Lost luggage and a last‑minute sprint: How I nearly missed the 1990 World Cup Final
16.04.26, 08:00 Updated 16.04.26, 01:03 4 Minute Read
Andy Milne
In late 1988, to combat football hooliganism, Margaret Thatcher proposed compulsory photo ID cards for fans at all 92 football league grounds. Despite opposition, she vowed to implement the plan by the 1990/91 season.
However, the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster warned that such cards might delay entry, increasing the risk of violence. The government quietly dropped the plan; a climbdown so humiliating that Neil Kinnock mocked Thatcher in Parliament, inviting her to “make a little history this afternoon and simply get up and admit she was wrong.”
Alongside the ID card plan, Thatcher even suggested withdrawing England from the 1990 World Cup.
To appease the government, the FA cancelled a friendly with Italy and launched a voluntary membership scheme with photo ID. Few fans signed up, but I joined, thinking it might help me get into the World Cup Final, and it worked. I received a VIP ticket, seated among English players, managers and family.
Become a member today.
The Sixty Six needs its community to support independent, high-quality coverage of England Football. Subscribe to a monthly or annual package today to be a part of something special.
Already have an account?