No. 23 – Our Ninth League Title
Number 23 in our Days We’ll Remember all our Lives countdown brings us back to Molineux in 1976, the night Bob Paisley guided the Reds to his first League title as manager.
On 4th May, 1976, in front of 48,900 spectators, the outcome of the League title was to be decided on the final day of the season. QPR had finished strongly and had finished the season top of the table by one point. Therefore, the title was in Liverpool’s hands provided they beat Wolves at Molineux, a low scoring draw would also be enough to clinch a record breaking ninth league title for the Reds.
Wolves also needed to win to avoid relegation, the atmosphere was electrifying, the tension was rising, the expectations had been felt hours before kick off. Liverpool got off to the worst possible start and were a goal down at half time when Kindon opened the scoring for the home side, much to the shock of the travelling supporters.
Thirty minutes into the second half Liverpool were still trailing 1-0, until Kevin Keegan opened the scoring in the 75th minute, John Toshack and Ray Kennedy then hit another late two goals to ensure a memorable 3-1 victory!
It was a night of tension, drama, elation, frustration and sheer jubilation, as Liverpool won a tactical battle that stretched them to the limits. A night Liverpool fans would never ever forget’¦.. Thousands of Scousers poured on to the pitch to celebrate.
Liverpools Team : Ray Clemence, Tommy Smith, Phil Neal, Phil Thompson, Ray Kennedy, Emlyn Hughes, Kevin Keegan, Jimmy Case, Steve Heighway, John Toshack, Ian Callaghan.
It was Paisleys first of many League titles with the Reds. When Paisley retired in 1983, he had captured six league titles and three European Cups, boasting a 56 per cent win record that was the envy of modern football. On Thursday 8th April 1999 Liverpool FC officially opened The Paisley Gateway as an enduring monument to Bob Paisley – who will ever forget his amazing collection of 19 trophies in nine seasons….
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