ON THIS DAY

As a player Harry Redknapp made League appearances for West Ham, Bournemouth and Brentford. His managerial career in the Football League started back at Bournemouth when he was appointed assistant to manager David Webb at the beginning of the 1982/83 season. In early December 1982 Webb was sacked leaving Harry Redknapp as caretaker manager. His first match as manager came on December 18th 1982 away to Division 3 leaders Lincoln City. On an icy pitch Bournemouth were beaten – they were beaten 9-0 which still ranks as Bournemouth’s record League defeat. After a start like that it was inevitable that ‘Arry would be a contender for the job as England manager in years to come! 19 th December

The first ever Ballon d'Or - European Footballer of Year - award was made. In second place was Alfredo Di Stéfano and his team-mate in the great Real Madrid side, Raymond Kopa, was third but the winner was a 41-year-old Englishman who played for Blackpool - Stanley Matthews. He was presented with the trophy by the man behind the new award, Gabriel Hanot. Two other Brits received votes in the contest - Billy Wright finished in ninth place while Duncan Edwards was 13th.

In the First Division match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge Leicester defenders Jack Froggatt and Stan Milburn each struck the ball at exactly the same time to send it past the Leicester 'keeper to record a 'shared own goal' in Chelsea's 3-1 victory, the only such goal in Football League history.

George Hardwick didn’t have the best of Football League debuts. Playing for Middlesbrough against Bolton at Ayresome Park in the old First Division he scored an own goal with his first touch of the ball in the first minute of the match!