Since the advent of the money-spinning all inclusive Champions League, many football fans have harked back to the elitism and simplicity of the European Cup. Since inception, the European Cup pitted only the very finest clubs and champions of their leagues against each other in a cut throat knock out tournament. The Champions League itself has raised the profile of the European game but the glory years of the European Cup will have a fond place in the hearts of football fans who lived through it.

After a number of experimental tournaments and limited events, the European Cup began in 1955 with a tournament comprising of 16 of Europe’s elite teams. Real Madrid set out their intentions by winning the first final in 1956 in Paris, defeating Stade De Reims and beginning their domination of Europe’s highest competition. In fact, ask any Madrid fan and they will tell you that the glory years of the European Cup in its old format was the 1950’s when Madrid won 5 back to back trophies. A feat never matched and unlikely to be matched since. Real Madrid were truly the greatest club in Europe and were able to prove it year on year in the European Cup.

Chasing the European Cup raised the profile and quality of the game in Europe and indeed the 1960s saw the emergence of a range of teams on the European stage. Madrid themselves would suffer in the emerging competition and a victory in 1966 would mark their only other triumph in the competition under its old format. Benfica, Inter Milan, Manchester United, AC Milan...all clubs that would achieved success in the European Cup recorded their fist victories in the 1960s.

The 1970s saw the dominance of three clubs in the European Cup – Ajax, Bayern Munich and Liverpool. On the back of total football Ajax lifted the trophy three times in succession between 1971 and 1973 and had their firm grip on the European Cup. The Ajax side of the early seventies can be considered the glory years for the Dutch club and indeed Dutch club football, but this was surpassed by the efficient Bayern Munich teams of 1974-1976 who dominated all who stood before them. Again a perfect example of the best team in Europe proving their quality on the stage of the European Cup. The decade ended with Liverpool, who had dominated the English game for many years, turning this domestic success into glory in the European Cup with back to back wins in 1977 and 1978.

In fact Liverpool took this success into the 1980s with two wins. In terms of diversity the 1980s produced the greatest range of winners in the European Cup, inspired by the success of the clubs that dominated the seventies. In terms of variety, unpredictability and surprises, the 1980s are unmatched in the history of the European Cup. Red Star Belgrade, PSV, Marseille, Stenua Bucharest, Hamburg, Notts Forest and an emerging Juventus all overcome the odds to lift the trophy. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool and other European Giants fell in memorable finals to show that the European game was changing.

The final full decade of the European Cup in its old format was perhaps the finest example of how the knockout format produced entertainment, value and unpredictability for fans across the continent and it was on the back of such success that the European Cup would morph into the all conquering Champions League.

by Chris Ashwell