Night the Dragon set fire to Robson's reputation
IT IS 32 years since Wales last savoured a win over England but time has not dulled their memories of a sparkling night when Mark Hughes scored the only goal on his debut against Bobby Robson’s side.
Sportsmail spoke to some of the game’s key figures... IAN RUSH was capped 73 times by Wales, scoring a record 28 goals. ‘WE loved playing in Cardiff and Swansea but there was something different about playing in Wrexham. It was a lucky ground for us, there was always a full house and a great atmosphere. We’d beaten England 4-1 there in 1980 and fancied our chances again.
‘I was at the top of my game then. I scored 50 goals in all competitions that season and even though the match with England was three weeks before Liverpool played Roma in the European C Cup final, there was never any qu question of me not playing. Y You represented Wales whenev ever they wanted you.
‘So Mike England, who was a brilliant manager for us, p played a very attacking formation with me, Sparky (Hughes) and Gordon Davie ies up front. It was the first t time I’d played with Sparky a at international level and the p partnership I had with him was different to the one I had with Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool. The good thing
about Sparky was he would hold the ball up and take the hits for you! He was a great player and took everything in his stride that night. We were much the better side and should have won the Home nations that season but northern Ireland pipped us on goal difference.’ DAVID PHILLIPS made the first of his 62 Wales appearances that night. ‘ I’ll never forget that game because it was my first cap too and came at a really big stage in my career. I’d just played in the Fa Cup semi-final for Plymouth and I was in the process of joining Manchester City.
‘We stayed the night before in the Bryn Howel Hotel in llangollen and when Mike England announced the team and I was in it, it was an incredibly proud moment. What could be better than making your debut against England in the Home Internationals in front of a packed house?
‘Wrexham was a place full of happy memories for us. I remember standing right behind Sparky when he scored an overhead kick against Spain and when he lost his boot playing Uruguay!
‘I remember Mark’s goal that settled the game — it was a fine header from a corner. He could have finished with a second late on but the referee ruled his shot out for handball after I put a cross in to him. It might be 32 years ago but I won’t forget how well we played.’ ‘THE best way to describe the game was a “1-0 hiding”. I had played in the 4-1 win in 1980 as well, which was Mike England’s first game. We went a goal down then but once we clicked into gear we absolutely destroyed England.
‘We kept a clean sheet, hardly gave any chances away and should have scored more than the one Mark got. Wrexham was a fortress for us and I don’t think any of the England boys would dispute how dominant we were.
‘We loved playing in the Home nations. The games were ferociously competitive and I think it was a bit disrespectful to ourselves and northern Ireland that England and Scotland only wanted to play each other after that season. I bet if you had a poll now, plenty of fans would want it to return. So many things stick in my mind about the game, particularly the way Mark settled in. He was a quiet lad off the field, very reserved and never really spoke but what a player. He was a defender’s nightmare — strong, a great finisher and would kick you back harder if you kicked him.
‘The celebrations afterwards were something else. We had played superbly, given our fans the bragging rights and put one over the old enemy. They were happy memories. Fingers crossed that will be the case again on Thursday!’
. . . And the view from England ALAN KENNEDY won 14 major honours for Liverpool but only two caps for England. ‘IT’S interesting to hear Joey call it a 1-0 battering as I recall it was an even game and Wales just created more chances! That was a very experimental England side and I was getting towards the latter stages of my career. I cherished the caps I won. northern Ireland was the first, Wales was the last. I was just grateful to Bobby Robson for giving me the chance. I’ll never forget him telling me that I had played well and how pleased he was for me.
‘The game itself was very tough. Wrexham was a difficult place to play and Wales had an excellent side. They deserved to win.’