Ten years before, when the 1960s gave way to the 70s, English football faced the specific question of whether England would retain the World Cup in 1970 and the yearly issue of who would be crowned league champions.
The title, having been won by four different teams in the second half of the 1960s, would subsequently see a fifth fly the pennant when Everton finished top of the pile in 1969-70. England, however, would come unstuck in Mexico, their quarter-final defeat commencing a decade that produced far more questions than answers for the national team – yet on the home front, at least where Division One was concerned, relative certainty eventually emerged.
Between 1966 and 1970, Leeds United, along with both Manchester and Mersey clubs each won the championship, yet over the corresponding period during the 1970s, only wild card wonders Nottingham Forest managed to break the strangle hold applied from the red side of Stanley Park.
Simply totting up all their trophy triumphs through this era, (such domination bringing no let-up as the 80s unfolded), is to sometimes forget just how much dynamic and expressive football Liverpool played in creating this unparalleled run of success – able to adapt a precise but fast-paced style to any circumstances or conditions.
On occasion opposition could raise their game and inflict a rare defeat – but week in, week out, if Liverpool played well, they generally won.
Repeatedly winning the league and also lifting, then retaining, the European Cup, as they had done in recent seasons demanded unrelenting consistency – something Brian Clough and Peter Taylor had instilled into their Nottingham Forest charges at the City Ground. If rising from Division Two to then run away with the title 12 months later had been astounding, then advancing to the lift the European Cup in May 1979 was nothing short of miraculous.
Lifting the League Cup in successive seasons along the way only served to emphasise just how proficient Forest had become – and setting out on their defence of both trophies, the mantle of League and European Cup holders would not be taken from them easily. Scanning the field in Europe it was hard to spot anyone with the craft to overcome this most disciplined and determined of teams over two-legs.
Elsewhere, the 1979-80 season would see suspects usual and otherwise make their presence felt. Arsenal reached a third successive FA Cup Final and also battled through to the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final, only to finish a marathon season when they often played in attractive manner, empty-handed.
Conquered at Wembley by West Ham, The Hammers became the third second division club in eight seasons to win the cup. Two weeks earlier they were beaten by visiting Shrewsbury as a modest league campaign approached the finish line, but in taking the FA Cup to Upton Park for the second time in five years showed themselves a first class side in second class surroundings.
The purposeful football played by Aston Villa and Ipswich Town equated to more steady progress, although even bigger steps would soon be taken by both. Manchester United managed a concerted title challenge, but paid dearly for unmitigated missteps, one such reversal coming in the last Manchester derby of 1970s – defeat at Maine Road all the more surprising as City, despite the big spending of manager Malcolm Allison, spent two weeks out of every three either floundering or flattering to deceive.
In ending the recent League Cup domination of Nottingham Forest, Wolves collected their first silverware since winning the same trophy six years before. After receiving a million pounds from Manchester City for midfielder Steve Daley, they handed that sum and a bit more to Aston Villa for striker Andy Gray – the Scottish international making an immediate impact in scoring the Wembley winner against Forest. He also played a significant role in hoisting the Molineux club to their highest league placing since 1973, Wolves having spent a year outside the top flight on being relegated in 1976.
But if the signing of Gray and League Cup triumph felt like the start of a new golden age it soon began to resemble a mirage, Wolves, on losing momentum as quickly as they found it, finding themselves back in the second division a little over two years later.
Not that such an eventuality looked likely as the curtain came down not just on 1979, but 70s football as a whole. The decade had produced the most enthralling entertainment imaginable, ranging from gripping title races to cup shocks to extraordinary FA Cup Final victories. At the same time came a rise in sickening crowd violence and abhorrent racist chanting with worse in both respects still to come.
Yet despite the insidiousness of its associated ills, all through the 1970s English domestic football retained its capacity to excite and enthrall – perhaps to a level it would never quite reach again.
TWENTY GREAT GAMES of 1979-80:
WOLVES 1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 – Football League Cup Final (15/3/1980): Making their third successive appearance in the League Cup Final, on having won the previous two it is somewhat ironic to reflect Nottingham Forest saved their best performance for the last in the trilogy, but contrive to lose.
Which is not to denigrate a spirited display from Wolves, who would play much better on many occasions during a solid campaign, a sixth-placed finish representing their best return in eight seasons – but in this instance it was fortitude and good fortune that saw them through.
With Martin O’Neill, John Robertson and Ian Bowyer to the fore Forest dominate possession, but for all their pressure fail to convert any of the chances offering possibilities to break the deadlock.
When the decisive moment arrives it is more gift than goal scoring opportunity – central defender David Needham and Peter Shilton share a communication melt down in dealing with a long ball from Wolves midfield man Peter Daniel, Needham inadvertently chesting the ball beyond his goalkeeper which allows Andy Gray the simple task of scoring into an empty net.
Through the twenty three minutes that remain Forest are rarely out of their opponents half, only for a leveler to elude them. Wolves duly survive to be led on their lap of honour by skipper Emlyn Hughes who collects virtually the only piece of silverware not to come his way during a trophy laden Anfield career – the England international defender having been signed from Liverpool the previous summer.
In repeating their League Cup Final success of 1974, along with the high-profile signing of Gray and European football to come, a new era appeared to be dawning at Molineux. Yet it proved more false dawn than fresh start – Wolves finding themselves playing second division football before 1982 was out.
LIVERPOOL 3 ARSENAL 1 – FA Charity Shield (11/8/1979): Seven days after the traditional curtain raiser to the new season, The Who blasted out plenty of their incredible repertoire at the same venue – but not even the world’s greatest rock band imposed themselves on Wembley in the way Liverpool did in this Charity Shield demolition of FA Cup holders Arsenal.
Having broken all manner of records in regaining the title five months earlier, Liverpool are not just quickly back at the races, but even before a ball has been kicked in true anger look way ahead of the field.
Such is the precision and penetration of their play, Arsenal spend the opening half an hour merely hanging on. In making a fine 35th minute save to thwart a Frank Stapleton header, goalkeeper Ray Clemence shows he has come not just to spectate – but in the next breath Liverpool sweep into the lead, Terry McDermott firing the league champions ahead on receiving a sublime pass from Ray Kennedy.
Midway through the second half Alan Hansen demonstrates the sharp football brain that would serve him well in his future career as a pundit in foiling an Arsenal attempt to use the offside trap, the Scottish central defender creating the opening for Kenny Dalglish to fire home the second – the reigning ‘Footballer of the Year‘ then turning provider when McDermott scores his second with twenty minutes left.
To accompany their rousing performance The Who utilised a spectacular lighting display – the football played by Liverpool a week earlier possessing the same level of illumination.
MANCHESTER CITY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 0 – (10/11/1979): Even taking into account the vagaries of a local derby, a team riding high in the table would still be fancied to overcome a home side bumping along in the bottom half.
In a season when they would finish runners-up to Liverpool – and in doing so recording their highest placing for twelve years – days such as this would haunt United, dropping points in a game they were expected to win, ninety minutes spent not looking altogether convincing at either end of the pitch.
Things may have been different had a first half Steve Coppell shot hit the back of the net rather than rebound to safety off a post, but on a rare occasion through the campaign when City play with the purpose of a team rather than expensively gathered soloists, they record a deserved victory – well taken second half goals from Tony Henry and Michael Robinson doing the trick.
There are instances when the costly overhaul of the playing staff being undertaken by manager Malcolm Allison, (Steve Daley here reaching his Maine Road highwater mark), looks to be paying dividend – but three defeats in the next four games is more reflective of the fitful season City would endure.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 HAMBURG 0 – European Cup Final (28/5/1980): If stylish power pop merchants Squeeze acquitted themselves well as a late 70s version of Muswell Hill maestros The Kinks, then in continuing the North London theme, by the final years of the decade a resemblance could be seen between Nottingham Forest and the Arsenal double-winning side of 1971.
Bear with. Both had a resolute defence, every member of the side knew exactly their role and each were blessed with a box of tricks match winner capable of adding the ‘X’ factor when something extra was needed to win a tight game – Arsenal blessed with the mercurial talents of Charlie George, Forest having the equally gifted John Robertson to call upon.
For sheer bloody-mindedness combined with a moment of sheer bloody brilliance Arsenal reached their peak with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Liverpool in the 1971 FA Cup Final, clinching the ‘double’ through combativeness and classy winning goal from George. Much the same applied to Forest as they pulled off the remarkable feat of retaining the European Cup – victory in the final against Hamburg attained through clear-minded application and decisive strike from Robertson.
That said, their triumph also owed much to a sterling display from England international goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who had already made a smart save to deny Hamburg skipper Peter Nogly before Scotsman Robertson fires past opposing ‘keeper Rudi Kargus in the 20th minute – the low drive is sweetly struck, although at the other end it would be one Forest would have expected their goalkeeper to save.
Before half-time Shilton excels again in denying Jurgen Milewski whose opportunity has been created by England captain Kevin Keegan – but on a night when the Forest ‘keeper appears unbeatable, his finest moment comes in palming away a second half Nogly effort destined for the top corner.
When skipper John McGovern once more holds the cup aloft – the trophy heading to England for the fourth season in a row – the significance in regard to East Midlands football during the past five years is impossible to miss.
When Brian Clough arrived at second division Forest in January 1975 Derby County, whom he guided to the league title in 1972, were in the midst of a campaign (and now managed by Dave Mackay) when they would again win the first division. While his Forest players ran around the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid again parading the European Cup, back at the Baseball Ground they were facing up to the prospect of second division football after a poor season resulted in relegation.
WEST HAM UNITED 1 ARSENAL 0 – FA Cup Final (10/5/1980): In reflecting upon the first FA Cup Final of the new decade, it is tempting to conclude this is the last of its kind.
All these years later the likelihood of another second division side (Championship for younger readers), winning the FA Cup remains one of the great improbabilities of the time, yet back then the eventuality was not that uncommon – West Ham adding to the achievements in recent years of Sunderland and Southampton.
The odds were against them overcoming a strong Arsenal side who were back beneath the Twin Towers with the aim of retaining a trophy that had been at Highbury since victory over Manchester United twelve months before. But after a marathon season when they had finished fourth, won through to the League Cup semi-finals, needed three games to overcome Liverpool at the last four stage of the FA Cup and with the Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Valencia soon to come, Arsenal soon look jaded in the stifling Wembley heat – this in contrast to West Ham who are lively and combative from the off.
They take a deserved first half lead when Trevor Brooking scores at close range, the England international netting with a rare header. It is an advantage West Ham rarely look likely to surrender, despite Arsenal dominating possession after half time, the first division side seemingly running on fumes rather than cup tie fire.
Indeed, as the final whistle looms the underdogs go close to making the score line more emphatic – teenage midfielder Paul Allen (at seventeen then the youngest player to appear in a Wembley FA Cup Final), is clear through on goal when he is tripped by Willie Young, the Arsenal central defender shown a yellow card for the offence, this in a time prior to automatic red cards for a professional foul.
Immediately maintaining a sequence of winning the FA Cup in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, it stands as the last major honour won by West Ham, this triumph all the more notable as they would soon be starting their third season outside the top flight.
With the passing of time Championship clubs have become preoccupied with boarding the Premier League gravy train rather than contemplate the glory of a victorious FA Cup run – not that followers of Sunderland, Southampton and West Ham would have wanted the promotion alternative back in the day.
ENGLAND 3 ARGENTINA 1 – International friendly (13/5/1980): ‘Now you know the publicity has not lied‘ remarks commentator Barry Davies after Diego Maradona has beaten four England defenders in the space of five yards – this devastating burst of pace and breathtaking piece of close quarter skill resulting in the 19 year-old firing past Ray Clemence but narrowly wide of the far post.
Not only were the white shirted opposition staggered by his audacious skill set, many on the Wembley terraces, including your genial host here at SAMTIMONIOUS.com, were shaking their heads in disbelief at what they had just seen.
Including six of the side who won the World Cup on home soil two years before – although surprisingly not Osvaldo Ardiles by now wowing crowds in a Spurs shirt at nearby White Hart Lane – Argentina, with Maradona prominent, were always likely to provide a stern test for England ahead of the forthcoming European Championship Finals.
But it is one the home side rise to. Tony Woodcock and Dave Watson both test World Cup winner Ubaldo Fillol before England edge ahead three minutes before half time, David Johnson scoring with a firm header on receipt of a superb Steve Coppell centre.
Early in the second half Watson clatters Maradona from behind in brutal fashion (Davies describing the challenge as ‘an hour late‘ – this a foretaste of the brutal treatment he would receive at the ’82 World Cup), but there is also an attractive side to England, Johnson extending the lead after excellent work from Liverpool team-mate Ray Kennedy.
When Maradona is upended in the box by Kenny Sansom, World Cup winning captain Daniel Passerella reduces the deficit from the ensuing penalty, but on a night when most of the talk has been about Maradona, the last word goes to England – who cap a fine display and ensure a sixth successive win when skipper and reigning ‘European Footballer of the Year‘ Kevin Keegan finishes smartly on being set up to score by Coppell.
During a 1986 World Cup quarter-final of some repute, on watching Maradona score a goal boasting incredible individual ability, some of us were transported back to a Wembley night at the start of the decade – a six year journey from wonderkid to greatest footballer of his generation now complete.
EVERTON 2 IPSWICH TOWN 1 – FA Cup sixth round (8/3/1980): The basic premise of that old expression ‘They’re playing badly enough to win the cup‘ is a team who were hopeless in the league yet faultless when the FA Cup came around – which makes it nigh-on certain the adage would have been used in relation to Everton at this juncture.
With only one win their last eleven Division One outings these were grim times in the land of Evertonia, the vista only brightened by three FA Cup victories (centre forward Bob Latchford scoring in every round), which had carried them through to the last eight. Here, they were paired with an incisive, in-form Ipswich side, whose twenty match unbeaten league and cup run included a 4-0 drubbing of the Toffees a month before this Merseyside quarter-final.
Making a mockery of their abject league performances Everton play with purpose and intent. The classy John Gidman pops up all over the field, delivering a superb centre from the outside left position that allows Latchford to maintain his cup strike rate with a well taken 28th minute header.
With plenty of second half action to keep a fired up Goodison in full cry, the tie is heading toward an exciting climax when Brian Kidd ignores hoarding notices around the ground stating ‘Please Refrain from Throwing Missiles‘ in dispatching one from his left foot as the home side extend their lead with twelve minutes left.
With 60 seconds remaining Kevin Beattie reduces the deficit by nodding home from close range, but Everton hold on to clinch a semi-final place. So when they draw second division West Ham in the last four (thus avoiding Liverpool and Arsenal) and continue their dismal sequence of league results, it seems the old proverb might just be coming true.
Latchford duly maintains his FA Cup goal-a-game sequence in an semi-final replay, but when The Hammers win through with a last gasp winner, talk switches from a team playing badly enough to win the cup to one whom it is said ‘Their name must be on it.’
That, however, is a different FA Cup conversation altogether.
HALIFAX TOWN 1 MANCHESTER CITY 0 – FA Cup third round (5/1/1980): Through five months when they had been cursing the inconsistency of their team, Manchester City supporters must have wondered whether to laugh or cry when it emerged hypnotist Ronald Markham – who went under the stage name Romark – had put a curse on the side ahead of their FA Cup tie at fourth division Halifax Town.
Offering his services to Halifax boss George Kirby, Romark had a longstanding dispute with Malcolm Allison due to allegations he had never been paid when the City manager had used him when in charge of Crystal Palace – claiming his voodoo played a part in the Selhurst Park club losing a 1976 FA Cup semi-final against Southampton.
24 hours before the visit of Manchester City, Romark met the Halifax players to convince them they would win, perhaps also assuring the team they would wake up the following morning adept at potholing – a useful mind game to play given the pitch at The Shay was a muddy mix of quagmire and divots.
Maybe a team talk of transcendental rather than tactical nature had the desired effect. On a surface with the consistency of a cabbage patch Halifax, who had twice applied for re-election in the past three seasons, give a good account of themselves and although goalkeeper John Kilner twice comes to their rescue, at the other end England international Joe Corrigan is no less busy.
Having been eliminated at third division Shrewsbury the previous season, the visitors are anxious to avoid any more FA Cup embarrassment but their insistence in playing a passing game sets them on a road to nowhere rather than round four – and fittingly this rousing contest is decided by the stand out move of the match.
With fourteen minutes left, Andy Stafford and John Smith combine well in setting up a shooting chance for Paul Hendrie, the midfield man (and father of future Aston Villa player Lee), sending a fierce left foot drive beyond Corrigan and into the net.
At the final whistle there was celebration and recrimination – Halifax toasting their shock success with champagne, the City players receiving an hour long dressing room dressing down from Allison.
The Maine Road boss reacted to the defeat in somewhat predictable fashion as four weeks later he paid Norwich over a million pounds for striker Kevin Reeves – and while few doubted he had bought a player of genuine talent, money would have been better spent on clearing the alleged debt to Romark, City failing to win any of their next fifteen league fixtures.
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 ARSENAL 0 – (29/12/1979): If, by common consent, Liverpool were the best all-round team around as 1979 came to a close, then a meeting of Manchester United and Arsenal at the year end represented, by and large, a fixture between the best of the rest – the hosts’ setting out their credentials as the most likely to mount a title challenge by virtue of an impressive victory.
Over a tricky, snow-sprinkled surface blows a literal chill wind (unlike the metaphorical one that blew through Old Trafford during the early years of the decade), although United look to be ending the 70s in better fettle than which they started. Even with Best, Law and Charlton on the scene it is unlikely they could have helped better a sparkling first half display that produces goals for Gordon McQueen and Joe Jordan – the latter tapping home from six yards after Arsenal have been torn open by the vision and skill of Ray Wilkins.
To their credit the visitors refuse to feel sorry for themselves and maintain a counter-attack threat but the game is up when Sammy McIlroy converts a 70th minute penalty – although on the evidence of an entertaining contest both camps can look forward to the months ahead with quiet optimism.
Yet after warming the hands and hearts of their followers on a wintry day there would be new year numbness for those of United persuasion – Dave Sexton’s side dropping points in five of their next seven league games.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 7 BURNLEY 0 – (27/10/1979): Already an unnerving prospect for a teenage goalkeeper making his first team debut at second division level, the task even more daunting when lining up in a team who ten weeks into the season have yet to win a league game.
Such were the circumstances surrounding the senior debut of nineteen year-old Billy O’Rourke when picked by Burnley boss Brian Miller for this late October visit to Loftus Road. At the final whistle poor Billy left the field in tears – although he must have felt like weeping almost from the start as the Clarets are systematically slaughtered down in Shepherd’s Bush.
Their afternoon of woe in W12 begins when an experienced group of defenders contrive to put Rangers opener on a plate for Paul Goddard, O’Rourke equally blameless when the home side quickly double their advantage, a shot from Don Shanks sailing into the net after deflecting off full-back Ian Brennan.
With sufficient firepower in their ranks not to need generosity from the opposition, QPR through Goddard and David McCreery find the net twice more before the break, the second half bringing slight improvement to the defensive ineptitude only to the extent of Rangers scoring just three more. Clive Allen twice (one a penalty) and Glenn Roeder add their names to the scoresheet, the seventh goal such a pantomime Sunday league defenders would have thought twice about going to the pub afterward due to the ridicule they could expect.
Come the end of the season, QPR would finish just short of the promotion frame, while Burnley, unsurprisingly, found themselves relegated in finishing a long way from safety. Two clubs whose fortunes were not dissimilar during the mid-70s (promoted to Division One together in 1972-73, Rangers stayed three seasons longer) could soon be found winning and losing in a game of football snakes and ladders – QPR returned to the top flight in 1983, Burnley on the other hand eventually dropped into Division Four where in 1987 they only just avoided relegation to Conference.
As for Billy O’Rourke, his subsequent career would involve much happier days, once winning ‘Player of the Year‘ during a fondly remembered two season mid-80s spell with Blackpool. Sadly life, like his league debut would involve a cruel twist, O’Rourke passing away from a brain hemorrhage at the age of just 41 in January 2002.
NORWICH CITY 3 LIVERPOOL 5 – (9/2/1980): Given they were so consistently formidable, most strategies designed to topple Liverpool, be they defend and counter, pack the midfield or sit deep and hope for the best, usually came unstuck – so hats off to Norwich boss John Bond for coming up with something different, namely taking them on in wide open fashion.
It didn’t work – but at the same time made for the most enthralling match of the season.
It appeared Bond might be on to something when Martin Peters scores after just 90 seconds, the World Cup winner netting with a close range header in showing his penalty area awareness had not diminished a jot down the years.
By the 20th minute, however, the strategy began to look reckless rather than brave, Norwich twice cut to pieces as David Fairclough helps himself to a brace – but the home side continue to play in a positive manner and level before half-time through Kevin Reeves.
After the break there is no let up in the cut and thrust, the only surprise being it takes 29 second half minutes for another goal to arrive, Kenny Dalglish leading the counterattack from which Fairclough completes his hat-trick in restoring the visitors lead.
While this remarkable contest had already hit the heights, ‘classic’ status is affirmed when Justin Fashanu equalises for Norwich with the BBC ‘Goal of the Season‘. Dispatching a stunning twenty five yard volley past Ray Clemence, this brilliantly struck shot is befitting of the Maracanã let alone a murky afternoon in Norfolk.
After producing such sumptuous entertainment both sides could have been forgiven in quietly playing out time in order to ensure some reward for their efforts, but Norwich, still gamely pushing for a winner, are exposed when Dalglish secures the points with just two minutes left – the hosts still in a state of shock when he scores again with the last kick.
All of which leaves Norwich to depart the field with the smaller share of eight goals and to reflect on a flamboyant, but ultimately failed plan to stop Liverpool.
SWINDON TOWN 4 ARSENAL 3 (after extra-time) – League Cup fifth round replay (11/12/1979): It would be something of an understatement to say these two clubs had previous when it came to the League Cup. In 1969 the Wiltshire side had pulled off the giantkilling feat of defeating Arsenal in the final – their 3-1 extra-time victory over The Gunners on a mud bath Wembley pitch, the most extraordinary League Cup Final result on record.
When the 1979-80 competition brought them together at the quarter final stage Swindon were still a third division outfit, but Arsenal, after some lean mid-decade seasons following the ‘double’ triumph of 1971, were back in the trophy winning business having won the FA Cup six months before.
But being FA Cup holders had counted for little when being held to a Highbury draw in a League Cup quarter final they were expected to win comfortably. Arsenal with a busy December league schedule, European campaign underway and defence of the FA Cup to come, could have well done without a midweek visit to the County Ground – although a host of international players were still expected to secure a semi-final place even if it came at the second attempt.
Between the first tie and replay Swindon had dished out an 8-0 hammering to Bury, their confidence receiving a ninth minute boost when facing Arsenal again, the visitors defence so perplexed by a Brian Williams cross that full-back Steve Walford heads it past Pat Jennings and into his own net.
Fate continues to favour the brave and when Alan Mayes tries his luck from distance in the 20th minute the ball deflects beyond Jennings off John Hollins as the Arsenal goalkeeper is beaten for a second time. On the hour Liam Brady reduces the deficit, but six minutes later it’s 1969 all over again, Chris Kamara claiming the final touch in a goalmouth scramble as Swindon establish a 3-1 lead.
But with the majestic Brady continuing to carry the fight they have no time to relax – the Irish midfielder scoring again to bring Arsenal back into contention. The home side then have their hopes of reaching the final whistle without further alarm dashed – Brian Talbot taking the tie to extra-time by heading in a Brady centre with time almost up.
With the game deep into the additional half hour, a second replay looks the most likely outcome, (this in a time before penalty shoot-outs), until the 116th minute that is – at which moment a loose ball in the Arsenal penalty area falls to Andy Rowland who from eight yards fires Swindon into the semi-final.
After maintaining their League Cup hold over Arsenal, Swindon progress to face Wolves – the Molineux men needing all their first division expertise to overcome a concerted effort by the Robins to once more reach Wembley.
IPSWICH TOWN 6 MANCHESTER UNITED 0 – (1/3/1980): When reflecting on this extraordinary fixture all this time later, you do wonder how badly a team standing second in the table and fielding eleven international players could have played in losing so heavily – and even then considering themselves fortunate not to have lost by a greater margin.
Even during the relegation season of 1973-74 Manchester United were not routed to such an extent, their 1980 title aspirations looking in a sorry state after this Portman Road pummeling.
The first place to look for fault in being beaten so comprehensively would be with the goalkeeper – although by a curious twist of fate Gary Bailey is the only United player to emerge from a day of defensive chaos with credit. Despite conceding six he saves three first half penalties – denying Frans Thijssen and Kevin Beattie twice (one a retake after encroachment) – at a point when the rout is already well underway.
Before the half hour mark Alan Brazil and a Paul Mariner brace have ended all notion of a contest as third placed Ipswich play through their hapless visitors in neat and fluid fashion. Not even shortcomings from the penalty spot (which all occur before half-time) can interrupt their momentum. Second half goals from Thijssen, Brazil and a Mariner tap-in – that rounds things off with his hat-trick – give the score line a surprise, but realistic appearance given the chances to have come the way of Bobby Robson’s men.
Ironically United would keep a clean sheet in their next two fixtures, but at the same time complete an unwanted hat-trick in failing to score in any of this trio of games.
WEST HAM UNITED 1 ASTON VILLA 0 – FA Cup sixth round (1/3/1980): Having been present for his fair share of big football occasions down the years, when commentator Brian Moore says just before kick-off of this second v first division cup encounter, ‘a tightly packed Upton Park crowd create an atmosphere that cannot be bettered anywhere,’ it is a remark worth noting.
The home side in particular respond to the crescendo by the sell out attendance, the noise barely abating from first minute to last – in fact it is louder than ever at the end as The Hammers snatch victory with virtually the last kick.
With Trevor Brooking and Alan Devonshire displaying a superb range of passing, West Ham belie their underdog status. The Villa defence is kept on a permanent state of alarm as goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer twice saves well from David Cross but looks on in relief when an Alvin Martin header flashes just wide. The home side retain the initiative into the second half yet with Geoff Pike heading into the side netting their best chance of victory appears to have gone.
With a replay looking the likely outcome, Brooking hoists an 88th minute corner into the visitors box. In the ensuing aerial contest centre-back Ken McNaught is adjudged to have handled, Villa making lengthy protests at the award of a spot-kick. Ray Stewart holds his nerve to slam home the penalty – safe passage to the semi-finals ensured when Phil Parkes safely deals with a Gordon Cowans free-kick.
Aside from West Ham booking their place in the last four, the decisive outcome had ramifications elsewhere. With no replay to contest Villa were free to face Wolves in a midweek league fixture, a game that allowed striker Andy Gray to serve a one match ban and thus be available for their next game a few days later – the League Cup Final meeting with Nottingham Forest.
WALES 4 ENGLAND 1 – Home International fixture (17/5/1980): Strange old year 1980 for these long established sporting adversaries.
In February England had overcome Wales at Twickenham, a first victory over the Welsh for six years part of a rare English Grand Slam in this era (1957 being the last). Yet while England held momentary supremacy among the egg-chasers, Wales took comprehensive revenge on the football field – recording a first home win over their neighbours since 1955.
It would not be stretching a point to say England take a 16th minute lead with what looks more push-over try than well crafted goal, Paul Mariner claiming the final touch following an untidy goalmouth melee. They are, however, ahead for just three minutes. Micky Thomas, no stranger to Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground being the club with whom his professional career began, takes advantage of atrocious marking in firing Wales level.
England, from looking useful against world champions Argentina three days earlier, now look decidedly useless and punished for more poor defending when an unmarked Ian Walsh heads the hosts’ into a 31st minute lead. With winger Leighton James causing the visitors no end of problems down the left flank it is no surprise he is the source when Wales go further ahead on the hour. His low drive to the near post is deflected into the net by Larry Lloyd, whose fourth and final England cap (seven years after the third), has has turned into a miserable affair – the recalled Nottingham Forest central defender booked, injured and then substituted.
There is still more English embarrassment to come. With twenty minutes left Wales attack swiftly down the right and when Thomas fires hard and low across goal Ray Clemence can only watch as the ball is diverted into the net by his Liverpool club-mate Phil Thompson.
After such a topsy-turvy opening to the decade the years that follow bring a return to something approaching the norm – Wales winning seven of he next nine rugby encounters, England triumphant in nine of the eleven football encounters since.
MANCHESTER UNITED 0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 – FA Cup third round replay (9/1/1980): After meeting at the quarter final stage the previous season when United prevailed after two high quality matches by winning an Old Trafford replay, fate brought them together again ten months later – when once again White Hart Lane was treated to another exciting contest that was unable to separate the sides.
On reconvening in Manchester four days later, the game has similarities to the North London meeting of the previous Saturday in the form of excellent goalkeeping and a superbly struck Osvaldo Ardiles goal – but proves even more dramatic due to Spurs losing goalkeeper Milija Aleksic with a fractured jaw after an hour, this at a point when he had already made a number of fine saves in keeping the home side at bay.
At the other end Gary Bailey has been impressive in keeping Spurs out, but when Aleksic departs on a stretcher, his injury sustained when contesting a high ball with United striker Joe Jordan, the visitors are forced into a reshuffle that results in playmaker Glenn Hoddle taking over between the sticks with substitute John Pratt joining the fray in midfield.
In truth Hoddle has little to contend with as Spurs clear their lines well in taking the tie through to extra-time, although they have a narrow escape when Gordon McQueen heads wide from six yards with the additional half hour barely underway. Shorn of a recognised goalkeeper but not belief, Tottenham continue to counter with purpose – breaking the deadlock in delightful fashion three minutes from time when Ardiles clips the ball over Bailey from fifteen years.
Seconds before the end a tame effort comes the way of Hoddle – who has kept his goal intact for almost an hour – and when he saves comfortably Spurs deservedly progress to round four.
DYNAMO BERLIN 1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 3 – European Cup quarter-final second leg (19/3/1980): Despite their entry passes being reversed from the previous season – Nottingham Forest now the holders, Liverpool league champions – England once again had dual representation in the European Cup.
After going out to their English rivals at the first round stage in 1978-79 Liverpool again exited early, losing in surprise fashion to Dinamo Tbilisi. Such a turn-up did no harm to the chances of Forest retaining the trophy, Brian Clough’s flagship side making routine progress to the last eight only to hit choppy quarter-final waters in suffering a 1-0 first leg home defeat against East German champions Dynamo Berlin.
Four days after relinquishing their two season hold on the League Cup in losing to Wolves, Forest travelled behind the Iron Curtain with the role of European champions also on the line – but in what has become regarded as their finest hour in the course of dominating Europe, they produce a performance that exemplifies their core strengths of resolute defending and sharp counter-attacks.
Things are back to all square on sixteen minutes when Trevor Francis scores at close range and while Berlin do enough to keep Peter Shilton busy, they produce nothing so effective as the quick turn and shot from Francis which puts the visitors ahead in the tie seven minutes before half-time.
If the first half has been better than Forest could have expected the outlook improves further when John Robertson is brought down with half time looming – the Scottish winger dispatching the penalty himself to put the cup holders firmly in command.
Five minutes after the break circumstances surrounding the penalty are reversed when Robertson brings down full-back Michael Noack, Berlin thrown a lifeline when Frank Terletski converts from the spot. Yet for all their second half pressure the home side find Forest in no mood to yield anything further as their reign as champions continues on.
SUNDERLAND 5 WATFORD 0 – (26/4/1980): With the top of Division Two a somewhat congested place as 1979-80 drew to a conclusion, Sunderland chose an opportune time to hit a rich vein of form – defending an eleven match unbeaten run going into this crucial home clash with Watford.
Such a profitable run had taken them to the brink of promotion, but dropped points against Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers in the past fortnight had set nerves on Wearside jangling, making victory in the penultimate home game imperative.
Watford, like fellow promoted sides from last term Shrewsbury and Swansea, had made a decent fist of life in Division Two, but find themselves no match for a home side giving little thought to faltering.
Bryan ‘Pop’ Robson and Mick Buckley strike before half-time to calm any anxiety on the packed Roker Park terracing, the hosts home and dry when centre-back Shaun Elliott scores with a sweetly struck daisy-cutter on the hour.
With the home side playing some potent football, (they would go unbeaten at home all season), Robson and Elliott both score again as Sunderland move to within touching distance of the top flight. While a draw at Cardiff the following Saturday would keep things on hold a little while longer, victory over visiting West Ham, two days after their FA Cup Final win against Arsenal, ensured the Rokerites finished between champions Leicester and third placed Birmingham – confirming Roker Park would again be a first division venue come August.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 LIVERPOOL 2 – FA Cup fourth round (26/1/1980): In heading back to the time in question to write an article such as this, it is impossible to overlook the dominance of these two clubs as the 1970s gave way to 1980.
Since making their extraordinary impact on being promoted to Division One in 1977, Nottingham Forest had collected a remarkable trophy haul that only Liverpool came close to matching. In just three seasons eight major prizes were won (Forest five, Liverpool three) while at the same time they became engaged in a private battle for overall supremacy – not least because the league programme and the draw in three different cup competitions brought them together thirteen times through the duration (the final tally would be Forest four wins, Liverpool three with six draws).
While respective managers Brian Clough and Bob Paisley always seemed on amiable terms, the cordiality was not replicated by those on the pitch. Some Liverpool players bemoaned what they felt were a number of bad refereeing decisions as Forest became a rebellion they could not quell, those at the City Ground claiming what luck they enjoyed was earned through relentless hard work – the upshot being Anfield, by and large, regarded Forest as defensive spoilers, who in turn considered Liverpool to be bad losers.
With the two protagonists due to meet in a two leg League Cup semi-final and Merseyside league fixture before February 1980 was out (Forest having already scored a 1-0 home win over Liverpool earlier in the season), with a sense of the perverse, the FA Cup draw brought them together again for a fourth round clash.
Having little chance for absence to make the heart grow fonder, such familiarity brings out the contempt that has brewed for the past two years. All over the pitch they stick it to each other with malice – the most intense of the flashpoints being a midfield tear up involving half a dozen willing combatants and a clattering Larry Lloyd challenge into the back of David Johnson that leaves the Liverpool forward without any boots.
In between the needle and niggle there is also some eye-catching football, most of which is played by the visitors. Following a rare Peter Shilton error, Kenny Dalglish is on hand to give Liverpool a first half lead, his undoubted genius evident in the 70th minute when he controls a lofted Jimmy Case pass as if by magic – Forest defender David Needham is forced to handle as Dalglish goes around him, leaving Terry McDermott to book Liverpool a place in round five from the penalty spot.
Four days earlier John Robertson had netted from the spot as Forest secured a slender lead from the League Cup semi-final home leg – an advantage they would protect in the Anfield return helped by another Robertson penalty, a 1-1 draw taking them through to a third successive League Cup Final.
Seven days later Liverpool gained revenge by winning the league encounter to even things in the short term – although this sudden but strong rivalry had by now run its course, Forest slipping into a decline of sorts after their 1980 European Cup triumph, but as the 80s transpired Liverpool continued gathering trophies aplenty.
SHREWSBURY TOWN 3 CHELSEA 0 – (15/9/1979): ‘Shrewsbury? Where’s Shrewsbury?’ asks Likely Lad Terry Collier (James Bolam) when informed the current whereabouts of a former girlfriend in the ‘Ill Never Forget Whatshername’ episode of brilliant early 70s sitcom, ‘Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads‘ – to which his oppo of long-standing Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes) replies, ‘about sixth from the bottom of Division Three.’
Which is where you would find the hometown team of SAMTIMONIOUS.com for a fair chunk of the 70s. Indeed, when the decade began, the notion of those FA Cup winning SW6 sophisticates playing a league fixture at a backwater such as Gay Meadow was as likely as the Rolling Stones playing a gig in my Mum and Dad’s back garden.
Yet as 1979 drew to a close Town were on the up after winning Division Three a few months before, while Mick and the chaps, after some lean mid-70s years, were back in good form with the ‘Some Girls‘ album. But down at the Bridge, the days of Ossie, Huddy and Cookie were now a fast-fading memory, a dismal 78-79 campaign sending them back to Division Two after just two terms in the top flight, this after previously being relegated in 1975.
Meeting as Division Two equals, a month into the campaign neither had adjusted particularly well to their new status, although Chelsea had least recorded to wins in their five league matches to date. Shrewsbury on the other hand had picked up just one point, the phrase ‘they’ll be down by Christmas‘ already entering local parlance.
But on a day when Gay Meadow staged the most high-profile league fixture in its history, the home side duly recorded their inaugural second division victory, but more importantly realised as a team they had reached this level on merit. Buoyed by a 12th minute goal from striker Steve Biggins, as the match unfolded there came a sense the Shrewsbury players no longer seemed daunted by their elevation to such standing and rarely looked overawed again – second half goals from Arthur Mann and Jackie Keay (penalty), ensuring a first win of the season was recorded in some style.
After the game an element among the large contingent of visiting Chelsea supporters rampaged their way back to Shrewsbury railway station, (marauding through the front garden of my Auntie Elsie in the process), but even their vandalism would be avenged, Town winning 4-2 at Stamford Bridge later in the season – and as for being ‘down by Christmas‘ the Gay Meadow side were well clear of the relegation zone by the time the decorations went up.
In fact they completed a league double over both Chelsea and West Ham before finishing in 13th place, a highly commendable effort for a first season spent in this stratosphere.
Or, to use the title of a recent hit for the Stones from the ‘Some Girls‘ album – ‘Respectable.’
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NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of MONTY’S DOUBLE – an acclaimed thriller available as an Amazon Kindle book.
