ON THIS DAY
1857:
Lord Lonsdale, the president of the National Sporting Club – who lends his name to the most coveted trophy in British boxing, the Lonsdale Belt – was born. His belts, which were inaugurated in 1909, become the permanent property of any boxer who wins three British title fights in a weight division.
1895:
Wales lost 3-0 to Ireland in the world’s first international hockey match.
1992:
Britain’s Steve Backley became the first man to throw the modified javelin 300 feet (91 metres) at a meeting in Auckland.
1995:
Manchester United striker Eric Cantona kung-fu kicked a fan after being sent off in a match at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. The Frenchman was suspended for nine months, fined £20,000 and ordered to carry out 120 hours of community service.
1999:
Aston Villa revealed controversial former Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore intended to seek counselling to help him overcome “pressures and stress”.
2006:
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole failed with his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a £75,000 fine imposed for breaking Premier League rules by discussing a transfer to Chelsea.
2008:
Kieren Fallon was banned from racing for 18 months by France Galop after testing positive for a banned substance following a race at Deauville in August 2007.
2011:
Sky Sports presenter Andy Gray was sacked following his comments about referee’s assistant Sian Massey.
2013:
Manchester United reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign Wilfried Zaha.