35 years on from Wembley glory

The 1978 European Cup final at Wembley saw Liverpool face Club Brugge from Belgium. 

Our journey to the final was not an easy one by any means, especially when compared to the relatively softer route that Club Brugge were dealt.

The Reds swept Dynamo Dresden aside with a 6-3 aggregate win before beating Benfica 5-3 in the third round. 

In the semi-final Borussia Monchengladbach awaited, and after a 2-1 defeat away from home, Bob Paisley's side ran-out 3-0 winners at Anfield to secure a passage to the final. The reigning champions of Europe were off to Wembley!

On May 10, 1978, my father and I started the short walk along Green St towards Upton Park tube station to make our journey to Wembley Stadium.

It was the first time I thought that a Liverpool family living in London had some advantages.

As we stopped at Euston Square tube station, it was though the entire population of Liverpool had invaded London. The carriages filled up with red and white supporters singing and clapping - it was simply amazing to see.

The party atmosphere had started and my father started conversation with fellow Reds fans and the excitement was building.

When we arrived at Wembley Park Station and stepped outside, we were greeted by a sea of red and white banners and flags.

There were Liverpool supporters everywhere you looked - it's a memory that has never left me.

My father found a bar that was completely filled with Reds and I sat outside with some young fans my age who had made the trip down from Liverpool.  We talked about the final, our favourite players and who we all believed would score.

We then encountered Brugge fans heading inside the bar, the younger fans stayed outside with us and we all introduced ourselves to them.

It's exciting speaking with fans from another part of the world, especially when you are only seven years old, and we found out that our new Belgium friends were just as passionate about their club as we were about Liverpool.

Eventually everyone started to head towards the stadium. We all said our goodbyes and wished each other well, and I remember thinking that this is how football should be - no animosity, no hatred, just people wanting to support their team and enjoying the occasion.

It was an opinion that was witnessed through children's eyes, but now in adult life, it's still a concept I would like to hold on to, and one I believe is still possible for football.

As we entered Wembley it was like the world had opened up and the first thing that caught my eyes were the famous twin towers directly opposite me. They looked beautiful in the sunlight.

Then within five minutes the players started to walk out and the noise was deafening - it was like a million people shouting and singing around me all at once.

The Reds were without Tommy Smith, who had broken his toe, and David Johnson, who was also out due to knee ligament damage. So in came Alan Hansen and David Fairclough.

Liverpool dominated the first half with chances for Case, Kennedy, Hansen, Fairclough and Graeme Souness, but the Belgium side held on to keep the first half goalless.

The second half began how the first half finished, with the game being controlled by the Reds, early chances from Dalglish and McDermott pinned Brugge back.

Then, in the 64th minute, Souness made a delicious pass just outside the box to find Dalglish, who turned and sent a delightful chip over the Belgium 'keeper to put Liverpool ahead.

Wembley erupted into a frenzy. My scarf went about 10 rows back, as did my hat but in the other direction.

I must have jumped up and down for about five minutes without stopping. Now Liverpool had a lead to protect and were in total control, and at last the travelling Reds were in full voice. It was a mesmerising experience to witness.

As the match drew to a close, it seemed as though Wembley only had Liverpool supporters inside its famous stands. Then the referee blew for full-time.

Jubilation and hysteria followed and continued long after Emlyn Hughes lifted old big ears for the second time in two years. Liverpool had just made British footballing history.

The journey home from Wembley was unforgettable; travelling back on the packed tube train, full of Liverpool supporters, who were singing and dancing with delight all the way to Euston Station.

It is one of my fondest memories, not only over 40 years of supporting Liverpool Football Club, but of my life itself.

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