International Football History and Statistics

Quick links:

• FIFA Women’s World Cup
• FA Premier League
• FIFA Men’s World Cup
• UEFA Champions League 2026
• UEFA Nations League

On this day in football history

1946 Reading 10 Crystal Palace 2 in Third Division South at Elm Park. Four of the goals were scored by centre forward Magnus MacPhee who joined the club in 1938 and was their leading scorer in both 1939 and 1946-47. Began with Dunfermline Athletic in 1934 and had a season at Bradford and then Coventry City before arriving at Reading. The Second War cut right across a promising career and he left the senior game in 1949. Scored 112 goals in 174 Football League matches.

1953 Huddersfield Town signed Leslie Massie, a promising inside forward, from Scottish juniors, Banks O'Dee. Made the League side in 1956 and was a regular member of their team almost until his transfer to Darlington in November 1966. By this time he had reverted to right half. Appeared in 335 League games and scored 98 goals for Town.

1955 The first European Cup match was played between Sporting Club Lisbon and Partizan Belgrade. The match ended 3-3.

1963 John Dick, West Ham United inside forward and former Scottish international, transferred to Brentford. The Hammers were his first professional club and he became a high scorer for them. In the ten years up to his move he hit 154 in 315 League games. Had three seasons with the Bees before moving into non-League soccer adding 45 goals in 72 League appearances. During his career he won a Second Division medal with West Ham in 1958 and a Fourth Division medal with Brentford in 1964. His Scottish cap was against England in 1959.

1965 Paul Went became Leyton Orient's youngest-ever player when he made his Os debut against Preston North End at the age of 15 years and 327 days.