1983: The birth of Fergie time, and Malta’s Spanish inquisition

Football was all about stolen trophies, old jumpers and a drop of Dutch courage as the mid-80s came into view

MALTA’S SPANISH INQUISITION

With Spain needing to beat an admittedly poor Malta by at least 11 goals to reach Euro 84, qualification is seemingly nailed on for the Netherlands in December. “Eleven goals?” spits Maltese goalkeeper John Bonello before kick-off. “Not against me, not against anyone.” Spain concede an equaliser at 1-0, but four-goal hauls from Santillana and Poli Rincon, plus Juan Senor’s late strike, help to seal a 12-1 win. Years later, two Maltese players accuse the Spanish of doping because “they had foam in their mouths”, also claiming they’d been drugged themselves by tainted lemons at half-time.

PAISLEY’S PIPE, SLIPPERS AND CARDY

In May, Liverpool manager Bob Paisley brings an end to 44 years at Anfield as a player, physio and coach, having lifted 21 major honours including three European Cups. Paisley (left) – who famously conducted his everyday business wearing a moth-eaten cardigan and slippers – hands the reins to Joe Fagan (right), the latest graduate of Liverpool’s Boot Room production line of bosses. “I didn’t want the job anyway,” Paisley had told the players on his first day in 1974, after succeeding Bill Shankly. Just as well no one listened, then.

JULES RIMET ROBBED

“Even Brazilian thieves love football,” said a spokesman for the country’s FA when the World Cup disappeared before the 1966 finals, “and would never commit this sacrilege.” With sweet irony, the Jules Rimet trophy is pinched from behind bullet-proof glass in December... at the Brazilian FA. Masterminded by football agent and banker Sergio Peralta, a former police officer, painter and decorator and safecracker are arrested, with each pleading their innocence. Two of them are later killed in mysterious circumstances (one shot, the other in a car crash), while Peralta is jailed until 1998. The cup, possibly melted down into gold bars, is never found.

IT’S FERGIE’S TIME

Aberdeen beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Gothenburg rain to win May’s European Cup Winners’ Cup final. The all-scottish underdogs start quickly, Eric Black finishing a rebound from Alex Mcleish’s deflected seventh-minute header, but Los Blancos soon level through Juanito’s penalty. Managed by firebrand 41-year-old Alex Ferguson, the Dons grow into the game, and substitute John Hewitt nods home an extra-time header to secure an improbable European trophy. “Aberdeen have what money can’t buy,” concedes Madrid boss Alfredo Di Stefano at full-time, “a soul, a team spirit built in a family tradition.”

IT’S ALL FINE FOR BOBBY

Bristol Rovers lose 2-0 to Bradford in February’s Third Division meeting, but it’s a full and frank exchange of views between beaten Gas boss Bobby Gould and the referee which invites most intrigue. Having disagreed with some of the whistleblower’s decision making in the Valley Parade defeat, Gould decides to fine himself £200 for “mouthing off” at the match official. Good to see a leader actually holding themselves to account.

DUTCH COURAGE

“We’re still going to win the league,” Feyenoord forward Johan Cruyff tells his new team-mates after losing 8-2 to Ajax in September. ‘Pythagoras in Boots’ had left the Amsterdam giants earlier that summer because, despite winning a league and cup double in 1982-83, they would not extend the 36-year-old’s contract. So, in a fit of typical Cruyffian pique, the Ajax icon moved to the club’s most bitter rivals. Feyenoord prove Johan right and go on to win the Eredivisie by five points the following May, plus the KNVB Cup.