ON THIS DAY

Tragic scenes at Southend United's Roots Hall ground at their Division 3 match against Mansfield Town. Referee Mike North collapsed in the centre circle shortly before half time and died of a heart attack. The match was abandoned. 17 th April

Duncan Ferguson of Rangers became the first professional player in Britain to be jailed for a incident on the football pitch. In a Scottish League match at Ibrox on 16th April 1994 he head-butted visiting Raith Rovers defender Jock McStay and although the clash wasn't noticed by the match officials it was caught on camera and he ended up in court charged with assault. He was found guilty and with previous convictions (although not from footballing incidents) he was sentenced to 3 months in prison. He eventually served 44 days in Barlinnie prison after which he became an Everton player (although I don't think that was part of the punishment!).

Oxford United owner Robert Maxwell announced that he had bought a controlling interest in Reading FC and that he intended to merge the clubs and play under the name of Thames Valley Royals.

Newcastle United's Malcolm Macdonald scored all of England’s goals in the 5-0 defeat of Cyprus in a Euro qualifier at Wembley.