World Cup memories of 1982...

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I didn't cover the 1978 World Cup in Argentina but travelled to Spain with optimism. England had no better chance to emulate the success of 1966 than here in the first 24-team World Cup.

Sadly, two of England's best, Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan, were carrying injuries and didn't play until the final match.

Keegan was England's captain and most influential figure and, while his teammates ground out wins over Czechoslovakia and Kuwait, he secretly visited a specialist in Hamburg to have treatment on his back. He drove himself through the night from Bilbao to Madrid to avoid the media and caught a plane to Germany.

When he returned four days later his back had improved but he and Brooking were still absent when England faced West Germany. The European champions had caused a furore by the suspicious nature of their 1-0 win over Austria, a result that prevented Algeria, who had beaten the Germans 2-1, from progressing to the second stage.

The goalless draw left England needing to beat Spain, who had already lost to Northern Ireland, by two goals to reach the semi-finals. It ended goalless and England went home unbeaten.

Italy, who secured wins against Brazil and Argentina in the second group stage, beat West Germany in the final to win their third World Cup.