Paul MARINER

Paul Mariner was a centre forward who had to do a lot of convincing when he was called up to debut for England in 1977. Although there was little to argue with in terms of his goalscoring record when Ron Greenwood first called him up, critics questioned whether the Ipswich Town centre forward had the capability to adapt to another level of the game having only been in the top flight for less than a season. Others claimed his prowess as an old-fashioned finisher was tempered by a general lack of ability in open play. Mariner was, however, nothing more than a success at England level when he was given the chance. After coming on as a sub for Joe Royle in England's 5-0 win over Luxembourg at Wembley for his international bow, Paul kept his name on Greenwood's agenda - despite the presence of a number of similarly bustling, gangly attackers - and scored his first international goal in the return 2-0 victory against Luxembourg in October, although England's campaign to qualify for the 1978 World Cup was deadened at the same time by the low scoreline.

Greenwood began to rebuild and Mariner, whose Ipswich side had won the FA Cup but endured a shocking League season, came back for the 1978 Home Internationals, coming on as a sub for his main rival Bob Latchford in a 3-1 win over Wales and then beginning the game against Scotland four days later. Latchford subsequently enjoyed a miniature purple patch in front of goal for England and Mariner found himself frozen out as a consequence, featuring in none of the qualifiers for the 1980 European Championship qualifiers. However, Latchford's demise was confirmed during this period, and an in-form Mariner was given another bite of the cherry as the finals themselves approached. His recall for the 1980 Home Internationals gave him a big opportunity to gatecrash the squad.

England were humiliated 4-1 in Wrexham by Wales, but Mariner crucially got England's consolation goal and he stayed in contention, coming on as a sub in the subsequent 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland and then playing superbly alongside fellow battering ram David Johnson as England beat Scotland 2-0 at Hampden Park (the photo above is during the game). Although now convinced, Greenwood still took Mariner to Sydney for a friendly against Australia a fortnight before the tournament began, and he scored again a 2-1 win. His place in the squad was confirmed as England jetted to Italy for their first major finals in a decade and in good heart. (Matthew Rudd).

Paul Mariner lost out to David Johnson for the target man berth as England drew 1-1 with an offside-obsessed Belgium in the opening group game, but Greenwood then dropped a clanger for the must-win second match, picking the untried and inexperienced Gary Birtles ahead of Mariner - who instead replaced him in the second half - as England found themselves dulled with considerable effectiveness by the Italian defence and lost 1-0. For the final match against Spain, Paul again was a sub and was brought on late on, but England's 2-1 win wasn't enough to take them through. However, Birtles and Johnson's England careers were considered pretty much beyond resuscitation thereafter, and Mariner finally became England's number one target man.

He scored a fine goal on the turn in a 4-0 win over Norway as England got their qualification campaign for the 1982 World Cup off to a perfect start, and put away another in a 2-1 win over the Swiss two months later. England had lost the qualification game in between and, markedly, Paul hadn't played, with Greenwood deciding on what turned out to be a last look at Birtles. Mariner's form as Ipswich chased three trophies domestically meant he could not possibly be omitted for any reason other than injury again that season. Ipswich's runs in the FA Cup (semi-finals) and UEFA Cup (the two-legged final) meant that Mariner was unavailable for the Home Internationals in 1981 but he came back for the oddly scheduled brace of World Cup qualifiers prior to the summer break, and he looked rattled and exhausted as England lost in Switzerland but enjoyed a better time of it a week later with a 3-1 win in Hungary.

Ultimately, England's destiny lay with a home game against the Hungarians in November 1981, and Mariner became a national hero by scoring the only goal, although it was a somewhat fortuitous effort - Trevor Brooking miskicked a shot into Mariner's path and the big striker fell over as he chased the ball, yet somehow managed to make shin contact and deflect it home. A goal was still a goal though, and England were going to Spain for the World Cup. Greenwood and much of the media now happily embraced Mariner's worth as an international striker, and he scored in each of the three preparatory games that he played in prior to the World Cup, guaranteeing a place in the squad for Spain which had in any event looked a shoo-in. Among these goals was a superb effort in a 2-0 friendly win over Holland at Wembley, showing his undoubted ability to time his runs and finish with the ball at his feet, again proving to the doubters that there was more to his game than scrapping as a tall target man. (Matthew Rudd)