Donald Trump once helped conduct the English League Cup draw

In a matter of days, Donald Trump could become one of the most powerful people on the planet. Twenty-five years ago, he found himself drawing Norwich and Middlesbrough out of a green felt bag in the League Cup quarterfinal draw.

The bizarre clash of worlds occurred in December 1991, when a British film crew were in New York City to film the qualifying draw for the 1994 World Cup. While in the Big Apple, the crew needed to take care of the matter of drawing the final eight teams in the League Cup. According to The Guardian, relatively-fresh-faced 45-year-old Trump had already agreed to an interview and subsequently agreed to the help decide the fate of England’s second-biggest cup contest.

Ian St. John and World Cup winner Jimmy Greaves – who formed a formidable double act on British screens as “Saint and Greavesy” – were invited to a boardroom in Trump Tower, along with FA Secretary David Dent.

Before the fun began, Greaves made a joke comparing the impressive boardroom to that of Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis. This elicited a big laugh from Trump, despite that fact that it was unlikely he had heard of the Villa owner (although he may have had something in common with the famously ruthless millionaire entrepreneur).

In conversation, Trump admitted he played soccer in high school and that he believes it is a “great game.” (Evidently, his love of the word “great” goes back a long way.) He seems to be in good spirits and is rewarded for his patient participation with a mug. No doubt he keeps it beside his taco bowls on his desk today.

In the League Cup that season, Manchester United triumphed over Nottingham Forest in the final.

As far as FC Yahoo is aware, no complaints were made by any parties about the quarterfinal draw being rigged.