It was the era of rampant Thatcherism - sorry to go off at a political tangent - and with very high unemployment attendances were really suffering. It's a lesson that I think today's Premier League clubs would do well to take on board,sooner or later fininancial reality will have to hit home and common sense prevail. True fans are being priced out of the game - you only have to look at Germany to see how they treat their fans and you can understand why the Bundesliga is the best supported Football League. It's 18 quid to watch the local team here - Lincoln City - who are in the Conference - Bayern Munich's cheapest tickets are the same price!!!!

Pains me to say it but I think Arsenal deserve some praise for retaining their 1st Kit for another season, instead of changing it after just one season like the great majority of clubs do.

Pleased to see the references to Jimmy Husband. In my opinion he is one of the most underated players in our Modern history. I don't think he got the protection from the Refs that a player of his type would get in todays game.I remember Mackay's disgraceful tackle on him, which I don't think even got a booking ( I was 11 at the time so the memory might be playing tricks) - such a challenge today would I think be a straight red card no messing. I also recall Panathinaikos's tactics to do with him - at that particular time he was back to his best from I think. Personally I think the injuries ruined his career, a really talented player who was a key member of the Everton team that did so well from 1966 - 70.

I have to confess that I do think the Premier League would well to look at the Bundesliga and how the clubs seem to have a closer link with their fans. I would agree with your point that income from attendances have been surpassed by other "business streams" as they like to call them these days, however I can't help feeling that if attendances do fall dramatically then half empty stadiums will not look too good a "product" for the TV companies.