This Day in History: 2023-02-22

Nr. 410

SUBS REDRESSTHE BALANCE (1965)

There was a time when, once 22 men had been named for a match, come what may they were the only ones allowed to contest the game. If a cold sponge didn’t do the trick, a team would battle on with ten players or less. However, when in the 1960s it became clear that results were being unbalanced by the inflexibility of the no-substitute rule the Football Association relented, allowing replacements for injury. History was made on 21 August 1965 when Charlton Athletic’s Keith Peacock came on in place of injured goalkeeper Mike Rose 11 minutes into their away match against
Bolton Wanderers.

Chelsea substitute Bert Murray watches from the sidelines on the first day that substitutes were allowed in the English Football League.