Llanelli Radiators?

How times have changed in the commerical world of association football.

Selecting a top flight match at random from a generation ago, the UEFA Cup holders Ipswich Town made the 280-mile cross country trip to the Vetch Field to take on the league leaders (yes, that's correct, top of the entire football league pyramid after 30 games) Swansea City .

The date was 27 March 1982 and during that era English club ruled in Europe, bringing home the European Cup six years in a row between the seasons 1976/77 to 1981/82.

When the two sides met in front of a crowd of 20,750, Ipswich Town were sitting in fifth position, just five points behind league leaders Swansea, so, needless to say, it was a big match being played in one of the best leagues in the world...and the match sponsor was..............Llanelli Radiators!

Now, for all I know, back in 1982, Llanelli Radiators could have been the world leaders in central heating (or engine parts?) and if so, my point is lost, however, if not, I wonder if the likes of e.g. Woolwich Roller Blinds could be the match sponsor for Chelsea v Arsenal in 2006/07?

Just for the record, Ipswich won the match that day 2-1 (goals from Eric Gates and Alan Brazil (now of talkSPORT fame) and went on to finish runners-up for the second successive season, this time to Liverpool. Swansea City ended up in sixth place and were relegated the following season.

Just for the record, here's confirmation of the match sponsor:


Recognise any of these players



The top of old Div One..