Happy 30th!

[Louzie0]

Thanks Mattjpa! 

Just completely cracked up, here.  superb comment.

[DeKuip]

Wonderful day, wonderful night, wonderful memories.
I was lucky enough to be there and remember it all so clearly still – I hope my kids get to enjoy something that special too one day.
Never stop believing and dreaming.

[Coop]

It's just gone 3 in the morning as I write. Exactly 30 years ago, I was half asleep on the train from New Street to Dover. Now, as a somewhat grizzled 49 year old, I don't think I've ever been as happy as I was on that sticky, sweaty, beery, fart riddled terrace section of "The Tub".

I was standing on the top of the central stairway, behind the goal when the most important moment in sporting history occurred. I can't be seen on the DVD footage, because a guy fell over when the goal went in, and ended up with about a dozen bodies on top of him (no crush barriers, and terraces with about an 8 inch riser!). I joined others in dragging people off the poor bugger, who was literally purple in the face by now! I remember shouting "for f***'s sake get off him!" Had he been down much longer, I don't think he would've made it, but he recovered quickly enough. I've tried to pick my arse out from the gap in the heads as the camera pans across our end, but no luck!  (It's a damn sight bigger now, and I'd have no problem )

I'm gigging tonight, with the band I play bass for (Bunter & The Vibes). I'll be wearing my "It must be..." T-shirt and raising a glass to our boys!

[Brazilian Villain]

I was 12 and watched the first half with my Dad in Ireland. He spent the second half walking around our front lawn as he couldn't watch it. TBH all I remember of the game is running out the front door crying when we scored and hugging my Dad in the front garden. Still brings a tear to my eye and when my Dad does pass away it'll be one of the 'moments' with him I'll remember most vividly.

[HK Villan]

I was 17, and as I had AO Level exams in Human Biology and General Studies the next morning, I couldn't go.  Watched it on TV with my Dad.  Couldn't quite believe what we had seen - I expected the earth to be shaking or something, but it wasn't.  Don't forget the "Well Done Villa" Davenports commercial on TV right after the game, following which I jumped on my bike, rode down to the off license in Somerset Rd and bought 2 bottles.  The power of advertising.   Looking back, watching the game itself was too stressful to really enjoy (although I'd take it again any day!).  My favorite memories of the campaign are actually the big home night games at Villa Park. 

[pbavfckuwait]

Spent that glorious night, stuck on HMS Antrim sat just off the Falklands, listening to the game on the World Service. I remember a Manc chef mate of mine brought into the mess at the final whistle a claret and blue cake with Champions of Europe iced on top.
There was suppose to be no drinking because of the situation, but this was one Brummie who went to his pit that night, pissed as a fart.
When I got back my sister wrote to the Mail and the Club and I was allowed to go down to the reception, taken to some room in the North Stand if memory serves me right , me and my brother in law and have pictures taken with the European Cup, still in my wallet to this day. Not there but still the proudest sporting moment of my life.

[big 1st serve]

 Still cant believe its 30years !!
 So many memories, the previous nights drink at the Swanpool Tavern, the game of footy outside the ground with the Germans, How hot it was, & that one moment, when it seemed to take forever for the ball to go in.

 Memories that I want/hope my son gets to experience,

[JD]

Happy Birthday to us 

Things move in cycles, we will be there again I am convinced of it, after all "WE ARE ASTON VILLA".

 

[Jon Crofts]

I'm on a train right now 30 years ago, from the Hoek to Amsterdam with the old man headed for the Rijks Museum & Anne Franks House before some lunch in Dam Square................

[Phil from the upper holte]

Ah I was only 5 but I hope I get to see it again, fuck chelsea we did it when we were champions

[Pat McMahon]

I was thinking when I woke up today that it is sad that all we can do now is celebrate the anniversaries of victories rather than look forward to new ones, but reading this thread has stirred my soul - and my memories.

I was at university and had an exam on the day of the final, which perturbed me somewhat. I told one of the professors I was determined to go to the final and he was a relatively keen Arsenal fan, so understood my predicament at least. He arranged for me to switch my exam to the Friday morning so I went off to Amsterdam on an official coach on the TUesday evening with a mate from uni who was from the Isle of Man and had seen very few live games. My real Villa mates went over with the Sutton supporters club, partly because it was a 3-4 day bender, but also because that is what we had done for the semi, and we were superstitious wee urchins.

Truth be told the Anderlecht trip was more fun for me, as we had a 3-4 day hoot and I was with my regular mates. The official coaches to Rotterdam were tame and full of older people ( older than a beery 19 year old anyway) and there was a fair amount of paranoia after the trouble in Brussels, so the only drinking before reaching Rotterdam was on the ferry.

When we got to Rotterdam we headed straight to the Double DIamond in town, the agreed meeting point for the hordes, but I never found my mates. There was great crack and the booze was ridiculously cheap. I remember the two of us buying a half crate of beer and local nippers coming round and taking the empties as they were reclaiming the deposit . They made a fortune that day. We bumped into a few Bayern fans who were really friendly, and distressingly confident - shame we never saw them after the game!

There was a massive 150 a side game in the grass park outside the Double Diamond which was very good natured. Things did turn a little ugly late afternoon when a mob of Bayern fans came over singing Argentina, and there was a large surge and a hail of bottles which sent them packing, but that was the only hint of trouble we saw all day. The police were on high alert with English fans reputation in the 80s, so they rounded us up and packed us on trains to the ground.

The game was the most amazing night of my life, and I have never, ever celebrated a goal with such unfettered joy. It will probably be the most joyous few moments I shall ever experience, though I would love to be proven wrong. Unfortunately my crappy portable camera never did the evening justice so I had no pictures to keep, but the memories are still strong. I would have loved a boozy celebration as we had done after Anderlecht but we were piled on to coaches and ferries home within an hour of the final whistle.

I feel so lucky to have been there on the greatest night in our history, and also grateful that it came at a time when I was at my most rabid and passionate as a fan.

I am now looking forward to the tenth anniversary of us winning the FA Cup....

[Rotterdam]

Happy anniversary to us.

[not3bad]

Great night, great memories. Watched it on TV with my brother. 

[TopDeck113]

If I had my time again I would have defied my parents, emptied my Post Office savings account, missed an AO General Studies exam and be able to say "I was there".  Watched it on TV and whilst never doubting we would win, celebrated Withey's goal with a leap and a punch that dented the ceiling!

I actually realise the magnitude of what we achieved that night far more in retrospect than I did at the time.  Back in the late 70s and early 80s, it seemed that winning the European Cup was what the English Champions just did - which is probably part of the reason why the club and that group of players have never received the recognition on a national level that they deserve. 

[Olneythelonely]

I was 18 months old, so I have no memories of it. But whilst I am very sad that I may never experience what a lot of you have, I do love some of your tales of the day. Keep them coming, hopefully I'll have a similar story to tell in the future.