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Sunday, June 30, 2024

The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 91- A video Interview and blog presentation with English Football fan Mr. Chris Bayes, discussing Liverpool Champions Cup winning run in 1977/78 season)



 For this interview, I look back at Liverpool’s Champions Cup winning run in 1977/78 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


Mr. Bayes was previously interviewed about Liverpool’s 1977 Champions Cup victory.

https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-soccernostalgia-interview-part-85.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQQwUT00Kzo&t=2s

 

 

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lBM8vec2P42jdZINpQVpF?si=hXmyITxdQHKWGceHchkGGA&nd=1&dlsi=86576b96aac2418d

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast/id1601074369?i=1000660742165
















Liverpool FC in the Champions Cup 1977/78

 

When the 1977/78 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 Champions Cup.

This success was the culmination of years of success starting with the League title in 1973, the FA Cup in 1974 and the UEFA Cups in 1973, 1976 and now League and European Cup Champions.

Bob Paisley was still the man in charge about to embark on even greater adventures.

He had maintained the backbone of the previous season’s side, but some changes were necessary.

Ray Clemence was still Liverpool’s number one in goal.

Skipper Emlyn Hughes still led the defense, along with Phil Neal, Phil Thompson, and Welshman Joey Jones. Scottish defender Alan Hansen had been recruited as Tommy Smith was reaching the end of his Liverpool adventure.

 

Photo From: Panini England 1977-78

(Liverpool squad 1977/78)



The midfield still included Terry McDermott, Ray Kennedy, Irishman Steve Heighway and Jimmy Case. Much like Tommy Smith, Ian Callaghan was nearing the end of his time at Liverpool, therefore Paisley had anticipated and recruited Scottish midfielder Grame Souness.

The main changes were upfront, Kevin Keegan had departed in the offseason (to SV Hamburg in West Germany) and Welshman John Toshack was also nearing the end of his time at the club.

Paisley signed Scotland and Celtic Glasgow star Kenny Dalglish to replace Keegan, and this would be one of Paisley’s greatest signings.

David Fairclough and David Johnson were still on the books as alternatives.

 

The triple transfer of the Scottish trio (Dalglish, Souness and Hansen) would pay dividends into the next decade.

 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 28, April 1978

(Emlyn Hughes)



Photo From: Onze, Issue 26, February 1978

(David Fairclough)



Photo From: Onze, Issue 26, February 1978

(Liverpool squad 1977/78)



For the First Round, Liverpool received a bye and entered the competition in the second round,

 

In the Second Round Liverpool faced East German side Dynamo Dresden.

Liverpool effectively settled the tie in the first leg at Anfield on October 19, 1977, as they won (5-1) with Jimmy Case scoring a double.

Liverpool lost the second leg at Dresden (1-2) on November 2nd, 1977, and looked forward to the Spring quarterfinals.

 

 

By the turn of the new year, Liverpool were challenged for the title by Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest, who would eventually capture the League title, and already eliminated in the First round of the FA Cup in January.

They did win their first ever UEFA Super Cup by defeating SV Hamburg of Kevin Keegan.

 

For the Quarterfinals in the Spring of 1978, Liverpool were to face Portuguese Champions Benfica.

For the first leg, Liverpool traveled to Lisbon to face Benfica on March 1st, 1978, in the rain.

Afterwards, Bob Paisley stated it was a crime to have played under such conditions and added the match would have been called off in England.

This was not the Benfica of Eusebio of the 1960s and Liverpool were favorites.

Benfica took the lead through Nené in the 13th minute. Liverpool fought back and Jimmy Case tied the match in the 36th minute before Emlyn Hughes scored the winner in the 70th minute.

For the second leg at Anfield, on March 15th, 1978, a confident Liverpool comfortably defeated Benfica (4-1) to advance to the semifinals.

 



Ahead of the semifinals, Liverpool lost to Nottingham Forest in the Final of the League Cup on March 22nd, and at this point success in Europe was paramount.

The semifinals seemed a much more daunting task as Liverpool were paired with West German giants Borussia Mönchengladbach in a replay of the previous season’s Final.

Liverpool had history on their side as they had defeated the West Germans in the UEFA Cup Final of 1973 and previous season’s Champions Cup Final.

In addition, they were missing their Danish star Alan Simonsen through injury.

However, they were still a quality opposition not to be taken lightly.

On March 29th, at Rheinstadion at Düsseldorf, Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted Liverpool. They took the lead in the 28th minute through Wilfried Hannes.

Liverpool tied the match in the 88th minute through David Johnson and for a moment they thought they had earned an important away tie. However, just a minute later, Rainer Bonhof scored Mönchengladbach’s winner.


Photo From: France Football, Issue 1669, April 4, 1978

(March 29, 1978, Champions Cup, Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-Liverpool 1)



Photo From: L’Année du Football 1978

(March 29, 1978, Champions Cup, Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-Liverpool 1)



Nevertheless, Liverpool had the upper hand with an away goal for the return leg at Anfield on April 12th, 1978.

Pasiley made one change, starting with Souness in place of Callaghan.

Ray Kennedy’s early goal in the seventh minute settled their nerves and Liverpool scored twice more through Dalglish (34th) and Case (55th).

Liverpool were through to their second straight Champions Cup Final and Third straight European Final overall (1976 UEFA Cup).

 

Photo From: Mondial, old series, Issue 17, May 1978

(April 12, 1978, Champions Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach 0)



Photo From: Mondial, old series, Issue 17, May 1978

(April 12, 1978, Champions Cup, Liverpool 3- Borussia Mönchengladbach 0)



Liverpool were in the Final facing Belgian side Club Brugge on May 10th, 1978, at ‘home’ at Wembley at London. This fact plus the elimination of Mönchengladbach, made Liverpool favorites against a modest opposition like Club Brugge.

Once again history was on Liverpool’s side as they had defeated the same opponent in the 1976 UEFA Cup Final.

In addition, Brugge were missing Raoul Lambert and Pual Courant, while Kriger and Maes were not fully fit.

Liverpool were missing Tommy Smith, injured after a gardening accident at home after he collided with a pickaxe. Alan Hansen started in his place. Steve Heighway had a rib injury and did not start, as a result, Pasiley chose to field Fairclough.

In contrast, to the previous season’s Final, this was a dour and unexciting match and not surprisingly Liverpool won (1-0) through a Kenny Dalglish strike.

Dalglish had more than justified his recruitment to replace Keegan.

Afterwards, Brugge Manager Ernst Happel stated that Liverpool was a shadow of the team from two years ago.

In any case, Liverpool seemed set to dominate Europe for the years to come.

 

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1978

(May 10, 1978, Champions Cup, Liverpool 1-Club Brugge 0)



Photo From: L’Année du Football 1978

(May 10, 1978, Champions Cup, Liverpool 1-Club Brugge 0)



Photo From: Mondial, old series, Issue 18, May 1978

(May 10, 1978, Champions Cup, Liverpool 1-Club Brugge 0)



 

Photo From: Mondial, old series, Issue 18, May 1978

(May 10, 1978, Champions Cup, Liverpool 1-Club Brugge 0)


Liverpool Football Club (1977/78 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 29 years old at the time)

Peter McDonnell (June 11, 1953, Kendal) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

Steven Ogrizovic (September 12, 1957, Mansfield) (aged 20 years old at the time)


Defenders:

Emlyn Hughes (August 28, 1947, Barrow-in-Furness-November 9, 2004, Sheffield) (aged 30 years old at the time)

Phil Neal (February 20, 1951, Irchester, Northamptonshire) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

Phil Thompson (January 21, 1954, Kirby, Lancashire) (aged 23-24 years old at the time)

Alan Hansen (Scotland) (June 13, 1955, Sauchie, Clackmannashire, Scotland) (aged 22 years old at the time)

Joey Jones (Wales) (March 4, 1955, Llandudno, Wales) (aged 22-23 years old at the time)

Tommy Smith (April 5, 1945, Liverpool-April 12, 2019, Crosby) (aged 32-33 years old at the time)

Brian Kettle (April 22, 1956, Prescot) (aged 21-22 years old at the time) (transferred in March 1978)

Colin Irwin (February 9, 1957, Liverpool) (aged 20-21 years old at the time)


Midfielders:

Graeme Souness (Scotland) (May 6, 1953, Edinburgh, Scotland) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

Ray Kennedy (July 28, 1951, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland-November 30, 2021) (aged 26 years old at the time)

Terry McDermott (December 8, 1951, Liverpool) (aged 25-26 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 29-30 years old at the time)

Ian Callaghan (April 10, 1942, Toxteth, Liverpool) (aged 35-36 years old at the time)

Sammy Lee (February 7, 1959, Liverpool) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

Kevin Kewley (March 2, 1955, Liverpool) (aged 22-23 years old at the time)

 

Forwards:

Kenny Dalglish (Scotland) (March 4, 1951, Glasgow, Scotland) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

David Fairclough (January 5, 1957, Liverpool) (aged 20-21 years old at the time)

David Johnson (October 23, 1951, Liverpool-November 23, 2022) (aged 25-26 years old at the time)

John Toshack (Wales) (March 22, 1949, Cardiff, Wales) (aged 28-29 years old at the time) (transferred in March 1978 to become Player-Manager at Swansea City)

Howard Gayle (May 18, 1958, Toxteth, Liverpool) (aged 19-20 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Bob Paisley (January 23, 1919, Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham-February 14, 1996, Liverpool) (aged 58-59 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Emlyn Hughes

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro

Shirt Sponsor: None

 

 

Transfer Activity:

 

Arrivals:

Kenny Dalglish (Celtic Glasgow)

Graeme Souness (Middlesbrough)

Alan Hansen (Partick Thislte)


Departures:

Kevin Keegan (SV Hamburg, West Germany)

Alec Lindsay (Stoke City)

Alan Waddle (Leicester City)

John Toshack (left in February/March 1978 to become Player-Manager at Swansea City)

Brian Kettle (left in March 1978 to Dallas Tornado)

 

References:

France Football, Issue 1669, April 4, 1978

France Football, Issue 1675, May 16, 1978

Mondial, old series, Issue 15, April 1978

Mondial, old series, Issue 17, May 1978

Onze, Issue 26, February 1978

Onze, Issue 27, March 1978

Onze, Issue 28, April 1978

Onze, Issue 29, May 1978

World Soccer, April 1978

World Soccer, May 1978

L’Année du Football 1978

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