Football: This Week

On 18 October 1972, Crystal Palace manager Bert Head made the headlines with a "staggering" bid for two Swindon players, Don Rogers and Rod Thomas.

In a week when Palace have been linked with a possible pounds 4m bid for Paul Gascoigne (not to mention weekly wages estimated at around pounds 40,000), the sums involved 25 years ago seem small.

However, one report at the time said: "Head, who has already spent a staggering pounds 275,000 on three players this season, is ready to write another huge cheque for the pair." His pounds 225,000 offer for the duo was not successful, although he did later sign Rogers.