The wind blows onerous and chilly throughout East Anglia throughout the winter. With barely a hill in sight, there may be nothing to cease the progress of the icy chill on this south east nook of England. An agricultural area, it’s residence to 2 principal soccer groups – Norwich Metropolis in Norfolk and Ipswich City in Suffolk.
Whereas each groups are small compared to these from the key cities of England – London, Liverpool and Manchester for instance – they’ve famously punched above their weight in occasions passed by. Norwich had been notably sturdy simply after the Premier League started, ending third in within the inaugural season earlier than a well-known UEFA Cup victory over the mighty Bayern Munich.
However general, Ipswich have loved extra success, starting with the appointment of Alf Ramsey as supervisor again in August 1955, once they had been languishing within the Third Division (South) – a provincial staff with no success to their identify.
Having performed for England 32 occasions, together with the notorious 1950 World Cup defeat to the US, Ramsey hung up his boots in 1955 and set about contemplating the subsequent part of his profession. A participant with a status for the tactical facet of the sport, it appeared pure that he would gravitate in the direction of teaching. And so he was approached by the homeowners of Ipswich, the Cobbold Brewing household, to think about a player-manager function after their newest relegation to the third tier of English soccer.
Dismissing the enjoying function, he agreed to affix them as supervisor on the age of 35. Everybody has to begin someplace, so whereas Ipswich had been a small membership languishing within the decrease leagues, Ramsey hoped it is likely to be a stepping-stone to greater issues.
No-one round Ipswich may probably have dreamed about what would occur subsequent. In his second season he secured promotion to the Second Division as champions with a staff scoring over 100 objectives, which was subsequently adopted by a Second Division championship and promotion to the big-time.
Extremely, Ramsey then led Ipswich to turn out to be vhampions of England of their maiden marketing campaign within the top-flight, an unbelievable achievement over the course of simply 4 seasons. It was this wonderful debut in administration that led England to return knocking in 1963 – and the remainder, as they are saying, is historical past.
Sadly, Ipswich didn’t construct on this success and bumped between the First and Second tiers till the arrival of yet one more future England managing nice, Bobby Robson, in January 1969. Over the subsequent decade, Robson constructed Ipswich right into a profitable facet as soon as once more, the top being FA Cup glory in 1978 following a 1-0 victory over Arsenal, which may have been a a lot wider margin, such was Ipswich’s domination on the day.
They had been a daily top-five staff over this era and a relentless thorn within the facet of extra established groups akin to Liverpool and Manchester United. This was personified in an unbelievable sport throughout the 1979/80 season when Ipswich demolished Manchester United 6-0 at residence regardless of the United goalkeeper saving two penalties. One query remained, nonetheless: may Robson take Ipswich one step additional and convert a prime 5 staff into English champions in opposition to the mighty Liverpool?
It was in opposition to this backdrop that 1980/81 commenced. Ipswich had completed a powerful third throughout the earlier marketing campaign, however behind each Manchester United and the dominant Liverpool staff of the time. This was the Liverpool of Clemence, Neal, Hansen, Thompson, Case, Lee, McDermott, Souness and Dalglish. This was the Liverpool who not solely gained the title but additionally reached the semi-finals of each the League Cup and the FA Cup, managed by the legendary Bob Paisley. This was the Liverpool who dominated the late Nineteen Seventies, having gained 4 of the earlier 5 campaigns. They weren’t going to surrender their place of dominance frivolously.
Whereas the Liverpool squad despatched shivers by all who met them, Robson had assembled a formidable squad of his personal in his little nook of Suffolk. In aim was Paul Cooper, a keeper who joined Ipswich in 1974 and loved a status as a penalty specialist. The defence included internationals akin to George Burley, Terry Butcher, Mick Mills and Russell Osman. Actually, the England again line round that point usually included Butcher, Mills and Osman, so good a defensive unit had been they. However it was in midfield that issues obtained particularly attention-grabbing.
Within the Nineteen Seventies, English soccer was nonetheless extraordinarily insular. It was broadly thought that overseas gamers had been unable to deal with the pains of English physicality and would wilt on a chilly, wet evening in January. And actually, who needed all that fancy dribbling and passing that these continentals would deliver over? English soccer was not a sport for finesse.
In opposition to this backdrop, Robson determined to buck the development and buy groceries abroad. In doing so, he introduced in not one however two Dutch gems. The town of Enschede lies near the German border and is residence of FC Twente, and it’s from there that Robson signed two midfielders in 1979, Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen.
The 12 months earlier than had seen Tottenham get pleasure from success with the double-signing of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa, however the import of two non-British gamers was nonetheless a novelty on the time. The signing would show to be a Robson masterstroke, bringing in two gamers with the power to play the ball on the bottom with a complicated stage of ability.
He then simply wanted another person in that midfield to supply a bit extra “British grit”. Fortunately precisely that participant had joined Ipswich in 1975 to mature into one of many prime gamers in England by 1980.
To name John Wark combative is an understatement; he personified teamwork with power that was second to none. Like Bryan Robson, he was a midfielder with the engine of a Rolls-Royce, who may run all day and shared the speciality of popping up within the space and scoring. For a midfielder, Wark had an exceptional goalscoring document: he would finish his Ipswich profession with 94 objectives from 266 appearances. And 1980/81 was going to see him in his prime.
In assault, when Wark wasn’t dashing in to attain, Eric Gates, Paul Mariner and Alan Brazil equipped loads of firepower. Gates had performed for Ipswich his entire profession after making his debut at simply 18 in 1973, together with his most interesting second coming when he netted each objectives in a 2-1 win over Barcelona at Portman Highway within the 1979 Cup Winners Cup quarter-final.
Mariner, in the meantime, had been a club-record signing from Plymouth for the princely price of £220,000 and had established himself as an England goal man below Ron Greenwood. Alan Brazil additionally loved standing as a world inside Scotland.
So going into the 1980/81 season, whereas their squad could not have been as deep as Liverpool, it was full of established internationals from England, Scotland and the Netherlands. Offering the important thing gamers may maintain injury-free, there was no purpose why they couldn’t push on to new heights. In addition they had a UEFA cup marketing campaign to look ahead to.
As they travelled to Leicester on the opening day, there was a cautious temper of optimism amongst the followers. That optimism was quickly justified as Ipswich began the season in fantastic type. After successful the opener at Filbert Road, they proceeded to win seven of their first eight league fixtures. Within the days of two factors for a win, they opened up a four-point hole on Liverpool, Everton and a creating Aston Villa.
Wark was exhibiting his uncanny goalscoring capability with six objectives in these eight video games as each Villa and Everton had been defeated at Portman Highway, the latter 4-0. However October would show a extra lifelike check with journeys to each Liverpool and Manchester United looming.
September additionally noticed Ipswich start their UEFA cup marketing campaign, Wark once more happening a scoring spree, netting 4 objectives – together with a hat-trick of penalties – at Portman Highway in opposition to Aris Salonika, giving Ipswich a 5-1 victory which might be sufficient regardless of a 3-1 defeat again in Cyprus. A sample would develop over the marketing campaign of successful at residence however shedding away.
Again within the league, October noticed Ipswich journey to Anfield and are available away with a good draw because of a Thijssen aim. They adopted that with one other 1-1 draw at residence to Manchester United. That they had performed the highest two groups from the earlier season and maintained their unbeaten document. The tip of October did, nonetheless, see Aston Villa take the highest spot, albeit solely two factors forward of Ipswich who had two video games in arms over the Villains.
The tip of October noticed Ipswich’s subsequent European journey as, as soon as once more, a primary leg win at residence noticed them set up a 3-0 win over Bohemians Prague, with Wark inevitably scoring twice, earlier than one other away leg scare that noticed them lose 2-0 however grasp on to progress to the third spherical. Wark now had six European objectives to go together with his spectacular home tally and gave the impression to be single-handedly dragging Ipswich alongside.
It was sport 15 of the season that lastly noticed Ipswich endure their first defeat – and surprisingly it occurred away at basement-dwellers Brighton. However they instantly bounced again with back-to-back wins to complete November in third, behind Villa and Liverpool however nonetheless with three video games in hand. The tip of November additionally noticed Portman Highway once more host a UEFA Cup first leg – in opposition to Widzew Lodz of Poland – on an evening few would neglect.
Widzew had impressively knocked out Manchester United and Juventus within the previous two rounds and included a younger striker who was getting fairly the status by the identify of Zbigniew Boniek. Juve determined to proceed to watch his progress, resulting in his eventual signing and profitable partnership with Michel Platini on the Delle Alpi.
However on this evening in November, they might be swept apart 5-0 by Ipswich, inclusive of one other Wark hat-trick. After all, Ipswich then went on to lose the return leg in Poland 1-0, however the Portman Highway devoted now really believed. The European journey was in full flight however would now be on maintain till March. Till then, it was again to blustery chilly Suffolk for a continued league marketing campaign and the beginning of the FA Cup.
December noticed six league video games together with a house draw in opposition to Liverpool, a much-enjoyed residence victory within the East Anglian derby over Norwich, and only one defeat away at Tottenham. By month’s finish, Ipswich had been only a single level behind leaders Liverpool and Villa, however nonetheless with two video games in hand. Consideration now turned to the FA Cup.
The FA Cup nonetheless retained its magic again within the 80s with full-strength groups despatched out, fan fever and budding romance. Ipswich had loved a powerful bond with the competitors in latest occasions, successful it in 1978, and so it was with pleasure that followers awaited the draw to see how their newest marketing campaign would start. The great thing about the open FA Cup draw delivered, throwing Ipswich a third-round tie at residence in opposition to Aston Villa.
Unsurprisingly it might show to be a decent sport, however a second of magic from the Dutch duo led to an early Mariner aim, which proved sufficient on the evening. The reward was a fourth-round tie away at Second Division Shrewsbury.
As evident of their UEFA Cup marketing campaign, Ipswich had a poor observe document away from residence within the cups, and that continued at Homosexual Meadow because the Tractor Boys got here away with a 0-0 attract a sport that Robson admitted they had been fortunate to have survived. Ipswich’s residence type noticed them win the replay 3-0 and arrange a fifth-round tie in February at residence to Charlton.
Ipswich’s January league marketing campaign noticed them win three and draw one, scoring 11 objectives over the three video games, a powerful run that noticed them return to the highest of the desk forward of Aston Villa on aim distinction and with champions Liverpool starting to drop away. It was a stellar month that meant Ipswich had been now prime of Division One, within the fifth spherical of the FA Cup and within the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
February noticed them construct on this momentum as they gained all 4 league video games and beat Charlton 2-0 within the FA Cup, leaving them two factors forward of Villa in what was now successfully a head-to-head race and awaiting Nottingham Forest away in an FA Cup quarter-final. The whispers started round England: may Ipswich truly win the treble of league, FA Cup and UEFA Cup? Heady stuff, certainly.
There was one main impediment forward by way of the treble. March noticed Ipswich return to Europe, and the UEFA Cup draw had given them the hardest of ties: St-Etienne. Three-time league champions throughout the Nineteen Seventies and European Cup runners-up in 1976, it was a squad that boasted the likes of Battiston, Lopez, Larius, Rep and a sure Platini.
This was the Platini who would quickly be becoming a member of Boniek in Turin and who would win European Footballer of the Yr in 1983, ’84 and ’85. It was a staff with critical European pedigree – and Ipswich needed to journey to the Stade Geoffery-Guichard first.
It was a legendary evening for the boys from Suffolk. Gates had been closed two hours forward of kick-off as 42,000 crammed into the stadium. It was 26 years since St-Etienne had final misplaced a European tie at residence. An early headed aim from Dutch star Rep within the iconic inexperienced shirt had the group whipped right into a frenzy as Ipswich’s poor away cup type continued. However then a robust header from Mariner left the groups stage on the half. After which the miracle occurred.
Simply two minutes from the restart, some good interaction from Ipswich noticed Wark cross the ball to Muhren exterior the world. With out hesitating, Muhren unleashed a left-foot screamer into the highest nook, giving the goalkeeper no likelihood. Ipswich had their first UEFA Cup lead away from residence.
With confidence surging, a ball out to Brazil on the precise noticed his cross volleyed by Butcher earlier than Mariner swooped in to attain Ipswich’s third. St-Etienne had been on the ropes and the knockout blow got here from who else however Wark with a powerful header into the nook. Ipswich had ended their away curse in fashion. Robson commented: “We have now demolished facet with the most effective victories anybody has achieved in Europe up to now ten years.”
As if to strengthen the purpose, Ipswich then comfortably gained the return leg 3-1 in entrance of a packed Portman Highway. For sure, Wark was on the scoresheet as soon as once more. Immediately all of Europe was conscious of the Tractor Boys.
In between these two historic video games, additionally they travelled to Nottingham to tackle Brian Clough’s Forest within the FA Cup quarter-final. A pulsating tie ensued as Forest actually gifted Ipswich a two-goal lead solely to see it evaporate as Trevor Francis, Colin Walsh and John Robertson turned the sport on its head.
It appeared that lastly the quantity of video games had caught up with Ipswich and the treble dream was crumbling. However then a shot by Thijssen took a merciless deflection and the blues escaped with a fortunate draw. The replay was gained 1-0 and the treble dream was again on … simply. Ipswich had been within the semi-finals of each the FA Cup and UEFA Cup.
However all these video games had been starting to empty a small squad and cracks lastly started to point out throughout March of their league type. After having misplaced two video games all season, March noticed them defeated in successive away video games at Manchester United and Leeds. It was sufficient to nonetheless see Ipswich prime on the finish of the month, only a level forward of Aston Villa. It was a primary ominous signal.
And so the season was coming in the direction of the top with Ipswich getting into April prime of the league and in two main semi-finals. A historic treble was nonetheless in play – if Ipswich may simply keep their momentum by the ultimate weeks. However they had been going through eight video games throughout April. With a skeleton squad, they had been going to wish a reserve of power and a bout of luck to barter such a schedule.
The ultimate nervewracking endgame commenced below the last word definition of fixture congestion, and the diary developed as follows:
April 4
Ipswich go to West Brom within the league and endure their third successive away loss 3-1 – the irony being that West Brom’s victory helps their arch-rivals Aston Villa.
April 8
Ipswich face the primary leg of their UEFA semi-final in opposition to a robust Koln at Portman Highway, boasting the likes of Littbarski, Bonhof and Dieter Muller. A full home sees Ipswich set up a slim 1-0 first-leg victory courtesy of a header from Wark.
April 11
Ipswich journey as much as Villa Park for his or her FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. A crowd of 46,000 watch a nervy sport stay goalless earlier than getting into further time with Beattie having an effort cleared off the road. Then a by ball to Metropolis’s Bennett sees him tussle with Butcher, with a free-kick considerably harshly awarded to Metropolis round 30 yards from aim.
What occurred subsequent lives in Manchester Metropolis folklore; skipper Paul Energy curls the free-kick previous Cooper into the highest nook. It leaves Ipswich with 20 minutes to rescue the treble dream, however it isn’t to be. It has taken three video games in eight days to lastly break them, however break them it has. The treble is not any extra.
Ipswich now have the titanic process of selecting themselves up from defeat – and a 120-minute match – to revisit Villa Park simply three days later for a doable league decider. After three successive away defeats, a loss right here would nearly hand Villa the trophy.
April 14
Over 47,000 followers pack Villa Park for the title decider. A hopeful lengthy ball sees Villa defender McNaught below no strain, besides that he fails to note Mariner closing in behind him. Earlier than he is aware of what is occurring, Mariner pokes the ball from him and Brazil slots Ipswich into the lead. Immediately the boldness is again and an early second-half Villa surge is thwarted twice by Cooper.
Villa as soon as once more go into self-destruct mode as a wayward cross from Bremner permits Mariner to play in Gates for a second Ipswich aim. Villa come again with a magnificence from Gary Shaw however Ipswich grasp on to rekindle their title hopes. In three days, Ipswich gamers go from despair to ecstasy on the identical Villa Park turf.
April 18
One other league sport as Ipswich host Arsenal at Portman Highway. The infinite matches are actually taking their toll and Robson chooses to relaxation Thijssen whereas Kevin Beattie is absent with a damaged arm. Sadly, Ipswich lastly expertise their first residence lack of the season as Arsenal depart with a harmful 2-0 victory, with the opening aim initially disallowed for offside earlier than a change of thoughts following a referee-linesman session. An injured Gates must be substituted throughout the sport so as to add to Ipswich’s harm woes.
April 20
Simply two days after their first residence defeat of the season, Ipswich should journey to Norwich for the East Anglian derby. If any staff will enjoyment of derailing Ipswich’s title push, it is going to be the Canaries. Virtually 26,000 rabid Norwich followers pack Carrow Highway to induce their staff on. Regardless of being close to the underside of the desk, they shock Ipswich by inflicting a 1-0 defeat. It appears now that the title is heading to Villa Park, a lot to the delight of these in yellow.
April 22
Once more, a mere two-day relaxation after which off to Koln to defend their slim 1-0 first-leg benefit. An insane schedule for any staff however probably the final leg of the treble nonetheless alive. However Ipswich once more drag themselves off the canvas and win 1-0, courtesy of an unlikely goalscorer in Butcher, to succeed in the UEFA Cup closing.
April 25
Again to Portman Highway for a must-win residence tie in opposition to their FA Cup foes Manchester Metropolis. Butcher once more turns into the hero as he scores the one aim of the sport – and Ipswich are nonetheless simply within the title race. Two video games are left in Might to determine the league with two UEFA closing legs sandwiched in between in opposition to AZ Alkmaar.
Might 2
With Aston Villa now nearly over the ending line, Ipswich journey to Middlesborough in a must-win sport whereas Villa journey to Arsenal. Arsenal win 2-0 however play in opposition to a backdrop of singing Villa followers because the information circulates round Highbury that Ipswich are shedding at Ayresome Park. The defeat implies that the second a part of the treble dream is formally over as Villa are topped Division One champions. Within the house of below a month, two legs of the stool have been eliminated. Solely the UEFA Cup dream stays.
Might 6
One other brief relaxation after which the primary leg of the UEFA Cup closing in opposition to AZ. As soon as once more, Ipswich breathe life into drained legs as they run out 3-0 victors with objectives from Wark, Thijssen and Mariner. A rocking Portman Highway celebrates, however understanding their shaky away document, nothing is for certain but.
Might 20
Lastly – lastly – Ipswich’s marathon season attracts to an in depth as they journey to the Netherlands to safe European glory. A terrific begin sees Thijssen rating in opposition to his countrymen after simply 4 minutes. Nerves begin to jangle as AZ seize two objectives within the subsequent 21 minutes to go forward earlier than Wark, inevitably, returns calm with an equaliser. Undeterred AZ rating once more to take a 3-2 lead into the half-time break.
Then, on 73 minutes, they go 4-2 up, that means an mixture lead now of simply 5-4 to Ipswich, however with away objectives benefit., AZ nonetheless want an additional two. However Ipswich maintain out and eventually one of many three trophies that they’ve been chasing all 12 months is of their arms.
So, after a season that noticed Ipswich play a staggering 66 video games throughout 4 competitions, they completed as UEFA Cup champions, First Division runners-up and FA Cup semi-finalists. Total, this represented an unbelievable achievement for the staff from Suffolk with a restricted squad and assets.
Robson had demonstrated his expertise for creating expertise whereas additionally integrating overseas aptitude, main him to a fantastic profession spanning PSV, Barcelona, Newcastle, England and a knighthood.
In a manner, Ipswich had been truly unfortunate to not win the league given Liverpool had been having a relative low season (they nonetheless gained the European Cup and League Cup however completed fifth in Division One). Sadly for the Tractor Boys, they got here up in opposition to a once-in-a-lifetime Aston Villa staff who had a a lot lighter schedule of matches.
It’s onerous to think about these days having to play eight extremely aggressive, traumatic video games in a month with a restricted squad on the finish of an extended season – however that’s what Ipswich confronted. It’s no marvel, then, that they didn’t convert all three alternatives. The truth that they obtained as shut as they did is achievement sufficient.
The 1980/81 season represented the apogee of that proficient facet. The next season would see them once more finish as Division One runners-up behind a rejuvenated Liverpool, however the UEFA Cup triumph can be their final main trophy as much as the present day.
For all these followers who witnessed it, the 1980/81 season will reside of their hearts endlessly. From humiliating Platini and co in France to a basic cup win over Clough’s Nottingham Forest and a snatch-and-grab win at Villa Park in opposition to the champions-to-be, many indelible reminiscences had been fashioned.
As for John Wark, he ended the season as the highest scorer within the UEFA Cup with a staggering 14 objectives in simply 12 video games. After which, simply to rub it in additional, he grabbed 18 Division One objectives and two apiece within the League Cup and FA Cup. It took his whole tally for the marketing campaign to 36, ten forward of the subsequent greatest, Mariner. An Ipswich legend was born.
The final phrase ought to go to the good man himself. Wanting again on the season, the late Sir Bobby Robson mentioned, “Folks beloved us and it was one of many few events the place we truly made folks sing. The ’81 staff, for my part, was the perfect facet [I managed]. We performed the type of soccer that hadn’t been seen in for a lot of, a few years … and never solely simply in Ipswich however I believe in England.” If Sir Bobby thinks that, then who’re we to argue?
By Dominic Hougham