Star Of The Small Screen!

Andy Greeves tells a story from our vast history that has a link to our matchday opponents. This afternoon, he looks back on our ScreenSport Super Cup campaign of 1985-86, that included a two-legged semi-final against Everton.

Following the Heysel Stadium disaster which occurred prior to Liverpool’s European Cup Final with Juventus on May 29, 1985 - English clubs were banned indefinitely from competing in UEFA competitions.

The exclusion was eventually lifted after five seasons, while the Reds were banned for an additional year. The number of UEFA Cup places granted to English clubs was also reduced initially, before finally returning to a full quota in 1995-96.

The ban twice denied today’s opponents Everton the opportunity to compete in the European Cup as champions of England in 1985 and 1987. They also missed out on campaigns in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1986-87 and the UEFA Cup in 1988-89.

Our third-place finishes in the old Division One in 1984-85 and 1986-87 would have secured UEFA Cup qualification but for the ban, while we would have also entered in 198889 having come sixth the previous season. By 1989-90 though, our third placed finish in the division was no longer good enough for a European spot with the diminished UEFA Cup places available.

Aston Villa were England’s sole representatives in the UEFA Cup in 1990-91, while Manchester United played in - and won - the European Cup Winners’ Cup that campaign. England had no representative in the European Cup that season, as Liverpool were reigning league champions. League Cup winners Nottingham Forest also missed out on entry to the UEFA Cup in 1990 because of England having just one place available in the competition.