The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 17

THE GUARDIAN Thursday May 23 1991 Soccer Two clubs not known for dismissing their managers went against tradition yesterday. Patrick Glenn reports on Biily McNeill's departure and Stephen Bierley on Chris Nicholl's Dtin sutdgO SaMfQtis toke tup fiHn aikDLrugj DnsiIbBG 18 SPORTS NEWS tors seem not to have bungled is McNeill's compensation. "I have no complaints whatsoever about the settlement I have been made," he said. "The directors have been more than generous. "I'm desperately sad to be leaving what I still consider to be the greatest club.

But as I drove to the meeting this morning, my overwhelming emotion was not sadness or bitterness. I let my mind run free and discovered how lucky I had been. I have had a career as player and manager most people would give their right arm for." At 51, McNeill may feel he can do without the rigours of football management, although he did not discount the possibility of resuming his career at another club. "I have time to examine any options which may arise," he said. "But the first thine I'm been agreed.

The board's statement said it was a sad day for the club that "a man of Nicholl's high ideals has not produced the consistent results his hard work Dennis Rofe, Southampton's chief coach, was also fired. The post will be advertised and, after the recent run of May managerial musical chairs, there are plenty of candidates. The Southampton board is looking for someone with First Division experience, which does not altogether rule out Bournemouth's Harry Redknapp', who played in the top flight with West Ham. Peter Shilton, who resigned as England's goalkeeping coach yesterday to clear the way for a job in management, is a candidate, while others mentioned yesterday included Wimbledon's Ray Harford, who was interviewed at the time Nicholl was appointed, and, inevitably, Don Howe. take charge of the club in the meantime.

"We will see what transpires. We could receive a batch of applications in the next week or so containing one outstanding candidate. Or we could recruit somebody we considered the right man, and there would be no geographical boundaries. We would even go abroad if necessary." Given the level of pay at Farkhead, however, it is extremely unlikely that any highly rated manager currently in work could be tempted away. One who is out of work, Kenny Dalglish, has been mentioned regularly as a possible successor, but said again yesterday that he has no intention of joining the club he graced as a player for ten years.

In any case Glasgow and its attendant pressures would surely hold no attraction for him or his family especially his family. One matter the Celtic direc Halifax, Luton, Aston Villa and Southampton, recently offered his resignation but had it turned down. He thus becomes the first Southampton manager to be sacked. In 1990 Southampton finished seventh in the First Division and reached the fifth round of both major cup competitions. This season the club's League form has been erratic while Nicholl will have cause to remember the January night at Old Trafford when Southampton had Jimmy Case sent off by George Courtney and lost a Rumbelows Cup quarter-final replay to a Mark Hughes hat-trick.

It is perhaps ironic that Old Trafford should contribute to his downfall, for one of Nicholl's most astute moves as a manager was to sell Danny Wallace to United for 1.2 million. Nicholl's contract had a year to run and compensation has Nicholl high ideals McNeill 30-year stint Second Division play-offs: Mill wall 1, Brighton and Hove Albion Captain Marvel's mantle awaits Captain Sensible David Lacey rrsrRIGHTON will return I C3 to Wembley a week on I 3 1 Sunday in search of the First Division place they lost in 1983 along with that year's FA Cup final. With a full-strength attack and Small in his present form they should worry Notts County, and while defending is not Brighton's strongest point, they refused to be unnerved by the Lions' roar last night. The Den did its best to provide a cup-tie atmosphere as Millwall, 4-1 down after the away leg of their play-off semifinal, sought to repair the damage inflicted at the Goldstone Ground on Sunday. But after taking an early lead they could not keep up the attacking pres Notts County 1, Middlesbrough 0 (agg: 2-1) County's Oafie repeat ELTIC's uncertain future was made no clearer yesterday with the sacking of the manager, Billy McNeill.

It was the second, and surely final, departure from the club by the man who has served at Park-head as player and manager for 30 of the last 34 years. Jack McGinn, the chairman, confessed that he and his board had "no idea" who would succeed McNeill, whose two barren seasons since the 1989 Scottish Cup triumph were enough to persuade the directors to remove him. McGinn, therefore, became the first chairman in the 103-year history of Celtic to tell successive managers they were no longer required. He was also the first to sack any manager. "We are completely open-minded about the question of a successor," said McGinn, who confirmed that the assistant manager Tommy Craig would sure and in the end Brighton completed a comfortable victory with two second-half goals.

Bruce Rioch, the Millwall manager, had returned from the south coast talking about mountains to climb and eventually his team faced a task of Eiger-like proportions. Before that, however, they made a brave enough stab at overhauling Brighton's lead and might have gone closer had Briley and Waddock been fit. A Brighton defence which had conceded six more goals in the League this season than their attack had scored began by demonstrating how this statistical state of affairs might have come about. But having survived several crises in the opening half-hour, with Digweed making some im pressive saves, the defenders defended stoically, countering dangerously when they could, and took heart from the inspirational example of their recalled captain Tony Mowbray in central defence. Opportunities for County's strikers were limited, so Harding's header was doubly surprising.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who cost 60,000 last September, is known as a man-marker rather than a penalty-area marauder. County just about deserved the victory their eighth in the last nine games that takes them tantalising close to the First Division after seven years away. Their rumbustious approach contrasted sharply with Middlesbrough's more measured style, but always threatened greater reward. Yet County had little to show for their first-half control. Thirty-eight minutes passed before Draper, momentarily glimpsing goal, struck a low shot from outside the area that son, Valentine, Parkinson, and Kearney were all booked in the first half and then sneak a goal.

But Bury were not all muscle, with Sheron, on loan from Manchester City, and the dangerous Lee on the right flank, both displaying moments of rare skill. From one short corner Hulme headed Lee's cross beyond Fel-gate but Storer cleared. Skilful play by the full-back Bishop also had Bolton in trouble, two neat side-steps securing Sheron an opening which he squandered. Bolton badly needed to get the ball to the feet of Philliskirk but initially their approach play was generally too predictable and their passing inaccurate. night's referee Tony Ward was always going to be an important figure.

He tried common-sense to begin with, but it was not long before he also had to start taking names. He booked Pender and Edwards after an unsavoury clash, took Jakub's name for a challenge that left Micky Holmes clutching his face, then had no option but to book Saunders for an atrocious trip on Francis. There was not a lot in the football to rescue the game from its sour atmosphere. Torquay were quite happy to protect their two-goal advantage by defending in numbers, although Burnley showed a few ideas of defence-breaking. There was always a threat OUTHAMPTON yesterday sacked Chris Nicholl, only their seventh manager since 1946, for lack of success.

Many would argue that keeping Southampton in the First Division for the six years of his tenure was a success in itself. But expectations at the Dell have been revised upwards since the days when Terry Paine always played, Ted Bates was always the manager, and nobody ever expected them to win anything much. Laurie McMenemy changed all that, when he led the Saints to their FA Cup win in 1976. "The trouble was everybody started talking about the boss losing his job and in the end it became a self-fulfilling prophecy," said Kevin Moore, the club captain. Nicholl, the former Northern Ireland central defender whose playing career spanned two decades with spells at Burnley, Piatt, who is shaping has fulfilled since 1982 World Cup team around the QPR player, and was subsequently devastated by the in-jury problems which wrecked Francis's international career.

Bobby Robson inherited Bryan Robson from Ron Greenwood's 1982 World Cup squad, gave him the England armband after two games and at one stage gauged the well-being of the entire squad by the fluctuating state of health of "Captain Even Greenwood succumbed to a bit of hero-worship when Kevin Kee-gan's international career was at its peak. But Keegan never came good in the finals of a major tournament. So Taylor's wary response to praise for the 24-year-old Piatt's performance on Tuesday was understandable. He would certainly not be drawn into admitting that Piatt, who has now scored six goals for England since coming off the bench against Belgium in Bologna in last summer's World Cup, had fully established himself as the natural successor to Bryan Robson. While praising Piatt's con tribution to the 3-1 win against the Soviets he said it could take another 18 months to judge the player's full international potential.

What will happen to riatt's career during this period is anybody's guess but it is highly unlikely that he will still be playing for Aston Villa by the time England begin the task of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in the autumn of 1992. Ruassli Thomas PAUL HARDING, who mixed building jobs with playing for Barnet at the start of the season, chose one of the most important nights in Notts County's history to deliver his first goal as a full-time professional. It took Neil War-nock's remorseless team to within one game of the First Division. Harding ensured that County appear in a Wembley play-off final for the second year running. On the evidence of a predictably fraught night at Meadow Lane, Brighton will be hard-pressed to contain their ruggedly upwardly mobile opponents a week on Sunday.

Until Harding rose to meet Mark Draper's free-kick with the 78th-minute header that finally beat Andy Dibble, a contest curiously short of chances seemed destined for an extra-time slog. Middlesbrough had going to try is to justify my golf club fees." 2 (agg: 2-6) from Thompson and a shot from Stephenson, Brighton would have been in serious trouble by half-time. As it was they virtually killed off MiUwall's lingering hopes in the opening minute of the second halt, small pounced on poor back pass from Stevens and after Barham had stepped over his low cross Codner restored Brighton's three-goal aggregate lead. Millwall still drove forward doggedly but in the 71st minute Robinson, a 19-year-old substitute who had replaced Nelson, turned on Barham's centre and scored his first goal for the club ott the inside ot a post. MMwall: Home; Stevens, Dawes, McGIa shan, Thompson, McLeary, Stephenson, Mciainiay.

snenngnam, nao, Kerr. Brighton! Digweed: Olivers. Galtina. Wil kins, Bissett, Pates, Barham, lovan, Small, codner, nelson. Referee: Martin (Alton).

Soccer in brief Stan Mortensen dies aged 69 STAN Mortensen, who scored a hat-trick to help Blackpool win the 1953 FA Cup final, died in hospital yesterday, a day before his 70th birthday. Mortensen, who had been ill for several months, joined Blackpool just before the last war and played 25 times tor England. INTER Milan survived second-half onslaught by Roma to win the Uefa Cup for the first time last night. In Rome 70,000 fans only had Rizzitelh's 80th- minute goal to cheer as Roma failed to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. DAVID Kelly's 82nd-minute header yesterday saved the Republic of Ireland from defeat in the friendly against Chile.

The Republic, unbeaten at home since March 1986, had fallen behind in Jack Chan ton's SOth international as man' ager to a breakaway goal by Es- tay (64min). In the second minute O'Leary collided with his team-mate Moran and suffered a fractured cheekbone. A LAZIO official confirmed yesterday that there had been a meeting between the club's gen eral manager and David Piatt's legal representative in Italy during the past week, writes Ed vulliamy in Rome. Lazio offi cials watched Piatt score twice against the Soviet Union on Tuesday after visiting Paul Gas coigne in hospital. The club are due to make a statement today.

THE FA has moved a step nearer the proposed 1992-93 for mation of their Premier League by outlawing the Football League's rule obliging clubs to give three years notice of leav ing thus removing the threat ot heavy compensation payable to the Football League by breakaways. Clubs need now inform the Football League by December 31 of the season in which they intend to leave. The announcement stole the thunder of a Football League poll which showed a large ma jority of fans are against the Premier League. SIX Derby players, Ramage, Pickering, Cross, Hebberd, Gee and Sage have refused new contracts. Saunders, Wright and Shilton could also be leaving.

LEEDS were yesterday talking with Chelsea's full-back Tony Dorigo. Stewart Robson has joined Coventry from West Ham on a free transfer. Bournemouth's striker Luther Blissett could rejoin Watford. Everton are interested in Bournemouth's 35-year-old Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Gerry Peyton. PLANS for a 12 million all-seater covered stadium at the City Ground were unveiled by Nottingham Forest yesterday.

Work could begin in the autumn and be completed for Results Soccer FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL (Lansdowne Road) Rapubllo of Ireland (0) 1 Chile (0) 1 Kelly Estay 32,230 BARCLAYS LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS Semi-finals, second leg Second Division MIRwall (1) 1 Brighton (0) 2 McGlnley Codner, Robinson 17.370 (agg: 2-6) Nona Co (0) 1 Middlesbrough (0) Harding 18,249 (agg: 2-1) Third Division Bolton (1) 1 Bury (0) Philliskirk 19,198 (agg: 2-1) Tranmere (1) 1 Brarrtford (0) Brannon 11,438 (agg: 3-2) Fourth Division Blackpool (0) 2 Scunthorpe (1) 1 Eyres 2 Hill 7,596 (agg: 3-2) Burnley (0) 1 Torquay (0) Evans (og) 13,620 (agg: 1-2) EUROPEAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP (Yeovil): Group Five: England 3, Wales 0. UEFA CUPi Final, aaeondl leg: AS Roma t. Inter Milan 0 (agg: 1-2). FRENCH LEAGUE: Nice 0. Marseille 1.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING: Group two: San Marino 0, Bulgaria 3. Group four: Austria 3, Faroe Islands 0. 1, Yugoslavia (P6, PtslO); 2, Denmark (4-5); 3, Austria (4-3); 4, Faroe Islands (5-3): 5, Northern Ireland (5-3). OLYMPIC QUALIFYING: Asian Group flrtt leg: Malaysia 1, Bangladesh Sth Korea 2, Thailand 1. Oceania zonal Australia 2, New Zealand 0.

Golf ENGLISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP (Sheringham): Oualrflera: 145 Hall (Fllton) 71, 74. 140 Hall (Felixstowe Ferry) 78, 71. 181 Edmond (Frlnlon-on-Sea) 75, 76; Fletcher (Alnmouth) 79. 72. 1S2 Rostron (Clltheroe) 76, 76.

184 Sadler (Crews Hill) 78, 76. 1S8 Tebbet (E Devon) 76, 79; Sharpe (Peterborough Milton) 74, 81. 180 Caldwell (Sunningdale) 76, 60. 187 Buxton (Woodsome Hall) 80, 77; Morgan (Hearsall) 80, 77; Gillings (Goodwood) 78, 79: Bolas (Beau Desert) 77, 80; Morley (Sale) 82, 75. 188 Brown (Heswall) 75, 83; Collingham (Sherwood Forest) 79, 79.

139 A Gardiner (Wetherby) 82. 77; A Uzielli (The Berkshire) 82, 77; Whitehead (Sherwood Forest) 79, 80; Williamson (Royal Cromer) 78, 81; King (Rochlord Hundred) 79. 80. ISO Dicks (Colchester) 80, 80: Smith (W Essex) 81, 79; Egford (Bramshaw) 77, 83: Sutton (Royal Blackheath) 82. 78: Laird (Sandiway) 78, 82: Speak (Clltheroe) 75, 85; Burnell (Burnham Berrow) 79, 81.

1S1 Milling-ton (Druids Hth) 75, 86. 182 Stupples (Royal Cinques Ports) 82, 80; Lambert (Coombe Hill) 84. 78; Hlckmotl (Wrotham Hth) 83, 79 (after play-oil). Eliminated attar play-off: 182 Adby (llleld) 73, 89; Tit-comb (Piltdown) 76, 86. Tennis WORLD TEAM CUP (Dusseldort): Round-roblm Second round: Red Group: Sweden 3, Spain (Swedish names first): Edberg bt Sanchez 6-4, 6-4: Guitafaion bt Aguilera 6-3, 6-3: EdbergGuitafsaon bt CasalSanchez 7-5, 6-1.

Soviet Union 2, Argentina 1 (Soviet names first): A Cherka-eov bt de la Pena 3-6, 6-2, 6-2: A Volkov bt Davin 6-0, 6-2; CherkasovVolkov lost to de la PenaDavin 4-6, 6-3, 3-6. Ice Hockey NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stanley Cup play. off: Pittsburgh 5, Minnesota 3 (series level 2-2). Baseball NATIONAL LEAGUE: Atlanta 4. San Diego uncinnau a.

san i-rancisco Montreal J. Philadelphia Pittsburgh 5, St Louis NY Mets 8, Chicago Cubs Los Angeles 7, Houston 3. AMERICAN LEAGUE: Boston 10. Milwaukee 6: Cleveland 5, NY Yankees Baltimore 5, Delroit 4: Texas 6, Minnesota Kansas City 4, Seattle 3: California 4, Chicago White Sox Toronto 11, Oakland 7. Basketball NATIONAL ASSOCIATION: Conference final play-ofte: Eaetem Conference: Chicago 105.

Delroit 97 (Chicago lead 2-0). Weatern Conference: Portland 109, LA Lakers 98 (series level 1-1). Cycling SCOTTISH PROVIDENT LEAGUE (Portsmouth): Fifth round (30 miles): 1, Walker (Banana-Falcon) 1hr 33sec; 2, Rayner (Buckler): 3, A Timmis (British Eagle); 4, Douce (Dawes) all same time; 5, Holden (Banana-Falcon) 8, Joughin (KJC Carpets) 1:2.26. Overall: 1, Clay (Banana-Falcon) 143pts: 2. Walker 122; 3, Holden 103; 4, Luckwell (PCA) 98; 5.

Timmis 93; 6. Clarke (Raleigh) 89. Sprints: 1, Luckwell 26pts; 2. Collman (Raleigh) 25; 3. Clay 20.

Squash PORTUaUESB INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (Vale Do Lobol: Quartar-flnale: Men: Norman (NZ) bt Jahan (Eng) 9-3, 9-0, 9-2; Robertson (Aus) bt Marshall (Eng) 9-3, 9-5, 9-3. Women: Martin (Aus) bt Wright (Eng) 9-4, 9-7, 9-1; Le Molg-nan (Eng) bt Geaves (Eng) 10-9, 9-3, 9-0. Boxing PROFESSIONAL BILL (London Arena): BrHleh eatherwelght title: Colin McMillan (Barking) bt Gary DeRoux (Peterborough, holder) rsf 7. Featherweight: Sean Murphy (St Albans) bt Ines Alvardo (Mex) pis. Light- mlddlewelght: dive Dixon (Oulwich) bt uenny lomns (raieieyj pis; nevtn sneeran (Crawley) bt Stuart Good (Croydon) pts.

Light-heavy: Nicky Piper (Cardifl) bt Martin Lopez (Mex) ko 1. Sailing WHITILINK ROYAL LVMINOTON CUP: Flight One: Barnes (NZ) bt Bouet (Fr); A Bedesworlh (GB) bt Lucas (Aus); Kranz (Swe) bt Mead (HK): I Southworlh (GB) bt Klein (US): Law bt Chielll lit). Fltaht Two: Bedesworlh bt Mead; Southworlh bt Kranz; Klein bt Law; Lucas bt Barnos; ChioHl bt Bouet. Flight Three: Law bt Kranz; Lucas bt Mead; Barnes bt Chietli; Bouet bt Klein; Bedosworth bt Southworlh. Flight Foun Chietli bt Lucas: Barnes bt Klein; Bouet bt Kranz; Law bt Bedesworlh; Southworlh bt Mead.

Standlnga: 3 wlna: Barnes, Boadw-sorth. Law, Southworlh. 2: Rouet, Chietli, Lucas. 1: Klein, Kranz. Mead.

Fixtures Soccer INTERNATIONAL: England Challanoa Cupi Argentina V'USSR (8.0, Old Trafford). regained their composure and denied the prolific Sheringham opportunities to add to his season's total of 38 goals. When Wilkins headed off the line from Thompson in the third minute The Den hugged itself in noisy anticipation. But in the next instant Small, ever alert on the break, saw Home's stretching fingers push his shot wide. From then on, however much pressure Millwall applied there was always the possibility that they would be caught by quick counter-attacks.

McGinlay, having gone close a minute earlier following a poor clearance by Digweed, pulled a goal back for Millwall in the 16th minute after McGla-shan had nodded down Stephenson's centre, and had Digweed not kept out a header rebounded off Dibble's legs Mowbray was on hand to clear. Colin Todd's half-time talk stimulated his team. Slaven should have done better than shoot straight at Cherry from 10 yards, but Mustoe, after Borough's most incisive build up, could not be faulted for the drive that the advancing county goalkeeper blocked. Mowbray's one mistake was critical, allowing Harding to ciimo above him for the decisive goal. County poured on the power and almost generated goals lor Bartlett and Thomas, whose shots were blocked at point-blank range.

The frustra tion ot the 6,000 visiting fans was summed up when Kernagh an's curling header drifted wide in the last minute. Malta County! Cherry; Palmer. Paris, Craig onon, uwis anon, moraan, naraing, Turner (Thomas, 75mln), Regis, Draper, jonnson (uaniert, Mlddleaborouahi Dibble: Kernaohan. Phil. lips, Mowbray, Coleman, Putney, Slaven inussen, odj, proctor, uaira, Mustoe, Henrjrie.

Referee: Don (Middlesex) A couple of free-kicks by Brown and a fierce shot by Darby that flew wide were all Bolton had to show until just before half-time when, from a corner on the right, Bury, after several bites, failed to clear and the ball eventually ran loose to Philliskirk. Unmarked, he hit a low, precise shot past Kelly. Bolton Wanderers: Feloate: Brown, Cow. drill, Comstive, Seagraves, Stubbs, Storer, Thompson, Cunningham, Philliskirk, Darby. Bury: Kelly, Bishop, Stanislous, Robinson, Valentine, Greenall, Lee, Sheron, Hulmo, Parkinson, Kearney.

Referee: Elleray. A 34th-minute goal by Bran- non brought the Leyland Daf Cup finalists Tranmere a 1-0 win over Brentford (3-2 on aggregate) and a second successive Wembley play-off final. 0 (agg: 1-2) back number when the skilful Eli was in possession, but much of his work was spoiled by a poor final pass. Otherwise there was liberal use of the high ball, but Torquay proved equal to it. Burnley had a more constructive approach after the interval but the Torquay defence stayed calm until Evans's late gaffe.

Bumloyi Pearce; Mesham, Bray, Deary, Pender, Davis, Farrell, Futcher, Francis, Ja-kub, Ell. Torquay Unltadi Howells; Curran, Holmes, Saunders, Elliott, Joyce, Myers, Holmes, Evans, Edwards, Loram. Rataraai A Ward (London). Blackpool only won last night after going behind to Scunthorpe at Bloomfield Road. Hill's 38th-minute goal was cancelled out by two in 11 minutes from Eyres as Blackpool went' through 3-2 on aggregate.

Leader in waiting Piatt (left), in training with Geoff Thomas Third Division: Bolton 1, Bury 0 (agg: 2-1) Philliskirk strikes to send Bolton on their way David Lacey on David up to take over the central role for England Stephen Bierley TONY PHILLISKIRK, with his 28th goal of the season, squeezed Bolton through to a Wembley final against Tran-mere last night. Otherwise there was little to choose between these two Lancashire sides. The Bolton striker, whose contract had expired and who wants to play in a higher division, may well get his chance by staying where he is. If Bolton do win promotion he should offer thanks to the defenders Storer and Seagraves who cleared off the line last night. Bury's tactics appeared to be to soften up Bolton Robin PHOTOGRAPH: TOM JENKINS Piatt recently turned down a lucrative offer from Bari but at the back of Taylor's mind there must still be the nagging thought that the man who best represents the England manager on the field may yet move abroad.

The best thing for England, Taylor and maybe even Piatt this summer would be a move to Liverpool. "Tell him a thing once and he does it," said Taylor of Piatt earlier this season. "It doesn't matter what we say unless players recognise it." Piatt's qualities as a goal-scorer, improviser and organiser were much in evidence on Tuesday. The way he moved on to Beardsley's pass in the last minute, turning away from a Soviet defender before beating Uvarov with a precise low shot from 20 yards, was a masterful example of the goalscorer's art. Piatt has it in him to be the influence for England that Lothar Matthaus has been for Germany.

Above all his attitude is right. Tuesday's perfor mance followed a club trip to the Far East at the end of a season which has seen Piatt fighting to keep a groin in jury at bay. On Monday he flies with England to Sydney to begin the Australasian tour. "If your performances are right and the goals are going in then you're never going to feel tired," said Piatt after Tuesday's game. England will be counting on his feeling the same way this time next year.

Peter Beardsley was last night drafted into the England squad for Saturday's game against Argentina in place of Paul Gascoigne. Brian Deane, of Sheffield United, has joined the sauad for the tour of Australasia. Fourth Divisions Burnley 1, Torquay United Four bookings make Burnley a which Bryan Robson GRAHAM TAYLOR is not a demonstrative manager, but when ever David Piatt scores for England the desire to leap from the bench and punch the air must be strong. The urge was surely there in February, 1988, when Taylor's 200,000 signing from Crewe burst onto the scene at Aston Villa with an outstanding performance against Plymouth Argyle. At Wembley on Tuesday, Piatt scored two of England's goals in a 3-1 win over the Soviet Union which not only got their three-way end-of-season exercise with the Soviet Union and Argentina off to a sound start but demonstrated that for the national team at least, life without Paul Gascoigne will struggle on somehow.

For Gazzamania read Platt-etudes. From the moment Taylor succeeded Bobby Robson last summer Piatt has been his best long-term bet as the player most likely to lead England into the next World Cup. So much so that Taylor finds himself having to exer cise self-restraint both in bis praise of Piatt and his reaction to the growing assump tion that the villa man is a captain-in-waiting. Ever ready to learn trom the experience of his prede cessors, Taylor is fully aware of the dangers that lie in wait for an England manager ready to hitch his wagon to a rising star. In 1975 Don Revle handed the captaincy to the 23-year-old Gerry Francis, convinced he could build a PaulFitzpatrlck TORQUAY UNITED, nothing if not resolute, went through to a play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley a week on Friday after holding Burnley to one goal at Turf Moor last night.

They were forced to absorb considerable pressure, but in spite of an own goal by Evans in the last seconds they never looked in serious danger of losing their first-leg advantage. They were helped by a Burnley side that could not be faulted on effort, but badly lacked original attacking ideas. With eight players booked and a Burnley man sent off in the first leg at Plainmoor, last 1993-4 season..