Bill Marshall’s regular look into the archives for the sporting headlines in this week...

80 YEARS AGO

CERTAIN names have gone down in folklore when it comes to scoring goals, such as Dixie Deans, Arthur Rowley, Alan Shearer and, latterly, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but in April 1936 it was Joe Payne who was making the headlines.

Signed by Luton from Bolsover Colliery, he had only played once earlier in the season at right half but, because of injuries, he was given an opportunity at centre forward against Bristol Rovers in the Third Division South, and repaid them in spades by scoring ten goals (still a Football League record) in a 12-0 romp.

The following season, he scored a record 55 goals for Luton as they won the title, but was only capped once by England, despite scoring two goals in an 8-0 victory over Finland in 1937.

In 1938, he was transferred to Chelsea for a big fee but his career, which ended at West Ham in 1946, was interrupted by the Second World War. Even so, he scored an impressive 112 goals in his 119 appearances for either club or country.

People in football complain about playing twice in three days, but back then they played three games in four days over Easter – Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday –and York lost 2-1 at home to Barrow, when their forwards misfired, and drew 0-0 at home to Walsall and 1-1 at Barrow.

Barrow's winner at Bootham Crescent came from a wind-assisted 30-yard lob, while Walsall hit a post twice.

York Rugby League Club fared better, winning 7-4 at Hunslet, despite losing Jeff Moores with an ankle injury, 25-7 at Bramley and 14-5 at home to Castleford, thus extending their number of doubles in the season to seven, all of which were against Yorkshire clubs as they cemented their place among the top five white-rose sides.

Elsewhere, Percy Alliss (father of Peter) took over as the professional at Leeds Municipal course Templenewsam.

50 YEARS AGO

IN A week when Carry On Cowboy hit the big screen and Middlesex County Cricket Club's annual report complained of spectators taking off their coats and ties in the Lord's pavilion, England football manager Alf Ramsey named his preliminary squad of 40 for the World Cup.

It included Leeds United defenders Paul Reaney, Jack Charlton and Norman Hunter but the surprise inclusion was 19-year-old Chelsea forward Peter Osgood.

York Rugby League Club had two wins and a defeat over Easter, winning 10-5 at Lancashire Cup runners-up Rochdale Hornets and 9-3 at Challenge Cup semi-finalists Dewsbury before losing 27-5 at home to a much stronger and more experienced Hull KR side.

Tries at Hornets came from trialist stand-off Rich Horner, from York amateur club Southlands, and Bill Drake, while Danny Richards got the try at Dewsbury as the visitors showed crisp handling, despite the rain, mud and icy wind.

Sheehan managed York's only try against the Robins, veteran Drake being sent off just before half-time for remarks made to the referee.

York City also won twice at Bootham Crescent, beating Mansfield Town 2-1 and Exeter City 2-0 before losing 4-1 at Mansfield on Easter Monday.

David Dunmore (penalty) and John Hawksby netted in the initial encounter against the Stags, while Dunmore got both against Exeter, including another one from the spot.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire's cricketers opted for indoor practice at Park Avenue, claiming it was too cold to net outside!

20 YEARS AGO

LEEDS United didn't have any problems with the sprinkler system, which had led to a suspension of their 1-0 win over Southampton (coach Dave Williams sat on an upturned bucket to stem the flow of water) but it certainly wasn't raining goals for United, who lost 2-1 at Arsenal and drew 0-0 at home to Plymouth Argyle.

York City matched the physicality of visitors Peterborough United to win 3-1, with the unlikely strongmen being right back Andy McMillan and midfield playmaker Scott Jordan.

Goals came from Glenn Naylor (after 109 seconds), Nigel Pepper (free-kick) and Gary Bull – his fifth in eight matches.

But York Rugby League Club came down to earth after their Second Division victory over Swinton, losing 54-12 at home to former York coach Steve Crooks' Hull KR.

Stanley Gene and Sam Stewart shone for the visitors in the nine-try romp, while best for York were prop Rich Hayes and replacement Mark Cain, Gary Mountain and Jason Laurence getting the tries.

Referee Paul Lee had a match to forget in front of a good crowd of 1,434, even leaving his whistle in his dressing room at half-time.

Meanwhile, York coach Stewart Horton welcomed the RFL's decision to allow First and Second Division teams four replacements, instead of two, bringing them into line with Super League.