Season 1991/92 Plot
After several years of speculation it was announced in February that a new, breakaway FA Premier League was going to be formed. ITV were expected to win the TV rights but the BBC and BSkyB combined to place a counter bid and had strong influence within the new organisation. In May 1992 the rights were decided and each club had one vote. BSkyB were awarded live matches on Sundays and Mondays and the BBC gained the Saturday night highlights as part of a five year deal. The two companies also joined forces to sign a new five year deal to cover FA Cup and International matches. ITV would be covering the Football League and the League Cup.
Match of the Day Season 1991/92 aired on August 10th, 1991.
Season 1991/92 Episodes
1. 10th August 1991: FA Charity Shield: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Highlights of the Tennents' FA Charity Shield, the traditional Wembley opening to the football season which gives champions Arsenal the chance to avenge their defeat by north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in last season's FA Cup semi-final. Unfortunately there will be no opportunity for the injured Paul Gascoigne to repeat his wonderful goal in that match, but there is still an abundance of talent on show.
2. 16th November 1991: FA Cup First Round
The long road to FA Cup glory begins. It's the first round proper and the remaining non-league teams line up against the third and fourth divisions. And for the first time since 1924 two second division teams join the fray at this stage: Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers, both promoted last year, make up the numbers for the first round. Highlights of the main matches and a roundup of all the significant action and results. Colchester United v Exeter City Gretna v Rochdale Tranmere Rovers v Runcorn
3. 7th December 1991: FA Cup Second Round
Highlights of the major ties and a roundup of how everyone fared. Enfield v Barnet Bolton Wanderers v Bradford City York City v Tranmere Rovers
4. 4th January 1992: FA Cup Third Round
Highlights from three of today's key matches from the FA Cup third round and a roundup of the best of the rest. This stage often provides an opportunity for obsure non-league names to become overnight sensations, and it is the time when the clubs with the big reputations have to guard against embarrassing results. Wrexham v Arsenal Middlesbrough v Manchester City Leicester City v Crystal Palace
5. 5th January 1992: FA Cup Third Round: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Includes the draw for the FA Cup fourth round live from Lancaster Gate, London.
6. 6th January 1992: FA Cup Third Round: Crewe Alexandra v Liverpool
Unfancied Crewe of the Fourth Division take on a Liverpool team plagued by injury and performing below their unusually high standards. Could there be a giant-killing upset in store?
7. 14th January 1992: FA Cup Third Round Replays
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa West Ham United v Farnborough Town
8. 15th January 1992: FA Cup Third Round: Leeds United v Manchester United
Coverage of the postponed match between these two traditional rivals.
9. 25th January 1992: FA Cup Fourth Round
Wrexham's place in FA Cup giant-killing history is now secure following their dramatic 2-1 victory over reigning league champions Arsenal in the Third Round. Desmond Lynam introduces the highlights from three FA Cup Fourth Round ties that also carry with them the potential for surprise. Plus a roundup of the best of the Cup. West Ham United v Wrexham Leicester City v Bristol City Bolton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion
10. 26th January 1992: FA Cup Fourth Round: Chelsea v Everton
Everton, four times winners of the FA Cup and four times Wembley finalists in the 1980s, visit Chelsea, whose only FA Cup final triumph was back in 1970. Plus, live coverage of the draw for the FA Cup Fifth Round.
11. 27th January 1992: FA Cup Fourth Round: Southampton v Manchester United
Highlights of one of tonight's FA Cup Fourth Round ties.
12. 15th February 1992: FA Cup Fifth Round
Highlights from three of today's FA Cup fifth-round ties, with an all-action roundup of the rest of today's Cup programme. Chelsea v Sheffield United Sunderland v West Ham United Nottingham Forest v Bristol City
13. 16th February 1992: FA Cup Fifth Round: Swindon Town v Aston Villa
Coverage of one of the fifth-round ties in this year's FA Cup competition in which the First Division clubs have been having a rough ride on the road to Wembley. Plus brief clips of the two other games: Ipswich Town v Liverpool Bolton Wanderers v Southampton
14. 7th March 1992: FA Cup Sixth Round
It's FA Cup quarter-finals day. Holders Spurs are out but Brian Clough 's Nottingham Forest are still in with a chance of making up for last year's final disappointment, Aston Villa are out to equal Spurs's record eight wins, and Norwich want to put a new name on the trophy. Portsmouth v Nottingham Forest Southampton v Norwich City
15. 8th March 1992: FA Cup Sixth Round: Liverpool v Aston Villa
Aston Villa's run in the competition has convinced their fans that this is the team's year. Plus, the draw for the semi-finals, live from FA headquarters at Lancaster Gate in London.
16. 9th March 1992: FA Cup Sixth Round: Chelsea v Sunderland
Highlights of tonight's FA Cup quarter-final tie.
17. 5th April 1992: FA Cup Semi-Final 1: Liverpool v Portsmouth
Liverpool are favourites to win the FA Cup for the third time since 1986. Second Division Portsmouth hope to cause a huge upset and reach their first final for 53 years. Liverpool's last semi-final was a 3-4 defeat against Crystal Palace two years ago. Portsmouth have to delve further into the history books for their last semi-final appearance - it was 43 years ago.
18. 5th April 1992: FA Cup Semi-Final 2: Norwich City v Sunderland
Norwich are the only side left in the competition never to have won the Cup. They have been semi-finalists just twice before, in 1959 and 1989. However, in 1985 they beat today's opponents 1-0 to lift the League Cup. Sunderland hope to emulate their most recent FA Cup triumph when they beat the mighty Leeds United 1-0 in the 1973 final.
19. 13th April 1992: FA Cup Semi-Final 1 Replay: Portsmouth v Liverpool
Highlights of tonight's FA Cup semi-final replay.
20. 9th May 1992: FA Cup Final: Liverpool v Sunderland
The biggest upset in the history of the FA Cup finals came in 1973 when Second Division Sunderland overcame the skill and strength of Leeds United with a goal from Ian Porterfield and a famous save from Jim Montgomery. Sunderland's Cup run this year has seen them score victories over First Division teams West Ham, Chelsea and Norwich. It's now Liverpool's turn to face the 1992 giant-killers in an intriguing Wembley clash. Will John Byrne, the Sunderland striker who has scored in every round of the Cup so far, add a Wembley goal to his tally? Or will the inconsistent Liverpool team that struggled to beat Portsmouth in the semi-finals rise to the occasion?
21. 17th May 1992: England v Brazil
Highlights of today's international friendly match from Wembley.
22. 3rd June 1992
Finland v England highlights from Helsinki of England's final preparation match before their European Championship campaign begins. Norway provide Scotland with their final match before their debut in the European Championship final. Scotland have never lost in Oslo but the Norwegians can claim Italy among their recent scalps.