With ITV reeling under a technicians’ strike, BBC’s ‘Match of the Day’ had the opening day of the 1979/80 season all to itself.
Starting out at The Dell for Southampton against Manchester United, the key feature of the game was set to be Ray Wilkins’ debut for United after his summer move from Chelsea. But for Saints supporters, there was to be a first look at Charlie George, nine months after he had switched from Derby County.
Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler take you through the action at The Dell, the idiosyncracies of watching football in 1979/80, Manchester City’s transfer dealings, and the events of the first Saturday of the season. You can watch the game here.
