TELEVISION sets across the country will be tuned into sport this weekend in anticipation of a momentous sports line-up.

Today sees important fixtures for football and rugby fans alike as St Helens take on the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Grand Final, England play France for a place in the final of the Rugby Union World Cup and England meet Estonia in their Euro 2008 qualifying match.

The excitement and expectancy surrounding big matches catch the imagination of any sports fan, especially those lucky enough to see the big moment first-hand.

As far as sporting moments in history go, it does not get much better than witnessing England's 1966 World Cup victory over West Germany.

David Batters, historian at York City FC, was at Wembley Stadium, and recalls: "It was a marvellous day. I saw a lot of earlier matches at Manchester and Everton. It was an unforgettable and magical day. I can say that I was one of the 90,000.

"The euphoria of the game - people say it was like VE Day."

David was also sitting at a vantage point which allowed him to make his own decision over the disputed Geoff Hurst goal: "I was in a good position and I swear that that ball crossed the line."

For Ian Davies, former player for York RUFC, his last game of rugby in April is one of his outstanding personal memories.

"We played the Yorkshire Cup final against Pontefract at Hull, I cried when it had finished."

When, three minutes before the end Pontefract took the lead, Ian's father was so disappointed he left the ground. But then Ian remembers: "We won with a drop goal in the last few minutes which won us the cup. Glorious."

For Terry Ruane, property sales rep at The Press, England versus Argentina in the World Cup 1998 will always stand out in his memory. Not only was Terry there to witness the famous Michael Owen goal, the David Beckham red card and the missed David Batty penalty, but he watched the entire match from the FIFA hospitality suite.

"We met Michel Platini, Bobby Charlton and Arsene Wenger," said Terry. "They were very friendly, we had the usual football chit-chat."

Recalling the Owen goal, Terry said: "His goal was the best I have seen live, it was just incredible, the whole game was outstanding. It was an amazing game that swung one way to the other.

"Too much was made of the Beckham red card, the game was much bigger than that sending-off."

After the match, Terry was disappointed by the result but elated at witnessing the match: "When I rang home my wife thought that I would be disappointed, but it's different when you're there, when you're a man down for so long you know that you have seen the ultimate performance, you know that you can say I was there'."

Terry also recalls the moment that he became hooked on football. It was at his first football match on January 23, 1971 when, aged eight, he went to watch the FA Cup third round match between York and Southampton at Bootham Crescent.

"We weren't supposed to be going to the match, but my dad came home early and me and my brother went. We were quite excited going and very excited coming away "It ended 3-3, but with two minutes remaining York were 3-1 down. They scored two goals in the last two minutes.

"Football was in my blood from then on, the excitement of the game just gave it something extra."