish defence torn asunder by the finishing prowess of Wolves centre-forward Dennis Wilshaw who struck four times, but most notably by the wing-wizardry of an incomparable named Stanley Matthews.
For the hosts it represented further proof lessons had been learned from heavy defeats inflicted on them by Hungary in each of the previous years. The sense of steady progress being made toward the 1958 World Cup was reinforced when a highly-rated Brazilian team (containing six of the side who would lift the Jules Rimet trophy in Sweden two years later) were well beaten at Wembley in May 1956.
Brazil were outplayed for long periods by a home side in which Matthews, shortly to be be awarded the inaugural Ballon d’Or at the age of 41, was again devastating. Neither had the contributions of a young Manchester United trio made up of full-back Roger Byrne, midfield powerhouse Duncan Edwards and barnstorming centre-forward Tommy Taylor gone unnoticed (the Old Trafford side having recently won the league title with a side dubbed ‘the Busby Babes‘) – Taylor scoring twice in a 4-2 triumph that suggested a formidable England team was emerging.
Tragically, when the 1958 World Cup did arrive, Byrne, Edwards and Taylor had all died, killed along with five of their team-mates (the tragedy claiming 23 lives), in the Munich air disaster of that year. On 6 February 1958 the plane carrying the Manchester United party back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade crashed on take-off in leaving West Germany, the sheer human tragedy manifesting in football terms to the sudden and heart-breaking depletion in the line-ups of United and England – whose World Cup intentions were seriously undermined by the absence of those cruelly taken in the crash.
In the event England, like Scotland, went out at the group stage in Sweden, an eventuality falling well below pre-Munich expectations.
Two months after the disaster England scored a 4-0 Hampden win over the Scots, ‘Busby-Babe‘ and Munich survivor Bobby Charlton netting on his international debut. He would repeat the feat in the 1959 contest, scoring the only goal of as the hosts’ extended their undefeated streak against Scotland to eight matches.
Two games into the new decade that sequence had extended to ten, double-figures reached in a Wembley massacre when England fell just short of a double-figure goal tally against their hapless visitors – the last Scottish victory now consigned to a time of bread-rationing, King George VI on the throne and Winston Churchill returning to 10 Downing Street.
Scottish fortunes, however, would then improve to the extent their best post-war run against the ‘auld enemy‘ was about to begin. The years that followed yielded three straight wins and a draw, Scotland appearing to have the measure of familiar foes during an era when John Lennon & Paul McCartney led The Beatles from ‘Love Me Do‘ to ‘Daytripper.’
But by the time they followed their 1965 opus ‘Rubber Soul‘ with the equally stunning ‘Revolver‘ nine months later in August 1966, England had regained the ‘Best of Britain‘ mantle before adding another, even more lustrous title to their roster.
Another band that had emerged to join the vanguard of English pop groups were an innovative North London ensemble called The Kinks. In the summer of 1966 they scored a big hit with a song called ‘Sunny Afternoon‘ – the title aptly describing some memorable, indeed, unforgettable days for the England team as the months between April and July came and went.
ENGLAND v SCOTLAND 1960-1966:
SCOTLAND 1 ENGLAND 1 – 9/4/1960 (129,783):
The first meeting of a new decade brought continuation of a recognised theme – namely that of Bobby Charlton scoring for England against Scotland, netting for the third year in a row when the teams clashed.
Charlton (22) however, also missed an opportunity to give the visitors victory in the fixture for a fourth consecutive time.
Due to a club v country row regarding release of players to play (league fixtures going ahead regardless of players being on international duty, although concessions by the Football League were just starting to be made), Scotland were unable to call on a trio from Spurs.
As Tottenham had a vital league game, manager Bill Nicholson refused to excuse goalkeeper Laurie Brown, defender Dave Mackay and midfielder John White from club commitments due to the White Hart Lane side still being contention for the league title.
In spite of these absences a young Scotland team including two debutants, Celtic goalkeeper Frank Haffey and Hearts midfielder Alex Young, (who six months later was the subject of a big-money move to Everton), gave a fine account of themselves. Twice they went close to going ahead before Fulham winger Graham Leggatt gave them a 17th minute lead.
On a blustery Glasgow afternoon, England struggled to find any momentum. The team picked by the FA International Selection Committee and presented to manager Walter Winterbottam, – now in his 14th year in charge – looked ragged and lacking in balance. The latter pair of a Wolves trio consisting of Ron Flowers, Bill Slater and Peter Broadbent were both playing what proved their final international.
With the 1959-60 season entering its final throes, the Molineux club were chasing a league and FA Cup double, the Football League granting permission for Wolves to call off their scheduled Division One fixture that day in order for Flowers, Slater and Broadbent to be at Hampden – all three returning to club football when visiting West Ham were thrashed 5-0 48 hours later, Wolves eventually having to settle for winning the FA Cup after being pipped to the title by Burnley.
As the second half began England looked in danger of suffering their first defeat on Scottish soil since 1937, but were spared that eventuality when Charlton (scoring for the 13th time in 15 international appearances) converted a 49th minute penalty.
Opportunity was then presented for the Manchester United player to secure victory for England – but on being awarded a second penalty 16 minutes from time, Charlton fired wide from the spot.
Due to the game petering out as a tame draw, Scotland, England and Wales shared the Home International title for the season by each finishing on four points, although had goal difference been used to determine the winners, the Scots would have taken the honours.
As it was Charlton and England debutant, Huddersfield Town full-back Ray Wilson, would have better days in this fixture and with the national team as a whole. This strangely low-key encounter was described as ‘rubbish‘ by one newspaper – allusion perhaps to ‘My Old Man’s a Dustman‘ by skiffle sensation Lonnie Donegan being the U.K. Number one that week.
ENGLAND 9 SCOTLAND 3 – 15/4/1961 (97,350):
Having scored 23 goals in their previous four matches, this sudden potency in front of goal coinciding with arrival in the team of young Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves, (soon to join AC Milan for a fee of £80,000), the home side in their current form looked capable of outscoring anyone.
But that was not thought to include their rugby union counterparts who three weeks earlier had lifted the Calcutta Cup after a 6-0 Twickenham defeat of the Scots.
In what was to prove the highest scoring match ever played between the two countries and the biggest winning margin in the history of a fixture dating back to 1872, Greaves (20 & 29) had scored twice before the half-hour mark, England by then already a goal to the good with a ninth minute opener from Bobby Robson.
Dave Mackay, soon to be a double-winner with Spurs and Rangers winger Davy Wilson cut the deficit by each scoring within nine minutes of the restart – but once the decisive distribution and surefire shooting of England skipper Johnny Haynes began bearing fruit once more, England were ripe for delivering a rout.
Bryan Douglas (56) and Bobby Smith (75) – another destined for imminent double honours with Tottenham – put the outcome beyond doubt, Celtic wide man Pat Quinn (76) giving the score line some temporary respectability.
But what followed was the most astonishing eight minutes, certainly in goal scoring terms in the history of the England team as Haynes (79/81), Greaves (82) and Smith (85) plundered to their hearts content. When the declaration came on nine, the home side had scored more on one afternoon than their annihilated opponents had managed in the last seven fixtures between the sides.
Suffice to say it proved the second and last cap of goalkeeper Haffey, although his Celtic club-mate and international debutant Billy McNeill would have far more pleasurable times with club and country before the decade was out.
By virtue of their stunning victory England completed a hat-trick of Home International victories for the season, finishing top of the table with a goal difference of 13 from three games – their potential to score at will realised again in the next fixture when Wembley visitors Mexico were hit for eight without reply.
SCOTLAND 2 ENGLAND 0 – 14/4/1962 (132,431):
Containing five survivors of their Wembley walloping of twelve months before, whose number excluded Haffey and Motherwell centre-half Robert McCann, another never selected again, the Scotland XI tasked with gaining revenge looked to have the means. Indeed, any side containing such talents as Law, St John, John White and Rangers duo of Jim Baxter and Alex Scott, (who would soon head south to win league and FA Cup honours with Everton), having the capability to see off most-comers.
Through the skills of Baxter and White the home side quickly took control in midfield, their early supremacy rewarded when Wilson, in converting a cross from Law in the 13th minute, scored in the fixture for the second year running.
In response England captain Johnny Haynes had an effort blocked on the line and saw another strike the underside of the bar before being cleared by Dundee full-back Alex Hamilton, who two weeks later would collect a Scottish league championship medal with the Dens Park club.
With the Spurs strike pairing of Smith and Greaves (who had returned to England in a move to White Hart Lane after spending just six months with AC Milan), offered little room for manouvre by a resolute home defence, Scotland moved confidently into the closing stages. Their first Hampden victory over England for 25 years then assured when captain Eric Caldow netted from the penalty spot 90 seconds from time, the Rangers left-back converting after Peter Swan had handled.
By virtue of their deserved victory, Scotland were not only crowned Home International champions but also became the first team in fifteen matches to stop the visitors from scoring, England ending the championships without a win to their name for the first time in 35 years.
They recovered to make steady progress in moving toward the 1962 World Cup in Chile, where England would be in only home country in contention. After losing to Scotland the next two friendlies were won, the second of which, a 4-0 triumph over Peru in Lima brought a first cap for future captain Bobby Moore.
England would exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage by virtue of a 3-1 defeat to eventual winners Brazil. But even then it is unlikely celebrations in Rio at the Jules Rimet trophy being retained were equal to those at Hampden Park back in April, the U.K. number one single that week, ‘Wonderful Land’ by The Shadows, summing up the Glasgow glee.
ENGLAND 1 SCOTLAND 2 – 6/4/1963 (98,606):
For the 68th meeting between the two countries Wembley had a fresh appearance with the roof, (at a cost of half a million pounds), extended to cover the terracing at both ends of the ground. The fixture generated record gate receipts of over £76,000, England had three debutants and a new manager-elect – yet after all that the spoils still went to those from north of the border.
Their first Wembley victory in ten years was even more commendable for being achieved with just ten men. Captain Eric Caldlow played no further part in the contest after suffering a serious leg injury following a fifth minute collusion with Spurs forward Bobby Smith, who after lengthy treatment on an injured knee returned for the second half, despite offering little more than nuisance value in hobbling around out on the wing.
In adjusting to the absence of skipper Caldlow, Davy Wilson, one of four Rangers players in the starting line-up, moved from winger to right-back in helping to shore up a rearguard well-marshaled by Ian Ure, the commanding centre-half of reigning Scottish champions Dundee.
Liverpool pair Gerry Byrne and Jimmy Melia, alongside Leicester City goalkeeper Gordon Banks, were winning their first caps in a team picked by the F.A. Selection Committee, who would be disbanded when Ramsey – overseeing matters on the day while still in charge of Ipswich Town – formally took over on May 1st.
The home side, however, quickly found themselves on the back foot against a fluent Scotland side for whom Baxter was at his most majestic. He was already the stand-out performer by the time his fiercely struck drive gave the Scots a 29th minute lead – and when just three minutes later his Rangers club-mate, winger Willie Henderson, was impeded by a combination of Ron Flowers and John Byrne, the ensuing spot-kick sent Banks the wrong way as Baxter increased Scotland’s lead from the penalty spot.
Performing with such poise and panache, the current U.K. Number One, ‘He’s So Fine‘ by The Chiffons could have been written for him, Baxter prompted several dangerous raids as the Scots endeavored to put the outcome beyond all doubt.
They were given some late anxiety when Bryan Douglas reduced the arrears with ten minutes left, but the only real blemish from a match they more or less dominated was the broken leg sustained by Caldow would sadly end his international career.
For England it was another 90 chastening minutes following on from a 5-2 European Nations Cup qualifying defeat at the hands of France in Paris five weeks earlier.
The fixtures against the French and then Scotland came after boss-in-waiting Ramsey made the bold announcement to host Harry Carpenter when interviewed on the BBC ‘Sportsweek‘ programme on Wednesday 5 January 1963, that ‘England will win the World Cup in London in 1966‘ – which sounded emphatic as a statement of intent, although somewhat fanciful in light of recent results.
SCOTLAND 1 ENGLAND 0 – 11/4/1964 (133,245):
It was somewhat ironic that in the week British thriller ‘Nightmare‘ should reach U.K. cinemas, England would find their fortunes against Scotland extend into ‘worst this century’ territory – the Scots registering a third straight win in the fixture for the first time since the late-Victorian era.
Only requiring a draw to win the championship outright, the visitors were sixteen minutes from securing the necessary point when a rare error from Banks in misjudging the flight of a Wilson corner enabled Alan Gilzean to score with a close range header – the 26 year-old Dundee forward displaying the penalty area nous that before the year was out would land him a move to Spurs where a trophy-leaden career lay ahead.
Their relatively late winner was little more than Scotland deserved. An England attack, from which injured Tottenham pair Greaves and Smith were absent, conjured little the home side could not repel despite the tireless work of Roger Hunt – who a week later would pick up a championship medal as Liverpool secured the league title.
By virtue of Gilzean scoring for the first time in international football, the Scots also took a share of the title (England would have finished top had goal difference been applied), celebrating a win over the English now becoming a familiar joy for the quintet of Hamilton, Baxter, White, Law and Wilson, who had each played every minute of the hat-trick of wins completed over England.
On a date when ‘I Believe‘ by The Bachelors topped the U.K. charts, Ramsey maintained his assertion that England would win the 1966 World Cup, although the immediate postscript to this contest was one of tragedy, marking as it did the final appearance in a Scotland shirt of the prodigiously gifted John White – the Spurs midfield ace dying at the age of just 27 on being struck by lightning on a North London golf course a little over three months later.
ENGLAND 2 SCOTLAND 2 – 10/4/1965 (98,199):
Drawing a football connotation from the Rolling Stones being at number one with the Jagger-Richard penned ‘The Last Time‘, it was tempting to conclude the last England victory over Scotland was slipping ever further back into the past.
Victory at last looked on the cards when they led 2-0 just after the half hour, but fate and a forceful Scottish fight-back ensured they departed Wembley with a point and their pride intact.
With Ramsey deciding time had come to fight fire with fire, he drafted Leeds stopper Jack Charlton and Manchester United midfield enforcer Nobby Stiles for their first caps (Chelsea front man Barry Bridges was also a debutant), the strategy looking sound when goals from Bobby Charlton (29) – he and Jack the first brothers to appear together for England in the 20th century – and Greaves (36), gave the home side a commanding lead.
But seven minutes before half-time, Law, the reigning European Footballer of the Year, pulled one back, the interval arriving with the sight of England left-back Ray Wilson being helped from the field with a strained chest muscle.
Ten man England held out for 14 minutes after the restart before St John levelled the scores. English woe then became more pronounced when West Ham striker John Byrne, who had been moved to full-back in covering the gap left by Wilson, hobbled off due to an ankle injury, Bobby Charlton the next to fill the left-back position.
But the nine men showed admirable resistance in keeping the Scots at bay on an afternoon when the doggedness Ramsey had been insisting upon came to the fore.
On show there were four players, two on each side – Jack Charlton (Leeds/Peter Thompson (Liverpool), Bobby Collins (Leeds)/St John (Liverpool) – who would be back beneath the Twin Towers early the following month for the Leeds v Liverpool FA Cup Final.
Yet more importantly for England, Ramsey now had six pieces, Banks, Cohen, Wilson, Stiles, Charlton (J) and Moore of his jigsaw in place, the determination displayed in securing the point that gave them the Home International title outright clearly not lost on the manager – who would not look beyond these six in their respective positions during the foreseeable future.
SCOTLAND 3 ENGLAND 4 – 2/4/1966 (133,000):
Two days before the 71st meeting of the old adversaries, prime minister Harold Wilson led his party to a handsome victory in the U.K. General Election. The sitting government increased their House of Commons majority from 13 when elected to power in October 1964 to almost one hundred seats – their campaign slogan of ‘Labour for the years ahead‘ serving them well.
For Alf Ramsey and his England squad it was the months ahead that were coming into sharp focus, the 1966 World Cup, the manager had steadfastly stated the host nation would win, now less than three months away.
But before thoughts could turn toward their summer assignment there was the matter of ending a four match winless streak against the Scots – bringing the sequence to an end in Glasgow, where England arrived having suffered just one defeat in their previous 15 matches, sure to give morale a timely boost.
Featuring nine of the side who would ultimately contest knockout stage fixtures in the impending tournament (Ray Wilson and Martin Peters the only absentees), it proved a day when the defensive diligence of both sides would be found wanting.
Inside the opening half hour 20-year-old Alan Ball, the tenaciously talented Blackpool midfielder, twice exposed back-four frailties in the hosts by creating a first international goal for West Ham striker Geoff Hurst on 18 minutes, acting as provider again when Hunt increased the lead shortly afterward.
Yet four minutes before half time the visitors were made to look vulnerable when Law rose unmarked to head home a corner taken by Celtic wing wizard Jimmy Johnstone, although 90 seconds after the break the home side were too accommodating by half when Hunt restored the two goal advantage.
By now, however, Johnstone had started giving his marker, Blackburn Rovers full-back Keith Newton, a torrid afternoon, Scotland brought back into contention when the winger struck in the 56th minute.
With 17 minutes left a low drive from Bobby Charlton appeared to flummox Scotland ‘keeper Bobby Ferguson, (his transfer from Kilmarnock to West Ham the following year for a fee of £65,000 being a world record for a goalkeeper) as English anxieties were eased with a fourth goal.
Yet even then England could not deny Johnstone a final say, if not the last word, as he fired home from a tight angle as a defence, thought to be formidable, again looked at sixes and sevens – the visitors managing to progress precariously through the final nine minutes to win the match and the Home International title.
After the game when a football reporter remarked to Ramsey how enjoyable the game had been, the comment was met with a steely look and brusque response of ‘For you maybe.’ Nevertheless, England had clinched their first win over Scotland for five years also ending a Hampden drought stretching back to 1958.
While they were returning south of the border later that day it is not outlandish to imagine re-elected premier Wilson, renowned for his political expediency, thinking up pithy comments with which to ply the press.
Given how football would be uppermost in many minds through the summer, Wilson could be envisaged jotting down the phrase ‘How you noticed we only win the World Cup under a Labour government?’ for possible future use.
After all, the manager seemed confident they would do so…………..
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NEIL SAMBROOK is also the author of MONTY’S DOUBLE – an acclaimed thriller now available in paperback and as an Amazon Kindle book.