The 2008–09 season was a successful one for Rangers FC under Walter Smith. Domestically, they won the Scottish Premier League, finishing 4 points ahead of Celtic, reclaiming the title after two years. Rangers also lifted the Scottish Cup, defeating Falkirk 1–0 in the final thanks to a goal from Nacho Novo, completing a domestic double. In the Scottish League Cup, they exited in the quarter-finals to St Johnstone. European competition was disappointing: after reaching the UEFA Cup final the previous year, Rangers were eliminated in the Champions League qualifiers by FBK Kaunas. Despite that setback, the season was defined by domestic dominance.
The 2010–11 season was turbulent for Liverpool. It began under Roy Hodgson, but poor results and off-field unrest led to his dismissal in January. Kenny Dalglish returned as manager, sparking improvement and renewed optimism. Liverpool finished 6th in the Premier League, missing out on European qualification. The campaign was marked by major squad changes: Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea, while Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll were brought in, with Suárez quickly becoming a fan favourite. In the FA Cup and League Cup, Liverpool were eliminated early. Despite inconsistency, Dalglish’s revival laid foundations for the club’s rebuild.
The 1980–81 season was a memorable one for Liverpool under Bob Paisley. Domestically, they finished 5th in the First Division, a disappointing league campaign by their standards. However, they excelled in Europe, winning their third European Cup. In the final in Paris, Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 1–0, thanks to Alan Kennedy’s late strike. In domestic cups, Liverpool were eliminated in the FA Cup fourth round and the League Cup quarter-finals. Key players included Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Phil Thompson, and Ray Clemence. Though the league form dipped, the season is remembered for European glory, further cementing Liverpool’s reputation as continental giants.
The 1992–93 season was a difficult one for Liverpool, their first in the newly formed Premier League. Under manager Graeme Souness, the team was inconsistent, finishing 6th, well adrift of champions Manchester United. While Ian Rush and Ronny Rosenthal provided experience up front, it was the rise of young striker Robbie Fowler, alongside talents like Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp, that gave fans hope for the future. Liverpool exited both the FA Cup and League Cup in the early rounds, failing to mount a serious challenge for silverware. The season was transitional, laying the groundwork for a new era at Anfield.
The 1985–86 season was one of Liverpool’s finest, as they completed a historic league and FA Cup double under player-manager Kenny Dalglish. In the First Division, Liverpool overcame Everton in a tight title race, clinching the championship on the final day with a 1–0 win at Chelsea — Dalglish himself scoring the decisive goal. In the FA Cup, they beat Everton again, 3–1 in the Wembley final, with goals from Ian Rush (2) and Craig Johnston. Rush finished as top scorer with 47 goals in all competitions. Though banned from Europe, Liverpool’s domestic dominance defined this memorable campaign.
The 1996–97 season was encouraging but ultimately frustrating for Liverpool under Roy Evans. The team, dubbed the “Spice Boys,” played exciting, attacking football and spent much of the campaign challenging for the Premier League title. Led by Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore, and Steve McManaman, Liverpool scored heavily, with Fowler netting 18 league goals. However, inconsistency and defensive lapses cost them, and they eventually finished 4th, seven points behind champions Manchester United. In the FA Cup, Liverpool were knocked out in the fourth round by Chelsea, and they fell early in the League Cup. It was a season of unfulfilled promise.
The 1990–91 season marked the final chapter for the Soviet Union national team before the country’s dissolution. Still coached by Valeriy Lobanovskyi, the squad competed in UEFA Euro 1992 qualifiers under the USSR banner. They performed strongly, finishing top of their group ahead of Italy, Norway, and Hungary, which secured qualification for the tournament. However, by the time Euro 1992 began, the Soviet Union no longer existed; the team competed instead as the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Players like Rinat Dasayev, Igor Dobrovolski, Aleksandr Mostovoi, and Andrei Kanchelskis carried the side, blending Dynamo Kyiv discipline with emerging talents bound for Europe.
The 1987–88 period was a high point for the Soviet Union national team. Managed by Valeriy Lobanovskyi, the squad blended tactical discipline with flair, heavily influenced by Dynamo Kyiv players. At UEFA Euro 1988, the USSR impressed, topping their group after defeating the Netherlands 1–0, England 3–1, and drawing with Ireland. In the semi-final, they beat Italy 2–0, with goals from Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko and Oleg Protasov. In the final, they met the Netherlands again but lost 2–0, highlighted by Marco van Basten’s iconic volley. With stars like Rinat Dasayev, Vasyl Rats, and Igor Belanov, this squad is remembered as one of the USSR’s finest.
Ajax and Bob Marley’s connection comes from the club’s adoption of Marley’s song “Three Little Birds” as an anthem.
The story began in 2008, when Ajax played a friendly against Cardiff City. After the match, the stadium DJ played “Three Little Birds,” and Ajax fans instantly embraced it, singing along passionately. From then on, the song became a tradition, sung before matches at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
The Marley family has recognised this bond, with Bob’s son Ky-Mani Marley even performing it live with supporters. In 2021, Ajax released a special third kit inspired by Marley and the song, featuring the iconic three little birds on the back.
In the 1997–98 season, Orlando Pirates remained one of South Africa’s strongest sides in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). They finished 2nd in the league, just behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, keeping the title race alive until the end. The squad featured key figures like Williams Okpara, Helman Mkhalele, and Jerry Sikhosana, who were central to the team’s attacking play. In cup competitions, Pirates fell short, with early exits in both the Coca-Cola Cup and Bob Save Super Bowl. Although no silverware was secured, the season reaffirmed Pirates as consistent contenders during a competitive era in South African football.
The 1990 Yugoslavia national team is remembered as one of the country’s most talented sides, blending stars from across the federation. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, they reached the quarter-finals, their best result since 1962. Led by Dragan Stojković, who scored twice against Spain in the Round of 16, Yugoslavia showcased flair and technical brilliance. The quarter-final against Argentina ended 0–0, but Yugoslavia were eliminated on penalties despite a strong performance. With players like Robert Prosinečki, Dejan Savićević, and Safet Sušić, this was seen as a golden generation, whose promise was cut short by the breakup of the country.
The 2013–14 season was thrilling yet heartbreaking for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers. Playing attacking, high-tempo football, they pushed Manchester City to the wire, ultimately finishing 2nd in the Premier League, just two points behind the champions. The strike duo of Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge scored freely, with Suárez netting 31 goals to win the Golden Boot. Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, and Philippe Coutinho added creativity and drive. However, defensive frailties and the infamous slip against Chelsea cost them the title. Liverpool exited the FA Cup and League Cup early, but the season rekindled hope of a long-awaited league triumph.
The 1998–99 season was one of the greatest in Parma’s history. Coached by Alberto Malesani, the team finished 4th in Serie A, securing Champions League qualification. Parma shone in the cups: they won the Coppa Italia, defeating Fiorentina in the final, and lifted the UEFA Cup, thrashing Marseille 3–0 in Moscow. The squad was packed with talent — Gianluigi Buffon in goal, Lilian Thuram and Fabio Cannavaro in defense, Juan Sebastián Verón orchestrating midfield, and Hernán Crespo and Enrico Chiesa forming a lethal strike partnership. This season remains the pinnacle of Parma’s golden era in the 1990s.
