For this interview, I look back at Liverpool’s Champions Cup winning run in 1976/77 season.
The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog
will be a presentation of the events.
The Interviewee is:
English Football fan Mr. Chris Bayes
Mr. Bayes’ contact info:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.bayes.77
My contact information:
on twitter @sp1873 and on
facebook under Soccernostalgia.
Listen on Spotify / Google
Podcasts / Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast/id1601074369?i=1000648835049
Liverpool FC in the
Champions Cup 1976/77
When the 1976/77 season kicked off,
Liverpool were to take part in the Champions Cup.
Liverpool had come off a glorious
season, where they had won the League title as well as the UEFA Cup.
In fact, they had won the League
title in 1973, the FA Cup in 1974 and the UEFA Cup in 1973 as well and were now
ready to make a tilt for the big prize.
Bob Paisley had taken over from Bill
Shankly in 1974 and by the next decade would be the most decorated Liverpool
Manager.
The foundations had been set by
Shankly and Paisley could rely on a reliable backbone that wanted to write
their own story.
The ever-present Ray Clemence was the
man in the net.
Skipper Emlyn Hughes led the defense,
along with Phil Neal, Welshman Joey Jones, Phil Thompson, and the veteran Tommy
Smith.
.jpg) |
Photo From: France
Football, Issue 1620, April 26, 1977
|
(Emlyn Hughes) |
.jpg) |
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 16, April 1977
|
(Emlyn Hughes) |
The midfield included Terry
McDermott, Ray Kennedy, Irishman Steve Heighway, Jimmy Case (one of the best
English players to never be capped) and veteran from the sixties era Ian
Callaghan.
The team’s main star Kevin Keegan led
the frontline with Welshman John Toshack, with David Fairclough and David Johnson providing support when called upon.
.jpg) |
Photo From: Mondial,
Old Series, Issue 4, May 1977
|
(Steve Heighway) |
 |
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 14, February 1977
|
(Kevin Keegan) |
The transfer activity was typically
minimal that season. The
only arrival was that of former Ipswich Town striker David Johnson.
In addition, Tommy Smith returned in
September from his loan spell in the NASL with Tampa Bay Rowdies.
There were no major departures in
this already formidable squad.
 |
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 14, February 1977
|
(Liverpool squad 1976/77) |
 | |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 14, February 1977
|
 | |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 14, February 1977
|
 |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 14, February 1977
|
Liverpool started their Champions Cup
adventure against Northern Irish side Crusaders FC.
The first leg was at Anfield on September 14, 1976, and Liverpool
won (2-0).
The Return leg at Belfast was on September
28th, 1976, and Liverpool displayed its superiority by winning (5-0)
with a late flurry of goals.
a.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(Kevin Keegan and David Fairclough) |
In the Second Round Liverpool faced
Turkish side Trabzonspor.
The first leg was at Trabzon on
October 20, 1976. Liverpool had somewhat of a scare as they returned with a
(0-1) loss scored through a penalty kick.
Liverpool carried on and in the
second leg at Anfield, on November 3rd, won (3-0) as was expected of
them, with Heighway, David Johnson and Keegan scoring inside the first twenty
minutes.
An untroubled Liverpool qualified to
the Quarterfinals in the Spring.
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(Steve Heighway) |
For the Quarterfinals in the Spring of 1977, Liverpool were paired
with French side Saint Etienne.
Saint Etienne were the losing finalists in the previous season’s competition and one of the best teams of the era that included a host of Internationals, including the likes of Dominique Rocheteau and Dominique Bathenay.
By this stage of the season, Liverpool were in the hunt for the
League title and on the verge of a second consecutive title and still alive in
the FA Cup.
The first leg was at Saint Etienne on March 2nd, 1977.
Liverpool were missing the injured Keegan. The French side won (1-0) through a Dominique Bathenay goal
in the 78th minute.
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(March 2, 1977, Champions
Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Liverpool 0) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(March 2, 1977, Champions
Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Liverpool 0) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: Mondial, Old Series, Issue 2, March 1977
|
(March 2, 1977, Champions
Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Liverpool 0) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: Mondial, Old Series, Issue 2, March 1977
|
(March 2, 1977, Champions
Cup, Saint Etienne 1-Liverpool 0) |
Saint Etienne had the
advantage going into the second leg at Anfield on March 16th, but
there was everything to play for and Liverpool had Keegan back on the side.
Phil
Thompson was out injured, and Tommy Smith replaced him in Liverpool’s defense.
Liverpool took the lead
as early as the second minute, as Keegan scored a brilliant goal with a
cross/shot from the left side far out and from a narrow angle.
However, Saint Etienne
fought back and Bathenay again tied the match in the 50th minute.
Liverpool could have folded but fought back again and within nine minutes, Ray
Kennedy scored Liverpool’s second. Super-sub-David Fairclough dealt the killer
blow in the 84th minute and Liverpool were through.
Liverpool had defeated
a great side and were confident going into the semifinals.
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(March 16, 1977,
Champions Cup, Liverpool 3- Saint Etienne 1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(March 16, 1977,
Champions Cup, Liverpool 3- Saint Etienne 1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: Mondial, Old Series, Issue 3, April 1977
|
(March 16, 1977,
Champions Cup, Liverpool 3- Saint Etienne 1) |
In contrast, the
semifinals were an easier task as Liverpool faced Swiss side FC Zürich.
The first leg was at Zürich, on April 6th, and Liverpool were missing the injured pair of Phil Thompson in defense and John Toshack upfront. Bob Paisley started with Tommy Smith and David Fairclough to deputize for the missing duo.
Liverpool
comfortably won (3-1) through a double strike by Phil Neal (including a penalty
kick) and a memorable strike from Heighway.
Liverpool
were again untroubled for the return leg at Anfield on April 20th as
they won (3-0) with a double strike by Jimmy Case including a free kick.
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(April 6, 1977, Champions
Cup, FC Zürich 1-Liverpool 3) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1618, April 12, 1977
|
(April 6, 1977, Champions
Cup, FC Zürich 1-Liverpool 3) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: World Soccer, May 1977
|
(April 20, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3-FC Zürich 0) |
Liverpool were in the Final facing West
German giants Borussia Mönchengladbach on May 25th, 1977, at Rome. The
West German side was led by skipper Berti Vogts and included stars such as
Rainer Bonhof, future Real Madrid player Uli Stielike and Danish legend Allan
Simonsen.
.jpg) |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 17, May 1977
|
The sides had met years earlier in
the 1973 UEFA Cup Final and Liverpool had been victorious on that occasion.
Days ahead of the Final, Liverpool
missed the chance to complete a possible treble as they lost in the FA Cup
Final to Manchester United.
Liverpool had already won the League
title and missed the chance for their first ever domestic double.
In addition, star of the team Kevin
Keegan had expressed his desire to leave the club for an adventure abroad
(joining West German side SV Hamburg).
There was some debate on the
availability of John Toshack and the tactics of Mönchengladbach based on that.
In the end neither Toshack nor Phil Thompson were available. Tommy Smith played
in Thompson’s place and would make his mark in this Final.
Liverpool took the lead in the 28th
minute, on the right side, Heighway sent McDermott through, and he shot past
Kneib.
In the second half, in the 51st
minute, Allan Simonsen took advantage of an error by Jimmy Case to
pick up the ball on the left and score from a narrow angle.
Liverpool continued to attack and in
the 65th minute took the lead with Smith heading in Heighway’s
corner kick from the left.
This match had been a battle between
Keegan and his shadow Vogts. In the 83rd minute, after a run by
Keegan, Vogts fouled him in the box. Phil Neal scored through a penalty kick,
and it was all over.
Liverpool had won the greatest prize
of all, becoming the first English side to do so since Manchester United in
1968.
They were about to embark on a
European dynasty (that was really a continuation of the UEFA Cup wins in 1973
and 1976).
They would have to do so without
Keegan, but Kenny Dalglish was on his way to Anfield……
.jpg) |
Photo From: Mondial, Old
Series, Issue 5, June 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo From: Mondial, Old
Series, Issue 5, June 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo From: Mondial, Old
Series, Issue 5, June 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo From: Mondial, Old
Series, Issue 5, June 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977
|
(May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
.jpg) |
Photo
From: L’Année du Football 1977 (May 25, 1977, Champions
Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach1) |
Liverpool Football Club
(1976/77 season):
Players who took part in
these matches (on the field or on the bench):
Goalkeeper:
Ray Clemence (August 5, 1948-Skegness,
Lincolnshire-November 15, 2020, Corby, Northamptonshire) (aged 28
years old at the time)
Peter McDonnell (June 11, 1953, Kendal) (aged
23-24 years old at the time)
Defenders:
Emlyn Hughes
(August 28,
1947, Barrow-in-Furness-November 9, 2004, Sheffield) (aged 29 years old
at the time)
Joey Jones (Wales)
(March 4,
1955, Llandudno, Wales) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)
Phil Neal
(February
20, 1951, Irchester, Northamptonshire) (aged 25-26 years old at the
time)
Tommy Smith
(April 5,
1945, Liverpool-April 12, 2019, Crosby) (aged 31-32 years old at the
time) (returned from loan in September 1976)
Phil Thompson
(January
21, 1954, Kirby, Lancashire) (aged 22-23 years old at the time)
Brian Kettle (April 22, 1956, Prescot)
(aged 20-21 years old at the time)
Alec Lindsay (February 27, 1948, Bury) (aged 28-29 years old at
the time)
Max Thompson (December 31, 1946, Liverpool-June
27, 2023) (aged 29-30 years old at
the time) (Transferred December 1976)
Midfielders:
Ian Callaghan
(April 10,
1942, Toxteth, Liverpool) (aged 34-35 years old at the time)
Jimmy Case
(May 18,
1954, Liverpool) (aged 22-23 years old at the time)
Steve Heighway (Republic of
Ireland) (November 25, 1947, Dublin, Republic of Ireland)
(aged 28-29 years old at the time)
Ray Kennedy
(July 28,
1951, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland-November 30, 2021) (aged 25
years old at the time)
Terry McDermott
(December
8, 1951, Liverpool) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)
Sammy Lee
(February
7, 1959, Liverpool) (aged 17-18 years old at the time)
Peter Cormack (Scotland) (July 17, 1946,
Edinburgh, Scotland) (aged 30 years old at the time) (Transferred in
November 1976)
Kevin Kewley
(March 2,
1955, Liverpool) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)
Forwards:
Kevin Keegan (February 14, 1951,
Armthorpe, Doncaster) (aged 25-26 years old at the time)
John Toshack (Wales) (March 22, 1949, Cardiff,
Wales) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)
David Fairclough
(January 5,
1957, Liverpool) (aged 19-20 years old at the time)
David Johnson
(October
23, 1951, Liverpool-November 23, 2022) (aged 24-25 years old at the
time)
Alan Waddle
(June 9,
1954, Wallsend) (aged 22 years old at the time)
Coach: Bob Paisley (January 23, 1919, Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham-February
14, 1996, Liverpool) (aged 57-58 years old at the time)
Team Captain: Emlyn Hughes
Official Kit
Supplier/Designer: Umbro
Shirt Sponsor: None
.jpg) |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 17, May 1977
|
a.jpg) |
Photo From: Onze, Issue 17, May 1977
|
.jpg) |
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 17, May 1977
|
(Liverpool squad 1976/77) |
 |
Photo From: Football
League 1976-1977 (FKS Publishers)
|
(Liverpool squad 1976/77) |
Transfer Activity:
Arrivals:
David
Johnson (Ipswich Town)
Tommy Smith
(came back from loan from Tampa Bay Rowdies, September 1976)
Departures:
Brian
Hall (Plymouth Argyle)
Tommy
Tynan (Sheffield Wednesday)
Peter
Cormack (left in November 1976 to Bristol City)
Max
Thompson (left in December 1976 to Dallas Tornado)
References:
Onze, Issue 16, April 1977
Onze, Issue 17, May 1977
Onze, Issue 18, June 1977
France Football, Issue 1618, April 12,
1977
Mondial, Old Series, Issue 2, March 1977
Mondial, Old Series, Issue 3, April 1977
Mondial, Old Series, Issue 4, May 1977
Mondial, Old Series, Issue 5, June 1977
World Soccer, June 1977
L’Année du Football 1977
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