
<p><em>Match of the Day</em> has been a staple of British television since it first aired in 1964. In fact, the soccer highlights show holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running football television program in the world. The BBC have posted footage from their archives to YouTube, offering a fascinating look at how Match of the Day was made in 1974.</p>



<p>The <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3PdcXNKLTQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video</a> follows the production of a match between West Ham United and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> at the Boleyn Ground in London for the finish of the 1974 league season. Footage takes viewers into the camera nests, commentary box and production vans at the stadium, as well as back at the studio as 90 minutes of game action is turned into around 25 minutes of highlights for broadcast. </p>



<h2>Match of the Day 1974</h2>



<p>In addition to the behind the scenes exposition, we catch a few fun glimpses of the match day atmosphere at Upton Park. There are shots of both sets of supporters on their way into the ground, signing on the terraces, and West Ham keeper Mervyn Day making a brilliant save on a Alec Lindsay PK attempt.</p>



<p>After the match, the work of editing the footage down for the evening’s broadcast is shown. Amidst the punchy sound of typewriters clacking away in the background, the studio crew is picking highlights to feature with the relatively new slow motion replay technology, positioning the cameras, setting up on-screen overlays, and rehearsing the script with host Jimmy Hill. The clip closes as the program’s delightful theme tune plays and the show goes live.</p>



<p>It’s a short watch – just under 15 minutes.  And as a good bit of the footage is shown without modern narration, it acts as a fun little window into the early/mid 70s world of sports TV production and classic football in the UK. You can watch the entire mini-doc below:</p>



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Take a trip back in time and see how Match of the Day 1974 was made, with a look behind the scenes of West Ham vs. Liverpool.

See how BBC's Match of the Day looked in 1974 - World Soccer Talk

See how BBC's Match of the Day looked in 1974

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<p>Diego Armando Maradona’s legacy at the World Cup distinguishes him as a legend of the game. He also had a strong club career revolutionizing the game with his dribbling.</p>
<p>The Argentine scored 81 goals for Napoli. He fulfilled the expectation set out for him upon his arrival. In 1984, hundreds of thousands came out to the Stadio San Paolo for his arrival at the club. He arrived as a godsend and the soon-to-be hero of Napoli.</p>
<p>In 1986, Diego Maradona led Napoli to its first Serie A Championship. Yet, 1986 proved to be much more significant for&nbsp;<em>La Pelusa&nbsp;</em>(The Fuzz). That summer, the Napoli man led Argentina to its second World Cup title. He scored the best goal and the most famous goal of his career, although these are two separate moments.</p>
<p>The infamous ‘hand of God’ goal against England in the quarterfinals came just six minutes into the second half. Four minutes later, Maradona dismantled England’s defense to make it 2-0 in the ‘Goal of the Century.’ Evasively in a press conference after that game, Maradona broke down the infamous opening goal.</p>
<blockquote><p>“A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”</p></blockquote>
<p>It wasn’t until 2005 that a TV show beseeched him to admit the eternal verity of cheating. Maradona confessed he used his hand with intent. Naturally, this admission sparked outrage in sports.</p>
<p>That same tournament, Maradona scored against Italy, the nation where he played his club soccer. Many Italians, especially in Naples, were <a href="https:\/\/www.fifa.com/news/dia-que-napoles-fue-argentina-2278635">unsure of who to support</a>: their native country, or the best player in the world who represents their club.</p>
<h3>Diego Maradona’s World Cup legacy</h3>
<p>The ‘hand of God’ goal is one eyebrow-raiser. However, fluke goals happen, even at the biggest stage. It is a famous moment in the history of the sport, despite the international fiasco that happened as a result.</p>
<p>Moreover, during World Cup USA 1994, Maradona failed&nbsp; a drug test for ephedrine doping. His failed drug test for the energy-enhancing stimulant resulted in an immediate dismissal from the tournament. Maradona’s exit reduced Argentina’s chances of reaching the Final to practically zero. Instead, Argentina’s biggest rival, Brazil, won its fourth World Cup trophy.</p>
<p>Perhaps, it’s not a consensus, but unanimous, when we mention Maradona’s name among the list of soccer elite. Maradona leaves behind a luminary fable intermixed with contamination and corruption. The asterisk next to his name purports to the provocative legacy he left behind.</p>
<h5>Holistic career</h5>
<p>There’s no doubt that the attacking midfielder had a scandalous, drug-addled career. It’s a miracle that the ‘hand of God’ in conjunction with getting kicked out for using performance-enhancing drugs did not tarnish the reputation Maradona would have with fans. Despite his complications off the field, Argentina and Napoli supporters adore the memory of Diego Maradona. However, Diego Maradona’s World Cup legacy leaves complication for his contemporary prodigy, Lionel Messi. Messi may have the better statistics, but many Argentina fans will not consider him on the same walk as Maradona until he brings the World Cup back to Argentina.</p>
<p>Physically, Maradona never appeared like a superior athlete. On the contrary, his stout physiology made him appear whimsical in conjunction with a fuzzy afro. Zinedine Zidane, who burst onto the world scene during Maradona’s twilight, watched&nbsp;<em>El Barrilete Cósmico&nbsp;</em>(the cosmic kite) as a teenager.</p>
<blockquote><p>“He was on another level.”</p></blockquote>
<p>With eight goals over his four World Cup appearances, Maradona is unquestionably on the ‘Mount Rushmore’ of soccer talents at the biggest competition. Diego Maradona’s legacy at the World Cup is something that generations will remember. He was, and still is, the idol of many Argentina fans. However, Messi will look to usurp his compatriot as his nation’s historical icon at his <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/19/is-the-2022-fifa-world-cup-messis-last-world-cup/">last World Cup in Qatar</a>.</p>
<p><em>Photo: Archivo El Grafico/Getty Images</em></p>


Diego Maradona's World Cup legacy is indisputably one of the more recognizable soccer careers. However, it is not without controversy.

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See how BBC's Match of the Day looked in 1974

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Diego Maradona's distinguished, controversial World Cup legacy