Step back in time to the golden era of football. The roar of the crowd, the muddy pitches, and the larger-than-life heroes who graced the pages of Shoot magazine every week. For many, this was the voice of football, a weekly ritual that brought fans closer to the players they idolised. Let’s take a nostalgic journey back to one specific week: Saturday, October 7th, 1972.
This particular issue of Shoot is a perfect time capsule, capturing a moment when English football was brimming with legendary figures and incredible stories. From cover stars to dramatic on-pitch action and candid interviews, this edition had it all. Join us as we leaf through the pages and revisit the headlines that had every football fan talking.
Titans on the Cover
The front cover of any magazine sets the tone, and this issue was no exception. It featured a trio of the First Division’s most formidable talents. Chelsea’s charismatic striker, Peter Osgood, known as the “King of Stamford Bridge,” stared out with his trademark confidence. Osgood was the epitome of style and swagger on the pitch, a prolific goalscorer who had helped Chelsea lift the FA Cup in 1970 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971.
Alongside him were two key figures from Brian Clough’s Derby County, the reigning league champions: Colin Todd and John McGovern. Todd was a defender of immense class and composure, the reigning PFA Players’ Player of the Year. McGovern was the tireless midfield engine of that legendary Derby side, a player Clough trusted implicitly throughout his managerial career. Having these three stars on the cover instantly communicated the quality and excitement that lay within the magazine’s pages.
Inside the Action
Flicking past the cover, the magazine was packed with the dynamic photography and in-depth features that made Shoot a weekly essential.
Banks’s Unbelievable Save
One of the standout action shots captured the legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks making another spectacular save. Fresh from his “save of the century” against Pelé at the 1970 World Cup, Banks was still at the peak of his powers for Stoke City. The photograph showed him at full stretch, denying Everton’s forward, John Connolly. It was a testament to the reflexes and agility that made Banks one of the greatest goalkeepers the world has ever seen. For fans, seeing such moments immortalised in glossy print was the next best thing to being at the match itself.
The Comeback King: Peter Swan
Beyond the weekly league action, Shoot was renowned for its compelling human-interest stories. This issue featured the incredible comeback of Sheffield Wednesday’s Peter Swan. Swan had been a top-class centre-half for Wednesday and was part of the England squad for the 1962 World Cup. However, his career was cut short in 1964 when he received a lifetime ban from football for his involvement in a betting scandal.
After eight long years away from the professional game, his ban was lifted. In 1972, at the age of 36, he made a remarkable return to Sheffield Wednesday. His story was one of redemption and perseverance, and Shoot gave readers an insight into his journey back to the sport he loved. It was a powerful narrative that resonated deeply with fans, highlighting the personal dramas that unfold away from the pitch.
“I’m Not a Stick in the Mud!”
Perhaps one of the most memorable features of this issue was a candid interview with a young Peter Shilton. At just 23, the Leicester City goalkeeper was already establishing himself as one of the best in the business. He was on the cusp of a record-breaking England career, but in this interview, he was keen to show a different side of his personality.
Under the headline “I’m not a stick in the mud!”, Shilton spoke about his life off the pitch. At a time when footballers’ personalities were often hidden from the public, features like this provided a rare glimpse into their lives. It showed that behind the focused professional on the pitch was a young man with his own interests and a sense of humour. This declaration would prove prophetic, as Shilton’s dedication and professionalism saw him play at the top level until the age of 47, becoming England’s most-capped player.
Explore the Golden Era
Revisiting the October 7th, 1972, issue of Shoot is more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a reminder of what made football so special during that era. The players were icons, the stories were captivating, and magazines like Shoot brought the entire spectacle to life for millions of fans every week.
From Osgood’s flair to Banks’s heroics and Swan’s incredible comeback, this single issue encapsulates the drama and passion of 1970s football.
If this taste of history has you feeling nostalgic, you can explore the golden era of football for yourself. The Magazine Archive gives you access to a vast digital collection of Shoot magazines, allowing you to relive the moments that defined generations of football fans.
View free sample editions today and rediscover the magic of classic football journalism.
https://www.themagazinearchive.com/shoot/