The feeling that professional footballers were made of sterner stuff in bygone years was given credence by John Sheridan's appearance in Leeds United's home meeting with Manchester City in 1988.
The Republic of Ireland international was badly short of match fitness after undergoing surgery to remove a piece of cartilage from his right knee, but took to the field at Elland Road regardless and helped United to a 1-1 draw.
Sheridan's creativ
ity was a trait otherwise missing in Leeds' performance, however, and neither United nor City had managed to produce a league victory before their clash on September 10.
A stalemate was not, therefore, a result for either manager to celebrate.
A disjointed game was disrupted by a constant stream of fouls and 17 offside decisions, and it took until the second half for the contest to come to life.
City goalkeeper Andy Dibble made an excellent save to keep out Vince Hilaire's glancing header, while David Batty drove a shot wide after collecting Sheridan's hanging corner, and Leeds were denied a penalty when Steve Redmond appeared to handle the ball inside his box.
A spot-kick was awarded in the 78th minute, though, after David Harvey brought down City's Neil McNab, who picked himself up to dispatch the penalty successfully.
The goal looked likely to sink Leeds, but Sheridan stepped in to force a draw when his beautiful free-kick dropped to Noel Blake, who could not miss with a side-footed effort from close range.
United: Day, Williams, Adams (Aspin 48), Aizlewood, Blake, Ashurst, Batty, Sheridan, Baird, Davison (Pearson 76), Hilaire.
Ends
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