It was in the 1960s, however, that Rovers became a footballing force to be reckoned with.

Cantona is often regarded as having played a key role in the revival of Manchester United as a footballing force and he enjoys iconic status at the club.

Since the heyday of players like Carlos Valderrama, Colombia have lost their way as a footballing force.

After a brief period in which their town rivals Dunărea were the prominent club, Oțelul emerged as the main footballing force of the region.

But even the pragmatic McGilligan is forced to admit that Derry's emergence as a major footballing force is the stuff of which dreams are made.

Although the discontent of their fans grew, Pakhtakor's reemergence as a major footballing force followed fast upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

And England manager Taylor, whose departure five years ago signalled Watford's decline as a footballing force, was there to witness their greatest night since those days.

Manchester United re-emerged as a footballing force under new manager Matt Busby.

Local businessman Jack Hayward took the club over in 1990, and declared his ambition to restore Wolves as a major footballing force.

In 1991 Sherwood AFC merged with the Western Districts to form the West Brisbane Australian Football Club, which could be a single footballing force in Brisbane's western suburbs.