BBC ON THIS DAY | 29 | 1968: Manchester Utd win European Cup About This Site | Text Only 1968: Manchester Utd win European Cup Manchester United have become the first English club to win the European Cup beating Portuguese side Benfica by four goals to one. Ten years after the Munich air crash, which killed eight of Matt Busby's young team, Manchester United have reached the pinnacle of European football. Celtic became the first Scottish and British club to win the cup the previous year. United's star player, George Best, was named European Footballer of the Year - just a fortnight after being named the football writers' Footballer of the Year. Massive crowd Tonight's match at Wembley was watched by a crowd of 100,000 and an estimated 250 million TV viewers. It was the biggest television audience since the World Cup final two years before. As both teams wear red kit, United opted to play in their blue away strip for the game. The first half passed in a flurry of fouls before Bobby Charlton headed the opening goal in the second half to make it 1-0.

With only 10 minutes left to go, Benfica scored the equaliser - and very nearly won the match when their feared striker Eusebio broke away from Nobby Stiles, the player tasked with marking him, and blasted the ball towards the net. But it was saved by keeper Alex Stepney and the game went into extra time. Winning goal Two minutes into extra time Best put United ahead again, slipping round the keeper and gently tapping it over the line. It was followed by two more United goals, from 19-year-old Brian Kidd and captain Bobby Charlton, taking the final score to 4-1. Manager Matt Busby said: "They've done us proud. They came back with all their hearts to show everyone what Manchester United are made of. This is the most wonderful thing that has happened in my life and I am the proudest man in England tonight." Busby was seriously injured in the crash which claimed the lives of his so-called Busby Babes and there was speculation at the time that the club had been so badly damaged it would have to fold.

But they struggled on to complete the 1958/59 season and when Busby returned to the manager's role the following season he began the task of rebuilding the side. The club won the league in 1965 and 1967, but today's win marks the pinnacle of the club's achievements. Charlton and Bill Foulkes were the only survivors of the crash who played in today's final. History – Manchester United Register for our email alerts and receive latest news and events Email address: History Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath L&YR Football Club, our club has operated for over 138 years. The team first entered the English First Division, then the highest league in English football, for the start of the 1892-93 season. Our club name changed to Manchester United Football Club in 1902, and we won the first of our 20 English League titles in 1908. In 1910, we moved to Old Trafford, our current stadium.

Late 1940s In the late 1940s, we returned to on-field success, winning the FA Cup in 1948 and finishing within the top four league positions during each of the first five seasons immediately following the Second World War. During the 1950s, we continued our on-field success under the leadership of manager Sir Matt Busby, who built a popular and famous team based on youth players known as the "Busby Babes." 1958 In February 1958, an airplane crash resulted in the death of eight of our first team players. Global support and tributes followed this disaster as Busby galvanized the team around such popular players as George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Rebuilding of the club culminated with a victory in the 1968 European Cup final, becoming the first English club to win this title. 1986 In 1986, our club appointed Sir Alex Ferguson as manager. In 1990, we won the FA Cup and began a period of success that has continued until the present day. Since 1992, we have won the Premier League 13 times.

In total, we have won a record 20 English League titles, a record 12 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 3 European Champions Cups and 1 FIFA Club World Cup, making us one of the most successful clubs in England. 2012/13 At the end of the 2012/13 season, Sir Alex Ferguson retired as team manager. Sir Alex remains a key member of the club as he is a director of Manchester United FC. David Moyes was our manager during the 2013/14 season and departed the club in April 2014. Following this departure, Ryan Giggs assumed responsibility for the first team as interim manager. 2014 On 19 May 2014, we announced Louis van Gaal as the new team manager of Manchester United under a three-year contract. Louis van Gaal has managed at the top level of European football for over 20 years, and, in that time, he has won domestic titles and domestic cups in three countries, as well as the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and domestic Super Cups in Holland and Germany.

Louis van Gaal took his new post in July 2014 after the FIFA World Cup, where he managed the Dutch national team into third place position. OLD TRAFFORD THEATRE OF DREAMS Our Old Trafford stadium, commonly known as "The Theatre of Dreams," was originally opened on February 19, 1910 with a capacity of approximately 80,000. During the Second World War, Old Trafford was used by the military as a depot, and on March 11, 1941 was heavily damaged by a German bombing raid. The stadium was rebuilt following the war and reopened on August 24, 1949. The addition of floodlighting, permitting evening matches, was completed in 1957 and a project to cover the stands with roofs was completed in 1959. After a series of additions during the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, capacity at Old Trafford reached 56,385 in 1985.

The conversion of the stadium to an all-seater reduced capacity to approximately 44,000 by 1992, the lowest in its history. Thereafter, we began to expand capacity throughout the stadium, bringing capacity to approximately 58,000 by 1996, approximately 68,000 by 2000, and approximately 76,000 in 2006. Current capacity at Old Trafford is 75,635. ARCHITECT Football's top club competition - UEFA Champions League - News - UEFA.com TagName:UCL.HISTORY.INDEX Football's top club competition Although it was launched soon after UEFA's first Congress, held in Vienna on 2 March 1955, the European Champion Clubs' Cup was not a UEFA initiative. Real Madrid players pose after their 11th win in 2016 ©AFP/Getty Images Football's top club competition Although it was launched soon after UEFA's first Congress, held in Vienna on 2 March 1955, the European Champion Clubs' Cup was not a UEFA initiative.

Read more Football's premier club competition, the European Champion Clubs' Cup was launched soon after UEFA's first Congress, held in Vienna on 2 March 1955, yet the competition was not a UEFA initiative. Whereas many of UEFA's founder members were more interested in establishing a national team competition, the French sports daily L'Equipe and its then-editor Gabriel Hanot were championing the cause for a Europe-wide club competition. Hanot, together with colleague Jacques Ferran, designed a blueprint for a challenge tournament to be played on Wednesdays under floodlights. ©Getty Images Madrid won the first five editions The tournament initiated by L'Equipe did not stipulate that the participating teams had to be champions of their country, but they invited clubs who they considered had the most fan appeal. Representatives of 16 sides were invited to meetings on 2 and 3 April 1955, and the L'Equipe rules were unanimously approved.

UEFA – which had been founded in June 1954 – reacted by contacting the world body FIFA, and the latter's Executive Committee, meeting in London on 8 May 1955, authorised the new club competition under the condition that it was organised by UEFA and that the national associations concerned gave their consent to their clubs taking part. UEFA's Executive Committee accepted the conditions laid down by FIFA and agreed to run the competition at its meeting on 21 June 1955. The first European Champion Clubs' Cup fixture was played in Lisbon as SC Portugal were held to a 3-3 draw by Partizan. The Yugoslavian side won the return leg in Belgrade 5-2 to advance to the next round. Real Madrid immediately made the tournament their own by winning the first five finals. Since then, other clubs have also enjoyed fruitful runs in the competition with Ajax and Bayern München both completing three consecutive victories. However, no one club has been able to claim long-term domination.

Ajax waited 22 years to add a fourth title to the hat-trick obtained in the early 1970s; Madrid's triumph in 1998 was their first in 32 years; and Bayern's penalty shoot-out success in Milan in 2001 ended a 26-year quest for their fourth crown. Liverpool's four victories between 1977 and 1984 deserve a mention as the English club landed the prize with essentially different teams. The Reds' European pedigree also shone in 2005 when they battled back from 3-0 down to pip AC Milan on penalties in one of the competition's most exciting finals. ©Getty Images Milan triumphed in 2003 Real Madrid, Milan and FC Barcelona have been the most successful sides in the UEFA Champions League era, the Spanish pair lifting the trophy four times apiece and the Rossoneri three. Madrid are also the most successful club overall with 11 triumphs, followed by seven for Milan, five for Barcelona, Bayern and Liverpool, then four for Ajax. Moreover, Madrid hold the record for final appearances with 13.

Milan's 2002/03 triumph came after a marathon 19 games from third qualifying round all the way to penalty shoot-out success over Juventus in the final. The major turning point in the tournament's evolution had come in the 1992/93 season when the UEFA Champions League, involving a group stage in addition to the traditional knockout elements, was officially inaugurated after a pilot round robin during the previous campaign. The popularity of the group phase means the competition has grown from eight to 32 teams with matches held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays across Europe. ©UEFA.com 1998-2017. All rights reserved. #footballs+club+competition Featured video Barcelona’s 2011 Wembley masterclass Watch superb goals by Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa in a mesmerising display from Barcelona as they became kings of Europe for the fourth time with a 3-1 win against Manchester United at Wembley.

Watch Zidane’s ‘once in a lifetime’ volley from 2002 Watch Real Madrid head coach Zinédine Zidane’s amazing volley in the 2001 UEFA Champions League final and hear what the man himself remembers about that goal. Watch Bayern’s 2013 Wembley glory See the goals from the all-German showpiece as Arjen Robben’s late strike sealed a dramatic victory for Bayern against Dortmund at Wembley. Highlights: Watch Roma beat Real Madrid in 2008 As Roma prepare to meet Real Madrid in the round of 16, see how they knocked out their opponents at the same stage of the competition eight seasons ago. 2010 final highlights: Inter 2-0 Bayern See how a double from Diego Milito helped José Mourinho’s Internazionale overcome Bayern 2-0 in Madrid for their first success in the competition for 45 years. 1966/67: McNeill recalls Lisbon Lions Billy McNeill tells UEFA.com about the night in 1967 when Celtic became champions of Europe against Internazionale.

Historic Hampden final remembered Eintracht Frankfurt club historian Matthias Thoma looks back on the 1959/60 European Champion Clubs' Cup final and reveals the German club's pride at being involved in the game despite their 7-3 defeat to Real Madrid CF. 1967/68: Man. United 4-1 Benfica Manchester United FC became European champions at Wembley in 1968, ten years on from the Munich air disaster. Goalkeeper Alex Stepney and defender David Sadler recall beating SL Benfica. Cruyff on ‘impossible final to lose’ Dutch legend Johan Cruyff looks back on the 1971/72 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final when AFC Ajax won the second of three successive titles against FC Internazionale Milano in Rotterdam. Capello on Milan's 1994 glory Fabio Capello recalls his "most important success", when AC Milan poured scorn on their underdog status to dispatch FC Barcelona 4-0 in the 1994 UEFA Champions League final.

Madrid heroes look back on 1957 glory Real Madrid CF legends Alfredo di Stéfano and Francisco Gento recall the club’s success in the 1957 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final at their own Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Francis reflects on Forest triumph Scorer of a goal he describes as “the most important” of his career, Trevor Francis looks back on his winning strike for Nottingham Forest FC in the 1979 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final against Malmö FF. Duckadam on Steaua success The 1986 UEFA European Champion Clubs’ Cup final marked a first success for Romania as FC Steaua Bucureşti upset the might of FC Barcelona – a victory goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam looks back on fondly. Hitzfeld’s Dortmund masterstroke Ottmar Hitzfeld looks back on Borussia Dortmund’s 1997 UEFA Champions League victory against Juventus and reveals how his words helped Lars Ricken “achieve the impossible”.

1992/93: Marseille 1-0 Milan As the UEFA Champions League final returns to Munich, we look back at Olympique de Marseille's 1993 triumph in the city with captain Didier Deschamps and striker Rudi Völler. 1969/70 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1975/76 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1988/89 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1991/92 European Champion Clubs' Cup 2000/01 UEFA Champions League 1968/69 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1967/68 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1966/67 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1965/66 European Champion Clubs' Cup 2015/16 UEFA Champions League The History Of English Clubs In European Cup Finals - Goal.com The History Of English Clubs In European Cup Finals Featured 0 May 19, 2008 11:32:11 Graham Lister looks back at the previous occasions on which English teams have contested the final of Europe's leading competition....

1 - Busby's Mission Wednesday will see the first Champions League final between two English clubs, but one of them was also the first English club to appear in the final of Europe's premier club competition, then known as the European Champions' Cup. Indeed, Manchester United were England's pioneers in Europe, the first club to represent the country on that prestigious stage, and the ones who, in their second campaign, were decimated at Munich on their way home from a tie in Belgrade. United had entered the European Cup in defiance of their own short-sighted Football League. Ironically, their opponents this week in Moscow, Chelsea, had been the first English team to qualify for the European Cup when they won the League title in 1954-55. But the insular Football League asked the Blues to "reconsider" their participation because it claimed the extra fixtures might be difficult to fulfil. Chelsea bowed to the unsubtle pressure and withdrew. When Manchester United won the domestic title in 1955-56 and 1956-57, their manager, Matt Busby, had no intention of missing out on the new continental adventure.

The League continued to whinge that United's participation in the fledgling competition was "not in the best interests of the League," but the Red Devils would not be bullied. Busby declared: "Prestige alone demanded that the continental challenge should be met, not avoided." United initially reached the semi-finals, where they were defeated by all-conquering Real Madrid; but the following season the Busby Babes were destroyed in their prime on 6th February, 1958, having just reached the semi-finals again. Busby, who miraculously survived the air crash at Munich, would not rest until the new side that he built had won the European Cup and honoured the memory of those who had died trying. It would take exactly ten years for the dream to be realised... 1968: MANCHESTER UNITED 4-1 Benfica (aet, London) Celtic had stolen a march on all their English rivals by becoming the first British club to reach the final, in 1967 - when they made it count by defeating mighty Inter Milan in Lisbon. But the following season United laid the ghosts of Munich to rest - and they did so at Wembley, England's national stadium.

They had to come from behind against Real at the Bernabeu in the semis to get there, but after Bobby Charlton gave them the lead against Benfica in the final with a rare headed goal, Graca's equaliser nine minutes from the end transformed the Portuguese champions, who looked set to win when Eusebio burst through in the final minute one-on-one with Alex Stepney. Yet the United keeper made a reflex save to keep out the great man's thunderbolt and force the final into extra-time. George Best scored a stunning individual goal three minutes into the extra period after a mazy dribble, and a minute later Brian Kidd, on his 19th birthday, added United's third. Kidd passed to skipper Charlton - a Munich survivor - who lashed home the fourth, and United were champions of Europe at last. An emotional Busby said: "The moment when Bobby took the Cup it cleansed me. It eased the guilt of going into Europe.

It was my justification." 2 - The Era Of English Domination United's victory was a one-off: Busby's team seemed to lose some of their drive and break up soon afterwards, while the Dutch took over at Europe's top table, one of their big clubs appearing in each of the next five finals. Then there was a hat-trick of German triumphs from Bayern Munich, the second of which saw them beat English champions Leeds United on an infamous night in Paris. 1975: Bayern Munich 2-0 LEEDS UNITED (Paris) Under Don Revie, Leeds United had become England's most formidable side, if hardly the best loved. Revie had left to take over the England team after guiding Leeds to their second League title in 1974, and after a turbulent 44 days under Brian Clough, the Yorkshire Whites appointed gentlemanly Jimmy Armfield as manager. He steered them all the way to the European Cup final, something Revie had never achieved, and they had high hopes of beating holders Bayern at the Parc des Princes.

Typically, it was a physically robust affair, Bayern's Andersson being carried off after four minutes after a clash with Terry Yorath, and Uli Hoeness also having to limp off before the break. With Bayern forced to reorganise, Leeds dominated for most of the match. Their fans were convinced they should have had two penalties for infringements by Franz Beckenbauer, and when Peter Lorimer had a goal ruled out for offside on 66 minutes, all hell broke loose on the terraces. Off the pitch French riot police sought unsuccessfully to restore order, while on it Bayern scored through first Roth and then Gerd Muller, each goal igniting further unrest. Uefa responded by banning Leeds from Europe for four years (reduced to two on appeal) in an eerie portent of what would happen ten years later. But two years after the Paris debacle, Bob Paisley's Liverpool were involved in the first of six consecutive triumphs by English clubs...

1977: LIVERPOOL 3-1 Borussia Moenchengladbach (Rome) Liverpool clinched a second successive domestic League title with a game to spare and looked on course for an unprecedented treble until arch-rivals Manchester United beat them in the FA Cup final. But they responded to that set-back just four days later, in Rome, with an outstanding performance that earned them their first European Cup triumph. Liverpool took a deserved lead with a goal from Terry McDermott, but Allan Simonsen equalised for Borussia early in the second half and the Germans began to dominate. However, after a superb save by Ray Clemence, doubts crept into the German side and Liverpool roared back. A Steve Heighway corner was headed emphatically into the net by the unlikeliest of scorers, Tommy Smith, in his farewell appearance before retiring. Suddenly Borussia had no answer to Kevin Keegan, also playing his final game for the Reds before joining Hamburg. Berti Vogts tripped Keegan in the area on 83 minutes and Phil Neal coolly convered the resulting penalty. Footballer of the Year Emlyn Hughes lifted the trophy to spark a Roman night of prolonged partying.

Liverpool fans later found the team's hideaway and a few of the players were thrown into the hotel pool in celebration, though nobody seemed to mind. 1978: LIVERPOOL 1-0 Bruges (London) Bob Paisley had brought in Scots Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen, but while Liverpool endured an indifferent domestic season by their standards at that time, in Europe everything went like clockwork as they progressed inexorably to a second successive final. It was staged on home soil at Wembley, giving the Reds a psychological advantage over Belgian opponents Bruges, whom Liverpool had beaten in the Uefa Cup final two years earlier. Bruges went for an ultra-defensive approach, sitting back and absorbing Liverpool pressure. But in the 66th minute, Dalglish was allowed too much space to attack the Bruges defence. As Jensen advanced, he deftly chipped the ball over the keeper from close range for the game's only goal, and Liverpool became the first English club to retain Europe's top prize.

1979: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 Malmo (Munich) The next season Liverpool, the holders, were seeded in the competition; but Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest - impressive winners of the league title the previous term, were making their European debut and were unseeded. They were duly paired in the first round. And Forest won 2-0 on aggregate after two enthralling encounters. It was the springboard for a stirring campaign that included a memorable 4-3 semi-final success over Cologne, the second leg of which Clough described as his "finest hour." For the final against Swedish side Malmo, managed by Englishman Bob Houghton, Forest were without midfielders Archie Gemmill and Martin O'Neill, but their record signing Trevor Francis, British football's first £1million pound player, could play. Clough had signed Francis in February but the ex-Birmingham striker would only be eligible for one match in the European Cup - the final. That was enough for both manager and player. After a nervy start, Forest began to put some incisive moves together, with Francis the creative fulcrum.

And just before half-time he timed a long run from midfield to perfection to meet John Robertson's cross at the far post and head the only goal from a tight angle. With Robertson, Francis and captain John McGovern maintaining Forest's grip on the game, the East Midlands side, whom Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor had rescued from the lower reaches of England's Second Division, were now the kings of Europe. 1980: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 SV Hamburg (Madrid) Forest made a successful defence of their crown despite a campaign of increasingly difficult ties that included Dynamo Berlin, Ajax and, in the final, Kevin Keegan's Hamburg. They were handicapped by the loss of Francis, who had torn an Achilles tendon and could not play, while goalkeeper Peter Shilton had to hobble through the game with a pain-killing injection in a pulled calf muscle. As well, Stan Bowles had unhelpfully walked out on Forest before the final. In response, Clough and Taylor erred on the side of caution, packing the midfield in the hope of nullifying Keegan, and hitting the Germans on the break.

After 20 minutes, the tactics bore fruit when Robertson climaxed a swift counter-attack with a shot that went in off the post. Shilton stood firm as Forest pulled the shutters down, and afterwards Clough beamed: "The odds were stacked against us but it was the best 90 minutes we ever had. It was absolutely marvellous." 1981: LIVERPOOL 1-0 Real Madrid (Paris) In 1980-81, Paisley's side finished fifth in the First Division - their lowest placing for 16 years - but compensated by winning the League Cup for the first time and saving their best performances for the European Cup. They got past Bayern Munich on away goals in the semi-final, to set up a clash with (then) six-time winners Real Madrid in the Paris final. The game was something of a let-down after having been keenly anticipated, littered with fouls and lacking in rhythm. But Liverpool gradually got on top, and with eight minutes to go, a throw by Ray Kennedy released his namesake, Alan Kennedy, who took the ball past a weak Cortes challenge and beat keeper Agustin from the tightest of angles at the near-post.

Liverpool had become the fourth team to win the European Cup three times - and Paisley the first manager to complete a hat-trick of triumphs. 1982: ASTON VILLA 1-0 Bayern Munich (Rotterdam) In 1980-81, Ron Saunders led Villa to their first League title success since the Edwardian era, but walked out in February 1982 over a contractual dispute, leaving his assistant, Tony Barton, to take up the reins. To his credit Barton guided the club against the odds to the European Cup final, where they would meet the last non-English club to win the tournament - Bayern Munich, who boasted the experienced Paul Breitner, Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in their ranks. If Barton was a novice, so were his team: their only previous European experience was two undistinguished Uefa Cup campaigns, the most recent of them four years earlier. And after just nine minutes of the final, goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer had to go off with a neck injury. His replacement, Nigel Spink, had previously played just one first-team game for Villa, and that was back in 1979.

But the young keeper pulled off a series of outstanding saves when Bayern threatened to overrun Villa. And in the 67th minute, Gary Shaw fed Tony Morley on the left wing and his trickery allowed him to get to the by-line and cross low for Peter Withe to knock it in off the post and make it a record six wins in a row for English clubs in European Cup finals. 1984: LIVERPOOL 1-1 AS Roma (aet; Liverpool won 4-2 on penalties) (Rome) The sequence had been broken by Hamburg against Juventus in 1983, but he following year Liverpool, now managed by Joe Fagan - another veteran of the Anfield Boot Room - were back in the final of the European Cup. They were also back in Rome, scene of their first triumph in 1977; and their opponents were the local team, the Giallorossi. Fagan had led the Reds to the League title and League Cup - their third and fourth successive triumphs, respectively, in those competitions. Now they were bidding for their fourth European crown.

Phil Neal put them ahead a little fortuitously on 15 minutes before Pruzzo headed an equaliser just before half-time. But there were no more goals, either in the regulation 90 minutes or the extra 30, so the game went to penalties, which were to be taken at the end where the Roma fans were thronged. Steve Nicol began the shoot-out by blazing over, and Di Bartolomei put Roma ahead. Neal got the Reds off the mark, and Conti fired over. Graeme Souness and Righetti both scored before Ian Rush reliably despatched his kick. With Liverpool keeper Bruce Grobbelaar doing his off-putting 'wobbly legs' routine, Graziani went for power but to his horror the ball clipped the bar and flew over. Then Alan Kennedy tucked his kick just inside the post and Liverpool were champions again, having won the first of 28 finals to be settled by a shoot-out. Kennedy explained afterwards: "I was really confident. I took a penalty in training and put it in the same spot.

Just like that!" 1985 Juventus 1-0 LIVERPOOL (Brussels) The football was incidental, almost an obscene irrelevance, the long-delayed kick-off at the Heysel Stadium coming only after the criminal disaster that unfolded on its crumbling terraces when Liverpool fans charged for a third time at Juventus fans, who stampeded in panic as they attempted to flee the rampaging mob, causing an old wall to collapse. Italian supporters were crushed to death as a result - 38 were killed there and then, one more died later in hospital, and more than 400 were injured. The carnage was watched by a horrified global television audience. Violent English hooliganism, the scourge of football at home and almost everywhere English teams played in Europe during the 1970s and early 1980s, appeared to take stadium officials and the Belgian police completely by surprise. When the game started an hour and 25 minutes later, the decision being taken to avoid an escalation of the trouble, Juventus won it with a disputed penalty converted by Michel Platini, but the result lacked any real meaning in the circumstances.

In the aftermath, which also saw the downfall of the Belgian government, Uefa banned all English clubs from European competition indefinitely, with Liverpool receiving an extra three-year ban to apply when English clubs were allowed back. 3 - United Lead The Way Out Of The Wilderness 1999: Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (Barcelona) English clubs' exile from Europe ended in 1990, but European football had moved on in their absence, and now there was a yawning tactical gulf to be bridged. It took almost the entire decade before an English side - now representing the Premiership - reached the final of what was now the Champions League. And, in line with the changed format, the club that did so had not won the domestic League the previous season. But Manchester United travelled to Barcelona looking to complete an unprecedented treble of Premier League title, FA Cup and European Champions League. And they succeeded, in dramatic fashion. Yet United were outplayed for most of the match, on what would have been Sir Matt Busby's 90th birthday.

Mario Basler's fifth-minute goal for Bayern had looked like being enough, and the Bavarians had hit the woodwork twice in the second half as Alex Ferguson's side were tactically out-thought by their impressive German opponents. But despite missing Paul Scholes and captain Roy Keane, suspended, United refused to give up - and in stoppage time they staged on of the great smash-and-grabs of European history. In the first minute of added time, David Beckham took a corner and, with goalkeeper-captain Peter Schmeichel pressuring the Bayern defence in desperation, the ball was headed back by Dwight Yorke for Ryan Giggs' scuffed shot to be hooked in by substitute Teddy Sheringham to equalise. Extra-time beckoned, but within a minute Gary Neville forced another corner. Beckham sent over another perfect delivery, Sheringham glanced it on and fellow substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pounced at close range to volley home. Two set-pieces at the death had seen United snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and Schmeichel, in his last match for them, hoisted high a trophy that had already been adorned with Bayern's ribbons which had to be hastily replaced by stunned Uefa officials.

4 - Premier League To The Fore 2005: LIVERPOOL 3-3 AC Milan (aet; Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties) (Istanbul) There would be an all-Spanish and an all-Italian final - and a compensatory win for Bayern Munich - before an English club reached the final again. But if United's 1999 triumph had been an unlikely sensation, Liverpool's victory in 2005 was little short of miraculous. Milan were imperious and Rafael Benitez's side had no answer as the Rossoneri swept into an emphatic 3-0 first half lead. There were only 52 seconds on the clock when Paolo Maldini opened the scoring by volleying Andrea Pirlo's free-kick past Jerzy Dudek to punish Djimi Traore's foul. In the 29th minute, Milan had the ball in the net again, but Andriy Shevchenko's effort was disallowed for offside. It was only a stay of execution.

For although the Italians survived a penalty shout against Alessandro Nesta for a suspicion of handball, Shevchenko on the counter-attack found Hernan Crespo (on loan from Chelsea), whose first-time finish made it 2–0 to Milan. And five minutes later, a through-ball from Kaka found Crespo who made it three. The Cup was seemingly headed for Italy, the only question being by how many Milan would win. Benitez sent on Dietmar Hamann for the injured Steve Finnan for the second-half, and switched to a three-man defence, which freed up influential captain Steven Gerrard to attack from midfield. The skipper was inspirational, heading home John Arne Riise's second attempt at a cross in the 54th minute. The goal gave Liverpool hope and Gerrard, full of belief, was driving his team-mates on. Two minutes later Hamann passed to Vladimír Smicer, who, 20 yards from goal, hit a low shot that flew past Dida into the bottom corner of the goal.

Before Hamann received the ball, a linesman had been flagging for an earlier Liverpool offside, but the referee decided against giving a free kick to Milan as they had initially regained possession and the advantage had been played. Liverpool's tails were most certainly up, and a back-heel from Milan Baros was collected by Gerrard bearing down on goal, and he went down in the area. The Reds were awarded a penalty and although Dida dived low to push out Xabi Alonso's spot-kick, the Spaniard smashed the rebound into the roof of the net to haul Liverpool level, unbelievably, at 3–3. Both teams then created but couldn't convert further opportunities, and it went to extra-time. With Liverpool tiring after their remarkable endeavours, Milan were the better team in the extra period. And in the 116th minute, they nearly won the game when Shevchenko's goal-bound header was saved by Dudek, who then somehow saved the Ukraine striker's volley from the rebound with an outstretched hand at point-blank range. So it went to penalties. Liverpool had won that way against Roma in 1984; Milan had beaten Juventus in a shoot-out two years earlier.

Serginho blazed over, Hamann scored (despite having a fractured bone in his foot), and Pirlo's kick was saved by the dancing Dudek. Djibril Cisse extended Liverpool's lead before Jon Dahl Tomasson got Milan off the mark. Dida then saved from Riise, and Kaka scored for Milan, levelling the score at 2–2. But Smicer, in his last kick as a Liverpool player, converted his effort. So Shevchenko had to score with Milan's fifth kick. He'd succeeded against Juventus two years before, but this time he fired down the middle of the goal, and although Dudek dived to his right, he managed to beat the ball out, winning the trophy for Liverpool. 2006: Barcelona 2-1 ARSENAL (Paris) Signs that the Premier League's riches were underpinning a revival in English clubs' dominance were confirmed when Arsenal reached their first final in the competition the following season. The Gunners, wearing yellow shirts against the Blaugrana, had become London's first representatives in the final, which was staged at the Stade de France in Paris.

Arsenal had two chances to score in the opening minutes, Thierry Henry getting on the end of Emmanuel Eboue's cross, but seeing his shot blocked by Víctor Valdes. From the corner the Barca keeper again had to push away Henry's effort. But after Jens Lehmann had saved from Ludovic Giuly and Deco, the German keeper's game ended in the 18th minute when he brought down Samuel Eto'o on the edge of the penalty area and became the first player sent off in a final. Giuly had followed up and knocked the ball into the empty net, but the goal was disallowed because of Lehmann's foul. Manager Arsene Wenger sacrificed Robert Pires in what proved to be his last Arsenal game, as substitute keeper Manuel Almunia came on. Yet Arsenal scored first, on 37 minutes, after Eboue was brought down by Carles Puyol and Sol Campbell - also in his lat Arsenal game - headed home Thierry Henry's free kick.

Almunia pushed Ronaldinho's shot onto the bar, and Deco and substitute Andres Iniesta also forced saves from the Spanish keeper, but Henry should have doubled Arsenal's lead when he shot straight at Valdes, and the Gunners were made to pay in the 76th minute, when Eto'o levelled, played in by substitute Henrik Larsson and breaking through on the left side to beat Almunia from close range. Another sub, Brazilian defender Juliano Belletti, put the Catalans ahead in the 81st minute when he collected another Larsson pass and shot in off Almunia's right leg at the near post from a narrow angle. Barca held on to record their second triumph in the competition. 2007: AC Milan 2 - 1 LIVERPOOL (Athens) An English club reached the final for the third year running to set up a re-match of the Istanbul epic of two years earlier. Milan fielded the oldest starting eleven ever in a Champions League final, with an average age of 31 years, 34 days, and in Paolo Maldini had the oldest outfield player ever in a final at 38 years and 331 days.

Liverpool fielded five of the players who'd started the 2005 final - Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan, Steven Gerrard and John Arne Riise. Unlike the first half in Istanbul, Liverpool dominated - but Milan scored against the run of play in the 45th minute when Filippo Inzaghi deflected in Andrea Pirlo's free-kick, awarded when Kaka was brought down by Alonso. Replays showed that the ball was deflected in by Inzaghi's upper arm, but the referee did not judge it to have been a handling offence. Inzaghi later said that although the deflection was intended, he did not mean to hit the ball with his arm. Liverpool continued to dominate possession but in his search for an equaliser, Benitez sent on Peter Crouch for Javier Mascherano, who had been shackling Kaka. Suddenly freed, the Brazilian played Inzaghi in with a pass that beat the offside trap, and he made it 2-0. Dirk Kuyt gave the Reds late hope with a header from Daniel Agger's flick-on at a corner, but Milan held on to win.

Graham Lister BBC - A Sporting Nation - Celtic win European Cup 1967 Celtic win European Cup 1967 © SCRAN On Thursday 25 May 1967, Scottish Football reached a pinnacle of success in Europe which has yet to be surpassed in the modern era, when Glasgow Celtic Football Club, under the leadership of manager Jock Stein defeated Internacionale of Milan 2-1 at the Estadio Nacionale in Lisbon to win the European Cup. Less than 24 hours earlier, Kilmarnock FC exited the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup (known then as the Fair Cities Cup), when Leeds United defeated them 4-2 at Rugby Park, with both sides having played out a goalless encounter in the first leg at Elland Road on Wednesday 19 May. Despite the disappointment of failing to become the first Scottish side to reach the final of a major European trophy, Malky McDonald's Killie managed to defeat Royal Antwerp of Belgium 8-2 on aggregate and La Gantoise of Ghent 3-1 along the way, before Don Revie's men booked their ultimately doomed place in the finals against Dynamo Zagreb.

Six days later, on Wednesday 31 May, Rangers failed to overcome Bayern Munich in the final of the European Cup Winners Cup in Nuremberg, with the Franz Roth notching up the only goal of a dull match during extra-time. 1967 was indeed an exciting time for Scottish football, but it was Celtic who eventually lasted the distance in Europe, when an officially-recorded crowd of over 45,000 crammed into the Portuguese national stadium to witness the famous Glasgow side wrestle the greatest prize in club football from the preserve of Europe's Latin sides, for the first time in the history of the tournament. Before kick-off, few neutrals believed Celtic were capable of overcoming the negative defensive tactics of Helenio Hererra's outfit, who had successfully dismissed such giants as CSKA Sofia, Real Madrid and Torpedo Moscow en route to the final. But Stein's side were galvanised by an overwhelming self-belief in their own invincibility, and their football was both exciting and attack-based, drawing from the great Hungarian sides of the 1960s and pioneering the concept of 'total football', many years in advance of the Dutch masters.

© SNSpix According to the Celtic players, Stein's instructions ahead of the game were simple: go out enjoy yourself; but his plan almost went off the rails in the opening moments when Jim Craig felled Cappellini and Mazolla netted the resulting penalty, sending Ronnie Simpson the wrong way with barely eight minutes on the clock and giving Milan a vital early lead. The opener seemed nothing more than a minor diversion for the Glasgow side, as Stein pressed for his players to attack and lay siege to the Italian goalmouth. Milan reverted to their famous defensive pattern and successfully thwarted Celtic's every effort on goal, but not without the help of some miraculous saves from goalkeeper Sarti and a fair amount of good fortune from the woodwork. When half-time arrived, the scoreline remained 1-0 in favour of Inter, but Stein knew that Celtic were capable of scoring from any position on the pitch, and shortly after the break their much-needed equaliser arrived - from the boot of Celtic's full-back, Tommy Gemmell. On 65 minutes, the adventurous defender linked up with Jim Craig and Bobby Murdoch to send home an unstoppable shot and level the score.

Almost an hour had passed since Mazolla had handed Inter the lead, but Celtic had finally found the inspiration they needed to take full control of the game and press on for victory. It didn't stop there; the Italians soon found themselves repeatedly pinned down by a Celtic side who simply outclassed them in every aspect of the game, and on every area of the pitch, but it seemed for an eternity that Celtic's winner would never arrive, and the game looked destined for a replay, were it not for the relentless attacks on the Italian goalmouth by Jock Stein's men. In truth, it was only a matter of time, and as the minutes ticked out to the end of the game, Bobby Murdoch led yet another blistering attack when he sent in a powerful shot on goal from distance, which Stevie Chalmers deflected into the net to give Celtic a 2-1 lead. © SNSpix When the German referee Kurt Techenscher sounded the whistle for full-time, all Hell broke loose as the Celtic players became engulfed in a pitch invasion, with euphoric fans spilling on to the pitch in large numbers to congratulate their heroes.

Initially, the Portuguese police feared that the crowd could get out of control, but the celebrations were entirely good-natured, and a sensible measure of restraint was displayed by the hosts - even if some of the players lost their jerseys during the melee as fans tried to take away souveniers of the occasion. The chaos inside the stadium meant that the Celtic players could not be presented with the trophy out on the pitch, so club captain Billy McNeill was ushered around the outside of the stadium under armed escort, then climbed the stairs to the presentation podium, where he was handed the large-handled trophy and held it aloft for the ecstatic crowd to behold. Celtic's historic victory in Europe should never be understated, and can certainly never be taken from them; not only were they the first British side to win the trophy, but the achievement of both reaching the final and winning the European Cup with a team comprised entirely of home-grown, local players (they were all born within a 30-mile radius of Celtic Park), has never been repeated in European football.

© SNSpix Even Matt Busby's Manchester United, who became the second British club to win the trophy the following year, included players from Scotland, England and Northern Ireland – and more importantly, Celtic won the trophy at their first attempt. The achievement is now widely recognised to be the greatest in the history of Celtic Football Club, and is undoubtedly one of the greatest triumphs of the modern era. The 11 Celtic players who took to the field on that sunny May afternoon in Lisbon subsequently became known as The Lisbon Lions, and their story is the stuff of modern-day football legends. Quote from Stein at the final whistle: "There is not a prouder man on God's Earth than me at this moment. Winning was important, aye, but it was the way that we won that has filled me with satisfaction. We did it by playing football; pure, beautiful, inventive football. There was not a negative thought in our heads. Inter played right into our hands; it's so sad to see such gifted players shackled by a system that restricts their freedom to think and to act. Our fans would never accept that sort of sterile approach.

Our objective is always to try to win with style." UEFA Champions League - History – UEFA.com UEFA Champions League 2010/11 Group stage, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan Internazionale 2012/13 Group stage, Estádio do Dragão, Porto Porto 2014/15 Group stage, Stadio Olimpico, Rome Roma Featured video Barcelona’s 2011 Wembley masterclass Watch superb goals by Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa in a mesmerising display from Barcelona as they became kings of Europe for the fourth time with a 3-1 win against Manchester United at Wembley. Watch Zidane’s ‘once in a lifetime’ volley from 2002 Watch Real Madrid head coach Zinédine Zidane’s amazing volley in the 2001 UEFA Champions League final and hear what the man himself remembers about that goal. Watch Bayern’s 2013 Wembley glory See the goals from the all-German showpiece as Arjen Robben’s late strike sealed a dramatic victory for Bayern against Dortmund at Wembley.

Highlights: Watch Roma beat Real Madrid in 2008 As Roma prepare to meet Real Madrid in the round of 16, see how they knocked out their opponents at the same stage of the competition eight seasons ago. 2010 final highlights: Inter 2-0 Bayern See how a double from Diego Milito helped José Mourinho’s Internazionale overcome Bayern 2-0 in Madrid for their first success in the competition for 45 years. 1966/67: McNeill recalls Lisbon Lions Billy McNeill tells UEFA.com about the night in 1967 when Celtic became champions of Europe against Internazionale. Historic Hampden final remembered Eintracht Frankfurt club historian Matthias Thoma looks back on the 1959/60 European Champion Clubs' Cup final and reveals the German club's pride at being involved in the game despite their 7-3 defeat to Real Madrid CF. 1967/68: Man. United 4-1 Benfica Manchester United FC became European champions at Wembley in 1968, ten years on from the Munich air disaster. Goalkeeper Alex Stepney and defender David Sadler recall beating SL Benfica.

Cruyff on ‘impossible final to lose’ Dutch legend Johan Cruyff looks back on the 1971/72 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final when AFC Ajax won the second of three successive titles against FC Internazionale Milano in Rotterdam. Capello on Milan's 1994 glory Fabio Capello recalls his "most important success", when AC Milan poured scorn on their underdog status to dispatch FC Barcelona 4-0 in the 1994 UEFA Champions League final. Madrid heroes look back on 1957 glory Real Madrid CF legends Alfredo di Stéfano and Francisco Gento recall the club’s success in the 1957 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final at their own Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Francis reflects on Forest triumph Scorer of a goal he describes as “the most important” of his career, Trevor Francis looks back on his winning strike for Nottingham Forest FC in the 1979 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final against Malmö FF.

Duckadam on Steaua success The 1986 UEFA European Champion Clubs’ Cup final marked a first success for Romania as FC Steaua Bucureşti upset the might of FC Barcelona – a victory goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam looks back on fondly. Hitzfeld’s Dortmund masterstroke Ottmar Hitzfeld looks back on Borussia Dortmund’s 1997 UEFA Champions League victory against Juventus and reveals how his words helped Lars Ricken “achieve the impossible”. 1992/93: Marseille 1-0 Milan As the UEFA Champions League final returns to Munich, we look back at Olympique de Marseille's 1993 triumph in the city with captain Didier Deschamps and striker Rudi Völler.

1969/70 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1975/76 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1988/89 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1991/92 European Champion Clubs' Cup 2000/01 UEFA Champions League 1968/69 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1967/68 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1966/67 European Champion Clubs' Cup 1965/66 European Champion Clubs' Cup 2015/16 UEFA Champions League KryssTal : Football (European Cup) First European Cup / League Cup double (Nottingham Forest) 1980 Nottingham Forest retain European Cup 1981 Second European Cup / League Cup double (Liverpool) 1982 European Cup won by English club for record sixth year running (Aston Villa) 1984 Unique treble of European Cup / League / League Cup (Liverpool) 1985 First club to have won all three European trophies (Juventus) 1986 English clubs banned from European competitions 1991 English clubs reinstated into European competitions 1

992 Second club to have won all three European trophies (Barcelona) 1995 Only Champions of certain countries allowed to enter European Cup 1997 League runners-up of favoured countries admitted to European Cup, inaptly named the Champions' League 1999 Unique treble of European Cup / League / FA Cup (Manchester United).

Third placed clubs of favoured countries admitted to European Cup 2008 First final between two clubs from England (Manchester United and Chelsea) 2012 BBC - A Sporting Nation - Hibernian reach the first European Cup semi-finals 1956 Hibernian reach the first European Cup semi-finals 1956 © SCRAN In the early days of European competitions, from the 1950s to late 1960s, clubs like Hibernian, Dundee and Dunfermline Athletic competed at the highest level building a formidable reputation for the Scottish game. These clubs were pioneers gaining valuable playing and managerial experience and it was their early triumphs that would lead the way to the later successes of Celtic (European Cup winners in 1967) and Rangers (Cup-Winners' Cup winners in 1972).

Under Bob Shankly, Dundee reached the semi-final of the European Cup, defeating Cologne, Sporting Lisbon and Anderlecht before falling to the eventual winners AC Milan in 1963, and Dunfermline Athletic were to reach the semi-final of the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1969 three years before Rangers won it. Rangers themselves had been to the semi-final of the European Cup in season 1959-60 and the final of the Cup-Winners' Cup in 1961. But until 1967 Celtic had never been to the latter stages of a European competition. Key to Scotland's early success was the vision of Hibs Chairman Harry Swan and (former manager) Willie McCartney, who were very forward-looking in taking a club on tours and competitions which others saw as a waste of time, the energy of manager Bob Shankly at Dundee, and the individual skill of Gordon Smith.

Hibernian were the first British club to enter European competition in season 1955/6 (the following year Matt Busby would follow Hibs' lead with Manchester United as the first English club into Europe) and three years before that had graced the Maracana Stadium in Brazil. In 1953 Hibs were invited to play in Brazil, not as a touring team but to take part in a competition, labelled by the Brazilian FA as a World Club Championship, called the Octagonal Rivadavia Correa Meyer. Hibs qualified as Champions of Scotland for 1951-52 season, but the main reason they were asked to compete was their reputation at the time. This is borne out when remembering that no other Scottish teams have ever been asked to play in Brazil. According to the Hibs fanzine, Mass Hibsteria: "Hibs took three sets of boots: the usual football boot of the day, a lighter 'shoe' with studs, which they had bought whilst touring Germany, and an even lighter rubber-soled shoe. They also took three sets of strips of varying materials.

This is in stark contrast to the preparation of the Scotland National team of the time who still favoured the "tackity boot", as modelled by the Rangers 'Iron Curtain' team of the day." Travel broadens the mind, and mixing with the powerhouse of world football would have good knock-on effects for the Scottish game, but in these days international travel was rare, expensive and time consuming, and European club competitions were in their infancy. The feasibility of European football was dependent on two key factors: the new technology of floodlights, which allowed midweek and evening football, and the growing affordability of air travel. Inevitably this spirit of international exchange, travel and tourism went hand in hand with the urge for big money-making spectacles. Although this is something taken for granted today it was quite revolutionary for its time and was part of a process of the growing phenomena of 'leisure time'. The very idea of evening games, on a Wednesday night, against foreign opposition was an exotic and radical prospect. Football was becoming a leisure industry. Slowly, over the period between the 1960s and '70s, football clubs would develop from being sporting institutions rooted in their community to big businesses.

While every era is special to those who witness it, perhaps in hard statistical fact, Hibernian's golden age was the late '40s and early '50s. Hibs won the League championship in 1947/48, 1950/51, and 1951/52, and developed a global fame for their attacking football. At this time the club toured Europe and South America long before it was fashionable. Exhibition games were virtually unknown but Hibs played against English clubs such as Manchester United (who they beat 8-3), Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. © SCRAN Their success and reputation led to the invitation to take part in the inaugural European Cup in 1956, and there's no doubt that this reputation was built upon the rock of their legendary forward line, 'the Famous Five'. In those days it was common for teams to play with five up-front, two wingers, and 'inside right' and left and a centre forward. Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turbull and Willie Ormond made up the greatest front line Scotland has ever seen.

As the chant of the time went: "Johnstone was braw, Reilly an' aw, but the cocky wee Gordon was the pride of them aw." Gordon Smith (Outside Right) – was known as the 'Prince of Wingers', playing 18 times for Scotland, and scoring 170 competitive goals for Hibs, with 17 hat-tricks. After leaving Hibs he became the only player to win league titles with three different non-Glasgow clubs (Hibs, Dundee and Hearts). It's arguable in fact that Smith was central to Scottish clubs' success in these early days as he went on with some success to contribute to the great Dundee side, of whom more a little later. But in 1956, Aberdeen were, in fact, Scottish champions, but like English counterparts Chelsea, they ignored the offer. So Hibs were in by default. In the first round they met West German champions RotWeiss Essen. Hibs won 4-0 in Essen and the return tie in Scotland ended in a 1-1 draw.

Eddie Turnbull, later to manage one of the best Hibs sides of all time recalls: "That's where I became the first British player to score in Europe. We gassed Rot-Weiss 4-0 although they were not a bad team, with quite a few of the World-Cup winning team of 1954 on their side." In the quarter-finals Hibs met Djurgaarden, winning 3–1 at home and losing to a single goal 'away'. The Scandinavian team's pitch was frozen so they played their home match at Firhill in Glasgow. The night of Hibs' win Celtic were playing across the city and the Parkhead programme notes stated: "Already interest in these floodlit evening games is on the wane." The second leg against Reims at Easter Road was attended by 45,000 spectators. Sadly Hibs were defeated by a Reims side inspired by the great French footballer Raymond Kopa. Kopa in fact, known as 'the Little General', was recently voted the third greatest French player behind Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane, dictated both games. Reims were then beaten by Real Madrid in the final.

© SCRAN Scottish clubs would continue to do well in both the Fairs Cup (precursor to the UEFA Cup, and the European Champions Cup). Hibs qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1961 and beat Lausanne in the first away leg. Lausanne, perhaps sensing a costly journey to Edinburgh, withdrew, so Hibs joined Barcelona in the quarter-finals drawing 4–4 at the Camp Nou and beating them 3–2 at Easter Road in the return tie. In the semi-final Hibs played AS Roma with club legend Joe Baker taking his tally to six goals in four games. But after drawing home and away (2-2, 3-3), Hibs mysteriously collapsed 6–0 in the final play-off, Roma inspired by the brilliant Argentinian striker Pedro Manfredini. The following year - 1962 - was a vintage year for Scottish football in Europe, with highlights including Bob Shankly's Dundee beating Cologne 8–1 in the European Champions Cup and Dunfermline beating Everton (2-0) then Valencia 6-2 in the Fairs Cup.

Shankly came to Dens Park in 1959/60 after previously managing Falkirk and Third Lanark. He quickly honed a well-balanced side, winning the league in 1961/2. The team comprised: Liney, Hamilton, Cox, Sieth, Ure, Wishart, Smith, Penman, Cousin, Gilzean and Robertson. Future Scotland manager Craig Brown was a squad member. For the '62/63 European campaign Shankly added Liverpool keeper Bert Slater and drew in younger players to freshen things up. En route to the semi-final they beat Cologne (8-1), Anderlecht (4-1; 2-1) and Sporting Lisbon before being stopped by AC Milan at the San Siro (despite beating them at Dens). Dundee's famous victory over Cologne caused shockwaves through European football but the match was overshadowed when the Cologne keeper was hurt in the opening leg at Dens Park. There was some sinister talk that the Dundee keeper might suffer the same in Germany, and indeed Bert Slater was kicked in the head when going for a ball.

He was put on a stretcher and was being taken off when he realised what was happening and fought back into the ground. He played on the wing till frustration took over and he relaced the stand-in Andy Penman in goals, holding the Germans to 4 – 0. John Rafferty in One Hundred Years of Football writes: "The game finished with the thick crowd round the touchlines and police holding them back with dogs on leads. So nasty was the atmosphere of the match that Dundee refused to join Cologne at the after-match banquet." Next Dundee would beat Sporting Lisbon, then Anderlecht before facing AC Milan. With the final that year to be played at Wembley, many have commented that if it weren't for a cruel semi-final draw, Dundee might have been the first British club to lift the European Cup. If it had been the case it would have been Ayshire's Bob, not Bill, Shankly to be associated with British club success in Europe. When Jock Stein came to Hibs as manager in 1964, he built on their European tradition. Often known as a dour character, Stein was more of a showman than he's given credit for.

He had just taken over at Easter Road and won the Summer Cup. But Hearts were in Europe and Hibs weren't, so Stein went on the offensive and arranged a game against Real Madrid (October) – then the most famous club in the world. Pat Stanton recalls being asked to mark Puskas. He recalls: "I got a wee insight early on into Puskas when he went over the top on me. I was a bit taken aback. Here was the world-famous player sorting out me, a young laddie from Niddrie. Anyway we won 2-0 and did a wee lap of honour afterwards." Dundee's defeat to AC Milan would be revenged four years later when, in season 1967/68, Hibs faced Italian giants Napoli after ejecting Porto from the UEFA Cup competition, winning 3-0 at home and going down 1-3 in Portugal. The Hibees were beaten 4-1 by Napoli in Italy before rallying to put five past Dino Zoff at Easter Road and go through to the third round. Here they were put out by Don Revie's all-conquering Leeds side who went on to win the competition.

The following year Dunfermline would go on to be European Cup-Winners' Cup semi-finalists in 1968/69, then in season 1972/73 the year after Rangers ill-fated final, Hibs qualified for the European Cup-Winners' Cup. The Edinburgh side beat Sporting Lisbon 7-3 and Besa from Albania 8 -2 (helped by two hat-tricks by Jimmy O'Rourke) before going out to Hajduk Split (4-2, 0-3) in the quarter finals. Central to this impressive early record in European competitions, then, are four characters: Gordon Smith (Hibs and Dundee), Jock Stein, (Hibs then Celtic), Bob Shankly (coach with Stenhousemuir then manager of Falkirk, Third Lanark, Dundee, Hibs), and chairmen with the necessary vision such as Harry Swan at Hibernian.

A side-effect of this internationalism was the emergence of the independence of the manager in charge of the playing staff (when Tommy Docherty replaced Bobby Brown in charge of the Scotland team in 1971 he was given a free hand, and paid significantly more than Sir Alf Ramsey.) But with this success came clubs undoing. The year of Dundee's European adventure 1962-63 season, there was a mini-revolt from the Players wanting bigger signing on fees for winning the League. Dundee were to lose Ian Ure (to Arsenal) in 1964 for a Scottish record transfer fee of £62,500 and the following year lost their Scottish all-time record goals scorer (50 League and Cup goals) - Alan Gilzean, who was sold for yet another record Scottish fee to Spurs for £72,500. Shankly was disillusioned with the board and was quoted as saying: "They'll sell the groundsman if you make them an offer". Success bred ambition but ultimately few of the smaller clubs could sustain it. While Hibs and Dundee and Dunfermline were pioneers they would soon see their playing staff and managers poached by clubs with deeper pockets.

Little it seems has changed in the intervening period. Thanks to Dunfermline Athletic FC, Hibernian Historical Trust and Dundee FC for help with this article.

Question: Which was the first English football club to win the European Cup?
Answer: Manchester United