Folly the leaders
No club’s blown 19-point margin but it’s been close
RANGERS would have to blow the biggest lead in world football history after surging 19 points clear in their bid to end Celtic’s 10-in-a-row run.
Some bookies are making them 1-25 to win their first title in 10 years, although the Hoops do have three games in hand.
No club in the world has blown a 19-point lead. But here are some of the biggest chokers.
NEWCASTLE, PREMIER LEAGUE, 1995-96
Kevin Keegan’s side surged 12 points clear of Manchester United by January 20 but collapsed after losing five out of eight games between February and April. And they imploded after United gaffer Alex Ferguson’s mind games on Keegan. Newcastle lost the league by four points.
MORTON, SCOTTISH SECOND DIVISION, 2003-04
The Greenock side had stretched to a 12-point lead by December. But in one of our game’s most notorious episodes, they collapsed and eventually finished fourth and out of the promotion places after losing their last four games, leading to rumours and whispers.
SHELBOURNE, IRISH PREMIER DIVISION, 2000-01
The champions of Ireland had an eight-point lead with eight games to go over Bohemians, whose boss Roddy Collins had conceded the title. But football was suspended after the foot and mouth crisis and the Dublin side won just three of their remaining games and lost the league by two points.
THROTTUR, ICELANDIC PREMIER LEAGUE, 2002-03
The Reykjavik side were flying high at the top and aiming for a first Icelandic title at the midway point of the season. But in arguably the biggest turnaround in a league, they collapsed, lost seven of their final nine games and were relegated.
REAL MADRID, SPANISH LA LIGA, 2003-04
Galacticos David Beckham, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Co had a 12-point lead with 12 to go. But Madrid lost seven of their last 10 league games as they slumped to fourth. Valencia won the title by five points.
CSKA SOFIA, BULGARIAN TOP FLIGHT, 2014-15
Leading by the winter break, they sold top scorer Sergiu Bus to Sheffield Wednesday and went on a 10-game run without a goal, ending up fifth. They were then relegated for financial irregularities.
PEC ZWOLLE, DUTCH SECOND DIVISION, 2010-11
Cruising to a 13-point lead at the halfway stage, the Dutch side managed to win just one of their last eight games and lost top spot to RKC Waalwijk by four points. They then blew the play-offs to VVV Venlo.