Nick - these scans of programmes from 1966 will show you how the numbers 1-11 were theoretically lined up for decades. I was quite young in 1966 - and still am
- but at the time I think I imagined that teams pretty much set out in the formation you see here. But Rupert (in post #12) is obviously even more ancient and remembers it better.
Rupert, would I be right in saying that we're almost talking about a 3-2-5 formation, with the centre half (5) marking their centre forward (9), and the two full backs (2 & 3) on the wingers (7 & 11). There was no concept of "midfield" as such, but the two inside forwards (8 & 10) would often play very slightly behind the centre forward, with the other team's half backs (4 & 6) marking them? Interesting that in these 2 games Brian Hill actually played at both 4 and 6, so swopped sides.
I just went and found these programmes in the loft, and I hope they give those of you who weren't there a glimpse of what it was like. Although it's a cliche, they brought it all back as if it was yesterday instead of 50 years. I can still feel the handle of the wooden rattle in my hand, and how hard you had to swing it to get the right sound for "Glad All Over". At that age, and in those exciting times you had to get there the best part of 2 hours before kick off and stand on your wooden box against the wall at the front of the Spion Kop, so you'd be able to see. It never felt boring - each minute inside Highfield Road in that era was pure magic, even when you were waiting for the game.
Brian, thanks for the brilliant times. That team was the best thing ever, and you were in it.