As today marks the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, we will look take a look at the players who have served South West clubs that have featured in World Cup finals in the past.
1958: Len Graham (Torquay United) Northern Ireland), Billy Bingham and Peter McParland (Plymouth Argyle) Northern Ireland, Maurice Setters (Exeter City) England, George Baker (Plymouth Argyle) Wales
Full back Len Graham was a non-playing member of the Northern Ireland squad which reached the Quarter Finals, whilst future Plymouth Argyle manager Billy Bingham was an ever present and future Pilgrims striker Peter McParland netted five times for the province. Maurice Setters, formerly a wing half with Exeter City, was named as a reserve player for England, but didn't feature in the competition. Plymouth Argyle striker George Baker was named as a substitute in all four of Wales' matches in the tournament as they reached the Quarter finals.
1966: Alan Ball (Exeter City) England.
Former Exeter City manager was the youngest player in Alf Ramsey's 1966 World Cup winning squad and played a key role in helping England win the final against West Germany 4-2. He provided the assist for Geoff Hurst's second and England's third goal - which was deemed to have crossed the line by the Russian linesman - as England won the competition for the first and only time.
1970: Alan Ball and Terry Cooper (Exeter City) England.
Ball was joined in the England squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico by another future Grecians manager in the form of Terry Cooper, who was England's first choice left-back. However, England failed to retain the trophy that they won in 1966, as they were eliminated in the Quarter finals by West Germany.
1974: John Blackley (Plymouth Argyle) Scotland.
Former Pilgrims coach John Blackley, who served under Paul Sturrock, appeared in Scotland's 2-0 win over Zaire in their opening match of the finals.
1978: Bruce Rioch (Torquay United) Scotland.
Bruce Rioch was chosen to captain Scotland in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina by Ally MacLeod, in what proved to be an ill-fated affair for the Scots. After losing 3-1 to Peru in their opening game of the tournament, they then drew 1-1 with Iran - a game that Rioch was absent for - before beating eventual runners-up Holland 3-2, which Rioch returned for.
1982: Peter Shilton and Paul Mariner (Plymouth Argyle) England, Paul Sturrock (Scotland) Billy Bingham (Plymouth Argyle) Northern Ireland.
Future Pilgrims manager Peter Shilton was ever present for England as they made their return to the competition, after not having qualified since 1970, and former Argyle striker Paul Mariner, who had helped the Pilgrims win promotion in the 1974-75 season, was on target in England's 3-1 win over France. Mariner's predecessor as Argyle manager Paul Sturrock was a non-playing member of Scotland's squad, which exited in the first round. However, another incumbent of the Home Park hot seat Billy Bingham enjoyed more success as he led Northern Ireland to the second round in their first appearance in the finals since 1958.
1986: Peter Shilton and Peter Reid (Plymouth Argyle) England, Chris Waddle (Torquay United) England, Paul Sturrock (Plymouth Argyle)Scotland, Billy Bingham (Plymouth Argyle) Northern Ireland, Tony Waiters (Plymouth Argyle) Canada.
Peter Shilton was once again an ever present for England and was also joined by another future Argyle manager in the form of Peter Reid, who was selected in the centre of midfield after Bryan Robson pulled out through injury and Ray Wilkins was suspended after being sent off against Morroco. Both of them were in the field Diego Maradona scored his famous 'hand of god' goal for Argentina, which was followed by his brilliant individual solo goal. Chris Waddle, who would have a brief with Torquay United towards the end of his career, came on as a substitute for England who were unable to overturn their two-goal deficit as they lost 2-1.
Paul Sturrock made two appearances for Scotland against Denmark and Uruguay, as they failed to get out of their 'group of death' that also included West Germany. Billy Bingham also guided Northern Ireland to a second successive World Cup finals, but they were knocked out in the group stage.
Another former Plymouth Argyle manager Tony Waiters, who won promotion with the Pilgrims in the 1974-75 season, led Canada to their only ever appearance in the World Cup finals, where they exited in the stage after losing all three matches.
1990: Peter Shilton (Plymouth Argyle) England, Chris Waddle (Torquay United) England, Lubos Kubik (Torquay United) Czechoslovakia.
Peter Shilton and Chris Waddle both played key roles in helping England reach the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Shilton played every game for England and Waddle famously missed a penalty in the semi-final penalty shoot out with West Germany. Future Torquay United manager Lubos Kubik played in all four of Czechoslovakia's matches in the tournament and was also on target in the Last 16 victory over Costa Rica. Future Plymouth Argyle manager John Sheridan made one substitute appearance for the Republic of Ireland in their Quarter final exit to Italy.
1994: John Sheridan (Plymouth Argyle) Republic of Ireland.
After making one sub appearance in Italia 90, John Sheridan was ever present for the Irish in USA 94 and hit the bar in their opening match against Italy, which they won 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Ray Houghton. Former Exeter City defender Maurice Setters also served as assistant manager to Jack Charlton in both this tournament and Italia 90.
1998: Matt Elliott (Torquay United), Paul Hall (Torquay United) Jamaica, Taribo West (Plymouth Argyle) Nigeria, Emile Mpenza (Plymouth Argyle) Belgium.
Former Torquay United defender Matt Elliott was a non-playing member of Scotland's squad in their last appearance in a World Cup finals to date, whilst his former Gulls' teammate Paul Hall played in all three of Jamaica's matches against Croatia, Argentina and Japan. Future Plymouth Argyle defender Taribo West also featured for Nigeria and they reached the last 16, where they lost to Denmark. Another future Pilgrim Emile Mpenza appeared in the tournament for Belgium.
2002: Taribo West (Plymouth Argyle) Nigeria
Taribo West once again featured for Nigeria as they were knocked out in the first round from a group which contained England, Sweden and Argentina.
2010: Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle) New Zealand
Former Plymouth Argyle, Truro City and Torquay United striker Rory Fallon became the first player contracted to a South West club to appear in the World Cup finals when he represented New Zealand whilst with the Pilgrims. Fallon, whose father Kevin was the Kiwi's assistant manager in the 1982 World Cup, scored the decisive goal which booked the All White's place in the final in their play-off match against Bahrain and was ever present for the Kiwi's as they drew all three of their matches against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.
Footnote: Former Torquay United physiotherapist Norman Medhurst worked with England at the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cups and ex United youth team player Paul Balsom has worked as Performance Manager for Sweden at the 2002, 2006 and 2018 World Cup finals.
