Wembley derby memories: 1986
In the second part of our Wembley derby memories series, we look at Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Everton in the 1986 FA Cup final.
The match was played exactly a week after Liverpool secured the league title, with the Blues finishing runners-up. Two goals from Ian Rush, and one from Craig Johnston won the trophy for the Reds after Gary Lineker had put Everton ahead on 27 minutes.
Liverpoolfc.tv spoke to lifelong Red, author and Daily Mirror columnist Brian Reade about his memories of the build-up to the final and of the match itself.
What were you up to in 1986?
Working as a press officer at the Greater London Council. I was living with an Evertonian mate, Billy, in Harlesden and we travelled to watch both sides try to win that year's title. Liverpool and Everton truly were the best teams in the land by some distance. The league title had been a two-horse race which went right to the final day. Billy was gutted when we pipped them with that Dalglish volley at Chelsea. And, like most Blues, was convinced that revenge would be taken at Wembley.
What was the plan for Wembley?
Nine of us stayed in Harlesden. Five Reds, four Blues. We drank together before the game, planned to link up afterwards and spend the night together regardless of the result. But when we met outside the ground it was clear such a prospect was impossible. We were still buzzing over winning the double, oblivious to the fact that they were crippled with pain. Sensibly we decided to part ways. We went off to have endless rounds of doubles. Five hours later I phoned Billy asking him to come and meet us in a pub round the corner from his house. He agreed. Only to walk in and find us watching Ian Rush score the third on Match of The Day. He set fire to Steve Power's flag and left.
What was the atmosphere like down there?
After the three previous finals against us, the two semi-finals in 71 and 77 plus losing that year's league at the death after being top for so long, Everton really believed that fate would settle a score for them in the 86 final. I'm sure there were disagreements but I can't remember any trouble before during or after. We travelled together, drank together and walked to the stadium together. Look at the pictures and you'll see that many stood together. I can only remember a carnival atmosphere. But then afterwards there was a lot of self-imposed segregation for obvious reasons.
What do you remember of the match?
Everton dominating the first half, and thinking at half-time they were too strong for us because we hadn't really got going. Peter Reid was pulling the strings with Lineker and Sharp looking strong up front. That pattern carried on for the first 15 minutes of the second half, with the Brucie v Beglin handbags row and Grobbelaar's fingertip save from Sharp indicative of the pressure we were under. Then something miraculous happened when we scored that first goal. They fell back, self-doubt crept in, Jan Molby started spraying the ball around, everyone stepped up a gear and we never looked back. Self-belief, bolstered by the knowledge that if Rushie scored we never lost, saw us home. And at the end, a spontaneous five-minute rendition of "Shankly, Shankly" to Amazing Grace. Recognition for the man who started it all, and who would have sawn off a limb to win the Double at Wembley by beating Everton.