Esmond Million

Esmond Million is a former goalkeeper for Bristol Rovers. Part of the betting syndicate that rocked English football in the early Sixties, the Bristol Rovers goalkeeper was due to be paid £300 to throw a match against Bradford Park Avenue in April, 1963 but never made a penny and ended up banned.

In debt following his move from Middlesbrough, Million had failed to find a buyer for his bungalow up North and was trying to hold things together when he received a mysterious phone call asking him to throw a game in return for money. Tempted by the offer, Million agreed to the proposal and received £50 in advance. Unfortunately for him, his team mates played well against Bradford and Rovers were 2-0 up before Million had even touched the ball. He managed to concede two goals before half time but in the second half the Bristol defence stood firm and the game finished 2-2.

Million posted back his advance and waited for the consequences. They weren't long in coming and at training the following week, Rovers manager Bert Tann accused his goalie of throwing the game. Million confessed and was reported to the FA. He was eventually charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act, found guilty and fined £50. Three weeks later he was banned from football for life.

"Taken from the website Goalkeepers Are Different"

References

* [http://www.goalkeepersaredifferent.com/keeper/lawframe.htm Goalkeepers Are Different]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5172576.stm The worst scandal of them all]