Bull at the World Cup - memories of 1990

Villa midfielder David Platt struck late – as in 119th minute late – to win England's clash with Belgium in the second round of the World Cup.

And there was Wolves legend Steve Bull, "the people's choice" to play for his country, to celebrate with him.

Now, 25 years on from that memorable night in Bologna, Tim Spiers looks back at an Italian adventure – when Bully was at the heart of the nation's football conscience.

They were six weeks that changed English football forever.

England began Italia 90 with a reputation for boring football and rampant hooliganism.

By the end, thanks to Gazza, Lineker et al, Bobby Robson's team had reignited the country's love of the game.

Then aged 25, Bull had just scored a barely comprehensible 129 goals in three seasons, firing Wolves up the divisions and earning a place on the plane to Italy.

Many Wolves fans followed him there, while 1,000 sent good luck cards which were personally hand-delivered by our World Cup correspondent Martin Swain.

Bully penned a daily World Cup diary for the Express & Star and wrote shortly after arriving: "Here I am a thousand or so miles from home and about to take part in the greatest tournament the game offers – but I still miss everything back home and the (mail) delivery bought a lump to my throat and a real taste of the Black Country."

Drab England drew their opening game against Ireland – who had future Wolves boss Mick McCarthy in defence – with Bully getting six minutes off the bench.

Another goalless draw against Holland followed and fans started a campaign to get Bully in the team for the Egypt game.

Robson relented and unleashed Bully, but sadly for the Wanderers hitman he didn't find the net.

"I never got the service I thrive on at Wolves," he wrote.

"I desperately wanted to deliver to keep you all happy, but it just wasn't to be."

But he was clearly loving life with the cream of the England crop, even partying on Tranmere chairman Peter Johnson's yacht. He said: "There I was with Paul Gascoigne, John Barnes and Gary and Michelle Lineker, cracking a couple of beers and having plenty of laughs in millionaire style."

The front pages were dominated by tragic tales of hooliganism, but on the back England were thrilling the nation and the last-gasp win over Belgium was followed by a dramatic 3-2 extra time win over Cameroon in which Villa's Platt, whose performances earned him a big-money move to Italy, again scored.

Platt started the famous semi-final against Germany and Bully was primed to come on as sub. But then Gary Lineker equalised and Bully returned to the bench.

Bully's – and England's – dreams soon died and the adventure was over after a cruel penalty shoot-out defeat with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle the fall-guys

The Wolves man said: "I don't mind admitting there were a few tears about: you can hardly blame them. The boys gave everything they had left to give and to be beaten like that leaves you totally shattered."

English football would never be the same again.

As for Bully, far from letting fame go to his head he signed a contract extension with Wolves when he returned home.

"I was overwhelmed by the fans' backing and the best way I could repay them was to commit myself to Wolves for another two years," a proud Bully said.

*Read Bully's reflections 25 years on in this Saturday's Express & Star.