Dalglish, Francis, Robertson and Kennedy. Not a group of solicitors, but a list of players who scored winners in European Cup finals between 1978 and 1981. A time when English clubs ruled Europe. After Liverpool’s 1977 triumph, four 1-0 wins continued England’s continental dominance. Yet there was more to come.
The name of Peter Withe would soon be added to this merry band of players. But there is a lot of ground to cover before we arrive at the right boot/shin of the England centre forward at the De Kuip, Rotterdam. Someone has kindly covered the story of Aston Villa’s 1982 European Cup glory before. However, a recap may be useful.
The smell of rotting fish in Iceland; the heroics of keeper Jimmy Rimmer and winger Tony Morley in Berlin; the small matter of title-winning manager Ron Saunders departing before the quarter-final against Dynamo Kyiv; a change of location from Kyiv to Simferopol; cockroaches in bread rolls; violence in Anderlecht that threatened Villa’s participation in the final.
Somehow Villa, under their new manager, Tony Barton, made it to the final played on Wednesday 26 May. Barton had previously assisted Saunders and, as chief scout at the club, had spotted half of the 14-man squad used during the title-winning season. His rise to permanent manager of Villa was another chapter in the chaotic story of that 1981/82 campaign.
Awaiting Villa in the final were the mighty Bayern Munich, the last club outside of England to have lifted the trophy. Understandably seen as big favourites, the team contained players such as Paul Breitner, Klaus Augenthaler, and a two-time European Footballer of the Year in Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. And there would be another twist in the tale after just nine minutes of the final.
Rimmer, who unbeknown to most had entered the final with a concern over a neck injury, was forced off, resulting in only a second appearance for Nigel Spink. The 23-year-old would perform heroics in his first match since Boxing Day 1979, keeping out the best efforts Bayern threw at him. Such was his demeanour, Spink looked like a seasoned pro come the end of the evening.
It would be a bona fide seasoned pro who would provide Villa with their winning moment. Yet just like the club he was playing for, Withe’s path to that glorious moment was not smooth. Having helped Nottingham Forest win the First Division in 1977/78, Withe left before their European party had even started.
Withe would later reveal the reason behind his departure. Trying to negotiate a pay increase with Brian Clough, both men dug their heels in, Withe stating that he left the club due to the fact his manager would not pay him an extra £10 a week. Refused a move to another top-flight club, the centre forward was transferred to Second-Division Newcastle.
Although he says he never regretted the move, Withe surely must have experienced mixed emotions as his former club won two European Cups. As his old strike partner Tony Woodcock formed a new relationship with Garry Birtles, Withe looked on from the outside as Newcastle languished midtable in the Second Division.
Yet as the 1980/81 season approached, Saunders brought Withe to Villa for a then record fee of £500,000. The journey to redemption had started. His move proved to be the final piece in the jigsaw that Saunders required. Winning their first league title since the 1909/10 season, Villa pipped Ipswich, as transistor radios clutched by many of the Villa faithful inside Highbury spread the good news on the terraces.
Withe’s partnership with Gary Shaw was one of the key components of Villa’s success. The little and large duo scored 38 league goals between them, instantly striking up an understanding. In Odd Man Out, Graham Fenton’s fine book on Saunders’ time at Villa, Fenton details the commentator Gerald Sinstadt stating that the pair “went together like bacon and eggs, and they sizzled”.
Shaw would win the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1981, and would also scoop the Bravo Award as the best under-23 player in European football the following year. A boyhood Villa fan, Shaw thrived for his club during the first few years of the decade. Only a terrible knee injury suffered at Nottingham Forest in September 1983 prevented him from realising his full potential.
Both Withe and Shaw would demonstrate the qualities they brought to Villa with the goal that would see them crowned champions of Europe. Collecting a pass from Dennis Mortimer, Withe shielded the ball before laying it back to Villa’s skipper. Then a moment of pure skill from Shaw provided the spark.
Taking the ball towards the left touchline, Shaw cut back inside, leaving Wolfgang Dremmler falling to the ground, before releasing a perfect first-time pass to Morley. The winger surged into the penalty area, jinked right then left as he twisted the blood of a bemused Hans Weiner, and then laid a chance on a plate for Villa’s No 9.
It should have been a formality. Less than six yards out, Withe had the opportunity to hand Villa a priceless lead. Yet the ball bobbled, and as the centre forward attempted to strike the ball with his right foot, his heart must have been in his mouth as the ball edged closer and closer to the post.
“I half hit it with my foot and half hit it with my shin,” Withe later revealed, as fortunately both the ball and the 30-year-old ended up in the back of the net. Fittingly, Shaw was first to congratulate his strike partner, with Gordon Cowans then pulling the pair to the ground. Villa had something to hold on to for 23 minutes.
“The big centre forward almost made a hash of it,” Jeff Powell wrote in his Daily Mail match report. “His shot from barely a yard hitting the inside of a post before entering the net. But at moments like that, it doesn’t matter how you score them, as long as they go in.” Anyone associated with Villa would certainly agree with that.
Withe’s winning goal is remembered on a banner at Villa Park, quoting the commentary of Brian Moore. “Shaw, Williams, prepared to venture down the left. There’s a good ball played in for Tony Morley. Oh, it must be! And it is! Peter Withe!” The sweetest goal in Villa’s history, one that has come into focus even more in recent weeks.
Villa’s return to the competition – featuring a fixture against Bayern – coupled with the tragic news that Shaw had passed away, stirred the memories of the early 80s. A key figure in the history of the club, the adoration shown for Shaw highlighted the joy he brought to many. His part in Withe’s golden goal is a permanent tribute to a man who lived the dream of representing the club he loved.
• This is an article by That 1980s Sports Blog
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