Since 1950 the West Midlands has had a presence at the World Cup, beit with the national team, the other home nations or as England's representative within the officials. To celebrate that BBC WM's eight-part series WORLD CUP COLLECTION looks back at past tournament through the eyes of the former West Midlanders who were there, who lived the dream. BBC WM'S World Cup Collection with Dan Wheeler begins on Monday 12 June during Sportsnight, 8-10pm on BBC WM 95.6FM. Germany 1974
 | | Jack Taylor, Germany 1974 |
Only three Englishmen have ever refereed the World Cup Final and the West Midlands proudly lays claim to one of them. On July 7th 1974 the eyes of the watching world were on Munich as Holland and West Germany faced each other in one of the most memorable matches in the history of the tournament. The man in the middle that day was Wolverhampton's Jack Taylor, officiating in his third World Cup. Taylor got his chance partly because England had failed to qualify and so took charge of the highly controversial match. The Dutch were awarded a first-minute penalty, before the hosts got their own spot-kick (the merits of which are still debated to this day) to get back in the game. Hear Taylor's memories of the tension and drama from that unforgettable afternoon as two of the greatest players ever to have played the game - Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer - led their teams with style in the final part of BBC WM's World Cup Collection. Spain 1982
 | | Dino Zoff lifts the trophy for Italy |
The World Cup in Spain had pretty much everything: classic matches, controversy, scandal and great sides with outstanding individuals. The Brazilian team, with the likes of Socrates, Falcao, Eder and Zico, were the favourites to lift the trophy but were left devastated by a rejuvenated and redeemed Paulo Rossi as Italy, who flirted with early elimination, swept to their third World title. England's story was one of complete frustration and unfulfilled dreams. Ron Greenwood's side had started the tournament excellently but stumbled in the second group stage and were unable to beat West Germany and Spain. They went out despite not having lost a game. The former Birmingham City assistant manager Mick Mills captained the side in Spain with the ex-Albion man Don Howe part of Greenwood's coaching staff. Hear Mills' recollection of the massive disappointment the whole squad suffered, how the gamble on the fitness of Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking backfired as well as the antipathy directed towards them from the fallout from the Falklands War in the seventh part of BBC WM's World Cup Collection. Mexico 1986
 | | Maradona and the 'hand of god' incident |
The thirteenth World Cup proved very unlucky for England who recovered from a desperate start to the tournament to go out in infamous fashion at the hands, or rather hand, of Argentina's Diego Maradona in the quarter-finals. World Cups are usually memorable for a number of reasons, but in Mexico it was the Argentine captain who dominated the tournament with a string of fantastic performances that emphatically disproved the notion that "one man doesn't make a team" Maradona's legacy was not without controversy though and the tie with England in the last eight illustrated the contrasting sides to his genius. Within the space of a few minutes Maradona went from villain to hero as he first punched the ball past Peter Shilton to give Argentina the lead before scoring a sensational second as they ran out 2-1 winners. After playing in 1958 and 1962, the former Albion man Don Howe was now part of the England coaching set-up and had a touchline view of the infamous "Hand of God" moment and reveals exactly what some of the players wanted to do immediately after the final whistle in the sixth part of BBC WM's World Cup Collection. Switzerland 1954
 | | Gil Merrick |
Whatever the World Cup in Switzerland lacked in atmosphere following the carnival across in Brazil in 1950, it more than made up for it on the pitch by producing, statistically, the most entertaining tournament of all time. In all an incredible 140 goals were scored in 26 matches, at a mind-boggling average of over 5 per game. Chief goal-grabbers were Hungary - a team brimming with talent, invention and skill and they were undisputed favourites to make their label as the best team in the world official. Hungary came into the tournament boasting an unbeaten record that stretched back more than four years with the likes of Kocsis, Bozsic and Hidaguti key figures. But it was their captain and spiritual fulcrum, Ferenc Puskas, that epitomised their brilliant, pioneering style of play. Just months before the World Cup, Hungary had humbled and humiliated England 6-3 at Wembley and 7-1 in the return in Budapest. The former Birmingham City goalkeeper Gil Merrick had first hand experience of the side dubbed "The Magnificent Magyars" in those two matches as well as in Switzerland. Hear his memories of this truly remarkable tournament in part five of BBC WM's World Cup Collection. Chile 1962
 | | The Brazilian Captain with the World Cup |
After failing to reach the last eight in Sweden, England improved on their showing in 1958 by making the last eight in Chile. Unfortunately for Walter Winterbottom's star-studded side, they ran into defending champions Brazil and their magical winger Garrincha. "The Little Bird" was a revelation in Chile after being overshadowed by Pele four years previously, and took over the mantle of team talisman when Pele was injured in their second game and missed the rest of the tournament. The former Albion defender Don Howe was again part of the England squad along with fellow West Midlanders, Wolves' Ron Flowers and Howe's Hawthorn team-mate, Bobby Robson. Hear Howe's memories of Chile, from the problems of staying in a converted copper mine, to trying to stop Brazil and their team of superstars. France 1998
 | | Darren Anderton in France 1998 |
After what happened in Italy in 1990, France 98 was a painful case of déjà vu for England as they suffered the heartache of going out of the World Cup on penalties once again. For West Germany in Turin, read Argentina in Saint Etienne as Glenn Hoddle's side were edged out in another classic match. The former Birmingham City and Wolves midfielder Darren Anderton played in all England's matches, scoring in the group win over Colombia and gives his eyewitness account of the campaign including that heady night against the Argentines when Michael Owen announced himself by scoring one of the best goals ever seen at a World Cup and David Beckham was sent off after his infamous tangle with Diego Simeone. It's all covered in part three of BBC WM's World Cup Collection. Sweden 1958
 | | Don Howe |
West Bromwich Albion's full-back and former manager Don Howe was a veteran of five World Cups as a player and assistant coach. His first taste of the tournament came in Sweden in 1958 as a callow 22-year-old and he ended up playing in all England's matches. It was a championship that will be remembered for Just Fontaine's 13 goals for France - still a World Cup record and the emergence of a boy who would go on to become the most famous footballer who ever lived. Hear what is was like for Howe to be part of a squad littered with West Midlands talent and exactly what kind of impact that 17-year-old Brazilian known simply as "Pele" made as he took the tournament by storm in part two of BBC WM's World Cup Collection. Italy 1990
 | | Steve Bull |
Italia 90 was England's best tournament since becoming World Champions in 1966 as they reached the semi-final before their heartbreaking defeat on penalties to eventual winners West Germany. The legendary Wolves striker Steve Bull was part of the squad, rewarded by Bobby Robson for his consistently prolific form at club level. For Bull, it was the ultimate rags to riches tale. Hear his memories of the tournament, from struggling to believe he was there at all, to a pitch-side view of England's emotionally draining escapades against Belgium, Cameroon and the Germans in part one of BBC WM's World Cup Collection. | 
