ONE of the most brutal matches in world football history took place 90 years ago in north London.
On November 14, 1934, England met reigning World Cup winners Italy in a game that became known as The Battle of Highbury.
Some in England deemed it the 'proper World Cup final' following the FA's decision to not accept the offer of participating in the tournament earlier that year in Italy.
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini promised his players that if they secured victory they would be awarded the equivalent of £150 in prize money and an Alfa Romeo each. In the event, he didn't need to pay up.
The historic occasion witnessed England start a record-breaking seven players from one club, namely hosts Arsenal.
This story is from the January - February 2025 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January - February 2025 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE RISE OF SEDONS
CAM HOWE REPORTS ON THE SUNDAY LEAGUE YOUTUBERS NOW ATTEMPTING TO TAKE NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL BY STORM
TIGERS' CHRISTMAS CRACKER
COLIN ALLAN RECALLS WHEN HULL CITY HOSTED ROTHERHAM UNITED ON CHRISTMAS DAY 6 YEARS AGO...
THE CHOCOLATE BOX
YOICHI IGAWA RECALLS A DREAM TRIP TO LA BOMBONERA
NO MOUNTAIN, NO PROBLEM
POET AND WRITER CHRIS TOWERS TREKKED TO NORTH WALES TO WATCH FLINT MOUNTAIN IN ACTION IN JD CYMRU NORTH
THE BATTLE OF HIGHBURY
LIAM HARDING RECALLS AN INFAMOUS MATCH BETWEEN ENGLAND AND ITALY
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH
TREVOR HEFT TELLS US ABOUT THE FUNNIEST SIGHT IN FOOTBALL
RECALLING THE MIRACLE OF CASTEL DI SANGRO
JONNY BRICK CELEBRATES THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF A FOOTBALL BOOK SET IN ITALY AND WRITTEN BY AN AMERICAN CRIME WRITER TURNED CALCIO CONVERT...
THE ONE AND ONLY JOHAN NEESKENS
ROBERT J WILSON PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE, GREAT DUTCH MASTER
HANDSOME PETER
BOB BOND TAKES A LOOK BACK AT THE CAREER OF FORMER PRESTON AND NOTTINGHAM FOREST FORWARD PETER HIGHAM
BLACK CATS ON THE PROWL
BARNABY ROSTANT TAKES A LOOK AT SUNDERLAND'S REVIVAL AND THE IMPACT OF FRENCH BOSS REGIS LE BRIS
