50 YEARS AGO: TEAM spirit was undoubtedly the reason behind England’s World Cup victory.

They started to believe they could do it after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the quarter-finals in what was one of the most controversial matches in the tournament’s history.

The south Americans committed foul after foul, and Antonio Rattin was sent off for a ‘tackle’ on Bobby Charlton but refused to go.

Ten minutes later, the Argentinian skipper reluctantly accepted his fate but then sat on the red carpet leading to the Royal Box for two minutes before being persuaded to move on by two policemen.

Charlton then outshone Eusebio in the semi-finals, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory, before England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final after extra-time, Geoff Hurst bagging a hat-trick and West Ham clubmate Martin Peters getting the other.

Bobby Moore, who was only on a monthly contract at Upton Park, collected the Jules Rimet Trophy, and England trainer Harold Shepherdson said: “It was team spirit from first to last, and ‘togetherness’ if you like to call it that.

“Nothing that they were asked to do by their manager went undone. No exercise I asked them to do was too hard a task.”

The impact of the victory by Sir Alf Ramsey’s team was felt elsewhere, however, as under 2,000 watched the first day of the Roses cricket match at Old Trafford.

It wasn’t a weekend of unqualified national success as the Great Britain rugby league tourists lost the third and deciding Ashes Test 19-14 to Australia in Sydney.

Great Britain again had a man dismissed – this time Cliff Watson – but they managed a try by Alan Hardisty and a penalty try after the same player was tackled late when chasing his kick through.

Bradford Northern won a friendly 20-13 against Castleford at Wheldon Road, scoring 13 points in the final 20 minutes, while Keighley announced a record post-war loss of £5,070.

25 YEARS AGO

BRADFORD Northern’s bid to sign Kiwi international Kelly Shelford came to a shuddering halt when the Rugby Football League ruled that Warrington had signed him instead – as long as they were prepared to pay his former club Whitehaven £4,000.

The Bantams warmed up for the new season with a 3-0 victory over Newcastle Town, with goals from Phil Babb (a 25-yard volley), transfer-listed Mark Stuart and and Paul Jewell, and followed that with a 2-0 triumph over Leek Town, with Stuart and Brian Tinnion netting.

Meanwhile, Guiseley signed Shipley’s Tony Gill, nine months after the former Manchester United player’s career seemed over after a horrific right-leg injury. The Lions also secured the signature of experienced striker Steve Elliott.

Leeds United-bound David Wetherall claimed an assist in Great Britain’s 2-1 win over Uruguay to claim third place in the World Student Games in front of about 4,000 at Valley Parade.

Yorkshire lost to Surrey by one wicket with two balls remaining in the County Championship, with last man Tony Murphy turning Phil Carrick for a couple of runs to seal victory in a thriller.

Undercliffe fell foul of wanting to be in two places at once. They had to give priority to their Bradford League match on the Sunday, and therefore had to forfeit their NCA Knockout quarter-final against Walsall.

Pudsey St Lawrence lost for the first time that season – losing to Spen Victoria and Yeadon on the bounce – and had their lead over Yorkshire Bank cut from 16 points to seven.

TEN YEARS AGO

AFTER underwhelming displays against Boston United and Darlington, in which they conceded four goals in each match, Bradford City gave a much-improved performance in a 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.

Colin Todd signed Sheffield Wednesday striker David Graham and Leeds United left back Ben Parker, while Bradford Bulls were linked with Wakefield duo David Solomona and Semi Tadulala.

Yorkshire Phoenix lost their Twenty20Cup quarter-final by five wickets to Essex Eagles with four balls left at Chelmsford after scoring 143-7. Essex were 73-5 but were revived by an unbroken 75-run stand.