England v Germany: Wolves legend recalls how Gary Lineker stopped him having a crack at the Germans

Jun 27 2010 by Bill Howell, Sunday Mercury

Wolves legend Steve Bull, the Tipton Terrier - Bully could have graced any Premiership side but through loyalty he chose to stay at Wolves.

STEVE Bull has recalled how golden boy Gary Lineker came between him and a chance to put the Germans to the sword ahead of today’s crucial World Cup clash.

Few may remember that Bull actually replaced David Platt in the final seconds of stoppage time against Belgium at Italia ’90 – immediately after Platt had volleyed England into a incredible 1-0 119th minute lead.

It was Bull’s fourth appearance of the World Cup finals for Bobby Robson’s men after playing the final minutes of the opening draw with Ireland as a sub for Lineker, coming on before the hour for Chris Waddle against Holland and starting against Egypt.

But Bull remained on the bench when England faced West Germany in the semi-finals – although it was a case of ‘what might have been’ before Lineker pounced with an 80th minute leveller.

“Sir Bobby Robson had told me to warm up and I was about to go on when Gary Lineker scored not long before the end,” Bull recalls.

“I thought that Bobby might have put me on and given the side some fresh legs in extra-time. In fact all of the boys on the bench were hoping to get on. But I think that there was only one substitution by us in the whole game.”

Bull, whose international career was over four months and two games after that infamous night in Turin, is optimistic of a Three Lions victory in Bloemfontein today, despite their earlier troubles against the USA and Algeria.