Liverpool FC Season 1996–97. A title challenge of sorts. European Semi-Final heartbreak. And “The Greatest Ever Premier League Game Vol 2”.
A disgruntled Newcastle United fan throws his shirt at Kenny Dalglish in disgust as the Reds storm into an early 3–0 lead on the night of “The Greatest Ever Premier League Game: Vol 2”, 10th March 1997.
Welcome to Part 10 of my scrapbooking odyssey on the football team my dear old Mum “persuaded” me to follow when just a small boy and around the mercurial times of Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish, winnings cups in May and seemingly always holding that beautiful gleaming trophy with the “Big Ears”.
I attended my first Liverpool game as a 10 year old on 8th August 1982 when the Reds formed a “triangle” of pre-season friendlies with Coventry City and Ipswich Town and all hosted by my hometown club of Portsmouth. I was already a Red as far back as 1980 and I have no idea how my Mother achieved such a feat but she bought me the “Hitachi” home shirt and one I proudly wore as an 8 year old to a very stuffy, best bib and tucker occasion at Portsmouth Guildhall as I met the Lord Mayor after winning a painting competition with my entry, naturally entitled, “The Football Match”. So of course I was going to attend this Gala event as an 8 year old in my Liverpool shirt. What self respecting Red at that age wouldn’t?
So I’m not a Scouser (though I envy those with that particular birthplace) and I’m an “out of towner”. But please allow me to very briefly give you some bona fides as to the veracity of my support for this wonderful football club.
My first game was 1982 and my last was 2012. In the 30 years in between I have followed the Reds at over 55 league grounds in England and Wales as well as 7 European grounds and I’ve probably travelled to see them 300+ times. Not an idyll boast, nor is it overly ground breaking. I’ve been incredibly lucky as well as being incredibly skint watching the Reds! I became a season ticket holder in the season before the first lock down after being on the waiting list since 1998 . I had the crest tattooed on my arm as a 15 year old, I’ve sat on a cold coach for days going to Switzerland for a 2nd Round Cup Winners Cup tie, I watched *that* goal in *that* 1996 FA Cup Final on a tiny Casio TV outside “our” end of Wembley without a ticket.
Well, I had a ticket, but that’s a whole other story for another day.
So I’m a Southern born Red with a lot of scrapbook cuttings to share and maybe the occasional commentary to go along with them too. I hope you enjoy sharing them with me.
“Allez! Allez! Allez!”
Disclaimer — All pictures contained within this blog will be almost certainly from the “main” UK publications of the day but more importantly perhaps wholly contained within some loved, if dusty, scrapbooks of a 30 year vintage and placed here purely for enjoyment purposes and I hope that this disclaimer meets everyone’s needs. If not, thank you www.guardian.comwww.dailymail.co.ukwww.thetimes.co.ukwww.mirror.co.ukwww.telegraph.co.ukwww.liverpoolecho.co.uk et al for entertaining this Pritt Stick and scissors wielding young child/spotty teen/tall and gangly late teenager and young adult who should’ve stopped ripping and cutting up newspapers long before he hung up his scissors! All programmes shown here are from my personal collection.
Disclaimer II — This is far from a fully comprehensive review of the season and purely the contents and selected pages from my scrapbooks and boxes of football programmes. I was nicknamed by my Liverpool match going pal as “The Cutter” in reference to an Echo and the Bunnymen song and so hence, here are my cuttings.
Disclaimer III — There will be images from a certain reviled newspaper that I will not name and I only include them (where available) as they represent the cuttings at that time. I despise that “newspaper” and when I used to “go the match” I always wore my Hillsborough Support Group scarf and a white sticker imploring everyone not to buy that unnamed “newspaper”.
So onto the good stuff! I have 10+ seasons of cuttings to share and I hope these scraps from my books jog a memory of the match concerned or the era, the city in general or your life at that time.
Human memories are a precious commodity. I hope you enjoy.
Middlesbrough (3) Liverpool (3). Opening day of the 1996/97 season saw the Reds travel to Teeside to open their account against a much changed and stronger Middlesbrough team than in previous years, and now headed by the “White Feather”, Fabrizio Ravanelli as his hat-trick goals cancelled out those from Stig Inge Bjornebye, veteran John Barnes and Robbie Fowler.
Late August and into early September as the Reds continue with their unbeaten start to the season with an impressive 2–0 win over Arsenal at Anfield and a 1–0 victory at Highfield Road, Coventry. This was the first time I hadn’t seen the Reds at Highfield Road in many years and perhaps I was indeed a Jonah all along! My travels to Coventry always ended in defeat or a tame draw, so my absence obviously allowed the Reds to gain a much needed victory!
My first Anfield trip of the season and for a game I have zero recollection of! 7th September and in front of 39,189 spectators at Anfield the Reds won 2–1 with goals from Stan Collymore and a late winner from Steve McManaman. 5 Premier League games down and the Reds had collected 11 points from a possible 15 and remained unbeaten.
Two away wins in the space of 3 days and thousands of miles travelled with no goals conceded. The Reds impressive start to the season continued with wins at MyPa-47 in the 1st Round of the European Cup Winners Cup and a thoroughly comprehensive 3–0 victory at Filbert Street over Leicester City. All eyes were turned to the Czech International named Patrik Berger, his long flowing locks and supreme ability to keep the ball, pass the ball, and strike a football quite exquisitely.
My one and only trip to Filbert Street was notable for so many things (1) I was supposed to be in Stratford for a weekend getaway with my girlfriend (long story). (2) I was told to “hang around with Marty” as they found me a ticket with minutes to spare (even longer and stranger story). (3) Patrik Berger leapt into Red hearts with an astounding debut display, and that story is perhaps the longest and sweetest of the lot.
6 days later and the new Kop idol and darling scored twice more as the Reds utterly demolished a poor Chelsea and were 5–0 up with over half an hour still remaining. 40,739 were at Anfield to witness an ever impressive start to the season, with the Reds having collected 17 points from a possible 21.
West Ham United (1) Liverpool (2), 29th September 1996. 25,064 were in attendance at Upton Park (but rarely I wasn’t for this game) and the merry band of Reds in the away end saw a second half strike from Michael Thomas secure all 3 points.
After an 8 match unbeaten start to the league season, the 9th game is a bridge too far at “The Theatre” as an early David Beckham goal gave his side a 1–0 win in front of 55,128 at Old Trafford.
The itinerary (itinerary!) for my first ever European trip with the Reds as “Steve The Taxi Driver” and I travelled by coach to the tiny town of Sion in Switzerland for the 2nd Round, 1st Leg of the European Cup Winners Cup. The cost of the trip (£129?) wiped me out financially and I went with empty pockets and a head full of European dreams. There is some tale to tell of this trip, but I’ll save it for another more elongated blog which is currently half written and coming soon!
Here’s tonight’s team news from Switzerland.
A picture postcard from Sion in Switzerland.
FC Sion (1) Liverpool (2), 17th October 1996. Attendance 16,500. Away goals from John Barnes and Robbie Fowler secured an away win and almost certain progress into the 3rd Round of the European Cup Winners Cup.
Sandwiched in between trips to Switzerland and London was a second league defeat of the season at Blackburn Rovers. My only trip to The Valley (to the best of my memory) and a 1–1 draw in the 3rd Round of the Coca-Cola League Cup.
4 days and 2 wins to close out the month of October and a 2–1 home win against Derby County left the Reds in 3rd place in the league and with a game in hand on leaders Arsenal and a remarkable 2nd Leg of the Cup Winners Cup tie with Sion as the two sides share 9 goals in a 6–3 Liverpool win and 8–4 win on aggregate.
The contrasting fortunes of recent results as on the left the Reds celebrate a 6–3 win over FC Sion in the European Cup Winners Cup and the bitter taste of a second league defeat of the season away at Blackburn Rovers.
Jamie Redknapp and Mark Wright with 2 of the 4 goals that defeated Charlton Athletic in the 3rd Round Replay of the Coca-Cola Cup in front of just over 20,000 at Anfield.
In a season of many firsts and for many differing reasons, here’s Steve McManaman with a 90th minute goal that sealed a 2–0 win on my first of many subsequent trips to Leeds United and their famous Elland Road stadium.
More from the win at Leeds United (above) and our drive to a waterlogged Anfield for the Merseyside Derby on 20th October (and we listened to Newcastle United 5 Manchester United 0 on a damp, long and frustrating drive home) before returning with a duplicate ticket for the rearranged game in November and a frustrating 1–1 draw with neighbours Everton.
November 1996 draws to a close with more dropped points in the league against Wimbledon at Anfield and a fantastic and exciting 4–2 win against a rampant Arsenal side in the 4th Round of the Coca-Cola League Cup and thus progressing, again, to the Quarter-Finals of the competition with the famed three handled trophy.
Tottenham Hotspur (0) Liverpool (2), 2nd December 1996. Attendance at White Hart Lane 32,899.
14th to 17th December 1996 and as well as 6 league points and a combined 9 goals in 2 games we have the first of Robbie Fowler’s (in)famous undershirt messages as well as his (and Steve McManaman’s) iconic checking of the time after a first minute goal at home to Middlesbrough. Fowler scored 5 of the 9 combined goals in these games and the Reds collected 17 points from a possible 21 in the month of December. Sporadic losses in the league however continually held them back from mounting a meaningful challenge.
A Boxing Day draw with Leicester City for the Reds and a late (and bizarre) John Barnes goal secured all 3 points against Southampton at The Dell in front of a frozen crowd of 15,222.
The opening 11 days of January 1997 and the Reds make an inauspicious start to the New Year with a 1–0 defeat to Chelsea in the league and a 0–0 draw with West Ham United sandwiching a 1–0 win in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup against Burnley but the bitter taste of disappointment lingered as they were sent packing from the Coca-Cola League Cup by 2 goals to 1 by Middlesbrough.
Liverpool (3) Aston Villa (0), 18th January 1997. An attendance at Anfield of 40,489 saw 3 goals in 13 second half minutes secure a comfortable 3–0 win, with the first goal scorer a fresh faced Liverpool born central midfielder/centre back named Jamie Carragher. He went on to have a legendary career with the Reds following his debut here aged just 18.
A second defeat to Chelsea within 25 January days, this time 4–2 in the FA Cup 4th Round and all routes to Wembley Stadium this season have been terminally blocked.
My second and last trip to the famed Baseball Ground of Derby County and an utterly dreadful game! But a valuable 1–0 win courtesy of Stan Collymore, 1st February 1997.
The Reds season in microcosm as (L to R) down and out at Villa Park in a disappointing 1–0 defeat and 8 days later, playing their full part in “The Greatest Premier League Game Ever. Vol 2”. These games sandwiched a draw in the European Cup Winners Cup with Norway’s Brann Bergen and eventual passage into a European Semi-Final for the first time in 12 years.
For the second season in a row: Liverpool (4) Newcastle United (3). This game did not have the skill or verve of it’s predecessor and with the Reds 3–0 up at half-time the eventual full-time score was unthinkable. With 3 minutes left to play the Reds were gainfully holding onto a 3–1 lead before the wheels fell off defensively and Asprilla and Barton both scored in the space of 2 minutes and with only a further 2 minutes to go, the game was now incredibly locked at 3–3. As this unbelievable game entered injury time, up popped “God” for his glorious winner and the crowd at Anfield of 40,751 couldn’t believe that footballing lightening had indeed struck twice.
The 1–1 draw with Nottingham Forest seemed immaterial in the race for the Championship title as all eyes turned to Paris for the European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final with Paris St Germain. During the Reds defeat of Brann Bergen (4–1 on aggregate), Robbie Fowler displayed his support of 500 sacked Liverpool dockers and was heartily cheered for doing so. Everyone that is, apart from the footballing governing body UEFA.
Arsenal (1) Liverpool (2), 24th March 1997. Attendance at Highbury 38,068. This game has since gained storied status as Robbie Fowler tried to persuade the Referee not to award a penalty in his favour as he wasn’t fouled. The Referee could not change his mind, Fowler missed a tame penalty kick but Jason McAteer followed in and drilled home to give the Reds a 2–0 lead. “God” was given a merit award from UEFA/FIFA for his sportsmanship. One week you’re an outspoken critic who should keep your political positions to yourself. The next you’re a sporting hero. Next, within the space of 24 hours Robbie received both that merit of sportsmanship award AND a fine from UEFA!.
The (in)famous “Town’s Travel” again, this time to Paris, and the 1st Leg of the European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final with Paris St Germain on 10th April 1997.
And here’s tonight’s visitors from Liverpool.
Paris St Germain (3) Liverpool (0), European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg, Paris. Attendance at the Parc Des Princes 35,142.
(Writing only from memory)The first half in Paris: I remember feeling incredibly nervous in the lead up to the game and the interminable wait in the stadium as we were ushered in very early and away from a lot of sporadic violence heading towards the stadium. But I was calm as the game got underway and felt the white shirted Reds were acquitting themselves well and there was either a very early disallowed goal or Fowler hit the post, but from thereon in the Reds just dissolved in front of our eyes. 2–0 down at half-time.
(Writing only from memory) The second half in Paris: This is now a 24 year old memory but I just felt as above, they dissolved and lost fight and I can’t remember when the 3rd goal was scored but no doubt we were all saying the same mantra in the away end “keep it at 2–0”, but 3–0 didn’t flatter PSG at all. “Steve The Taxi Driver” and I grabbed a couple of beers each from the bar and headed to our room. And we watched the nightmare from first minute to last all over again. Sacre Bleu.
(1) Postcard from Paris, 10th April 1997.
(2) Postcard from Paris, 10th April 1997.
(1) Postcard from the storied and magnificent Parc Des Princes, 10th April 1997.
(2) Postcard from the storied and magnificent Parc Des Princes, 10th April 1997.
Sunderland (1) Liverpool (2), 13th April 1997. With 5 games to go, the Reds are the outsiders in a 3 horse race for the League Championship.
Pictures speak a thousand words for this April Merseyside Derby. 7 yellow cards, 2 red and a 1–1 score line was a real signifier that the Reds were now out of the title race.
3 days later, and in front of a crowd of 40,892 at Anfield, the distant dream of the title was finally over as their fiercest rivals and oldest adversaries Manchester United won comprehensively 3–1.
Liverpool (2) Paris St Germain (0). European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg. (PSG win 3–2 on aggregate).Attendance at Anfield 38,948. I had two spare tickets for the return Semi-Final after the 3–0 defeat in Paris and my golden hearted friend Gareth jumped at the chance of the ticket and so did his friend of whose name I do not remember. But I do remember the journey to Liverpool being a real hoot as Gareth can be wonderful company and “Steve The Taxi Driver” was no doubt predicting we’d win 6–1! Now, just before kick off, Gareth’s unnamed friend sidles up to me and says something akin to “I got you this as a thanks for bringing me here tonight (see middle picture above) and I thanked him, to which he replied deadpan, “Oh I didn’t buy it. It was just sitting there so I helped myself”. The football? Oh alas. I never believed, not even when God scored so early to make it 3–1 on aggregate. This PSG team were a class above the Reds and we huffed and puffed and deserved the second goal we got with 11 minutes to go, but didn’t deserve any more. I was rather an unhappy driver home. But such is sport and such is life.
Two further games I attended but alas no cuttings. Following the deflation of the PSG Semi-Final the Reds finished the season with a full house of a win, a loss and a draw and finished the season in 4th place in the league and only a 9 goal difference away from being runners up. It really was a season that was so very near yet so very far away. Sacre Bleu.
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this pictorial ramble through the 1996/1997 season and if it’s given you reason to smile, ponder, or remember a memory of the time period or even hopefully entertained you, then please consider these other beauties in the same vein from previous seasons recently published:
Thanks for reading. I always endeavour to shoot my rambling tales through the prism of humanity and the friendships we make our way along the merry way of life. So thanks to “Steve The Taxi Driver” (remember us driving through London in “Freddie the Fiat” in the pouring rain with no working windscreen wipers?), to my old friend Chris who donated the Russian flag circa 1991/1992 after he himself was gifted it. I turned up one day to see it hanging to dry in the garden after he’d painted “LIVERPOOL” on the flag as a gift to me. Bless you Chris. To Colin the Security Guard at my old place of employment, for it is to him that I have that Swiss National Flag. I begged him for a tatty old one that was being replaced after years of fluttering away outside the office. “Why” he asked. When I told him I’d take it around Europe following the Reds he told me in no uncertain terms where to go! Next day he gave me a brand new flag still in it’s wrapper. Bless you Colin. Gareth, wherever you are in this crazy universe I hope you’ve prospered and done well for yourself you mad old thing! And just in this very brief merry tale of humanity if it wasn’t for Chris or Steve or Colin or Gareth, then my dear old Mum wouldn’t have greeted me as I returned home from Paris (in a right stinking mood) with the only thing she could think of saying to cheer me up “At least I saw your flag on the TV. I saw it loads of times!”. Thanks Mum! And thank you dear reader for reading this and I sincerely hope it entertained you in some way.
