Fantastic Football Facts!

Thought you knew football? Think again!

The oldest existing football club in the world is Sheffield FC – formed in 1857!

In the World Cup of 1974 there was only one team that wasn’t beaten throughout the tournament. No, not the winners, . They lost in the groups stages. The unbeaten team was Scotland with two draws and a win – it wasn’t enough to see them through to the knock-out stages though!

The ball used in professional football has remained the same size and shape for 120 years!

Spanish club Juventus were so keen on another football club’s strip they decided to copy it – the club setting the fashion trend? Notts County!

Mike Pejic was dropped from the England side in 1974 because he never smiled!

Surely the most superstitious footballer ever is – he used to wear the same underpants for every match! Other superstitious legends include and .

Sunderland FC was originally formed by a group of teachers!

Stuart Pearce, manager of the England Under-21 squad, is a qualified electrician!

In 1889, Preston North End became the first club to achieve the double of winning the FA Cup (beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0) and the Football League Championship in the same season. What made this double particularly special in that the league was won without a single defeat.

And finally, as it’s a World Cup Year … as yet the World Cup has never been won by a team appearing in the opening match!

Man of the Match by Dan Freedman is out now!

For more information about Dan and his books, please contact Catherine Alport: [email protected]