In the 1980s, England and Scotland both qualified for the World Cup, with England dominating European competitions.
Not surprisingly, this was a period filled with top talent from the homeland, from heroic goalkeepers to prolific forwards.
Here we look back at the best English players of the 1980s…
Steve Archibald
Scottish striker Steve Archibald scored 20 goals for Tottenham Hotspur throughout much of the first half of the 1980s and was the top scorer in the 1980/81 First Division. shooter.
A member of the Spanish national team that won the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, he joined Barcelona in 1984 for £1.15 million, helping the team win their first La Liga title in 11 years and their first season in Spain’s top flight. Scored 15 goals.
Ray Wilkins
Ray Wilkins was an elegant and rhythmic holding midfielder who was one of England’s key players at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the latter .
At club level, he featured prominently in Manchester United’s 1982/83 FA Cup-winning campaign and, after spells at Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, won the 1988/89 Scottish Championship with Rangers.
david cooper
“God gave David Cooper a gift. He would not be disappointed in the way it was used.”
Those are the words of legendary Rangers and Scotland manager Walter Smith – and he’s not wrong: Cooper is one of the most talented Scottish players of all time.
A devastating winger so good with his left foot that some even said he didn’t need his right, he spent the best years of his career at Rangers, winning three league titles and representing Scotland. Participated in the 1986 World Cup.
Peter Hilton
Peter Shilton was England’s number one star in the 1980s and ended his epic international career with a record 125 appearances for the Three Lions.
At the start of the decade, he impressed for Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest as they defended their European Cup title, while he was also named PFA First Division Player of the Year for the ninth time in a row. A third in the squad and was selected for the last two while playing for Southampton.
Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan was a skilful and aggressive right midfielder who won numerous trophies during the first half of the 1980s and became one of Scotland’s finest players.
Strachan was a regular in Alex Ferguson’s 1982/83 Cup Winners’ Cup-winning Aberdeen side, and went on to win the 1984/85 FA Cup with Manchester United. champion.
He participated in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, scoring in the latter against West Germany.
Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan won the Ballon d’Or two years in a row in the late 1970s, remained a top player into the early 1980s, and made 63 appearances for the England national team in 1982, his last appearance for the national team.
After returning to his homeland from Hamburg in 1980, the Liverpool legend won the PFA Player of the Year award for the 1981/82 season with 26 top-flight goals for Southampton.
Bryan Robson
Manchester United and England legend Bryan Robson has set an example for club and country, captaining the Red Devils and Three Lions.
The versatile midfield maestro scored one of the fastest goals in World Cup history after 27 seconds against France in 1982 and was named PFA First Division Player of the Year five consecutive times between 1982 and 1986. best team and won the first of three FA Championships, winning the Cup with Manchester United in 1983.
Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness was more than just a tough guy, he was a vital midfield cog in the 1980s for Liverpool, Sampdoria, Rangers and Scotland.
Captaining the Reds and his country to a number of major honors – including the 1983/84 European Cup, his third with the club – Souness won the 1986 World Cup Wearing the captain’s armband, he eventually finished tied for first place, proving his offensive ability. He was the scorer who scored 6 goals in the 1980/81 European Cup.
Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker was England’s first World Cup Golden Boot winner, receiving the honor after helping England reach the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He was one of the most instinctive strikers of his era. .
Leicester scored 24 goals for his hometown club Leicester in the 1984/85 season and scored 30 goals for Everton the following season, becoming the top scorer in the First Division, while he also won the PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year – Lineker completed a transfer for £2.8 million. In 1986, Barcelona scored 52 goals and won the King’s Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Alan Hansen
Alan Hansen is regarded as one of the greatest centre-backs in football history, his defense was a Rolls-Royce and he performed brilliantly for Liverpool throughout the 1980s, winning 6 First Division titles Championship, 2 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 2 European Cups.
Later became known as a pundit who gave a scathing assessment of a “demonic” defense match of the dayHansen represented Scotland in the 1982 World Cup.
Chris Waddell
Named in the PFA First Division Team of the Year during his final seasons at Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, Chris Waddle was one of Europe’s finest attacking midfielders in the 1980s .
A stunningly cunning dribbler, he entertained fans at club and international level, winning his first of 62 England caps in 1985 and finishing that decade with French giants Marseille. During his career, he became one of the most expensive players of all time when he joined from Tottenham for £4.5 million. .
John Barnes
John Barnes rose to fame at Watford and by the second half of the 1980s he had become one of the most exciting stars in English football, moving to Liverpool in 1987.
Barnes was the Reds’ First Division champion in the 1987/88 season, scoring 15 goals and winning the PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year doubles. He is probably the greatest left-footed English player of all time. , since he showed off his stunning style in 1984 when he scored his iconic solo goal against Brazil at the Maracana Stadium.
Glenn Hoddle
Among the most gifted English footballers of all time, Glenn Hoddle dazzled with his fluid midfield play.
Hoddle is an excellent passer with excellent long-range shooting ability. He was the core figure in Tottenham Hotspur’s consecutive FA Cup and UEFA Cup championships in the early 1980s. Before going to England as a professional player Association (PFA) has been selected into the PFA Team of the Year five previous times. Monaco – where he played an integral role in winning the French title in 1987/88.
Neville Southall
During his prime in his 80s, Welsh icon Neville Southall was arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, particularly for his quick reactions and ability in one-on-one situations.
The 1985 FWA Footballer of the Year enjoyed great success with Howard Kendall’s Everton, winning two First Division titles, two FA Cups and the Cup . Winner’s Cup.
Ian Rush
Another of Wales’ best ever players, Ian Rush spent the best years of his career at Liverpool and was a joy to score as one of the most powerful centre-forwards of the 1980s.
Rush twice scored 30 goals in the First Division during this decade, won the European Golden Boot in 1984, and was awarded both the PFA Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year.
He won 12 major trophies with the Reds between 1981 and 1989 and scored seven goals in one season with Juventus in 1987/88.
Kenny Dalglish
There is no doubt that Kenny Dalglish is one of the best English footballers of all time, let alone the 1980s, a decade filled with goals and trophies. His name is indelibly etched in Liverpool’s history.
PFA Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year and 1983 Ballon d’Or runner-up, Scotland’s greatest ever player had a profound impact on many of the Reds’ major successes, These included the 1980/81 season and the 1983/84 European Cup – where fans dubbed him “King Kenny”.
Dalglish made 102 appearances for his country, scoring 30 goals, including one against New Zealand in the 1982 World Cup.
