1977–78 HONOURS First Division: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Second Division: BOLTON WANDERERS Third Division: WREXHAM Fourth Division: WATFORD FA Cup: IPSWICH TOWN League Cup: NOTTINGHAM FOREST Scottish Premier Division: RANGERS Scottish First Division: MORTON Scottish Second Division: CLYDE Scottish Cup: RANGERS Scottish League Cup: RANGERS British club European honours European Cup: LIVERPOOL
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league campaign, finishing just two places and three points off the drop zone. Roger Osborne was the matchwinner for Bobby Robson’s men, and was so overcome with emotion at scoring that he was substituted shortly after finding the back of the net. Robson (who took over as national team manager in 1982) was not the only England boss to feature in Football 78, as Sir Alf Ramsey took his place as manager of Birmingham City. Shown in a plain white, round-necked jersey, Ramsey is described in his album biography as ‘caretaker manager’. The 1966 World Cup winner took over from Willie Bell in September 1977 and remained in change until February 1978. His brief spell was not without success, stabilising the team in mid-table and overseeing a famous 3–2 victory against Liverpool at Anfield. Despite changing managers mid-way through the season – Ronnie Allen stepped down in December to be replaced by Ron Atkinson the following month – West Bromwich Albion finished sixth to claim the fourth and final UEFA Cup place. Although WBA lost their FA Cup semi-final to Ipswich at Highbury, defender John Wile’s bravery in staying on the pitch despite blood pouring out of his head remains an iconic image of the tie decades later. West Ham United, Newcastle United and Leicester City were
relegated from Division One, replaced by Bolton Wanderers, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur – the last of whom pipped Brighton and Hove Albion for promotion on goal difference. In Scotland, Rangers won the treble under manager Jock Wallace, who nonetheless resigned a few weeks later. Wallace was replaced by legendary defender John Greig, who finished his playing career in style by lifting the Scottish Cup, thanks to a 2–1 win over Aberdeen at Hampden Park. Motherwell had earlier been defeated 2–0 in the League Cup final, while four straight wins to round off the campaign gave Rangers a twopoint cushion over Aberdeen for the league title. Rangers weren’t the only side to change managers at the end of the season, St Mirren sacking Alex Ferguson (expect to see him turn up elsewhere!) while Billy McNeill left Aberdeen to return to Celtic, where he had enjoyed so much playing success. All in all, Panini’s Football 78 instantly established the brand as the leading UK football collection, no doubt reputedly generating over 80 million packet sales. And with another successful album launch just around the corner for the 1978 World Cup, this was only the beginning for Panini and its love affair with the UK.
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