YOUNGSTERS aspire to be like their role models, so when Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace fan at Selhurst Park in 1995 it led to a kiddy combat craze across the country.

News Shopper documented this juvenile delight in fighting for sport, with a Bromley front page showing two children happily hitting each other with giant inflatable cotton buds.

They were taking part in activities at Bromley Pavillion based around ITV’s popular show Gladiators, however the youngsters were disappointed their favourite part of the programme - John Fashanu repeatedly and uncontrollably shouting “Awooga” - was not included in the day.

There was a threat of more sporting violence when young brothers were divided by their football teams as Charlton played Millwall at The Valley, with Shaun Cross leading out Charlton and Lee Cross leading out Millwall, both as mascots.

Fortunately the game ended a draw, quashing any chance of revenge-fuelled violence, and the names Cain and Abel and Romulus and Remus were not joined in the history books by Shaun and Lee.

Play-fighting landed a Catford man in court in November 1995, when he pointed a toy pistol at two brothers during a road rage incident on Lewisham Way.

However, he was cleared of all charges after telling the court he was so terrified when the brothers jumped out of their car and surrounded him, he pulled out a toy pistol and pointed it at them before ramming their car to clear a path to drive away.

On a lighter note, Susie the eight-year-old cat from Brockley lost more than 3kg - a third of her weight - over five months in 1995, meaning she could finally fit through her cat-flap.

The source of the lost flab became apparent when Susie’s owner described what she fed her: “I used to cook chicken, boiled fish and salmon for her.”

Susie was one of Whiskas super slimmers of 1995, but her prize did seem rather inappropriate for a feline with weight problems - a year’s supply of cat food.

In 1995: - In cinema the big films were Toy Story, Batman Forever, Apollo 13, GoldenEye, Jumanji, Seven and Braveheart, with the latter winning the best picture oscar.

- In music the top selling singles were Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise, Shaggy’s Boombastic, Take That’s Back For Good, Michael Jackson’s You Are Not Alone and Rednex’s Cotton Eye Joe.

- On television the BBC’s hugely popular Pride and Prejudice adaptation was shown for the first time, causing many a housewife to swoon, and Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks made its debut.

- Notable births included ER and 8 mile actress Chloe Greenfield, Nanny McPhee and The Catherine Tate Show actress Jennifer Rae Daykin and The Chronicles of Narnia actress Georgie Henley.

- Notable deaths included former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, serial killer Fred West, comedian Peter Cook, TV presenter Larry Grayson and actor and crooner Dean Martin.

1995 Star Fact: - On January 25 Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona launched a kung-fu style kick on Crystal Palace supporter Matthew Simmons after being sent off in a game at Selhurst Park, leading to a ban from playing until September 30 that year and a criminal conviction.