An evocative piece of writing, thanks. After the miseries of European nights against the likes of AC Milan, Feyenoord and Dukla Prague it was amazing to see the Blues finally being able to take on the best again. I think we were all in shock, and maybe we still are!

Cheers John. That AC Milan game was horrible. One of only two occasions I heard my Dad swear at the match. I remember Gary Jones' shirt being ripped till it hung off his back; the ref did nothing.

A very powerful evocative read Paul.
Like you said, no Live TV, so I tuned in to the Radio.
It was an exhilarating Audio experience.

Can’t imagine what the live event must have been like.
How lucky for you and your Fellow Blues, to have witnessed History in the making.

Hands-up, all you readers who lingered, transfixed at that Action Photo at the Top of the page?

It Brought back memories of my boyhood days, buying the football Magazines, «  Goal » and «  Shoot «  and staring at the Action Photos of Ariel Duels and Goalmouth Frenzies and often wondering, which trajectory the Ball took.
The imagination was in Over-Drive!

It's a shame it was 'only' the European Cup-winners' Cup. That team would have won the European Cup itself that year.

Great summary Paul. I was a student too at the time, but luckily on a 'Year In Industry' in Manchester at the time, so it was an easy trip over. I went with a flat-mate of mine who was a City fan (he was tupping Peter Swales' daughter). Cash at the turnstile, no problem getting in.
We were stood on the middle of the Gwladys Street terrace. It was epic. Playing the legendary Bayern Munich - who had won multiple European Cups only a decade before. They had the pacy winger Kogl, and he beat Ratcliffe on the touchline (rather too easily, if truth be told), and Hoeness rolled in the rebound after Southall's save. Briefly, there was the loudest silence I have ever heard, and then a huge roar as 50,000 blues got behind the team.
The second half went by in a blur, two relatively quick goals from Sharp and Gray, and then some tension, a Bayern goal would have put us behind in the tie. And then an absolute explosion, as 4 minutes from the end, Tricky Trevor sealed it. Party-time, singing, swaying terraces. We were thrown backwards and forwards several rows.
The best night ever at Goodison. 40 years, where did it go?
Incidentally, I have a large copy of the picture at the top of the article, signed by Andy Gray up on on my wall. It's always there as a reminder.

I was living in London at the time so I was, without doubt, on the same train from Euston as you, Paul. What a ride! That whole night was just unforgettably, brilliantly, chaotically, incredible. After it was all over I can remember going back with a couple of mates to Prescot in a euphoric daze for yet more beer (as that's where my parents lived at the time and I was staying for the night). In the pub, none of us could actually speak we'd sung and shouted ourselves so hoarse. But we still just about managed to make ourselves understood. The train back south the next morning was a nightmare - hungover to hell and no voice. But it was worth every last second. I will never, ever forget that night.

It seems it is the game / atmosphere that will always be the ‘one’ for anybody who was there.

Certainly for me (I talk about it if I ever meet someone who doesn’t really get the devotion to a club thing) and (straight from the horse’s mouth) Kevin Ratcliffe.

At least, that’s what he said, without hesitation, about 20 years ago when I asked him what his most memorable game had been at one of those EFC / LFC speakers evening. The compère was one of the local radio commentators (sorry can’t remember who) who added that he hadn’t been there for some reason but he’d rapidly been made aware that he had missed out on the ‘occasion’ of a lifetime.

I was on the last step of the lower Gwladys Street terrace and ended up in a joyous, hugging, celebratory heap of bodies on the cinder walkway behind it when the second goal was scored. Being a nimble teenager at the time I was able to leap clear from the tumult and simply observe the ‘love-in’ of the prone when the third went in!

I missed it, Paul

I took the Mrs to Lancaster that day to visit a close relative of hers who was very sick and warra ya know ? The inconsiderate bastard took a serious turn for the worse. To make matters even more frustrating, he was RS and I hardly knew him. I sympathised of course, but I was all for getting back for the match. It was the semi-final. She warned me she would never forgive me if I did. Why oh why did I listen ?

I hadnt missed a game home and away for 4 years before that night. What a time for that run to come to an end. I was distraught, but my despair soon turned to joy as I listened on the radio. my imagination went into overdrive. The atmosphere was coming across loud and clear. Even the radio was shaking and I felt I was there. Plus I knew I was going to Rotterdam. I must have watched this match 100 times since.

The "dying" RS made a full recovery and even resurfaced years later looking for a bed for the night in Liverpool so he could go to a victory parade. You can probably guess my answer to that.

I hadnt realised Evertonia had a fan article section down here in the corner. I don't know how I missed it, but I was delighted to see a couple from my old china plate Paul - The Shark - Tran, reliving that epic cup journey.

The first thing that struck me about this site is the quality of the articles and despite being in such illustrious company, your piece/s have recaptured a quite magical period and do not look one inch out of place.

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