ONTHIS DAY

■ 1883 – Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, died aged 35 while attempting to swim the rapids above Niagara Falls.

■ 2000 – Portugal midfielder Luis Figo, star of Euro 2000, became the world’s most expensive footballer when he joined Real Madrid for £37million from Barcelona.

■ 2009 – England midfielder and current Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was found not guilty of affray by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court.