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Memorable European Confrontations, Part 34-Ipswich Town FC vs. AS Saint Etienne, 1981-Video Interview and Blog Presentation with English Author Mr. Graeme Brooke)

 













Memorable European Confrontations, Part 34-Ipswich Town FC vs. AS Saint Etienne, 1981-Video Interview and Blog Presentation with English Author Mr. Graeme Brooke)

 

For this interview, I look back at the UEFA match-up between Ipswuch Town and Saint Etienne in March of 1981.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

The Interviewee is:

English Author, Mr. Graeme Brooke.

 

Mr. Brooke is the author of 'Adventures Of A Tractor Boy', with all profits being donated to the Colchester Hospital Special Care Baby Unit.

 

Mr. Graeme Brooke’s contact info:

Twitter: @Advoftractorboy

Website: https://www.adventuresofatractorboy.co.uk/

 

Link to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1499350570?tag=infiniplusthe-21#reader_1499350570

 


My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873



Ipswich Town FC vs. AS Saint Etienne, 1981

 

Saint Etienne and Ipswich Town were paired in the quarterfinals of the 1980/81 UEFA Cup.

The French, managed by Robert Herbin, had been the dominant team in France since the 60s and had the greatest French star of the day, Michel Platini, in their ranks.

The side had strengthened its defense with the arrivals of Patrick Battiston (Metz) and Bernard Gardon (Monaco). The major loss was the transfer of Dominique Rocheteau to PSG.

The young Jean Castaneda had displaced the veteran Yugoslav goalkeeper Yvan Curkovic with Captain Christian Lopez leading the defense with the likes Battiston, Gardon and Janvion.

Michel Platini and Larios led the midfield with Dutchman Johnny Rep leading the front line with youngsters such as Paganelli and Roussey.

The side were on their way to win the French League title but hungry for European glory since losing the 1976 Champions Cup Final to Bayern Munich.

They had eliminated in the previous rounds (without conceding a goal) Finland’s Kuopio Palloseura, Scotland’s Saint Mirren and West German side SV Hamburg (see: http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2013/09/memorable-european-confrontations-part.html).

 

England’s Ipswich Town, managed by the Bobby Robson since 1969, also included several Internationals and top stars in their ranks.

They had won the FA Cup in 1978 and were now challenging for bigger honors.

The backbone of the side was led by veteran defender and Captain Mick Mills, as well as Kevin Beattie along with rising young defenders Terry Butcher and Russel Osman and Paul Cooper in goal.

The midfield included Scottish midfielder John Wark complemented by the Dutch duo of Frans Thijssen and Arnold Muhren.

Paul Mariner led the frontline with Scottish International Alan Brazil and Eric Gates on the wings.

Trevor Putney’s arrival from Brentwood was the major transfer that season as Robson had maintained an improving side.

Ipswich were having a great season and were fighting for the League title along with Aston Villa.

They had eliminated in the previous rounds Greece’s Aris Salonika, Czechoslovakia’s Bohemians Prague, and Polish side Widzew Lodz.

 

 

The first leg, on March 4th, was played at Saint Etienne’ Stade Geoffroy Guichard. Saint Etienne felt confident, especially after their demolition of SV Hamburg in the previous round.

Herbin had said that they were ten times more solid in defense and better balanced in midfield and more consistent. He believed the key to victory lay in their desire and faculty to physically match them.

Herbin added that Ipswich was a team comparable to Ajax or Liverpool and even Hamburg.

They would have a rude awakening as Ipswich overran them and physically outplayed them.

They should have perhaps listened to their legendary recruiter, Pierre Garonnaire. He had described Ipswich as a ‘new Ajax’, capable of defending and attacking in five or six.

Saint Etienne took the lead in the 16th minute with Rep heading in Zanon’s cross.

It did not take long for Ipswich to tie the score and Mariner replied with a header of his own in the 28th minute from Muhren’s cross.

Rep scored a goal in the 31st minute that was ruled offside.

The sides remained even in the first half, but just two minutes after the restart Muhren unleashed a long-range shot to give Ipswich the lead.

After this, Saint Etienne seemed to give up and Ipswich scored two more goals.

Mariner knocked in a rebound in the 57th minute and John Wark headed in a cross in the 77th minute.

It was an impressive performance by the English, and they took many plaudits for their performance.

Saint Etienne President Roger Rocher went as far as to say, that they were the best team they had ever faced in Europe at home.

Platini had been non-existent and afterwards said the first Ipswich goal had disoriented the team. Saint Etienne Manager Robert Herbin added that the second goal by Muhren had knocked out his team.

Platini also added that upfront they were playing with two eighteen-year-olds (Paganelli and Roussey) while Ipswich played with men upfront.

St Etienne Captain Christian Lopez was furious of his team’s display as well. He said if we are losing at home (1-2), and that qualification was compromised, we should have sealed the result and try get a (2-2) with the return leg in mind. He felt they gave up like children and as such they are not worthy of European Competitions.

Such was Ipswich’s display that the return leg was already a formality.

 

Photo From: Official Match Programme, Saint Etienne v. Ipswich Town, 1981 



Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 13, April 1981

(March 4, UEFA Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Ipswich Town 4)



Photo From: Le Livre d’Or du Football, 1981

(March 4, UEFA Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Ipswich Town 4)



Photo From: Official Match Programme, Ipswich Town v. Saint Etienne, 1981

(March 4, UEFA Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Ipswich Town 4)



Photo From: L’Annee du Football 1981

(March 4, UEFA Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Ipswich Town 4)



The second leg, on March 18th, was played at Ipswich’s Portman Road Stadium. Saint Etienne made only one change with Zimako starting ahead of Paganelli.

Platini was slightly injured and had wanted to miss this match but was convinced to play on.

Ipswich were forced to make a couple of changes in the back. Captain Mick Mills was out as well as Kevin Beattie.

Kevin Steggles and Steve McCall started in their absence.

It was a relatively non-eventful match as the task seemed insurmountable for the French side.

The French had two goals disallowed for offside in the first half.

Ipswich took the lead in the 46th minute with Butcher headed in Thijssen’s cross.

The French tied the match in the 79th minute with Zimako heading in Rep’s cross.

Just minutes later in the 82nd minute, Larios handled in the box from a corner kick and Wark knocked in the spot kick.

Just before the end, Mariner knocked in a rebound to give Ipswich a (3-1) win and (7-2) aggregate win.

Saint Etienne had been physically dominated in both matches with the team’s stars Platini and Larios were disappointing in both legs and only Christian Lopez and Rep maintained their standards.


Photo From: Official Match Programme, Ipswich Town v. Koln, 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: Le Livre d’Or du Football, 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: Le Livre d’Or du Football, 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: Le Livre d’Or du Football, 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: Official Match Programme, Ipswich Town v. Koln, 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: Official Match Programme, Ipswich Town v. Koln, 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: Official Match Programme, Ipswich Town v. Koln, 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: L’Annee du Football 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: L’Annee du Football 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



Photo From: L’Annee du Football 1981

(March 18, UEFA Cup, Ipswich Town 3-Saint Etienne 1)



 

The consolation for Saint Etienne was winning the League title after five years. It would remain their last League title to this day and the side would soon crumble after a scandal.

As for Ipswich, competing on many fronts took its toll and they missed out on the League title.

However, the side would be impressive in Europe and following these ties they would eliminate West German side FC Koln in the semifinals and then defeat Dutch side Az’67 Alkmaar to win the UEFA Cup title for the 1980/81 season.

This impressive first leg win at Saint Etienne had set Ipswich on course and perhaps given them the necessary confidence to go and win the Cup.

 



Date: March 4, 1981

Competition: UEFA Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg

Result: Association Sportive de Saint-Etienne- Loire (France) 1- Ipswich Town Football Club (England) 4

Venue: Saint Etienne-Stade Geoffroy Guichard

Attendance: 36,919

Referee: Nicolae Rainea (Romania)

Linesmen: -

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(Saint Etienne): Johnny Rep 16

(Ipswich): Paul Mariner 28, 57, Arnold Muhren 47, John Wark 77

Summary of goals:

1:0 (16th minute, Saint Etienne): Zanon’s cross from the left side was headed in by Rep.

1:1 (28th minute, Ipswich): Muhren’s cross from the left side was headed in by Mariner.

1:2 (47th minute, Ipswich): Mariner’s cross from the rights ide was headed out, then headed across to the right by Thijssen, Wark touched across to the right and Muhren scored from a long-range shot from outside of the box.

1:3 (57th minute, Ipswich): Brazil’s cross from the right side was struck by Butcher, Castaneda parried, and Mariner knocked in the rebound.

1:4 (77th minute, Ipswich): Butcher’s cross from the left side was headed in by Wark.

Lineups:

AS Saint Etienne:

1-Jean Castaneda, 2-Patrick Battiston, 4-Bernard Gardon, 5-Christian Lopez, 3-Jean-Louis Zanon, 6-Gerard Janvion, 8-Jean-François Larios, 10-Michel Platini, 11-Laurent Paganelli, 9-Laurent Roussey (13-Jacques Zimako 55), 7-Johnny Rep (Holland)

 

Coach: Robert Herbin

 

Other Substitutes:

12-Yvan Curkovic (Yugoslavia), 14-Jean-Marie Elie, 15-Patrice Lestage, 16-Thierry Oleksiak

 

Team Captain: Christian Lopez

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Le Coq Sportif

Shirt Sponsor:  None (Saint Etienne’s shirt sponsors were Super Tele; however, no adverts were used)

Uniform Colors: Green Shirts, White Shorts, Green Socks

Note:

1- Rep scored a goal in the 31st minute that was ruled offside.

 

 

 

Ipswich Town FC:

1-Paul Cooper, 2-Mick Mills, 5-Russel Osman, 6-Kevin Beattie, 3-Terry Butcher, 4-Frans Thijssen (Holland), 7-John Wark (Scotland), 8-Arnold Muhren (Holland), 10-Alan Brazil (Scotland), 11-Eric Gates, 9-Paul Mariner

 

Coach: Bobby Robson

 

Other Substitutes:

12-Steve McCall, 13- Kevin Steggles, 14- Kevin O’Callaghan (Republic of Ireland), 15-Alan Hunter (Northern Ireland), 16-Laurie Sivell

 

Team Captain: Mick Mills

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: None

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks










Date: March 18, 1981

Competition: UEFA Cup- Quarterfinals, Second Leg

Result: Ipswich Town Football Club (England) 3-Association Sportive de Saint-Etienne- Loire (France) 1

Venue: Ipswich-Portman Road

Attendance: 30,151

Referee: Erich Linemayr (Austria)

Linesmen: -

Kick-off time: -

Goalscorers:

(Ipswich): Terry Butcher 46, John Wark 82 pen, Paul Mariner 89

(Saint Etienne): Jacques Zimako 79

Summary of goals:

1:0 (46th minute, Ipswich): Frans Thijssen’s free kick from the right side was headed in by Butcher.

1:1 (79th minute, Saint Etienne): Rep’s cross from the left side was headed in by Zimako.

2:1 (82nd minute, Ipswich): Larios handled in the box following a corner from the right side. Wark scored from the ensuing penalty kick.

3:1 (89th minute, Ipswich): Thijssen’s free kick from the right side (towards middle) was struck by Butcher, Castaneda parried, and Mariner knocked in the rebound.

Lineups:

Ipswich Town FC:

1-Paul Cooper, 6-Terry Butcher, 3-Steve McCall, 5-Russel Osman, 2-Kevin Steggles, 8-Arnold Muhren (Holland), 4-Frans Thijssen (Holland), 7-John Wark (Scotland), 10-Alan Brazil (Scotland) (12-Kevin O’Callaghan (Republic of Ireland) 53), 9-Paul Mariner, 11-Eric Gates (13-Jean-Michel ‘Mich’ D’Avray 73)

 

Coach: Bobby Robson

Other Substitutes:

14-Kevin Beattie, Robin Turner, 15-Tommy Parkin, 16-Scott Endersby

Note:

1-The other substitutes information is based on the match programme which may not be accurate.

 

Team Captain: Paul Mariner

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: None

Uniform Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

 

AS Saint Etienne:

1-Jean Castaneda, 2-Patrick Battiston, 4-Bernard Gardon, 5-Christian Lopez, 3-Jean-Louis Zanon, 6-Gerard Janvion, 8-Jean-François Larios, 10-Michel Platini, 7-Jacques Zimako, 9-Laurent Roussey, 11-Johnny Rep (Holland)

 

Coach: Robert Herbin

Other Substitutes:

 

12-Yvan Curkovic (Yugoslavia), 13-Jean-Marie Elie, 14-Thierry Oleksiak, 15-Patrice Lestage, 16-Yves Colleu

Note:

1-The other substitutes information is based on the match programme which may not be accurate.

 

 

Team Captain: Christian Lopez

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Le Coq Sportif

Shirt Sponsor:  None (Saint Etienne’s shirt sponsors were Super Tele, however, no adverts were used)

Uniform Colors: Green Shirts, White Shorts, Green Socks

 





 

Ipswich Town Football Club:

Players who took part in these matches (on the field or on the bench):

Goalkeeper:

Paul Cooper (December 21, 1953, Cannock) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Laurie Sivell (February 6, 1951, Lowestoft) (aged 30 years old at the time)

Scott Endersby (February 20, 1962, Lewisham) (aged 19 years old at the time)

 

Defenders:

Mick Mills (January 4, 1949, Godalming, Surrey) (aged 32 years old at the time)

Russel Osman (February 14, 1959, Reptom) (aged 22 years old at the time)

Terry Butcher (December 28, 1958, Singapore) (aged 22 years old at the time)

Kevin Steggles (March 19, 1961, Ditchingham) (aged 19-20 years old at the time)

Alan Hunter (Northern Ireland) (June 30, 1946, Sion Mills, Northern Ireland) (aged 34 years old at the time)

 

Midfielders:

Kevin Beattie (December 18, 1953, Carlisle-September 16, 2018, Ipswich) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Frans Thijssen (Holland) (January 23, 1952, Malden, Holland) (aged 29 years old at the time)

John Wark (Scotland) (August 4, 1957, Glasgow, Scotland) (aged 23 years old at the time)

Arnold Muhren (Holland) (June 2, 1951, Volendam, Holland) (aged 29 years old at the time)

Steve McCall (October 15, 1960, Carlisle) (aged 20 years old at the time)

Kevin O’Callaghan (Republic of Ireland) (October 19, 1961, Dagenham, England) (aged 19 years old at the time)

Tommy Parkin (February 1, 1956, Gateshead) (aged 25 years old at the time)

 

Forwards:

Alan Brazil (Scotland) (June 15, 1959, Govan, Glasgow, Scotland) (aged 21 years old at the time)

Eric Gates (June 26, 1955, Ferryhill, County Durham) (aged 25 years old at the time)

Paul Mariner (May 22, 1953, Farnworth-July 9, 2021) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Jean-Michel ‘Mich’ D’Avray (February 19, 1962, Johannesburg, South Africa) (aged 19 years old at the time)

Robin Turner (September 10, 1955, Carlisle) (aged 25 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Bobby Robson (February 18, 1933, Sacriston-July 31, 2009, County Durham) (aged 48 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Mick Mills

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: -

 

Photo From: FKS 80-81

(Ipswich Town 1980/81)



Photo From: FKS 80-81

(Ipswich Town 1980/81)



 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 63, March 1981

(Ipswich Town 1980/81)


 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 63, March 1981

(Ipswich Town 1980/81)


Photo From: Onze, Issue 63, March 1981

(Ipswich Town squad 1980/81)


 

AS Saint Etienne:

Players who took part in these matches (on the field or on the bench):

Goalkeeper:

Jean Castaneda (March 20, 1957, Saint Etienne) (aged 23-24 years old at the time)

Yvan Curkovic (Yugoslavia) (March 15, 1944, Mostar, Yugoslavia) (aged 36-37 years old at the time)

 

Defenders:

Patrick Battiston (March 12, 1957, Amneville) (aged 23-24 years old at the time)

Bernard Gardon (December 2, 1951, Clermont-Ferrand) (aged 29 years old at the time)

Christian Lopez (March 15, 1953, Aïn Témouchent, Algeria) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)

Jean-Louis Zanon (November 30, 1960, Montauban) (aged 20 years old at the time)

Patrice Lestage (October 7, 1961, Dax, November 29, 2010, Bouscat) (aged 19 years old at the time)

 

 

Midfielders:

Gerard Janvion (August 21, 1953, Fort-de-France, Martinique) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Jean-François Larios (August 27, 1956, Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria) (aged 24 years old at the time)

Michel Platini (June 21, 1955, Joeuf) (aged 25 years old at the time)

Jean-Marie Elie (September 30, 1950, Longchamp-sur-Aujon) (aged 29 years old at the time)

Thierry Oleksiak (September 11, 1961, Saint Etienne) (aged 19 years old at the time)

Yves Colleu (January 29, 1961, Dinard) (aged 20 years old at the time)

 

Forwards:

Laurent Paganelli (October 20, 1962, Aubenas) (aged 18 years old at the time)

Laurent Roussey (December 27, 1961, Nimes) (aged 19 years old at the time)

Jacques Zimako (December 28, 1951, Lifou, New Caledonia-December 8, 2021) (aged 29 years old at the time)

Johnny Rep (Holland) (November 25, 1951, Zaandam, Holland) (aged 29 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Robert Herbin (March 30, 1939, Paris-April 27, 2020, Saint Etienne) (aged 41 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Christian Lopez

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Le Coq Sportif

Shirt Sponsor:  None (Saint Etienne’s shirt sponsors were Super Tele, however, no adverts were used)

Note:

1- Gerard Janvion was nominally a defender but played as a midfielder in these matches.

2- Jean-Louis Zanon was generally a midfielder but played in defense in these matches.

 

Photo From: Panini France 1980-81

(Saint Etienne 1980/81)



Photo From: Panini France 1980-81

(Saint Etienne 1980/81)





Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 9, 1980

(Saint Etienne 1980/81)




Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 9, 1980 

(Saint Etienne 1980/81)



 

Match Referees:

Nicolae Rainea (Romania) (November 19, 1933, Brăila, Romania-April 1, 2015, Bucharest, Romania) (aged 47 years old at the time)

Erich Linemayr (Austria) (January 24, 1933, Linz, Austria-June 4, 2016,) (aged 48 years old at the time)

 

 

References:

France Football, Issue 1822, March 10, 1981

France Football, Issue 1824, March 24, 1981

Mondial, New series, issue 12, March 1981

Mondial, New series, issue 13, April 1981

Onze, Issue 63, March 1981

Onze, Issue 64, April 1981

Le Livre d’Or du Football, 1981

L’Annee du Football 1981

 


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