Liverpool Airport, LFC, EFC and Aircraft - 1962-1985.

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FOOTBALL, SPEKE and AIRCRAFT, 1962-1985

Brian Jones

INTRODUCTION

What is included and what is not!

It is my intention to record all aircraft that have visited Liverpool with team and supporters in European football competition in a series of threads and posts decade by decade, illustrated whenever possible. This task is initially aided by the late Tony Williams, who in the MAS 'Flypast' for November 1974 celebrated a decade without break of Liverpool FC appearing in European competition by recording a run-down of all the aircraft that visited Speke as a direct result of football matches. His list, using the same source material as mine, does not include supporters or teams using scheduled services or chartering aircraft based or regular at Speke at the time eg British Eagle, Cambrian and Aer Lingus, as these were not recorded at the time. These lists do initially include some domestic league or cup games, there have been interesting aircraft used on occasions by teams and supporters, the phenomenon of ‘friendly’ pre-season matches against European sides is a relatively recent one. Also at times, I have come across Wrexham FC in Europe, or the Welsh National Team playing an International at Wrexham. I have included those found, but I could just as easily have missed others.

Early days of aviation and football at Liverpool Airport

The first mention of a football charter into Liverpool Airport in the Airport Logs is on Saturday 24th January 1959 when Newcastle FC arrived on Manx Airlines DH.114 Heron G-AOZN to play Liverpool FC. With only 16 passengers there was little room for more than just the players, subs, coach and manager! The first European Team to fly into Liverpool Airport on a charter flight was not until September 1964 – the airline Icelandair and the type a Douglas DC-6. A weakness of the source material (the visiting aircraft logs extracted from ATC records and kept since 1956) is that charter flights by based operators eg Starways, Cambrian, British Eagle are rarely recorded, so team and supporters off to away games using Liverpool based aircraft are not recorded, so are now unknown. LFC did not return to the First Division (today the Premiership) until season 1962/3, while Everton FC have been in the top division continuously since season 1953/54.

Everton FC and Liverpool FC in European Competition.

It was Everton FC who competed in Europe first - in season 1962/63, while not as successful as LFC, over the years their contribution to interesting aircraft to be seen at the Airport is quite considerable. Liverpool FC’s first European completion qualification was for season 1964/65. As football works by Season, August to May, so these lists will reflect that rather than using calendar years. I will include some brief notes regarding the format of competitions and the changing rules regarding aggregate draws and use of neutral locations before the Cup Final match, but not all the scores (which can be found on the Internet). There will be very little comment about the teams or the matches themselves – again the Internet has considerable information available.

Research

My research is aided greatly by several football internet sites that record European competitions, teams, dates, locations, scores, team lists, comment etc. My biggest thanks though is to Tony, without his article covering the first 10 years my job now would be so much more difficult, as the entries 1964-1974 are largely his research. This will not be a short thread, as much happened in a period of 3 decades. Indeed if anyone with access to NWAN magazine back-issues who wants in a similar format to cover the more recent 3 decades: the ‘90s, ‘00s and ‘10s to bring right up to date my coverage of the 60s, 70s and 80s then I'd be absolutely delighted. I'd also be delighted if others can add further relevant photos of the aircraft mentioned to my meagre contributions.

There is so much in these posts, scroll through picking out a couple of years of interest, then come back sometime later and find new information to consider from other years. Use Google to seek out match stories and information regarding teams etc. to add to this account of how the teams and fans travelled. Indeed if there are football authors out there who would like to share in writing a book about how Liverpool’s teams travelled around Europe I’d be willing to participate. The aircraft used and matches played are subjects that seems ripe to be written into book format.

For a straightforward list of LFC games in European competition:

www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/ListGamesByType/4
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_F.C._in_European_football
www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=7889/profile/history/index.html
www.europeancuphistory.com/clubs/liverpool.html

Not so many sites regarding Everton in Europe, however these do:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everton_F.C._in_European_football
www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=52281/profile/index.html

There are further football club sites discoverable on a simple ‘Google’.

There are other threads on nwan forum that cover particular matches of note eg World Cup 1966, St Etienne in 1977, the 1985 Finals in Rotterdam and Brussels – these I will link at the relevant stage. Most football related threads are already indexed and linked from post: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/23199/football-airlifts-links-nwan-threads . Since posting this blog article, summary and photos of the aircraft for the Dortmund 2001, Istanbul 2005, Athens 2007, Basle 2016 and shortly Kiev 2018 have been added to the Nostalgia section.

PART ONE: THE ‘SIXTIES DECADE:

SEASON 1962/1963 – EFC in the Inter-City Fairs’ Cup

Everton FC were the first of Liverpool’s teams to feature in European Competition. In 1962 they qualified for the Inter-City Fair’s Cup. However it was an inauspicious start as they did not progress beyond Round One, home and away games against Dunfermline Athletic in October 1962. No evidence in the logs of any charter flights, but if Starways had been used, then the flights would not have been recorded, not being by visiting airlines/aircraft.


SEASON 1963/1964 – EFC in the European Cup

Everton again qualified for European competition, this time in the European Cup. They fared no better than the previous season, being knocked out in Round One again, this time by Internazionale (Inter Milan) during September. There is no record in our Airport transcripts of any flights connected with either the home or away legs – presumably the teams using scheduled flights connecting through London.

One of the strange things about research is uncovering information that is contrary to previous assumptions. There is a published photograph of British Eagle Britannia G-AOVO (only in service a matter of weeks before written-off in a fatal crash at Innsbruck) loading with football supporters at Liverpool Airport captioned 15th February 1964. Until this research I always assumed that the charter was for a European game. This is clearly cannot be the case, however on that day the Liverpool FC supporters were following their Club to see them face Arsenal away in the 5th round of the FA Cup.


SEASON 1964/1965 – EFC in the Inter-Cities Fairs’ Cup & LFC in the European Cup

At the conclusion of season 1963/64 both Liverpool Clubs had qualified for European competitions the following season. In a preliminary round of the European Cup, LFC draw Icelandic team Knattspymufelag Reykjavikur. How LFC got to Iceland for the away game on 17th August is not recorded, but they won there 0-5, then at home 6-1. The Icelandic team flew in from Keflavik on Douglas DC-6 TF-ISC of Icelandair Sat 12/9 which stayed until departing Wed 16/9 – the game having been played on Monday 14th. Meanwhile, Everton FC where again in the Inter-Cities Fairs’ Cup. The first round was against Varinglerengens/Valerenga IF, a Norwegian Club, with the away leg first on 23/9. Valerenga travelled from Oslo on a Braathens Friendship LN-SUE on 14/10 and home on 15/10 on LN-SUG. Everton progressed to the next round. The draw was not an exciting one, taking them to play Kilmarnock on 11th November and at home on 23rd November. Neither match produced aircraft charters appearing in our visiting aircraft logs – but if either British Eagle or Cambrian had been used, they would have not been recorded.

LFC were now through to the first round against Anderlecht, home leg first. Convair Cv-440 OO-SCP of Sabena flew the team in on Monday 23/11. On Wednesday 25th, the day of the match, Anderlecht supporters flew in on three Douglas DC-6s of BIAS OO-ABE, Sobelair OO-CTL and Sabena OO-CTM, an Air Ferry Viking G-AIVF and a Cessna 172 OO-LAG! Speke’s first football “invasion”. The team flew home on the Thursday morning on Sabena Caravelle VI OO-SRC, the first visit by a Caravelle and the first by a jet airliner to the Airport! For the away leg at Heysel, there was quite an exodus of supporters from Speke too, utilising a Channel Viscount G-APZC (likely with the team), 2 Autair Ambassadors G-ALZZ and G-ALZS and a BMA Dakota G-AOGZ for the game on 16th December. On their return from Belgium, 2 of the flights diverted away (to Manchester and Blackpool) due to fog at Liverpool. LFC progressed into the next round.

Unfortunately, having survived two rounds, in Round 3, Everton met Manchester United FC early in 1965 and their run in Europe once again ended prematurely.

Meanwhile, Liverpool though faced FC Koln in the Quarter Finals, of the European Cup in February – which turned into a four leg marathon, the likes of which just could not happen in the crowded Club fixtures list of today! On 10th February the Kop fly out in Autair Ambassador G-ALZS, Air Ferry Skymaster G-ASFY, BMA Dart Herald G-ASKK and Argonaut G-ALHG, all returning the following day from Cologne after a goal-less draw. For the 2nd leg Cologne supporters fly in to Liverpool on Sudflug DC-7 D-ABAS and likely the team on Condor Viscount D-ANUN on 3rd March – only for the match to be post-poned. The match was re-programmed for March 17th and this time only the Cologne team flies in, on Condor Viscount D-ANUR, arriving on 15th, departing 18th, following another goal-less draw. A decider set on ‘neutral’ ground took both teams to Rotterdam. LFC team and staff fly out on 23rd March in KLM Viscount PH-VIF. Supporters follow the next day in BUA Dakota G-AMJU and Dan Air Ambassadors G-ALZY and G-ALZN. After a hard-fought match the team still draw 2-2. Liverpool win on the toss of a coloured disc – so progress onto the Semi Finals. The first leg against Internazionale/Inter Milan was at home, the score 3-1. Disappointingly Inter Milan flew into Manchester on Alitalia Caravelle I-DABV on 1st May and flew out on 5th in the same aircraft. On 12th May LFC supporters fly out in Dan Air Skymaster G-APID, Britannia Britannia 102s G-ANBJ and G-ANBO along with BMA Argonauts G-ALHG and G-ALHY for the away game. If any British Eagle aircraft were involved they would not have been noted at the time due to our records only listing visiting aircraft. The highly disputed away score was 3-0, LFC having a clearly legitimate goal by Ian St John disallowed while two highly controversial Italian goals permitted. With an aggregated score of 3-4, Inter Milan go through, so denying Liverpool progressing to a European Cup finals on their first attempt.



At Speke parked on the western apron between 12th and 16th September, this shot of Icelandair Douglas DC-6 TF-ISC is either on arrival or departure with Knattspymufelag Reykjavikur to meet LFC in the first round, second leg European Cup – the first LFC home leg game in a European competition.



In the second round of their first season in Europe, LFC met Anderlecht in November 1964 which included Belgian International Air Service’s (BIAS) Douglas DC-6 OO-ABE



Air Ferry Vickers Viking G-AIVF



Greatest excitement of all was created by the first jet airliner to ever land at Speke Airport, OO-SRC a Caravelle of Sabena on the morning after the match to collect the team, they had flown in 2 days earlier in on a Sabena Convair Cv.440.



FC Koln supporters arrived on Sudflug DC-7 D-ABAS, the team on Condor Viscount D-ANUN on 3rd March - the evening match being postponed.



G-ANBJ Bristol Britannia 102 of Britannia Airways, newly acquired and pressed into service to take LFC fans out to Milan on 12th May 1965 for the semi finals, before having the airline titles and logo added.


SEASON 1965/1966 EFC in Inter-City Fairs’ Cup & LFC in European Cup Winners’ Cup

At the end of the Domestic season 1964/65, both LFC and EFC qualified for European competition the following season. Indeed it would be in Season 1965/1966 that LFC progressed through to a European final for the first time.

In the Inter-Cities Fairs’ Cup Everton FC drew Nuremburg, with the away leg on 28th September and at home 12th October. They went on to face Ujpesti Doacutezsa away on 3rd November and at home on 16th November. Regrettably at this stage EFC left the competition. None of their games appear to have generated any team or supporter charters, departing or arriving by air through Speke – although as stated earlier, use of Cambrian or British Eagle would not have been recorded by enthusiasts at the time. It must be remembered that during the 60s and into the 70s at the time of the ‘Iron Curtain’ between east and west, travel to a number of countries was heavily restricted and the few airport ‘gateways’ only available to a limited number of State Airlines only.

However LFC’s matches in the European Cup Winners Cup did employ aircraft to carry team and supporters. The two-leg knock-out, First Round (no Leagues in those days) pitted LFC against Juventus. For the away leg on 29th September the LFC team and staff travelled to Turin on a Channel Viscount G-AMOC. For the home game on 13th October it would appear Juventus travelled on scheduled services not charter flight. Liverpool went on to the next round, meeting Standard Liege, with the first leg at home. On 30th November the team fly in on Sabena Cv-340 OO-SCL, departing on Thursday 2nd, while the supporters on 1st arrived on two Invicta Vikings G-AHPL and G-AHOY. For the away leg on 15th December it is not recorded what the LFC team and staff used, but supporters flew out on Autair Ambassador G-ALZS. Liverpool win both legs and after the mid-winter break continue with the competition in March 1966.

In March 1966 the next round, the Quarter Finals pits LFC against Hungarian side Honved FC. For the first leg on 1st March, LFC were away and travelled out on an Aer Lingus BAC.1-11 EI-ANE flying to Frankfurt, fans travelled out on the day of the match on Dan Air Ambassador G-ALZX the score was 0-0. This appears to be the first time Aer Lingus transported the LFC team and staff, a relationship that was to blossom over many years. Honved arrived on a Malev IL-14 HA-MAD on 6th March, departing on 9th having lost 2-0 at Anfield. Enthusiasts around Speke at that time will recall just sitting at the Banks Road fence staring at the unusual, quite exotic, indeed near unique outside of LAP (Heathrow today), sight of an Illyushin aircraft sat for several days on the Western Apron. The semi-final draw featured two British clubs, so naturally Liverpool and Celtic were pulled out of the hat together. Liverpool travelled or the away leg at Celtic Park, Glasgow on 14th April, with supporters following on BMA Argonaut G-ALHY to see LFC loose 1-0. Back at Anfield on 19th April LFC win 2-0 so proceed to the final. No visiting charter flights from Glasgow show in the Logs. By a twist of co-incidence appearing in the Cup Winners' Cup Final would mean a return to GLASGOW, but this time to Hampden Park just three weeks later, on May 5th, this time to face Borussia Dortmund. Supporters fly up in BMA Argonaut G-ALHY, BMA Dart Herald G-ASKK, Britannia Britannia 102s G-ANBB and G-ANBO and BUA Dakota G-AKNB. Liverpool lose 2-1, partly due to an own goal by Ron Yeats. All returned to Liverpool on 6th, save for the Dart Herald which was replaced by Dakota G-APBC of BMA. At this time the M6 did not extend far beyond Preston and the M74 many years off – to drive Liverpool to Glasgow over Shap was a major undertaking, so likely the majority of fans used British Rail.



Honved flew into Liverpool on this Ilyushin IL-14 HA-MAD on 6th March, departing on 9th. Seen by most Speke spotters as she sat on the western apron for several days. Even for those times, quite an exotic sight as visits by IL-14s to British provincial airports were few and far between.


TIMES OF CHANGE

It is clear as I type this, that in the period upto 1966 the greater majority of flights mentioned, indeed all bar one, are by propeller powered aircraft, indeed, mostly piston engined types. As I research ahead beyond 1967 nearly all the aircraft are either turbo-prop types or jet powered, with only the rare Douglas piston type appearing. The key to this is not only the progress of aircraft engine technology through the ‘50s, but more specifically the opening of a new, much longer runway at Liverpool on 7th May 1966 at Liverpool. This permitted regular movements by jet powered aircraft and larger prop types too such as the Super Constellation and Douglas DC-7 that had previously been restricted. Also as the ‘Sixties progressed into the ‘Seventies, all levels of society became more affluent. With greater disposable income and more holidays, travel to away games around European became not just appealing but also affordable and possible to the working class fan-base.


WORLD CUP, SUMMER 1966 - THE GOODISON PARK GAMES

While the 1966 World Cup is remembered for the Wembley final win by England, what is less frequently recalled is that Goodison Park was a venue for 5 of the games. For the early rounds, Brazil’s National side was based in Liverpool, so played Bulgaria, Hungary and Portugal at Goodison Park. For each match supporters arrived from Paris/Orly on a chartered Air France Super Constellation, with F-BHBI on July 12th and 19th and F-BHMI on July 15th. Unfortunately none of the other National sides brought either players or supporters to Liverpool by air for these games, although on 12/7 BUA Viscount G-APTB called, f&t Gatwick, there is no contemporary mention that it was a football related flight.

A Quarter Final match pitted Portugal and Korea DPR together at Goodison, but brought no team or supporters in by air on 23/7. However a few days later the Semi-Final match at Goodison 25/7 saw West Germany v Soviet Union and did attract a biz-jet, 2 G.A. twins and a G.A. single from West Germany – but not a single airliner! While the English hosting of the World Cup may have been good for football, from the Liverpool perspective it was exceedingly disappointing for aircraft charters! Manchester Airport fared no better from the tournament either. A little more on derbosoft.probards.com/thread/3452



The arrival of Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellations of Air France were the only aviation highlights of the Goodison venue, World Cup competition during summer 1966. Here F-BHMI on 15th July is caught well by the camera of Gerry Manning.


SEASON 1966/1967 EFC in European Cup Winners’ Cup & LFC in European Cup

Again both Everton FC and Liverpool FC qualify for European competition in 1966/67, EFC in the European Cup Winners Cup, LFC appearing in the European Cup. Indeed Everton became the first English Club to achieve five consecutive years in European competitions. However, Everton’s European campaign was again short-lived. In round 1 they drew Aalborg BK of Denmark, away on 29th September, home on 11th October. In the second round they met Real Zaragosa of Northern Spain, away on 9th November and at home 23rd November. No charter flights show in the Logs for the Aalborg games, however it appears that EFC may well have flown out on BEA Viscount G-APJU departing to Tarbes on 8th, and returning on G-AOYH on 10th to get to Zaragosa. Zaragosa AFB must have been unavailable to civilian charter flights at the time, leaving quite a coach trip across Northern Spain. With Everton knocked out in round two let’s turn our attention to LFC.

However, in the European Cup Liverpool fared not that much better, but did give aircraft enthusiasts their best fan’s invasion yet. The first round drew Petrolul Ploesti, with the first leg at Anfield on 28th September and the away leg on 12th October. It would appear that both teams travelled by scheduled flights through London. With an aggregate draw, the two teams met again on 19th October at a neutral venue, Heysel Stadium, Brussels. No aircraft charters for team or supporters are in the Logs, but Aer Lingus, Cambrian or British Eagle could have been used. Through and into the second round they draw Ajax. The meeting of two leading European teams excited the fans, so travelled to both away games in some numbers. Liverpool were away for the first leg on 7th December, supporters fly out to Amsterdam on British Eagle Britannias G-AOVA and G-AOVL, BMA Argonaut G-ALHS and likely the team on Channel Viscount G-ATUE. Liverpool lose 5-1 (and in 2018 this still stands as their biggest loss in Europe), but despite this uneven result many Dutch fans fly into Liverpool for the second leg match on 13th December. For the Anfield Leg, the Ajax team arrived on a KLM Electra PH-LLE (first visit of the type to Liverpool). On the day of the match, December 13th 1001 Ajax supporters arrive on a KLM Douglas DC-8 PH-DCF (first visit of type to Liverpool) and Convair Cv.640 PH-CGD, Britannia Britannia 102 G-ANBF, Invicta Skymaster G-ASEN, two Martinair Douglas DC-7s PH-DSC and PH-DSO and Dakota PH-MAA, two Schreiner Douglas DC-7s PH-SAE, PH-SAO, Friendship PH-SAD and Dakota PH-DAC and a Transavia DC-6 PH-TRC. Best football ‘invasion’ yet with 12 aircraft parked at various locations around a wet and misty airport – indeed for parts of the day the DC-7s disappeared from view from the balcony. While conditions for photography were ghastly, a great day for the Liverpool aviation enthusiasts. After the match, on the morning of 15th, Ajax flew home on a different KLM Electra PH-LLF. While the Anfield leg was a draw, Ajax had given LFC a demonstration of how to play European style football, as a result Liverpool were out of the competition on aggregate. Further comment and many photos on: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/23364/years-ajax-14th-december-1966



While the arrival of Ajax fans by air is well remembered by those around at the time; this photo though is of an aircraft involved in taking fans out to watch LFC during the first leg, away game – on Wednesday 7th December. G-AOVL ‘Resolution’, with G-AOVA hidden behind, parked on one of the ‘finger’ aprons.



Ajax FC arrived to play LFC in a second leg game, played on 14th December with a fair number of fans on British and Dutch aircraft. This is Britannia Airways Britannia 102 G-ANBF.





Most remembered is the first visit by a Douglas DC-8 to Liverpool, parked in the centre of the apron, it was so close in to the terminal and balcony, it defeated most cameras to get the whole aeroplane in, even from the far side of the apron only a partial shot was possible in the poor visibility with the ATC tower behind. An exciting day for the aviation enthusiast, but a difficult one for the aviation photographer!



Involved were no less than 4 Douglas DC-7s, with a pair from Martinair (PH-DSC illustrated) and a pair from Schreiner



PH-TRC is a Douglas DC-6 of Transavia Holland with Ajax fans.



However when the team arrived the day before the game, they arrived on a KLM Electra PH-LLE – also a first visit by type. This though is the team leaving on the morning after the match on PH-LLF.


SEASON 1967/1968 LFC in Inter-City Fairs’ Cup

With both Everton and Liverpool out of European competition before Christmas of season 1966/67 a quiet start to the year 1967. Although Everton would not qualify for European competition again until season 1970/71, LFC did qualify for 1967/68, this time in the European Fairs’ Cup. First round took them to Scandinavia, meeting Malmo FF of Sweden. For the first leg on 19th September the fans flew out on a Caledonian Britannia G-ASTF to Copenhagen. For the Anfield leg Malmo flew in on a Falconair Viscount SE-CNL at Liverpool Tuesday 3rd until Thursday 5th October. In the second round LFC met TSV Munich 1860. It is not known how Munich reached Liverpool for the match on 7th November, however it is known that LFC flew out to Munich on Monday 13th November on a BEA Viscount 806 G-APEX, returning on Wednesday 15th. For the third round Liverpool met Ferencvaros and flew out to Budapest on BEA Viscount G-APEX (again) on Sunday 26th and back on Tuesday 28th November. The Anfield leg was not until 9th January 1968, and Ferencvaros did not fly charter into Liverpool. As LFC lost both legs, they were out of the competition. Again, if Cambrian, British Eagle or Aer Lingus operated outbound football charters they would likely not have been noted in our Logs.


SEASON 1968/1969 LFC in Inter-City Fairs’ Cup

Tony in his original article located a domestic game , as on 20th September Luton supporters fly in on Autair BAC.1-11 G-AWBL and Britannia Britannia 102 G-ANBJ to see Everton beat them 5-1 in the League Cup.

In the first round of the Fairs’ Cup, LFC’s first leg was away against Atletico Bilbao on 18th September. Either team or supporters were transported to Spain on British Eagle Britannia G-ARXA. For the second leg Atletico arrived at Liverpool on TAE Douglas DC-7 EC-BEN. LFC lost away 2-1, and won by the same margin 2-1 at home. Liverpool lose out on the toss of a coloured disc, so a frustratingly early exit from Europe.



Scanned from a scratched negative, while this is not a perfect image, it is a record of the sole visit by TAE’s Douglas DC-7 EC-BEN transporting Athlectic Bilbao to Liverpool in September 1968.


SEASON 1969/1970 LFC in Inter-City Fairs’ Cup

Another disappointingly short European adventure for LFC. In the European Fairs’ Cup first round LFC meet Dundalk, who they emphatically defeat 10-0 at Anfield on 16th September and then away on 30th September. For the 2nd Round, LFC supporters fly out to Lisbon for the away game against Vitoria Setubal on 11th November on a BEA Comet 4B G-APMF and Dan-Air BAC.1-11 G-AXCK. They lose 1-0. Back at Anfield on 26th November LFC win 3-2, but with an aggregated score of 3-3, are out of the competition on the away goals rule. No record of how Vitoria Setubal got to and from Anfield, likely by TAP/Air Portugal scheduled flights.

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PART TWO: THE ‘SEVENTIES DECADE

SEASON 1970/1971 EFC in European Cup & LFC in Inter-City Fairs’ Cup

This season would turn-out to be the last that both Liverpool teams competed in European competitions in the same season for several years. Everton FC were competing in the European Cup, Liverpool in the Fairs’ Cup. In an echo of LFC’s first season in Europe, In Round One of the European Cup, Everton FC were drawn to meet an Icelandic club, this time Keflavik FC. With the first leg at home, in another echo of 6 years previously, the Keflavik team and staff arrived on an Icelandair Douglas DC-6, this time TF-FIP on 15th September. On 29th September EFC fly out to Keflavik on Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVBY. EFC win on an aggregated score of 9-2. Likely too, the last time a piston-engine airliner would be used on a European competition charter flight – not the last propeller driven aircraft type though. Meanwhile in the First Round of the Fairs Cup, LFC this time were successful in a re-match against Ferencvaros, home on 15th September, away on 29th – no charters recorded.

The second round of the European Cup paired Everton and Borussia Monchengladbach. Dan Air BAC-111 G-AXCK takes out the team and staff the day before the game. On day-return flights on 21st October Britiannia Britannia 102 G-ANBL, Dan Air BAC-111 G-AXCK (having positioned back) and BMA Viscount G-AVJB transport the supporters. On 4th November the Borussia team and fans arrive on Transavia Caravelle PH-TRR and Germanair BAC.1-11 D-AMOR. Aggregate result 2-2, Everton go through on penalties. Meanwhile in the Second Round of the Fairs Cup LFC draws Dinamo Bucharest. For the Anfield Leg on 21st October, Dinamo fly in on 19th on a Antonov AN-24 (a first visit by type) YR-AMP which stays at Speke until departing for Eindhoven (fuel stop) and home on 22nd. Liverpool FC team and staff flew out to Bucharest on Dan Air BAC.1-11 G-AXCP on 3rd November, arriving home via Vienna late on the 4th after an early game.

The third round of the Fairs Cup sent LFC across the Irish Sea to face Hibernian on 9th December and again at home on 22nd December. No aircraft charters seem to have been involved.

When European games restarted in March, both EFC and LFC were still in their competitions, however for the home leg, both played on (or around) 10th March no inbound charter aircraft were involved. The competitions were now in the Quarter Final stage and EFC had drawn Panathinakos. EFC team and staff flew out to Athens on Dan Air Comet 4 G-APDJ, the supporters on Dan Air Comets G-APDB, G-APDD and G-APDK, BEA Airtours Comet 4B G-APMF, Britannia Boeing 737 G-AXNC and Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVBW. Aggregated score 1-1, Panathinakos go through on the away goals rule. The largest outbound fan’s airlift so far, and the airport made even busier as LFC were also away on 24th March against Bayern Munich. The team fly out on Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-ASB on 22nd, supporters follow on BEA Aitrours Comet 4B G-ARJK and G-APME along with Dan Air BAC.1-11 G-ATPJ all on 23rd. They were confident having already notched-up a 3-0 home win, they drew away 1-1, so proceeded to the Semi-Final. A twist of fate in the draw then pitted LFC against arch rivals Leeds United. With a home game first on 14th April and away on 28th April, unfortunately it was Leeds who proceeded to the final.

On the domestic scene Colchester fans flock in from Stansted to see their team playing Everton at Goodison on 6th March 1971, utilising Lloyd Britannia G-ANCE, Channel BAC.1-11 G-AWEJ and Trident 1e G-AVYB. Two months later, and LFC appear in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on May 8th. Kestral Dakota G-AMFV plies to and from Luton with Liverpool supporters. Unfortunately Liverpool loose to Arsenal 2-1.



Icelandair Douglas DC-6 TF-FIP brought in Keflavik FC to play Everton during September 1970.



Transavia Caravelle PH-TRR on 4th November with Borrussia Monchengladbach fans to face EFC in the second round. The only time this aircraft visited Liverpool Airport.



Lloyd International Bristol Britannia G-ANCE sitting at Speke on a Saturday afternoon while the Colchester fans it brought in watch their team play Everton FC at Goodison Park.



Another of the 3 aircraft bringing Colchester fans was Trident 1e-140 G-AVYB of Channel Airways


SEASON 1971/1972 LFC in European Cup Winners’ Cup

In the first round of the European Cup Winners’ Cup, LFC meet Servette Geneva. Liverpool FC team and staff fly out to Geneva on BEA Trident 2 G-AVFN, their supporters the next day, 15th September on BEA Airtours Comet 4B G-ARCP, only to see their team lose 2-1. The team are brought home on BEA Viscount G-AOHN (the penalty for not winning?). Two weeks later Servette fly in for the second leg on SATA Viscount HB-ILR. LFC win at home 2-1, so progress to the second round. There they draw Bayern Munich for the second time in 7 months. Bayern and supporters fly into Liverpool on 20th October using Bavaria BAC.1-11s D-ALLI, D-ANNO and D-AISY to draw 0-0. Liverpool fly out to Munich for the return leg on BEA Viscount G-AOJF on 2nd, their supporters on 3rd November on Air International Viscount G-APPX, LFC loose 3-1, so are prematurely out of the competition – however the following season, they would go all the way to the finals.

Some domestic games that brought in charters, were on 5th October 1971 when Southampton team flew in from Eastleigh in BIA Dart Herald G-ASKK for the League Cup. A few days later, October 16th, Ipswich flew in for a League One game on Channel Viscount G-AVIW from Wattisham. Towards the end of the season Ipswich again for a League match, this time facing LFC at Anfield on 22nd April used Kestrel Viscount G-AVJB.

SEASON 1972/1973 LFC in UEFA Cup & Wrexham in European Cup Winners’ Cup

Once again LFC qualify for European competition, this time in the UEFA Cup. The first round takes them to meet Eintracht Frankfurt, LFC playing at home on 12th September 1972, away on 26th. No indication how the teams travelled, but LFC supporters flew to Frankfurt day-return on BMA BAC.1-11 G-AXLL on 26th. The second round draw produced AEK Athens as their opponents. LFCs home game was on 24th October, with the away on 7th November – both teams appear to have used scheduled airline services. For the aviation enthusiast, the third round draw against Dynamo Berlin brought in Interflug, possibly their first ever visit to the UK and a Tupolev Tu-134, certainly a first visit of type to Liverpool. The away leg was first, on 29th November, LFC presumably flying out scheduled. Interflug’s Tu-134 DM-SCH brought the team in on 11th December, than called again to take Dynamo Berlin home on the evening of the match, 13th December.

Wrexham AFC played in two rounds of the European Cup Winners’ Cup meeting Zurich and Hojduk Split. No use of charter flights through Liverpool Airport traced.

After the winter break, the 4th round, the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Cup pitted LFC against another East German side, Dynamo Dresden. On the 4th March they arrived on DM-SCD and left on DM-SCH on the 8th, the day after the match. The choice of aircraft available to Interflug was limited as few of their aircraft had Western ATC compatible radios! For the away leg LFC again presumably travelled via London on scheduled services for the March 21st game. After a season of facing relatively unknown sides, in the Semi-Finals they faced Tottenham Hotspur, at Anfield on 10th April and at White Hart Lane on 25th April, no aircraft charters used by either side. So onwards to the final. At that time, the UEFA Cup Final was played in the same manner as the knock-out rounds, home and away at their own grounds. So LFC faced their fourth German (West and East) team of the season, playing Borussia Moenchengladbach, at first home then away. On 9th May, the home leg, lined up on the apron at Liverpool were a Bavaria BAC.1-11 D-ANNO (f&t Cologne), LTU Caravelle D-ABAW and IFG Friendship D-BEKU (both f&t Dusseldorf). Liverpool took a 3-0 lead into the second leg. The prospect of seeing a European Trophy coming to Liverpool attracted a large number of fans to travel to the away leg of the final. LFC team and staff flew out on BAC.1-11 G-AVMW on 22nd May, followed the following day by an armada featuring Dan Air Comet 4Bs G-APZM and G-APMD, BMA Viscount G-AZLR, Monarch Britannia G-AOVG and Boeing 720 G-AZKM, BEA Airtours Boeing 707 G-ARWD, and BCal BAC.1-11 G-AWYR and we should not overlook Cessna 210 G-AWGR either! Liverpool lost the 2nd Leg match 2-0, but returned home triumphant with the Cup on 24th in BA BAC.1-11 G-AVMH.

At home, domestic matches that brought in chartered aircraft that season all involved Norwich FC – at this time Britain’s growing motorway network was connecting north and south, but across-country journeys were still long and tedious. On August 11th, Everton use Air Anglia Dakota G-ANTD to get to Norwich for a League game. They return home the following day on G-AOBN. On 24th March 1973 Norwich supporters fly in to watch their team play LFC in the League on two BEA Vanguards G-APEH and G-APEN and Air Anglia Dakota G-AOBN. That evening Friendship G-BAKL carries the Dakota passenger’s home. Meanwhile G-AOBN flew two pleasure flights on behalf of the M.A.S. For more about that then see: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/3445 . On 3rd April Air Anglia Dakota G-AOBN returns, again with Norwich FC, this time to play Everton in the League.

An FA Cup Semi-Final encounter between Arsenal and Stoke required a ‘neutral ground’ replay. The match was played at Goodison Park on 19th April and Arsenal fans flew up from Luton in a Courtline BAC.1-11 G-AXMG.



Interflug’s Tupolev TU-134 DM-SCH in daylight on March 8th collecting Dynamo Dresden – football bringing Interflug to Liverpool 4 times in a single season – an airline not previously been seen in the UK. All my shots of DM-SCH are at night and suffer camera shake!



IFG Fokker Friendship D-BEKU parked up having brought in Borrusia Moenchengladbach supporters to Anfield to meet LFC



Another aircraft with Borrusia Moenchengladbach fans was Bavarian BAC.1-11 D-ANNO



For a domestic game in March 1973 Norwich supporters arrived on three aircraft, including two BEA Vanguards



While the other was a Douglas Dakota G-AOBN of Air Anglia, which while at Liverpool was chartered by the MAS for two flights along the North Wales coast as far as Caernarfon
.


Not too sure if this photo was the same day as the above, but the Norwich supporters that arrived in the DC-3 flew home on an Air Anglia Friendship G-BAKL.



Boeing 707-436 G-ARWD departing from the International terminal outbound with fans to the finals.



British Caledonian BAC-111-500 G-AWYR being made ready for an early morning departure with fans



Monarch Airways Bristol Britannia 312 G-AOVG awaiting early morning outbound fans



Another Monarch aircraft, Boeing 720 G-AZKM also awaiting early morning outbound fans


SEASON 1973/1974 LFC in European Cup

Liverpool are back in the European Cup draw for season 1973/74. Their first round opponents are Jeunesse Edesch. Dan Air Comet 4B G-APZM flies supporters out to Luxembourg on 19th September to witness a 1-1 draw. Back at Anfield on 3rd October, it is a Liverpool FC win 2-0, but nothing at the Airport for the aircraft enthusiast to see! In the first leg of the second round LFC meet Red Star Belgrade on 24th October, flying to Belgrade on Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-ASB. For the second leg Red Star Belgrade fly in on Aviogenex Tu-134 YU-AJD on November 5th, leaving after the game late on 6th. Red Star wins both legs, and proceeds in the competition with an aggregated score of 4-2. Liverpool FC the EUFA Cup Champions of the previous season, not progressing beyond Round 2 of the European Cup in their 10th consecutive year in European competition football.

Meanwhile, despite rising fuel prices and inflation, with wages on the up and many feeling affluent there was an increase in the number Division One teams and supporters travelling by air to away games, both domestic and European.

The Norwich team flies up in Alidair Viscount G-AVIW to play Everton at Goodison Park in the League Cup on October 30th. They go home the next day in G-ASED. On 16th November it is Everton that fly down to Norwich for a League Division One game on BMA Viscount G-BAPD. On 14th December it is Liverpool FCs turn to travel to play Norwich in the League. They travel out on Alidair Viscount G-AVIW, back the next day on G-AVJL. Everton travel down to play Ipswich on 31st December, flying into RAF Wattisham on BMA Viscount G-AZLT, back again the following day after the game. For a FA Cup game on Saturday 16th February, Ipswich Town FC travelled to Anfield using an Alidair Viscount G-AVIW, flying from and to RAF Wattisham.

An unusual circumstance brought in supporters by air to Liverpool during March 1974. Today, with changes to the rules of competition, repeated replays and the use of ‘neutral’ grounds no longer made, supporters of both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest would not have found themselves at Goodison Park in a replay FA Cup match on 18th March 1974. Newcastle supporters flew down on Britannia 737 G-AXNB. Having drawn yet again, the two clubs meet again at Goodison Park on 21st March! The Newcastle supporters clearly felt their team needed more support and flock in on Dan Air Comet 4 G-ARJN, Britannia Boeing 737 G-BAZG and Viscount G-AOYO of Northeast for the second replay.



Although several years later Aviogenex Tupolev Tu-134As became a common sight at Liverpool Airport on Inclusive charter flights to Pula, in 1973 the sight of Aviogenex Yu-134A YU-AJD was of great interest while parked up between bringing Red Star Belgrade in on Tuesday afternoon and departing after the game late Wednesday evening.


SEASON 1974/1975 LFC in European Cup Winners’ Cup

Liverpool FC are in the European Cup Winners’ Cup and drawn against Stromseodset of Norway. Team and supporters fly in from Oslo on Sterling Caravelle OY-SBZ on 16th September only to be beaten by the narrow margin of 11-0. A score which (as at 4/2018) still stands as LFC’s biggest win in European competition! They fly home on 18th in OY-STC. Not content with their victory at home, LFC go on to win 0-1 in Oslo and return home on BA BAC.1-11 G-AVMI (outbound presumably from Manchester). Liverpool went on into the second round to once again meet Ferencvaros. At Anfield on 23rd October a 1-1 draw, away on 5th November a 0-0 draw, so Ferencvaros went through on the away goals rule. Ferencvaros did not fly into Liverpool Airport, while LFC flew out to Budapest using Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-ASB on 4th, returning late on the 5th.

COMMENT

At this stage Tony William’s article in ‘Flypast’ draws to a close. Do wish he had followed this with another article 10 years later, as I am going to have to work much harder to extract the necessary information on European games and have little chance of spotting domestic team or supporter’s charters in the Logs, especially those like the one above (March 1974) that does not involve either of the home clubs. It is though rather sad to reflect that two fellow M.A.S. committee members in the ‘70s and early ‘80s who had a love not only for aviation, but a passion for their football and indeed flew out on some of the charters covered, Tony Williams and Phil Duckett are no longer with us to enjoy this trip down aviation and football memory lane.

From this stage mid-decade (now without the help of Tony William’s exhaustive research), I will not be including any charters generated by domestic games, concentrating just on LFC’s and EFC’s European competitions – and there could well be one-off fixtures or International games involving the Welsh National side or Wrexham that I have completely missed.

SEASON 1975/1976 EFC & LFC in the UEFA Cup and Wrexham AFC in the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

With both Everton and Liverpool in European competition, plenty of interesting aircraft visitors was the hope of the enthusiast. Only when LFC reached the semi-finals and finals did we get any more than just the team aircraft for each leg though. Both teams were in the EUFA Cup. In the first round LFC drew Hiberian, away on September 17th, Home on 30th September and progressed through. No aircraft charters involved. Everton though hit tough competition in the first round, drawn against AC Milan. The Italians arrived on a chartered KLM Douglas DC-9 PH-DNS on 15th September, the same aircraft collecting them on 18th. On 30th September EFC team and staff flew out Aer Lingus BAC.1-11 EI-ANH, returning on 2nd October. An aggregated score of 0-1 put Everton prematurely out of the competition. Liverpool went on in the 2nd round to meet Real Sociedad of San Sebastian, Spain. The LFC team and staff flew out Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-ASL to Biarritz in SW France on 21st October, returning on the same aircraft in the early hours of 23rd. Real Sociedad did not use a charter flight to reach Liverpool for the 2nd leg on 4th November. LFC won 3-1 away and 6-0 at home, so progressed to meet Polish side Slask Wroclaw. LFC flew out Aer Lingus, again on Boeing 737 EI-ASL on 24th, Flying into Poznan, returning after the match on 26th. For the Anfield game Slask Wroclaw did not use a charter flight into Liverpool. LFC won 1-2 away and 3-0 at home, so progressed to the 4th round.

On 19th November 1975 an International between Wales and Austria was played at Wrexham. Austrian supporters arrived on three Yugoslavian charter aircraft, an Aviogenex Tupolev Tu-134A YU-AJD and a pair of Inex Adria Douglas DC-9s YU-AJB and YU-AJF. Wrexham AFC were also once again in Europe, reaching the quarter final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup, facing Djurgarden and Stal Rzeszow in the first two rounds before Christmas and in the March ’76 Quarter Final, Anderlecht.

After the winter break, the UEFA Cup continued with round 4, the Quarter-Finals. LFC faced a rematch with an opponent from 2 years previously, Dynamo Dresden. As British charter companies were not permitted to land in East Germany, LFC and travelled out with Aer Lingus on Boeing 737 EI-ASL and the fans on Interflug Tupolev Tu-134A DM-SCM on 2nd March, returning on EI-ASL and DM-SCI late on 3rd March after an afternoon game. For the Anfield match Dynamo Dresden flew in on Interflug Tupolev TU-134A DM-SCT on March 16th, leaving the next day after the game. After a goalless draw away, LFC won2-1 at home. By now they had reached the Semi-Final stage and serious competition in the form of Barcelona. For first leg, away at the Nou Camp the team flew out Aer Lingus on BAC.1-11 EI-ANH on 29th March, followed by supporters on 30th using Dan Air Comet4 G-APZM, Monarch BAC.1-11 G-BCXR and Laker BAC.1-11 G-ATPK, all 4 aircraft returning on 31st. The Spanish to our disappointment, flew in for the second leg on BA Trident G-AVFN on 13th April, flying home on G-AVFJ late on 14th and brought no support by air either.

The UEFA Cup Final was still being played over two legs, at the home grounds of both teams, rather than (as now) with a single game at a location fixed years in advance. The opponents were Bruges of Belgium, the first leg home at Anfield. On 28th April supporters arrived at Liverpool on three TEA aircraft, OO-TEC Boeing 707, which made a double-run and two Airbus A.300B OO-TEG and OO-TEF – a first visit by type to Liverpool Airport. There were also Belgian light aircraft, OO-JPR Cherokee, OO-WIY Cessna 172, OO-PTF Twin Comanche and Cessna 337 OO-KAL. The final Boeing 707 outbound flight was operated by OO-TED. With the first leg score 3-2 in LFCs favour, fans found many ways of getting to Belgium for the away leg. The team and staff flew out, once again, using Aer Lingus on Boeing 737 EI-ASB on 18th May to Ostend. They were followed on 19th May by supporters on Dan Air Comet G-BDIX, Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVBW, Monarch BAC.1-11 G-AWWZ, British Airtours Boeing 707 G-APFO and Laker Boeing 707 G-AVZZ some flying to Ostend, others to Brussels. A 1-1 draw at the Olympic Stadium ensured that Liverpool were victorious. More details and further photos on: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/29022/uefa-final-club-brugge-1976



DM-SCI on 3rd March, returning LFC fans to Liverpool late at night after an early, afternoon game.



Another Interflug Tupolev Tu-134A DM-SCT, likely on 17th March having brought in Dynamo Dresden to meet Liverpool in a round four, second leg game.



OO-TEG TEA Airbus A.300B unloading fans on arrival at Liverpool Airport, April 28th.



OO-TEF the other TEA Airbus A.300B with Brugges fans, showing how the two wide-bodies and the Boeing 707 dominated the apron for the day.



TEA’s Boeing 707 OO-TEC, looking clean and well kept despite now being from an older generation of jet transport aircraft.


SEASON 1976/1977 LFC in the European Cup

While the visiting teams the previous season had rarely used interesting aircraft and until the final there were no fans arriving by charter aircraft; the 1976/77 season, which took a while to get interesting, eventually produced both the biggest yet fly-in of supporters and the biggest fly-out of Liverpool fans too! Liverpool FC once again were in the more prestigious European Cup, however the 1st round was little more than a formality against Crusaders at Anfield on 14th September and away at Seaview on 28th. LFC won 2-0 and 0-5, so easily through to meet Turkish side Trabzonspor. Aer Lingus operated the LFC team charter out of Liverpool for the away game on 20th October using Boeing 737 EI-ASF. However for the Anfield game team and supporters arrived on Martinair Douglas DC-9 PH-MAR via Amsterdam and Condor Boeing 727 D-ABIP via Stuttgart. After the match they left on Martinair DC-9 PH-MAX again via Amsterdam, while the Condor ‘727 routed via Nuremburg.

For a League match Liverpool FC team flew to and from Norwich for a meeting with Norwich FC using Alidair Viscount G-ARBY, out Friday 22nd January 1977, back after the game on Saturday evening.

As Liverpool won both legs they went on to meet Saint Etienne in round 3, the Quarter Finals after the mid-winter break. Liverpool were away for the first leg on 2nd March, and at home on 15th March. On Tuesday 1st LFC team and staff departed on Aer Lingus’s BAC.1-11 EI-ANE and the first supporters on Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVYZ, and on the morning of match further supporters left on Monarch BAC.1-11 G-AWWZ. All three aircraft arrived back in the early hours after the game, which LFC lost 1-0. The opportunity to support their team causing a real upset against the mighty Liverpool FC at Anfield seems to have gripped the French supporters, who arrived in an armada of aircraft. As the greatest inbound airlift of fans ever through Liverpool Airport it has since been exceeded, but certainly a record for the most aircraft! True the numbers have also been exceeded since by the LFC fans flying out to the Athens and Istanbul finals, but these were away team fans for what was effectively only a Quarter-Final stage match. The final count came to a staggering 26 airliner loads arriving plus 6 GA twins and a biz-jet. Some 2,500 fans arriving at Speke, 2603 departing on 27 airliners. First to arrive was the St.Etienne team on Caravelle III F-BJTE of Air France on the morning of 15th, last to depart was the TAT Friendship late afternoon of the day after the match. Aerotour Caravelle VIN F-BVPU managed to depart twice in the early hours of 17th, as it diverted back after only 20 minutes in the air, departing again with the fault fixed nearly 2 hours later. At the time that the match was played there were a staggering 25 airliners on the ground connected with the match – plus 6 twins and a biz-jet! The “night of the Caravelles” has gone down in Liverpool aviation folk-lore for good reason!

The aircraft and substantial photo coverage is to be found on its own thread: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/28395/airlift-etienne-fans-march-1977.

Airline      (IATA code) Operated Seats  Aircraft types and registrations    

Dan Air            (DA)  6+flts   552  Comet 4s: G-BBUV, G-BDIW, G-APMB, G-BDIT (outbound only); BAC-111:G-BDAT
                                       Viscount 700s: G-ARIR (2 flts in, one out) & Alidair’s G-ARBY (out)  
                                       (552 pax inbound, 671 pax outbound due fans arr by land, home by air)
Air France         (AF)  3 flts   342  Boeing 727: F-BPJU (ACI colours); Caravelle IIIs: F-BJTE (in), F-BHRE, F-BHRH (out)
Catair             (QV)  4 flts   394  Caravelle VIs: F-BYCB, F-BUFF, F-BYCD, F-BUFC
E.A.S.             (EY)  2 flts   223  Vanguards: F-BVUY, F-BTOV
Minerve            (MN)  2 flts   199  Caravelle VIs: F-BUZC, F-BRGU
Aerotour           (QR)  2 flts   196  Caravelle III: F-BUFH; Caravelle VI F-BVPU 
British Calenonian (BR)  1 flt    113  BAC-111-500: G-AXJM
Sobelair           (OO)  1 flt    108  Boeing 737-200: OO-SDE (Sabena colours)
Air Charter Intl   (SF)  1 flt     99  Caravelle III: F-BJTJ
Aer Lingus         (EI)  1 flt     74  BAC-111-200: EI-ANG
Intra              (JY)  1 flt     73  Viscount 800: G-AVJB 
SATA               (VS)  1 flt     60  Caravelle 10: HB-ICO
T.A.T.             (IJ)  1 flt     39  Friendship 200: F-BUFU
 
Also: Lear Jet 24 F-BTYV, King Air 90s F-BOSY, F-BUFI; Queen Air 80 F-BRNR; Twin Bonanza F-BTQN and Aztecs F-BPFH, F-BRNU.
 
It would appear the seats column is the actual number of passengers carried.  In all further similar tables it is the aircraft seating capacity available that is the total provided.

The semi-finals could only be an anti-climax after the staggering support that followed St.Etienne. LFC drew FC Zurich, away on 6th April and at home on 20th. LFC flew out on Aer Lingus BAC.1-11 EI-ANH on the 5th, followed by fans on Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVBW and Transavia Boeing 737 PH-TVI on the morning of Wednesday 6th, all three aircraft returning after the match. Swiss team arrived on Tuesday 19th on a Balair DC-8 HB-IDZ, which positioned back to Zurich to arrive with supporters later the same day. A few further supporters arrived on twins, Aztec HB-LCF and Cessna 310 HB-LIK. Liverpool comfortably won both legs, so reaching the final.

The European Cup Final was a single game, played at the Stadio Olimpico, ROME on Wednesday 25th May against Borussia Moenchengladbach. The chance to witness Liverpool FC win the European Cup encouraged many fans to book with the official organising travel agents and fly out to Rome. It was not recorded at the time which the team aircraft was, the Aer Lingus Boeing 707 or BA Trident look the most probable contenders. On Monday 23rd Monarch Boeing 720 G-BCBA, Britannia Boeing 737 G-AXNC and Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVBY departed for Rome; on Tuesday 24th Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVYZ (double run), Britannia Boeing 737s G-AXNA, G-AXNB and G-AXNC (further run), G-AWSY and G-BECG, BEA Trident 3 G-AWZC, Monarch Boeing 720 G-AZKM, Laker BAC.1-11 G-AVBY (further run) and on the Wednesday morning Britannia Boeing 737s G-AZNZ and G-BECG (further run), Transavia Boeing 707 PH-TVA, and Boeing 737s PH-TVE, PH-TVN and PH-TVO, Pan American Boeing 707 N887PA, Monarch BAC.1-11 G-AXMG, Aer Lingus Boeing 707 EI-ANO, Sterling Caravelle OY-SAM and finally the only ‘wide-body’ BAW L.1011 Tristar G-BBAG. A total of 24 outbound flights on 20 different aircraft. On the return flights there had been some aircraft changes at Rome with Monarch’s BAC.1-11 G-BCXR, BA Trident G-AWZD and Monarch Boeing 720 G-AZNX appearing on the return flights. More LFC fans travelled through Liverpool to Rome than the arriving St. Etienne fans a couple of months earlier. The big difference for the enthusiast was that in March nearly all the aircraft were parked at the airport on the evening of the match, the Rome airlift spanned 6 days as aircraft arrived and departed. Last aircraft back was a Laker BAC.1-11 in the early hours of Saturday morning. Liverpool were victors by 3-1 and crowned Champions of Europe. Some comment and many more great photos relating to the Rome 1977 Final on: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/17375/airlift-rome-1977-european-final

Airline (IATA code)          operated               aircraft type     Aircraft registrations

British Airways (BA)  2 return flights    Tristar        G-BBAG
                                          Trident 3      G-AWZC (out), G-AWZD (back)
Transavia       (TV)  4 return flights    Boeing 707     PH-TVA
                                          Boeing 737     PH-TVE, PH-TVN, PH-TVO
Monarch         (OM)  3 return flights    Boeing 720     G-BCBA, G-AZKM (out), G-AZNX (back)
Aer Lingus      (EI)  1 return flight     Boeing 707     EI-ANO
Pan American    (PA)  1 return flight     Boeing 707     N887PA
Sterling        (NB)  1 return flight     Caravelle      OY-SAM
Britannia       (BY)  8 return flights    Boeing 737     G-AXNA, G-AXNB, G-AXNC, G-AWSY, G-BECG, G-AZNZ
Laker           (GK)  4 return flights    BAC.1-11       G-AVBY, G-AVYZ

A fascinating aerial photo showing many of the airliners that brought St.Etienne supporters to Liverpool in March 1977.



From Banks Road the line of aircraft parked along runway 17 was impressive



Largest aircraft involved was Air Charter International’s Boeing 727



Another of the many Caravelles was F-BHRE of Air France parked out on the small finger apron.



Often overlooked are the British airlines involved, here two Viscounts are parked down by the former Starways hangar, British Air Ferries and Dan Air, there was also a British Caledonian BAC-111 parked in the same general location.

........... and a batch of photos to illustrate the aircraft involved in the Rome excursion by team and fans.



Largest aircraft involved, a Lockheed 1011 Tristar of British Airways seen loading on Wednesday



Transavia had several aircraft committed to the airlift of fans, largest being Boeing 707 OO-TEC, this shot likely on the outbound leg before the match.



From the reaction and size of the waiting fans on the balcony and at the railings, this is the team returning on a British Airways Trident 3b. Seen from the balcony outside the top of the ATC tower by an official ‘access all areas’ photographer – a view rarely attainable for enthusiasts. Note also an attempt with a green pen to ‘censor’ out those fans on the hangar 2 roof! These are Liverpool City Engineers Photographic Unit prints.



A more normal balcony view of the Sterling Caravelle and a Britannia Airways Boeing 737-200 on the apron, but made all the more interesting by standing back and including those waiting for friends and/or a glimpse of the team arriving.


SEASON 1977/78 – LFC in the European Cup

Liverpool once again qualified for the European Cup. The big question was could they go on and retain the Cup for a second, consecutive year? In fact LFC did go all the way to the final, but in terms of aircraft involved season 1977/78 was close to a non-event for the aviation enthusiast – a complete reversal to the record breaking season before!

LFCs European campaign commenced in the second round of matches against a previous opponent Dynamo Dresden. For the first leg, at Anfield it appears that no aircraft were used into Liverpool on 19th November. For the away second leg LFC flew out Aer Lingus BAC.1-11 EI-ANF on the day before, fans flying out on Interflug Tu-134A DM-SCL on the morning of the game, returning the next day on DM-SCK along with the team aboard the same BAC.1-11. Next came the European Super Cup against Hamburg SV. Absolutely zilch is recorded in the Airport Logs for the away game on 22nd November and the home leg on 6th December apart from a German Cessna 310 D-ICAL on 6th, departing 7th. After the winter break, the 3rd round, the Quarter Finals drew LFC and Benfica together. The LFC team flew out Aer Lingus BAC.1-11 EI-ANF on Feb 28th, returning on 2nd, with the fans out on BMA Viscount G-AZNA on 1st, the day of the match, back the following day. So, onto the semi-finals, with a re-run of the previous season’s final. LFC were away to Borussa Moenchengladbach on 29th March. It would appear that LFC team and staff flew out from Manchester, but returned to Liverpool Airport on BA BAC.1-11 G-AVMN arriving on 30th from Cologne in the early hours. No fans flew out from Liverpool. A much better response from the travelling Borussa Moenchengladbach fans who arrived on a Hapag Lloyd Boeing 727 D-AHLL and two LTU Tristars D-AERI and D-AERE on the day of the match, 12th April. Liverpool were through to the European Cup Final, the location of this final was Wembley, LONDON and the opponents Club Brugges. The final was played on Wednesday 10th May, LFC lifted the Trophy recording a 1-0 win. No supporters flew down on chartered aircraft, the majority travelling by train, coach or car. The team though had flown from Liverpool to Heathrow on BA Trident 2 G-AVFB the day before, and returned from Heathrow on G-AVFA the day after the final.



LTU Tristar D-AERI parked infront of the International terminal off-loading day-trip Borussia Moenchengladbach supporters



LTU Tristar D-AERE parked on the big finger for the day, Wednesday 12th April



Two Tristars and a Hapag Lloyd Boeing 727 dominate the buildings and apron at Speke.


SEASON 1978/1979 EFC in UEFA Cup, LFC in European Cup & Wrexham AFC in Cup Winners’ Cup.

Liverpool commenced their third consecutive season in the European Cup, along with Everton who had qualified for the UEFA Cup after two seasons without European competition. Liverpool fell at the first hurdle. Their opponents in the first round was Nottingham Forest who won at the City Ground on 13th September, while LFC only managed a goal-less draw at Anfield on 27th September. Some Forest fans travelled to Anfield aboard Eastern Airways C-47B Dakota G-AMRA, although for both legs the teams settled for travel by road. That still left the European Super Cup games in December, facing Anderlecht. Never a Cup fixture to excite the Kop, no supporters flew out for the away leg at the Stade Emile Verse, although LFC flew out Aer Lingus on 3rd December, back late on 4th after the game. The fixture though was clearly supported by the Anderlecht fans, with team arriving on 18th December on TEA Boeing 707 OO-TEC and the fans on the day of the match, 19th on TEA Boeing 737 OO-TEJ, Sabena Boeing 737 OO-SDL and Sabena Caravelle OO-SRI. Liverpool was misty and between the arriving fans was accepting fog diversions from Manchester.

Meanwhile Everton too did not progress far in the UEFA Cup. In Round One they met Finn Harps FC, who they demolished on aggregated score of 10-0 during September. Indeed the 0-5 win away on 12th September and 5-0 win at home on 26th still stand (as at 2018) as EFC biggest home and away wins in Europe. EFC team chartered Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-ASA to get back from Dublin after the 1st(away) leg, Finn Harps must have travelled by scheduled or the ferry. In Round Two they had to travel considerably further to play Dukla Prague. The home leg produced no aircraft, for the away just the team and staff using Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-ASH to Prague on 31st October, back on 1st November after an afternoon game. With an aggregated score of 2-2, Everton were out of the competition on the away goals rule.

However, with Manchester Airport closed overnight throughout the 1979 summer season, a few football flights (those requiring departure after a game) did use Liverpool Airport. One such was Condor Boeing 727 D-ABKL on 7th March with Bourussia Monchengladbach fans to watch their team play Manchester City. The team and staff used Friendship D-BAKA into Manchester Airport and stayed in Manchester after the game. On 21st March in the early hours, a BA BAC.1-11 G-AVML brought home Manchester City into Liverpool Airport from the away leg.

A few weeks later the Monchengladbach team were at Anfield for the Emlyn Hughes testimonial, flying in on Friendship D-BAKI on Monday 26th March and out on the same aircraft Wednesday 28th, a German Cessna 210 D-EHST on 27th may have been involved to, or the visit could just have been co-incidence.



An odd one, considering that this article is primarily about Liverpool teams and European competition, Condor Boeing 727 D-ABKL brought in Bourussia Monchengladbach fans to watch their team play Manchester City at Maine Road on March 7th . The aircraft used Liverpool Airport as Manchester was closed overnight for runway resurfacing work.



On a rather December foggy afternoon, aircraft that brought in Anderlect supporters and team for the European Super Cup fixture, along with fog weather diversions from Manchester. In the freezing foggy gloom, left to right: G-ASJC BAC-111-200 Caledonian (diversion), G-AVMZ BAC-111-510 BAW (diversion), OO-SDL Boeing 737-229 Sabena (football), OO-TEJ Boeing 737-219 TEA (football), G-BAJW Boeing 727 of Dan Air (diversion) and on right OO-TEC Boeing 707-131 of TEA (with the team). Liverpool City Engineers Photo.



TEA Boeing 707 OO-TEC parked out on the large finger, with a BAW BAC-111-510 diversion from Manchester on the other. A Liverpool City Engineers Photo.


SEASON 1979/1980 EFC in UEFA Cup, LFC in the European Cup & Wrexham AFC in Cup Winners’ Cup.

Again Liverpool FC, Everton and Wrexham all qualifying for European competitions the season started with optimism for a good European run while the aviation enthusiast looked forward to some interesting aircraft. However, all the home sides fell at the first hurdle, although we did get some rather interesting Soviet aircraft.

No record of how Everton FC travelled to meet Feyenoord, but on Wednesday 3rd October Feyenoord fans flew in on a TEA Boeing 737 OO-TEM which performed a double run from Amsterdam. During the evening Transavia’s Boeing 737 PH-TVN positioned in, the two aircraft taking all the supporters home after the game. Liverpool though had the challenge of travelling to play Dinomo Tblisli of Georgia, way across between the Black and Caspian Seas at a time when access to Soviet airspace by Western Airlines was severely limited. For the Anfield leg on 19th September the team travelled scheduled via Moscow and London. For the away leg on 3rd October, LFC team and staff flew on a chartered Aeroflot Tupolev TU-154B CCCP-85365 departing on Monday 1st for a fuel stop at Moscow. Fans flew out the following day on CCCP-85157. Both team and fans arrived back at Liverpool close together on Thursday late afternoon on CCCP-85279 (fans) and CCCP-85157 (team). First time that Aeroflot airline had been to Liverpool, and CCCP-85365 was notable in being a brand new aircraft only delivered earlier in the year. Finally, a mention of Wrexham AFC who had also qualified for European competition. They drew FC Magdeburg of East Germany and flew out from Liverpool on BMA Viscount G-AZNB on 2nd October to Berlin, returning on G-AZLR afternoon of 4th October.



Aeroflot Tu-154M CCCP-85157 arriving and on the link taxiway



Aeroflot Tu-154M CCCP-85279 returning after the game with the fans, parked outside the International terminal.

[viscount]

PART 3: THE ‘EIGHTIES DECADE

1980/1981 LFC in the European Cup

In the European Cup round one found LFC flying to Finland having drawn Oulu Palloseura. They flew out to Oulu on Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BEC on Tuesday 16th September, flying home after the match on 17th, to arrive Liverpool in the early hours of 18th. For the Anfield leg on 1st October no charter flights were involved. Score 1-1 away, 10-1 at home, so LFC progressed to meet Aberdeen. Transport to the first, away leg was complicated by Aberdeen Airport closing at night. The team and staff flew up on BIA BAC.1-11 G-CBIA on the afternoon of Tuesday 21st to Aberdeen, returning after the match on Wednesday 22nd from RAF Lossiemouth in the early hours of 23rd. For the second leg Aberdeen flew down on Alidair Viscount 709 G-ARIR on the morning of the match, Wednesday 5th which then positioned to EMA to swop with G-BDRC Viscount 724 in Guernsey Airlines colours. The team left Liverpool Airport at 0550 Thursday morning to land at Aberdeen as the Airport opened up. LFC won 0-1 and 4-0.

After the winter break from competition, in the Quarter Finals, the next opponents would be CSKA Sofia with the first leg at home on Wednesday 4th March. They arrived at Liverpool Airport on Balkan Bulgarian Airlines Tupolev Tu-134 LZ-TUO fitted with fewer than usual seats and an ex Government VIP aircraft at 1420 on Monday 2nd. The aircraft was parked on the finger apron until departing a few minutes into Thursday 5th. For the away leg LFC used Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BCR out Tuesday late morning 17th, back after an early game just before midnight on Wednesday 18th. With scores of 5-1 and 0-1 Liverpool proceed to the Semi-finals and another meeting with Bayern Munich. For the first leg Bayern team and staff fly in on Hapag Lloyd Boeing 727 D-AHLQ on Tuesday 7th April departing morning of 9th, their supporters arriving on the morning of the game, Wednesday 8th on another Hapag Lloyd Boeing 727 D-AHLM which left during the afternoon of 9th. A Lear Jet D-CAPD was also involved. The result at Anfield was a scoreless draw. LFC team and staff flew out Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BCR on Tuesday 21st and back on Thursday 23rd. A worrying trend is that supporters were coached to Manchester and Luton to fly to Munich due to high positioning costs being quoted by British charter airlines. Liverpool drew again, this time 1-1, so on the away goal rule passed through to yet another final.

The opponents in the European Cup Final, Real Madrid and the location the Parc des Princes, PARIS and the date Wednesday 27th May. There was a great lack of available tickets as fans clamoured to travel by coach, rail or air. Indeed there were more trains and aircraft available to transport fans than there were tickets available. Aircraft involved in the fans airlift from Liverpool were:

Airline    (IATA code) Operated          Aircraft type     Registrations

Aer Lingus      (EI)  1 return flight    Boeing 737        EI-BCR
Laker           (GK)  3 return flights   Douglas DC-10     G-BBSZ, G-GSKY
Britiannia      (BY)  3 return flights   Boeing 737        G-AVRL, G-AWSY, G-BADR, G-BGNW, G-BHWE (due different a/c out and in-bound)
Orion           (KG)  1 return flight    Boeing 737        G-BGTV, G-BGTW
British Airways (BA)  1 return flight    BAC.1-11          G-AVMN, G-AVMS (due different a/c out and in-bound)
B.A.F.          (VF)  1 return flight    Viscount 806      G-APEY

Also a Northern Executive Navajo G-BBNT and Keenair Air Services Aztec G-BCPF.  At least two return flights operated from Manchester – a Laker DC-10 and an Orion Boeing 737, although both operated a ‘W’ into Liverpool, routing MAN-Paris-LPL-Paris (match)-LPL-Paris-MAN. What else flew from Manchester and Luton was not recorded in MAS Flypast magazine.

Which aircraft transported the winning victorious Liverpool team home is not recorded (likely either Aer Lingus or BA); the score of 1-0 is though!

Amazingly I have little in any of my sources images to illustrate season 1980/1981. While it is true that Liverpool went all the way to the final, the aircraft involved were somewhat unimpressive, with the possible exception of the Balkan Tu-134A.



Bayern Munich team and staff arriving on 7th April on Hapag Lloyd Boeing 727 D-AHLQ, another brought in supporters the following day.

SEASON 1981/1982 LFC in the European Cup

With a sight touch of dejavous , LFC met Oulu Palloseura again in Round One. This year though it was Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BEE that was to transport LFC to the away afternoon game on Wednesday 16th, while again Oulu again did not fly to Liverpool by charter aircraft. LFC won both legs 0-1 and 7-0. Next came Dutch side AZ67 Alkmaar. LFC flew out for the first, away leg Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BEB. Supporters on a flight organised by Cathedral Touring used Alidair Viscount G-ARGR in basic Alidair yellow with Inter City titles and revised tail logo on a day return for Wednesday 22nd October. For the second leg, played on 4th November, the Alkmaar team used Transavia Boeing 737 PH-TVI, with supporters using NLM Friendship PH-SAD and a Navajo PH-AST. Liverpool supporters from Dublin arrived on a special day-return flight on Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-ASF (at this time Dublin services only operated 3 times weekly) – so oddly more LFC ‘home’ fans arrived by air than those following the away team! With a 2-2 draw away and 3-2 at home, Liverpool progressed into Round 3, the Quarter Finals – but dejavous strikes again as they draw the same opponents as Round 3 of the previous season, CSKA Sofia. The home leg was played first; again CSKA flew in on a Tupolev Tu-134A of Balkan Bulgarian, this time on LZ-TUN arriving at 0850 on Tuesday 2nd March, leaving just before midnight, after the match on Wednesday 3rd. An extra Aer Lingus flight operated by EI-BEB took home Dublin passengers that arrived on the scheduled flight earlier in the day. LFC took a slender 1-0 win to the away leg on Wednesday 17th March. Unusually their transport was by British Airtours on Boeing 737 G-BGJM departing on Tuesday, back in the early hours of Thursday. Liverpool lost away 0-2, so the 1-2 aggregated score put Liverpool FC out of the competition – no trip to the finals in May 1982, however as LFC had already won the English League Cup knew they already were ensured a place in European competition for season 1982/1983.



The outstanding aircraft visitor with football connections during the 1981/82 season was this Balkan Bulgarian Tupolev Tu-134A LZ-TUN


SEASON 1982/1983 LFC in the European Cup

Another season, again with the prospect of European Cup action for Liverpool. The first round drew a meeting with Dundalk, with the away leg at Oriel Park first on 14th September and home on 28th. The real action was away, with a 1-4 win followed by 1-0 at Anfield. On Monday 13th LFC flew to Dublin on Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BEE and returned home very early hours of 15th on EI-ASF. Dundalk did not use charter flight to get to Liverpool. Again LFC faced a Finnish side, this time in the second round and HJKA Helsinki. For the away leg Aer Lingus again provided a chartered Boeing 737, EI-ASH, leaving Liverpool midday on 18th, returning in the early hours of 20th after the game. This time the Finnish side fly into Liverpool, chartering Finnair Douglas DC-9-14 OH-LYA dropping them off at lunch-time on Tuesday 1st, the same aircraft collecting them just before midnight on Wednesday 2nd. After a defeat 1-0 away, LFC ensured their survival in the competition with a 5-0 win at home. After the winter break, round three pitted LFC against Widzew Lodz of Poland. For the away leg LFC chartered British Airtours Boeing 737 G-BGJH. They likely flew out of Manchester, the aircraft brought them back to Liverpool Airport though, landing in the early hours of Thursday 3rd after the match. It is not known how Widzew Lodz got to the Anfield leg on 16th March. Widzew Lodz won their leg 2-0 and LFC won their home leg 3-2, but lost on the aggregated score of 3-4, so again no trip to the finals.

Far from a classic season for the aviation enthusiast, with only the Finnair DC-9-15 of interest.

SEASON 1983/1984 LFC in the European Cup

Another season with LFC again harbouring an ambition to become Champions of Europe. The first round drew LFC and Odense Boldklub of Denmark. For the away leg on 14th September LFC appear to have flown out of Manchester, but returned to Liverpool in the early hours of Thursday on BA BAC.1-11 G-AVML from Billund (Odense Airport being closed at night). No aircraft into Liverpool for the Anfield leg on 28th September, LFC through with two wins and an aggregated score of 6-0. Next round, the opposition was in the form of Athletic Bilbao from Northern Spain. Again no inbound charter aircraft for the Anfield leg on 19th October, LFC flying out for the away leg early afternoon on Tuesday 1st November on Britannia Boeing 737 G-BECH, returning after the Wednesday evening match in the early hours of Thursday 3rd. Liverpool did not make passage through to the 3rd round easy, with a 0-0 draw at Anfield and a 0-1 win away.

After the winter break in the Quarter-Finals stage LFC faced mighty Benfica. Benfica arrived on a TAP/Air Portugal Boeing 727 CS-TBS on Monday 5th March, the aircraft staying until departure afternoon of Thursday 8th. No fans for the match on Wednesday 7th which LFC won 1-0. For the second, away leg LFC flew out on Britannia Boeing 737 G-BAZI on Tuesday afternoon 21st, the match was on Wednesday, the team arriving back at Liverpool early afternoon Thursday. Away LFC won by a convincing 1-4, so through to the semi-finals. In the Semi-Finals they faced Dinamo Bucharest who arrived at Liverpool on a Tarom BAC.1-11, rather than the anticipated IL-18. However the BAC-111-400 YR-BCB was a relatively rare machine for UK spotters and was at the Airport from Monday evening 9th April to early afternoon Thursday 12th. Liverpool winning the Wednesday 11th match 1-0. For the second, away leg LFC again used Britannia Airways and Boeing 737 G-BECG, outbound early afternoon Tuesday 24th and back late on the Wednesday 25th after an early game. LFC supporters did bring in a Tarom Ilyushin IL-18D YR-IMJ to take them to Bucharest Tuesday early afternoon and the same aircraft returning early hours of Thursday. LFC again managed an away win, 2-1, so through to the final 3-1 on aggregate.

The European Cup Final on May 30th was fixed to be at the Stadio Olimpico, ROME – the opposition, effectively the home team, were AS Roma. Although 20,000 were anticipated to travel, it would appear that only around 12,000 made the long trip to Rome – a combination of high fares and grave warnings on the likelihood of serious crowd trouble. Several anticipated charters were cancelled in the weeks before departure. 12 flights eventually departed from Liverpool, carrying around 2,150 supporters.

Airline     (IATA code) Operated           Aircraft type        Registrations

Aer Lingus       (EI)  1 return flight     Boeing 747           EI-BED
                       1 return flight     Boeing 707           EI-ASO  (actually only operated on the return flight)
                                           Boeing 737           EI-BEE  (substituted for the Boeing 707 outbound)
                         with the team     Boeing 737           EI-ASB  (outbound), EI-ASG(inbound)
                                           BAC-111              EI-ANH  (substituted for the Boeing 707 outbound)
British Airways (BA)  1 return flight      L.1011 Tristar       G-BEAM
Sterling        (NB)  1 return flight      Boeing 727           OY-SBG
Britannia       (BY)  2 return flight      Boeing 737           G-BHWE, G-BGYJ outbound; G-BAZI and G-BGNW on the return.
Orion           (KG)  4 return flights     Boeing 737           G-BGTW, G-BGTY both making double trips.         
Air Cymru      (CYM)  1 return flight      BAC.1-11             G-AXOX  (with British Island and Air Florida titles, no Air Cymru ones!)

In addition one Manchester outbound charter departed from Liverpool as well.  BMA Douglas DC-9 G-BMAA was positioning from EMA in to Manchester at around 0645 on the Wednesday, however due to thick mist diverted to Liverpool.  The passengers were coached to Liverpool and departed to Rome.  They returned direct to Manchester.

The match itself was a draw, Liverpool FC’s win being on a penalty shoot-out. Their fourth win in the European Cup.



YR-IMJ Ilyshin IL-18D of Tarom taxiing out from the terminal afternoon of 24th April with LFC supporters bound for Bucharest.



Just the two shots in my collection of the fans departing to, or arriving back from Rome. Don’t quite know why, but at that time I had no car, so if the weather was poor I didn’t cycle! However in rather good weather, Aer Lingus Boeing 747 ‘Jumbo’ EI-BED winding up power and brakes off for take-off 27 outbound full of LFC fans bound for Rome.



Following not long after the Boeing 747 was an Aer Lingus Boeing 737-200 EI-BEE, seen here about to enter runway 27 with a load of LFC passengers – these passengers returned after the match on an Aer Lingus Boeing 707.


SEASON 1984/1985 EFC in Cup Winners’ Cup, LFC in European Cup & Wrexham AFC in Cup Winners’ Cup

Season 1984/85 marked Liverpool FCs twenty-first consecutive season competing in European football competitions, while May 1985 will be remembered for many years to come as the only year when both Everton and Liverpool reached the Finals in European competitions – still a unique event. It is also the final when it all went badly wrong for Liverpool’s supporters and left a stain on Liverpool Football Club and English football that has taken a long time to erase.

First though, let’s account for the rounds, opposition and aircraft that took both teams all the way in their respective competitions. Liverpool FC once again in the European Cup, Everton FC in the European Cup Winner’s Cup. I’ll look at EFC then LFCs matches in the early rounds until Christmas first, then consider the quarter, semis and finals for both Clubs.

Everton FC were drawn away in the first round, first leg game against University College Dublin(UCD). They flew out to Dublin on Aer Lingus BAC-111 EI-ANG on Tuesday 18th September, arriving back on EI-ANH in the very early hours of Thursday 20th after a goalless draw. For the second leg UCD arrived by Aer Lingus SD.3-60 EI-BEL on Monday 1st October, returning to Dublin on EI-BEM on Wednesday 3rd having lost 1-0. The type of aircraft used says much about the relative wealth of the two Clubs! In the second round, Everton were drawn against Inter Bratislava of Czechoslavakia and travelled out for the away leg on BMA DC-9-15 G-BMAG early afternoon Tuesday 23rd October, arriving back minutes before midnight on Wednesday after an early game having won 0-1. Inter Bratislava came to Liverpool on CSA Tupolev Tu-134A OK-AFB arriving late at night on Tuesday 6th November (they should have used OK-CFH, but this was stuck in fog at Moscow, therefore a 3 hour delay for a substitute a/c) and departed just before midnight on Wednesday 7th after the game, which EFC won 3-0 (4-0 on aggregate).

Liverpool FC in their first round, first leg were away against Lech Poznan of Poland. They flew out in Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BEB lunch time Tuesday 18th September, arriving back after an afternoon game late on Wednesday 19th. Lech Poznan arrived on a LOT IL-18V SP-LSH late morning Tuesday 2nd October, and left on SP-LSB mid afternoon of Thursday 4th having lost 4-0, 5-0 on aggregate. With barely time to arrange the charter, the second round brought Benfica, who travelled from Lisbon on a Boeing 737, CS-TEL, of Air Portugal arriving late afternoon of Monday 22nd October, departing late on Wednesday 24th after the match – which LFC had won 3-1. For the second leg, LFC flew out on Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BEC late morning of Tuesday November 6th and returned home early afternoon Thursday 8th. LFC had lost 0-1, but were through on an aggregated score of 3-2.

Liverpool also featured in a one-off Super Cup match with Juventus at the Stadio Communale on 16th January. Seems always to be treated as a low key affair by both Club and fans, with no charter flights used. LFC lost 0-2. The Welsh National side played Norway at Wrexham’s ground on February 26th – no aircraft used Liverpool Airport.

Wrexham drew FC Porto, who it was anticipated would fly into Liverpool Airport on an Air Portugal Boeing 737 – in the event a last minute decision took it to Manchester. Wrexham flew out of Manchester for the second leg, and the first leg of the second round, drawn against AC Roma. Unusually for a second round game, AC Roma brought fans with them, so three Italian aircraft descended on Liverpool, much to our delight. The team arrived on Aermediterranea DC-9-32 I-ATIQ afternoon of Tuesday 6th October, departing late morning Thursday 8th, with supporters on a Caravelle 10B of Altair I-GISU (with OH-LSG underwing!), Tuesday mid afternoon until late Thursday and a DC-9-32 I-DIKT operated by Aermediterranea, but in full Alitalia scheme and titles on Wednesday 7th, departing Thursday afternoon. All 3 parked on the west apron with good camera angles over the fence (but oddly no photos in my collection!).

So onto the 3rd Round – the Quarter Finals stage after the winter break. Everton faced Fortuna Sittard, a Dutch team. They arrived via Brussels on early afternoon Tuesday 5th March on Sobelair Boeing 737 OO-SBT, the same aircraft collecting them early afternoon of Thursday 7th. Some fans arrived from Eindhoven on an NLM charter, using Delta FH.227B OO-DTD afternoon of Wednesday 6th, leaving the following morning. Everton made a good start with a 3-0 home win. For the away leg, Everton FC used Aer Lingus, who provided a Boeing 737 EI-ASE flying to Maastrict on Tuesday 19th, back shortly before midnight on the Wednesday. Everton won again, 0-2 so safely through to the Semis. Liverpool FC were away for the first leg against Austria Vienna, which they drew 1-1. Liverpool FC flew by Britannia Airways using Manchester. For the home leg on Wednesday 20th March, the visiting team and staff, along with fans arrived early afternoon Tuesday 19th March on Austrian Airlines MD-81, OE-LDU – the first visit by a ‘super-stretch’ DC-9 to Liverpool. It left after the match, shortly before midnight on Wednesday 20th. LFC won the home leg convincingly 4-1.

Getting interesting now, with both our ‘home’ clubs in the Semi-Final stages of their respective competitions. Everton FC drew the mighty Bayern Munich no strangers to Liverpool. With the first leg away, EFC flew out Aer Lingus Boeing 737 on EI-ASE, while the Euroline Agency supporter’s flight used Orion Boeing 737 G-BJBJ outbound Wednesday morning 10th April, returning on Thursday mid-afternoon. Bayern Munich travelled to Liverpool, along with some supporters on Condor Boeing 727 D-ABMI arriving morning Tuesday 23rd, departing Thursday mid-morning. A Hapag-Lloyd Airbus A.300 which had been notified did not operate due to a lack of interest – indeed very few fans supported Bayern Munich at Goodison. Everton drew 0-0 away and won 3-1 at home. Meanwhile also in the semi-finals, Liverpool drew Panathinaikos of Greece. Team and supporters being brought to Liverpool by Olympic using Airbus A.300 SX-BEG arriving early afternoon Tuesday 9th and departing early hours of Thursday after the Wednesday 10th evening game. Plans to bring supporters in on a Boeing 747 en route Athens-Montreal fell foul of officialdom. For the away leg, LFC flew out Aer Lingus Boeing 737 EI-BEC and there were no supporter’s flights. Liverpool won 4-0 home and 0-1 away.

Domestically, LFC in the FA Cup semi-final met Manchester United, with the game played at a ‘neutral’ location – Goodison Park on Saturday 13th April. Irish fans flew in on Aer Lingus SD.3-60 EI-BPD and Boeing 737 EI-ASA. The Boeing 737 positioned out to Shannon and EI-BEE arrived empty from Cork to take the fans home after the match. As it was a 2-2 draw, a replay at a different neutral ground took the teams to Maine Road on Wednesday 17th when LFC lost 1-2.

With both ‘home’ teams in the finals there was much friendly rivalry on Merseyside. Everton’s Cup Winner’s Cup Final game was first on Wednesday 15th May in the de Kuip Stadium, ROTTERDAM meeting Rapid Vienna. Liverpool FC’s European Cup Final game was two weeks later on Wednesday 29th May in the Heysel Stadium, BRUSSELS against Juventus. Both clubs had an allocation of around 14,000 tickets each. It appears that Everton sold most of theirs through appointed Agents as part of a transport package; Liverpool FC selling theirs to individuals (who made their own travel arrangements) with many less available to tour operators to sell as a package. Aircraft charters for the Everton Final were arranged by Euroline, Souvenir, Sun Island, Towns, Lloyds, Duggans and Deesside Travel at least; while only Euroline, Towns and Ross Travel were permitted to obtain tickets from LFC.

Aircraft used by Everton FC and their fans involved 9 different British, Irish and Dutch airlines, involving 20 passenger charter flights, of which 5 were on wide-bodied aircraft and offered a likely 3,311 seats. Both the Airbus A.310 and the Boeing 737-300 variant (used by Orion) were first visit by type to Liverpool Airport. First of the flights operated Tuesday afternoon with KLM Airbus A.310 PH-AGB taking out the team, officials, families and press, they came back on PH-AGA. All other flights operated on the Wednesday, with the last couple outbound in the afternoon being Air Cymru, Martinair and KLM’s A.310 PH-AGC. The last ones back were BAF Viscount G-APIM and Transavia’s Boeing 737 PH-TVC both on Thursday afternoon. Many flights operated to Rotterdam, rather than Amsterdam Airport.

Airline  (IATA code) Operated   Seats   Aircraft types                 Registrations

Orion        (KG)   6 flts      808    6 x Boeing 737                  G-BHVH, G-BHVI, G-BLKB
Britannia    (BY)   3 flts      533    1 x Boeing 767, 2 x Boeing 737  G-BKPW (out), G-BKPV (back), G-AXNB, G-BADP.
K.L.M.       (KL)   3 flts      529    2 x A.310, 1 x DC-9-30          PH-AGA, PH-AGB, PH-AGC, PH-MAZ, PH-DOB
Aer Lingus   (EI)   1 flt       472    1 x Boeing 747                  EI-BED
Martinair    (MP)   2 flts      430    1 x A.310, 1 x MD-80            PH-MCA, PH-MBZ
Transavia    (TV)   2 flts      260    2 x Boeing 737                  PH-TVC, PH-TVX
Air Cymru    (CYM)  1 flt       130    1 x Boeing 737                  G-BAZI
B.A.F.       (VF)   1 flt        76    1 x Viscount                    G-APIM
B.M.A.       (BD)   1 flt        73    1 x Viscount                    G-BMAT

Plus Navajo Chieftain G-POLO, Cessna 401 G-AZRD and Cessna 421 G-TLOL.

While the Airlift to Brussels, for the game against Juventus, held in the Heysel Stadium involved just 11 passenger charters, operated by 5 British and Irish airlines with 1,692 seats available.

Airline   (ATA Code)  Ops      seats   Aircraft Type                   Registations

Orion        (KG)   5 flts      678    5 x Boeing 737                  G-BJBJ, G-BKHO, G-BLKD
Aer Lingus   (EI)   2 flts      659    1 x Boeing 747, 1 x Boeing 707  EI-BED, EI-ASO (LFC team and officials)
Euroair      (EZ)   2 flts      152    2 x Viscount                    G-BLNA, G-BNAA
Britannia    (BY)   1 flt       130    1 x Boeing 737                  G-BGYL
B.M.A.       (BD)   1 flt        73    1 x Viscount                    G-BMAT
Plus a Partenavia P.68B G-OCAL and King Air 200 G-VRES. 

More about the aircraft and further photos on thread: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/15237/cup-winners-final-airlift-1985

Like many in Liverpool I watched this match on TV, shocked, but for a long time unaware of the gravity of the situation in the Heysel Stadium and completely unaware of the consequences for English football with a ban from European Competition for a number of seasons. In the aftermath of the disgraceful Heysel disaster, the score of 1-0 to Juventus was of little consequence. It would be 1991/92 before Liverpool FC next competed in competition European football.



Lech Poznan being collected by LOT TL-18V, afternoon of Thursday 4th October 1984 after the match in glorious weather



Seen on Wednesday 7th November CSA’s Tupolev Tu-134A OK-AFB brought in Inter Bratislava to play Everton.



Another of the interesting aircraft seen from an earlier rounds match was the Douglas DC-9-32 I-DIKT that brought AC Roma fans to Wrexham. Operated by Aermediterranea, but in full Alitalia markings.


First of the European Finals took Everton FC to Rotterdam



Boeing 767 G-BKPW departing for Rotterdam early Wednesday morning



While Orion, Britannia and KLM provided most of the seats, another airline involved was Air Cymru with their former Britannia Airways Boeing 737-200 G-BAZI, seen arriving empty on 27 to collect passengers



Martinair provided two aircraft, here their MD-82 PH-MBZ is seen taxiing out with fans for Rotterdam.



The airlift provided a first visit of type for the Airbus A.310, with 4 aircraft involved, this is PH-AGC departing with fans mid afternoon of the day of the match.


The airlift of Liverpool FC fans to Brussels was smaller and generally with less interesting aircraft for the enthusiast to get excited about, so less photos!



Having missed Aer Lingus’s Boeing 747 EI-BED at Liverpool during the EFC Rotterdam airlift, managed to catch her taking part in the LFC fan’s airlift to Brussels.


Britannia Boeing 737-200 parked on the Western Apron during the LFC Brussels airlift. With fewer aircraft, and mostly rather familiar ones, I clearly did not make much of an effort to catch photos!

CONCLUDING COMMENT

As stated at the start of this mammoth journey down Liverpool Airport and European football competitions memory lane, I would be delighted if someone could take on the story through the ‘Nineties, ‘Noughties and Twenty-Tens decades to date. True more games are now played each season due to the earlier rounds adopting a league, rather than knock-out format, but for those with NWAN paper magazines (upto mid 2006), then nwan website airport movements print-outs (upto mid 2014), the daily threads on NWAN forum since early 2009, along with more recently (since mid 2014) the complete airport visiting aircraft on this forum site, the job is quite possible presented either in paragraphs, as tables of information or a mix of the two.

Over to you to add your memories, comments and further photos. I just hope in a piece this large and complex that I have every fact right – I’m sure that there will be a queue to tell me if I’ve gone wrong!

CREDITS:

Tony Williams in MAS Flypast magazine November 1974 with a detailed coverage of the first 10 years.
MAS Flypast magazines upto 1985; MAS EGGP magazines 1979-1986; Phil Butler’s & later Tony Williams’s Liverpool Airport visiting aircraft logs ATC transcriptions (1957- onwards); Internet sites, most particularly football sites linked to in the introduction. Photographs are named as to their source, by photographer where known. Sorry my photos are so sparse – I did have a great number more of Caravelle, Tristar, DC-10, IL-18, TU-134 etc visits but loaned them to be copied for the nwan website ‘type reviews’ in 2014 never got them back and had not appreciated they were missing until I went looking for them and both ‘parties’ have moved house since too.

Thanks too, to the endeavours of both Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs over many seasons whose success has led to qualifying for European competitions and to the teams, their opponents and supporters from all over Europe and from home for chartering such a variety of aircraft for us to observe, record and photograph.