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Ask the Gaffer football trivia
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Latest Gaffer questions and answers:
Sunday 13 April
Didx, Derby: Which foreigners played on the opening weekend of the first Prem campaign?
The Gaffer: There were 12: Anders Limpar, John Jensen, Peter Schmeichel, Andrei Kanchelskis, Robert Warzycha, Craig Forrest, Eric Cantona, Ronnie Rosenthal, Michel Vonk, Gunnar Halle, Roland Nilsson and Hans Segers.
Big M, Nottingham: I was watching Villa beating Derby 6-0 with 6 different scorers and wondering what the Prem record is for different scorers from the same team in one match?
The Gaffer: Villa's effort on Saturday equals the Premier League record set by Arsenal, who had six different scorers when they beat Everton 7-0 in May 2005. They were: Van Persie, Pires, Vieira, Edu, Bergkamp, Flamini.
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Saturday 12 April
Big Ted, Banbury: Alright gaff, here's a challenge should you choose to accept it! Name ten sets of players since 1980 to have played for Eng with the same last name.. Oh and another thing - one black one white.
The Gaffer says: I'll take up that challenge! Here goes (black players first): Viv & Stan Anderson, Andy & Joe Cole, Sol & Austen Campbell, Ian & Mark Wright, Ricky & Gordon Hill, John & Peter Barnes, Michael & Geoff Thomas, Danny & Charles Wallace, Des & Ian Walker, Paul & Scott Parker, James & Earl Barrett, Arthur & Mark Walters, Zat & Arthur Knight, Micah & John Richards, Ashley & Luke Young.
Jim, Glasgow: What league in europe has largest attendance?
The Gaffer says: Germany's Bundesliga has consistently the best average attendances in Europe. Last season their average top-flight attendance was 39,957 compared to 34,363 in the Premier League. Spain (28,838) are third, followed by France (21,816), Italy (18,473), Holland (18,078) and Scotland (16,194).
Blue Seagull: Hi gaff, can you sort an argument for us? Certain people say Swansea went from bottom to top division in successive seasons, sumone else said Wimbledon did too, but didn't they take about six or seven seasons?
The Gaffer says: Swansea and Wimbledon jointly hold the record for the fastest climbs up the English league, but they didn't quite do it in successive seasons. Swansea were third in Div 4 in 1978, third in Div 3 in 1979, then third in Div 2 in 1981, so they had three promotions in four seasons. Similarly Wimbledon were Div 4 champions in 1983, second in Div 3 in 1984 and third in Div 2 in 1986, so they also took four seasons to complete their ascent into the top flight.
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Friday 11 April
Jock Glos: Pub debate - can you tell me which three England players played in the World Cups of 1982, 1986 and 1990, if any? Cheers boss.
The Gaffer says: Peter Shilton, Terry Butcher and Bryan Robson played in the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cup final tournaments. Six other England players have played in three tournaments: Billy Wright and Tom Finney played in 1950, 1954 and 1958; Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore appeared in 1962, 1966 and 1970; David Beckham and Sol Campbell appeared in 1998, 2002 and 2006. Bobby Charlton is the only player named in four England World Cup squads, but he did not play on the first occasion, at the 1958 tournament.
Ian, Belfast: Whatever happened to former Rangers player Maurice Ross? Is he still playing?
The Gaffer says: Yes he is, with Viking in Stavanger, Norway.
Vin, Liverpool: Has Jean-Claude Darcheville ever played for an English team?
The Gaffer says: Yes he has, Vin - while on loan with Nottingham Forest from August 1998 until May 1999. He made 14 league starts for Forest, scoring twice.
