The Extraordinary story of the New York Cosmos

What a blast the New York Cosmos must have been back in the 1970s!

Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos is a documentary about one man and his dream to turn what was not much more than a pub team playing in a delapidated stadium into one of the best. If you love football, you will adore this DVD. If you don't you'll still enjoy it, as this is as much about all the clashing of egos as much as what happens on the pitch.

The USA is not normally a country associated with the beautiful game. However, in the 70s the nation was indulging in a love affair of its own, with the game they called soccer.

It all began with an entertainment mogul called Steve Ross, who ran Warner Communications. Ross was the Rupert Murdoch of his day, owning record companies and film studios. One day in 19, he decided that he wanted to buy a soccer team, as you do if you’re a millionaire. Does this story sound familiar? His eye fell on a very poor team of amateurs called the New York Cosmos, but Ross decided to buy them anyway. When they not surprisingly failed to set the world on fire, he decided that he could buy in talent, and set his eyes on the best. In no time he recruited Pele (which was a massive coup), the Italian striker Giorgio Canaglia, and German captain Franz Beckenbauer; luring them with lucrative contracts.

With their star studded foundation, the Cosmos set out to conquer the world. They toured Europe and very quickly built a fanbase that included film stars, rock stars and politicians. Pele, as a living legend and ambassador for the game, was a key element of the Cosmos’ success, even though he was past his prime. Once in a Lifetime underlines Pele’s cultural importance. These star footballers were the precursors of today’s stars, hanging out, drinking and partying at the trendy Studio 54 nightclub in Manhattan.

The Cosmos blazed a trail and other US teams sat up and took notice. Soon the rest of the North American Soccer League (NASL) franchises began to import talent including, briefly, George Best who played for the Los Angeles Aztecs, Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Rodney Marsh, who tells the story of how they sabotaged Pele and Canaglia’s game by once having their plane flight met by a limo, some blondes, and a bottle or two of Chivas Regal.

Although the wheels came completely off in the early 80s it was clearly huge fun whilst the show was on the road. As a football fan what would I have given to have Pele and Beckenbauer in my team (maybe even the crazy Chinaglia too). Football is all about passion and dreams and the management team at the Cosmos delivered the fantasy in spades.

The film runs at a slick pace and there are lots of funny moment. It’s got all the ingredients of a Jackie Collins’ bonkbuster – sex, excess, egos, perms, and a great soundtrack and is now available to buy in all good stockists.

Related Links:

Once in a lifetime website