JAMES PIERCE has affectionate memories of Channel 4’s Italian fooball coverage

ith the nation’s fascination with everything Paul Gascoigne after his exploits at World Cup ’90 showing no  sign of abating, the production company Chrysalis set about securing a deal to televise Serie A games in the UK in time for his arrival in Italy. Its innovative coverage would quickly entrench itself in the hearts of millions of football fans and influence their weekend plans throughout the 1990s.

The sight of the Italian flag themed Channel 4 logo, sound of Defin...