Overview

In 1985 the television rights came up for renegotiation and BBC and ITV offered £16m for four years. This was in return for 19 live games plus weekend highlights. The Football League met on Valentine's Day and rejected it. Football was, however, in a weak negotiating position as the game was rife with hooliganism and the two sides became deadlocked. The result was a total black-out for the first part of the season which annoyed fans and concerned the sponsors. The Football League finally backed down and agreed a deal that gave them less money per game than before on a short term two and a half year contract. The remaining six months was worth £1.3m with a two year £6.2m extension confirmed in June. The supporters were delighted and Match of the Day resumed in January. It concentrated mainly on FA Cup highlights and the occasional live League match on a Sunday.

Episodes:

1 - 10th August...

2 - 5th January...

3 - 12th January...

4 - 18th January 1986

5 - 25th January...

6 - 9th February...

7 - 2nd March 1986:...

8 - 8th March 1986:...

9 - 22nd March 1986

10 - 31st March 1986

11 - 5th April 1986:...

12 - 19th April 1986

13 - 3rd May 1986

14 - 10th May 1986:...