1994–95 Anglo-Italian Cup

Anglo-Italian Cup 1994–95 Coppa Anglo-Italiana 1994–95 EnglandItaly 24 August 1994–19 March 1995 16 England Notts County 1 Italy Ascoli 37 98 Italy Nicola Caccia (5 goals) 1993–94 1995–96 The 1994–95 Anglo-Italian Cup (Italian: Coppa Anglo-Italiana 1994–95) was the third staging of the 1992–96 iteration of the Anglo-Italian Cup, an association football competition contested by teams from the Football League First Division and Serie B, then respectively the second tiers of the English football league system and the Italian football league system. Sixteen teams participated, with eight entering from each league. Clubs were invited to compete based on their final league position in the previous season, though not all of the eligible English clubs entered. The tournament began with an international stage which saw teams playing matches against those from the opposite league. Two teams from each country then advanced to the semi-finals, which were one all-English and one all-Italian tie, ensuring a final between an English team and an Italian team at Wembley Stadium. Ascoli and Notts County reached the final, respectively beating Ancona and Stoke City in the semi-finals, and Notts County won the tournament by winning the final 2–1. Nicola Caccia of Ancona was the competition's top scorer with five goals. This was the only staging of the tournament in the 1990s to be won by an English side. The competition was criticised by some as a low-interest distraction, and several contentious incidents contributed to its reputation for violence, notably a match between Sheffield United and Udinese which saw a 15-man brawl and the dismissal of four players. Despite its reputation, the tournament proved a season highlight for the finalists, both of whom experienced otherwise poor campaigns culminating in relegation to their respective third tiers. Participants and format The Anglo-Italian Cup had been staged intermittently since 1970, and was revived in 1992, in England serving as a replacement for the Full Members' Cup.https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/10/25/remembering-the-violent-but-fascinating-anglo-italian-cup/ Remembering the violent but fascinating Anglo-Italian Cup These Football Times 13 January 2026 25 October 2019 Greg Lea https://web.archive.org/web/20251222112931/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/10/25/remembering-the-violent-but-fascinating-anglo-italian-cup/ 22 December 2025 live This iteration of the tournament was contested by teams from the Football League First Division, then the second tier of the English football league system, and Serie B, the second tier of the Italian football league system.Brown 1995 59 In earlier seasons, First Division clubs had participated in a qualifying stage to determine which teams played in the international stage, but this was dispensed with in the 1994–95 season, and invitations instead given to the three teams relegated from the previous season's Premier League and the five highest-placed non-promoted teams from the previous season's First Division. Serie B clubs were selected on a similar basis.Italy here we come Mortimer Gerald Derby Evening Telegraph 44 16 June 1994 Of the eligible English clubs, Millwall and Oldham Athletic declined their invitations, with Middlesbrough and Stoke City taking their places.Italian job for Stoke The Green’Un Stoke-on-Trent 2 25 June 1994 The participating clubs and their 1993–94 league positions were as follows: England English teams1993–94 league positions taken from https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1993-94.html Season 1993-94 RSSSF 16 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20250919074155/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1993-94.html 19 September 2025 live Derby County, 6th in the First Division Middlesbrough, 9th in the First Division Notts County, 7th in the First Division Sheffield United, 20th in the Premier League Stoke City, 10th in the First Division Swindon Town, 22nd in the Premier League Tranmere Rovers, 5th in the First Division Wolverhampton Wanderers, 8th in the First Division Italy Italian teams1993–94 league positions taken from https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ital94.html Italy Championship 1993/94 RSSSF 16 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20250213103756/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ital94.html 13 February 2025 live Ancona, 8th in Serie B Ascoli, 7th in Serie B Atalanta, 17th in Serie A Cesena, 5th in Serie B Lecce, 18th in Serie A Piacenza, 15th in Serie A Udinese, 16th in Serie A Venezia, 6th in Serie B At the international stage, the sixteen teams were divided into two groups of eight, each featuring four teams from each country. Clubs played four matches against the teams in their group from the opposite league, two at home and two away. At the end of the international stage, the highest-placed team from each country in each group would advance to a two-legged semi-final, where they would play the other semi-finalist from their own league. A single-match final between the two winners would then follow at Wembley Stadium.Roving to Italy Hargraves Ian Liverpool Echo 62 15 July 1994 During the international stage, English referees were appointed to officiate matches in Italy, while Italian referees oversaw games in England.'Crazy, crazy game' - Sheffield United players recall night they saw red against Udinese https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/sheffield-united-udinese-anglo-italian-27894670 Huddersfield Examiner 12 January 2026 Nathan Hemmingham 14 October 2023 The groups for the international stage were as follows:https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/angloit95.html Anglo-Italian Cup 1994/95 RSSSF 4 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20251010000022/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/angloit95.html 10 October 2025 live Group AGroup B Italy AscoliItaly AtalantaItaly LecceEngland Notts CountyEngland Swindon TownEngland Tranmere RoversItaly VeneziaEngland Wolverhampton Wanderers Italy AnconaItaly CesenaEngland Derby CountyEngland MiddlesbroughItaly PiacenzaEngland Sheffield UnitedEngland Stoke CityItaly Udinese International stage Group A thumb|upright|alt=Oliver Bierhoff training with the German national team around 1999|Oliver Bierhoff (pictured 1999) scored four goals in the group stage. Group A began on 24 August 1994 with two matches in Italy and two in England. Notts County made a 1–1 draw at Ascoli, with Paul Devlin scoring a last minute equaliser for the away team after Giuseppe Incocciati had put Ascoli ahead.Walker Fury Stapleton David Nottingham Evening Post 52 25 August 1994 Meanwhile, about 30 supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers saw their side win 1–0 at Lecce, with David Kelly scoring on the break late in the match.Kelly's strike adds glitter to Italian job Instone David Wolverhampton Express & Star 60 25 August 1994 In England, Giampaolo Saurini's powerful 63rd-minute strike, followed shortly afterwards by a headed goal from Daniele Fortunato, gave Atalanta a 2–0 win over Swindon Town.Swindon sunk King Clive Western Daily Press 36 25 August 1994 At Prenton Park, goals from John Aldridge and Chris Malkin gave Tranmere Rovers a 2–0 lead over Venezia, but the latter scored twice themselves, the second coming three minutes from the end, and the match finished 2–2.Venetian bind Hilton Nick Liverpool Daily Post 39 25 August 1994 In the second round of games, played on 6 September, Tranmere were forced to field several youth players after injuries and international call-ups among their senior side, and they were defeated 2–0 at Atalanta.Coming of age Hilton Nick Liverpool Daily Post 35 7 September 1994 Devlin was dismissed from his team's home match with Lecce for a second bookable offence, but Phil Turner's 55th-minute goal was nevertheless sufficient to secure a 1–0 win for Notts County.Jemson: I’ll Get Goals Stapleton David Nottingham Evening Post 28 7 September 1994 The match between Wolves and Ascoli also saw a red card, with Paolo Benetti of Ascoli dismissed after reacting angrily to a foul by Robbie Dennison on Marco Bizzarri, the Ascoli goalkeeper. Despite playing the final ten minutes with ten men, Ascoli won 1–0.It's no joke as cup farce turns nasty Instone David Wolverhampton Express & Star 35 7 September 1994 Meanwhile, Swindon were beaten 1–0 at Venezia,Rollin 1995 593–595 leaving Notts County as the leading English team in the group, a point ahead of Wolves.Bull and Kelly on way back Instone David Wolverhampton Express & Star 36 7 September 1994 Atalanta led among the Italian teams, with two wins from two.Rollin 1995 593–595 A third round of games was played on 4 and 5 October, with Tranmere losing 1–0 at home to Ascoli through a Oliver Bierhoff penalty, a result that effectively ended Tranmere's chances of progressing to the semi-final.Italian job leaves Rovers on rocks Hilton Nick Liverpool Daily Post 38 5 October 1994 Atalanta led 1–0 at half-time in their home game with Notts County through Leonardo Rodríguez, but the Italian team were reduced to ten men with 30 minutes to play when Paolo Montero was sent off for a second yellow card, and a Tony Agana equaliser saw the game finish 1–1.Agana the ace for County Stapleton David Nottingham Evening Post 44 6 October 1994 Swindon gained their first win in the competition, with Andy Mutch scoring twice in his team's 3–1 win over Lecce,Mutch joy for Swindon Gloucestershire Echo 80 6 October 1994 while Wolves were beaten 2–1 at Venezia despite having taken a 1–0 28th-minute lead.Wolves' sparkle just fizzles out Instone David Wolverhampton Express & Star 44 6 October 1994 The results left Notts County needing a point in their final game to reach the English semi-final, while Ascoli, Atalanta and Venezia were level among the Italian teams, each with two wins and a draw.Rollin 1995 593–595 The final round of Group A fixtures look place on 15 November. Fabio Pascucci was dismissed for Ascoli after a foul on Scott in his team's home match with Swindon, but Bierhoff scored a hat-trick, and the Italian side won 3–1.Swindon crash Western Daily Press 47 16 November 1994 Elsewhere in Italy, Orazio Russo scored twice for his team in their 3–0 over Tranmere, helping Lecce to their first win of the competition,King re-think as Rovers fall again Hilton Nick Liverpool Daily Post 39 16 November 1994 and leaving Tranmere without a victory. Notts County led Venezia 2–1, before the latter were awarded a penalty, Dean Yates was sent off for the former for a disputed handball, and Marco Barollo equalised with the resultant kick. Notts County regained the lead through Shaun Murphy, but Barollo scored again, and the match finished 3–3.Marsden debut is put in shade by referee Carter Simon Derby Evening Telegraph 50 16 November 1994 At Molineux, Atalanta took at early lead against Wolves through Valter Bonacina, but the home team levelled via Lee Mills before half-time, and the match finished 1–1.Wolves clear decks of cup distraction Instone David Wolverhampton Express & Star 29 16 November 1994 The results meant Ascoli progressed as the highest-ranking Italian team, and Notts County as the leading English team. main WDL Q auto Group A ASC ATA VEN NCO WOL SWI LEC TRA 3 1 0 6 2 2 2 0 6 2 2 2 0 8 6 1 3 0 6 5 1 1 2 3 4 1 0 3 4 7 1 0 3 4 5 0 1 3 2 8 Italy Ascoli Italy Atalanta Italy Venezia England Notts County England Wolverhampton Wanderers England Swindon Town Italy Lecce England Tranmere Rovers KO KO green1 Advanced to knockout stage complete 24 August 1994 Ascoli Italy 1–1 England Notts County Incocciati 21 Devlin 90 Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca, Ascoli Piceno 7,000 24 August 1994 Lecce Italy 0–1 England Wolverhampton Wanderers Kelly 80 Stadio Via del mare, Lecce 1,795 24 August 1994 Swindon Town England 0–2 Italy Atalanta Saurini Giampaolo Saurini 63 Fortunato 66 County Ground, Swindon 5,167 24 August 1994 Tranmere Rovers England 2–2 Italy Venezia Aldridge 30 Malkin 45 Cerbone Raffaele Cerbone 66 pen. Bonaldi Enio Bonaldi 87 Prenton Park, Birkenhead 3,012 6 September 1994 Atalanta Italy 2–0 England Tranmere Rovers Montero 20 Saurini Giampaolo Saurini 41 Stadio Comunale, Bergamo 4,000 6 September 1994 Notts County England 1–0 Italy Lecce Turner 55 Meadow Lane, Nottingham 2,495 6 September 1994 Venezia Italy 1–0 England Swindon Town Mariani Pietro Mariani 34 Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Venice 1,325 6 September 1994 Wolverhampton Wanderers England 0–1 Italy Ascoli Marcato Luca Marcato 57 Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton 9,599 4 October 1994 Tranmere Rovers England 0–1 Italy Ascoli Bierhoff 14 pen. Prenton Park, Birkenhead 4,546 5 October 1994 Atalanta Italy 1–1 England Notts County Rodríguez 33 Agana 70 Stadio Comunale, Bergamo 5,000 5 October 1994 Swindon Town England 3–1 Italy Lecce Mutch 32 88 Scott 44 Ayew 78 County Ground, Swindon 2,375 5 October 1994 Venezia Italy 2–1 England Wolverhampton Wanderers Rankine 37 o.g. Vieri 58 pen. Venus 28 Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Venice 750 15 November 1994 Ascoli Italy 3–1 England Swindon Town Bierhoff 14 65 80 Hamon 50 Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca, Ascoli Piceno 3,000 15 November 1994 Lecce Italy 3–0 England Tranmere Rovers Russo 47 52 Notaristefano Egidio Notaristefano 85 Stadio Via del mare, Lecce 286 15 November 1994 Notts County England 3–3 Italy Venezia Devlin 14 Marsden 58 Murphy 77 Ambrosetti 59 Barollo 64 pen. 83 Meadow Lane, Nottingham 2,861 15 November 1994 Wolverhampton Wanderers England 1–1 Italy Atalanta Mills 38 Bonacina 7 Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton 7,285 Source for dates, scores, score times and scorers:Ascoli V Notts County Official Matchday Programme 38–39 The Anglo-Italian Cup Results 19 March 1995 Palmer KevinSource for attendance:Rollin 1995 593–595 Group B thumb|upright|alt=Bramall Lane as it appeared in 1992|Bramall Lane (pictured in 1992) was the scene of a 15-man brawl during the group stage. Like Group A, the first round of Group B fixtures look place on 24 August. Derby led 1–0 at Ancona through a Mark Pembridge header, but two defensive lapses in the final ten minutes of the first-half allowed Nicola Caccia to score twice, and Ancona won 2–1.Ancona agony Mortimer Gerald Derby Evening Telegraph 50 25 August 1994 Stoke won 2–0 at Cesena through a John Clark free kick and a late Martin Carruthers strike,Mama mia! City stroll in the sun Bayley Ian Staffordshire Sentinel Stoke-on-Trent 62 25 August 1994 while Middlesbrough made a 0–0 draw with Piacenza. Paul Wilkinson was sent off in the 84th minute of the latter for kicking an opponent.Robson regrets entering cup Sunderland Daily Echo 62 25 August 1994 At Bramall Lane, the match between Sheffield United and Udinese "degenerated into gruesome farce", with a 15-man brawl and the dismissal of four players (three Sheffield United and one Udinese) and the Sheffield United manager Dave Bassett. The match was close to abandonment, but was seen through to completion and won 2–1 by Udinese.Bassett sent off as United suffer night of Cup shame Spencer Nick Yorkshire Post Leeds 18 25 August 1994 Three games took place in Group B during September, two of which took place in England. Derby were leading 5–0 at half-time against Cesena, and they eventually won 6–1. Paul Kitson scored four goals during the match, with Steve Hodge scoring Derby's other two.Ram Raiders Mortimer Gerald Derby Evening Telegraph 50 7 September 1994 At the Victoria Ground, Caccia scored his third goal of the tournament to give Ancona a 1–0 half-time lead, but Stoke were level through Wayne Biggins shortly into the second half, and the match finished 1–1.Biggins makes point to steady Stoke ship Bayley Ian Staffordshire Sentinel Stoke-on-Trent 74 7 September 1994 Following the experience of their match with Udinese, Sheffield United prevented most their senior team from travelling to Italy, and a radically different line-up made a 2–2 draw at Piacenza.Rollin 1995 593–595 A match between Udinese and Middlesbrough had to be postponed due to the former having to rearrange an abandoned Coppa Italia tie with Fiorentina.On the Grapevine Sports Echo Sunderland 10 3 September 1994 Ancona and Stoke respectively ended the round as their country's leading team in the group, both with one win and a draw.Rollin 1995 593–595 Five Group B matches were played in October, four of which took place on 4 October. The Bolivia international Jaime Moreno scored his first goal for Middlesbrough, a 56th-minute left-footed volley in a 1–1 home draw with Cesena.Robbo won't rush Moreno Sunderland Daily Echo 51 6 October 1994 Piacenza took a 1–0 lead in their home game with Derby via a Antonio De Vitis penalty, before Paul Williams levelled for Derby with a 77th-minute volley. Derby then had the opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty and Francesco Turrini was dismissed for violent conduct, but Pembridge saw his kick saved, and the match finished 1–1.Williams makes a point Mortimer Gerald Derby Evening Telegraph 42 6 October 1994 With Bassett absent, a young Sheffield United side made a 3–3 draw with Ancona,Bassett absent from Anglo-Italian Cup exit Spencer Nick Yorkshire Post Leeds 18 6 October 1994 while Stoke scored three goals in six second-half minutes in a 3–1 win at Udinese.'We need fear no-one' blasts jubilant Macari Bayley Ian Staffordshire Sentinel Stoke-on-Trent 55 6 October 1994 Middlesbrough also travelled to Udinese for their rearranged match in October, a 0–0 draw that saw three red cards (two for Udinese, one for Middlesbrough) for poor tackles.Todd sent off as Boro exit Yorkshire Post Leeds 18 19 October 1994 The final round of matches in Group B was played in November. Middlesbrough fielded "a side close to junior level" for their match at Ancona, and were beaten 3–1, with Caccia scoring twice for the home side.Italian defeat for young Boro Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail Cox Gordon 35 16 November 1994 Their win meant Ancona progressed as the leading Italian team. Once again fielding an inexperienced team, including one non-contract and two transfer-listed players, Sheffield United won 4–1 at Cesena,FA's head-butt punishment hits Walker hard Yorkshire Post Leeds 18 16 November 1994 while Derby were 3–1 winners at home to Udinese. Derby's win meant Stoke City would need at least a point to progress as the leading English team,Farewell to a non-event Mortimer Gerald Derby Evening Telegraph 50 16 November 1994 and John Butler had them ahead early in their home match with Piacenza. Martin Caruthers scored two goals, one shortly before and one shortly after half-time, and Nigel Gleghorn added a fourth, Stoke advancing with a 4–0 win.Pasta masters on a mission to Wembley Bayley Ian Staffordshire Sentinel Stoke-on-Trent 74 16 November 1994 main WDL Q auto Group B STO ANC DER SHU UDI MID PIA CES 3 1 0 10 2 2 2 0 9 6 2 1 1 11 5 1 2 1 10 8 1 1 2 4 7 0 3 1 2 4 0 3 1 3 7 0 1 3 3 13 England Stoke City Italy Ancona England Derby County England Sheffield United Italy Udinese England Middlesbrough Italy Piacenza Italy Cesena KO KO green1 Advanced to knockout stage complete 24 August 1994 Ancona Italy 2–1 England Derby County Caccia 35 44 Pembridge 8 Stadio del Conero, Ancona 748 24 August 1994 Cesena Italy 0–2 England Stoke City Clark 38 Carruthers 78 Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena 1,065 24 August 1994 Middlesbrough England 0–0 Italy Piacenza Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough 5,348 24 August 1994 Sheffield United England 1–2 Italy Udinese Littlejohn 35 Marino Francesco Marino 17 Scarchilli 56 Bramall Lane, Sheffield 7,497 6 September 1994 Derby County England 6–1 Italy Cesena Kitson 16 29 31 73 Hodge 8 38 Ambrosini 79 Baseball Ground, Derby 2,010 6 September 1994 Piacenza Italy 2–2 England Sheffield United Brioschi Massimo Brioschi 18 Suppa Pasquale Suppa 53 Carr 6 Gannon 57 Stadio Leonardo Garilli, Piacenza 4,744 6 September 1994 Stoke City England 1–1 Italy Ancona Biggins 50 Caccia 43 Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent 3,330 5 October 1994 Middlesbrough England 1–1 Italy Cesena Moreno 56 Hübner 64 Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough 3,273 5 October 1994 Piacenza Italy 1–1 England Derby County De Vitis 65 pen. Williams 77 Stadio Leonardo Garilli, Piacenza 1,710 5 October 1994 Sheffield United England 3–3 Italy Ancona Ward 66 Battersby 24 A. Scott 81 Baglieri Christian Baglieri 29 Catanese 48 De Angelis 70 Bramall Lane, Sheffield 1,827 5 October 1994 Udinese Italy 1–3 England Stoke City Pizzi 29 Downing 69 Biggins 74 Butler 74 Stadio Friuli, Udine 1,306 18 October 1994 Udinese Italy 0–0 England Middlesbrough Stadio Friuli, Udine 300 15 November 1994 Cesena Italy 1–4 England Sheffield United Bombardini 30 A. Scott 35 52 Reed 60 Hawthorne 86 Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena 3,200 15 November 1994 Derby County England 3–1 Italy Udinese Johnson 19 72 Stallard 20 Bertotto 50 Baseball Ground, Derby 1,562 15 November 1994 Stoke City England 4–0 Italy Piacenza Butler 12 Carruthers 37 50 Gleghorn 85 Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent 7,240 15 November 1994 Ancona Italy 3–1 England Middlesbrough Caccia 65 89 Artistico 81 Morris 10 Stadio del Conero, Ancona 1,500 Source for dates, scores, score times and scorers:.Source for attendance:Rollin 1995 593–595 Knockout stage Semi-finals The Italian semi-final was played in December between Ancona and Ascoli. The first leg was played at Ascoli's Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca, and was won 1–0 by Ancona via a 33rd-minute goal from the defender Carlo Cornacchia. In the second leg, a 70th minute goal from Giuseppe Incocciati gave Ascoli a 1–0 lead that forced extra time, and Incocciati scored a second in the 101st minute. Felice Centofanti pulled a goal back for Ancona in the final seconds, but the final whistle went shortly afterwards, and Ascoli advanced to the final via the away goals rule.Ascoli V Notts County Official Matchday Programme 7 Ascoli Cup Run 19 March 1995 Palmer Kevin The English semi-final between Notts County and Stoke City followed in January. The first leg at Notts County's Meadow Lane ground ended 0–0, with the home side having only one shot on target, and Stoke failing to test the Notts goalkeeper.Notts Wembley Dream Still On Stapleton David Nottingham Evening Post 28 25 September 1994 The second leg also finished 0–0 after extra time, and a penalty shoot-out was therefore required to decide the winner. The goalkeeper Jason Kearton made two saves for Notts County, and his side won the shoot-out 3–2 to qualify for a second successive Anglo-Italian Cup final.Classy Kearton diverts Stoke off Wembley way Bayley Ian Staffordshire Sentinel Stoke-on-Trent 62 1 February 1995 Italian semi-final 8 December 1994 Ascoli Italy 0–1 Italy Ancona Cornacchia 33 Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca, Ascoli Piceno 3,705 8 December 1994 Ancona Italy 1–2 (a.e.t.) Italy Ascoli Centofanti 120 Incocciati 70 101 Stadio del Conero, Ancona 4,311 2–2 on aggregate; Ascoli won on away goals. English semi-final 24 January 1995 Notts County England 0–0 England Stoke City Meadow Lane, Nottingham 5,135 31 January 1995 Stoke City England 0–0 (a.e.t.) 2–3 England Notts County Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent 10,781 0–0 on aggregate; Notts County won 3–2 on penalties. Source for dates, scores, score times and scorers:.Source for attendance:Rollin 1995 593–595 Final thumb|right|The original Wembley Stadium (pictured in 2002) hosted the final.|alt=The Twin Towers of the original Wembley Stadium, photographed in 2002 The final was played at Wembley Stadium on 19 March.Brown 1995 266 The match was attended by 11,704 spectators,Rollin 1995 595 mostly Notts County supporters, but including over 1,000 supporters of Ascoli,https://www.cronachepicene.it/2025/03/19/lascoli-nel-tempio-di-wembley-30-anni-fa-una-tappa-storica-per-il-picchio/520225/ L'Ascoli nel tempio di Wembley, 30 anni fa una tappa storica per il Picchio Cronache Picene 16 January 2026 19 March 2025 Linno Manni https://web.archive.org/web/20250423024419/https://www.cronachepicene.it/2025/03/19/lascoli-nel-tempio-di-wembley-30-anni-fa-una-tappa-storica-per-il-picchio/520225/ 23 April 2025 live and was refereed by Charles Agius of Malta.Now Save Us From the Drop Stapleton David Nottingham Evening Post 24 20 March 1995 Notts County took the lead after 14 minutes, when a long throw-in from Andy Legg deceived the Ascoli goalkeeper Marco Bizzarri and went straight over him into the net.Devon Cream Moore David Daily Mirror London 31 20 March 1995 Television replays showed that Legg's throw-in did not make any contact before it crossed the line,Central Sports Special ITV Central 19 March 1995, 05:42–05:52 but a goal was credited to Tony Agana,Rollin 1995 595 who was adjudged to have got a touch, though David Stapleton of the Nottingham Evening Post thought it a Bizzarri own goal. Ascoli made the score 1–1 in the 33rd minute through Walter Mirabelli, who took advantage of a mix-up in the Notts County defence to equalise from close range, but Notts County retook the lead shortly before half-time through a Devon White header.Notts' Silver Lining Carter Simon Derby Evening Telegraph 19 20 March 1995 There was no further scoring in the second half, Legg seeing a goal from a powerful free-kick disallowed, and the English side won the match 2–1. 19 March 1995 Notts County ENG 2–1 ITA Ascoli Report Agana 13 White 45 Mirabelli Walter Mirabelli 33 Wembley Stadium, London 11,704 C. Agius (Malta) Notts CountyPlayer positions taken from Ascoli V Notts County Official Matchday Programme 27 Notts County 19 March 1995. Squad numbers taken from Central Sports Special ITV Central 19 March 1995, 01:30–01:51 GK 1 ENG Steve Cherry 74DF 2 ENG Chris ShortDF 6 JAM Michael Johnson 74DF 5 AUS Shaun MurphyDF 3 ENG Gary MillsMF 4 ENG Phil TurnerFW 7 SCO Paul DevlinMF 10 ENG Michael SimpsonMF 11 WAL Andy LeggFW 8 ENG Devon WhiteFW 9 ENG Tony Agana 87Substitutes:GK ENG Paul Reece 74DF NGR Michael Emenalo 74DF ENG Tommy Gallagher 87Manager:ENG Howard KendallAscoliPlayer positions taken from Ascoli V Notts County Official Matchday Programme 26 Ascoli 19 March 1995. Squad numbers taken from Central Sports Special ITV Central 19 March 1995, 02:04–02:22 GK 1ITA Marco Bizzarri DF 6ITA Francesco Zanoncelli DF 5ITA Carlo Pascucci DF 2ITA Paolo Benetti MF 7ITA Jonatan Binotto 77 MF 10ITA Massimiliano Favo DF 4ITA Luca Marcato MF 8ITA Giovanni Bosi DF 3ITA Carmelo Mancuso 62 FW 9GER Oliver Bierhoff FW 11ITA Walter MirabelliSubstitutes: MF ITA Manuel Milana 62 MF ITA Michele Menolascina 77Manager:ITA Alberto Bigon Statistics Goalscorers A total of 98 goals were scored during the tournament. Excluding one own goal, there were 71 different goalscorers. The top scorer was Nicola Caccia of Ancona, who found the net five times during the competition.Rollin 1995 593–595 5 goals Nicola Caccia (Italy Ancona) 4 goals Oliver Bierhoff (Italy Ascoli) Paul Kitson (England Derby County) 3 goals Martin Carruthers (England Stoke City) Giuseppe Incocciati (Italy Ascoli) Andy Scott (England Sheffield United) 2 goals Tony Agana (England Notts County) Marco Barollo (Italy Venezia) Wayne Biggins (England Stoke City) John Butler (England Middlesbrough) Paul Devlin (England Notts County) Steve Hodge (England Derby County) Tommy Johnson (England Derby County) Andy Mutch (England Swindon Town) Orazio Russo (Italy Lecce) Giampaolo Saurini (Italy Atalanta) 1 goal John Aldridge (England Tranmere Rovers) Massimo Ambrosini (Italy Cesena) Gabriele Ambrosetti (Italy Venezia) Edoardo Artistico (Italy Ancona) Kwame Ayew (Italy Lecce) Christian Baglieri (Italy Ancona) Tony Battersby (England Sheffield United) Valerio Bertotto (Italy Udinese) Davide Bombardini (Italy Cesena) Valter Bonacina (Italy Atalanta) Enio Bonaldi (Italy Venezia) Massimo Brioschi (Italy Piacenza) Franz Carr (England Sheffield United) Tarcisio Catanese (Italy Ancona) Felice Centofanti (Italy Ancona) Rafaele Cerbone (Italy Venezia) John Clark (England Stoke City) Carlo Cornacchia (Italy Ancona) Gianluca De Angelis (Italy Ancona) Antonio De Vitis (Italy Piacenza) Keith Downing (England Middlesbrough) Daniele Fortunato (Italy Atalanta) John Gannon (England Sheffield United) Nigel Gleghorn (England Stoke City) Chris Hamon (England Swindon Town) Mark Hawthorne (England Sheffield United) Dario Hübner (Italy Cesena) David Kelly (England Wolverhampton Wanderers) Adrian Littlejohn (England Sheffield United) Chris Malkin (England Tranmere Rovers) Luca Marcato (Italy Ascoli) Pietro Mariani (Italy Venezia) Francesco Marino (Italy Udinese) Lee Mills (England Wolverhampton Wanderers) Valter Mirabelli (Italy Ascoli) Chris Marsden (England Notts County) Paolo Montero (Italy Atalanta) Jaime Moreno (England Middlesbrough) Chris Morris (England Middlesbrough) Shaun Murphy (England Notts County) Egidio Notaristefano (Italy Lecce) Fausto Pizzi (Italy Udinese) Mark Pembridge (England Derby County) John Reed (England Sheffield United) Leonardo Rodríguez (Italy Ancona) Alessio Scarchilli (Italy Udinese) Keith Scott (England Swindon Town) Mark Stallard (England Derby County) Pasquale Suppa (Italy Piacenza) Phil Turner (England Notts County) Mark Venus (England Wolverhampton Wanderers) Christian Vieri (Italy Venezia) Mitch Ward (England Sheffield United) Devon White (England Notts County) Paul Williams (England Derby County) 1 own goal Mark Rankine (against Italy Venezia) Reception and aftermath The Anglo-Italian Cup struggled to generate interest,Brown 1995 59 and there was criticism for the standard of the refereeing, low attendances, and the perceived distraction it caused to the league season. Some clubs used the event as an opportunity to field fringe players.https://calcioengland.com/2023/07/06/the-tempestuous-curtain-call-of-a-tournament-destined-to-fail-the-anglo-italian-cup-1992-96/ The Tempestuous Curtain Call of a Tournament Destined to Fail: The Anglo-Italian Cup 1992–96 Calcio England 18 January 2026 6 July 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20260113144426/https://calcioengland.com/2023/07/06/the-tempestuous-curtain-call-of-a-tournament-destined-to-fail-the-anglo-italian-cup-1992-96/ 13 January 2026 live The competition had also developed a reputation for violence, "more like the Aggro-Italian Cup" as one newspaper put it,Sports Paper Round Portsmouth Evening News 79 25 August 1994 and there were several contentious incidents during the 1994–95 edition. Glyn Hodges, who was one of the three Sheffield United players dismissed in their opening game with Udinese, later recalled that the experience caused Dave Bassett, his team's manager, to abandon any interest in progressing. There was speculation in the press about whether the tournament would continue,In Short Sunderland Daily Echo 48 20 March 1995Fans Cold Shoulder County's Day of Joy Wolverhampton Express & Star 40 20 March 1995 but it did for one more season, being cancelled in 1996 when the two leagues were unable to agree on scheduling. Notts County were ultimately the only English side to win the competition in the 1990s.https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/angloitalian.html Anglo-Italian Cups RSSSF 14 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20250820235327/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/angloitalian.html 20 August 2025 live It was Notts County's first triumph in a cup competition since winning the 1894 FA Cup final 101 years earlier, and proved a high point in a mostly poor season for the club which saw three managerial changes, an unsettled playing side, and culminated in relegation to the Football League Second Division, something which prevented them from defending their title the following season.Brown 1995 57 Ascoli were also relegated following the 1994–95 season, dropping to Serie C, and their semi-final victory over Ancona is regarded as one of their best results in a difficult period for the club.https://www.cronachepicene.it/2024/12/30/ascoli-amarcord-30-dicembre-una-data-da-ricordare/505525/ Ascoli amacord: 30 dicembre, una data da ricordare Cronache Picene 15 January 2026 30 December 2024 Linno Manni https://web.archive.org/web/20250120230432/https://www.cronachepicene.it/2024/12/30/ascoli-amarcord-30-dicembre-una-data-da-ricordare/505525/ 20 January 2025 live The opportunity to play at the original Wembley Stadium is also considered a highlight in Ascoli's history. References General Brown Tony 1995 Notts County F.C: The Official History, 1862–1995 Harefield Yore Publications 1-874427-61-5 Rollin Jack 1995 Rothmans Football Yearbook, 1995–96 London Headline 0-7472-7823-7 Specific Category:Anglo-Italian Cup Anglo-Italian Cup Anglo-Italian Cup