FARA STRIKES GOLD!
It’s hard to imagine what to expect when you start a new job. My first day was no exception. An array of various items were scattered across my desk, all of which needed to be researched for an upcoming charity auction. A box of old Dinky toys, some vintage Lego, sorts of things that bring out the small child in you, but the football was what really caught my eye...
At the weekends I play as a goalkeeper for my local team and as such I am used to having a football in my hands - but never have I held a signed ball of this calibre; one with such strong history and heritage, signed by legends of the game. It soon became clear the ball was from the late 70's/ early 80's era, a period when Liverpool were one of the best, if not the best team in Europe and the world under the management of the great late Bob Paisley.
After distinguishing a few more of the player’s signatures, it didn't take long to work out that the ball was from the 1978/79 season. The ball has fifteen signatures from the league winning team including the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Ray Clemence and the late Emlyn Hughes. A lot was made of Liverpool’s success in the media at this time, with manager Bob Paisley once joking to a reporter, “Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too - one year we came second."
During the 78/79 season Liverpool had high hopes winning the European Cup for the third consecutive year; a feet only achieved by European giants Real Madrid, Ajax and Bayern Munich. Unfortunately, Liverpool’s hopes were dashed after being knocked out early on by Nottingham Forest who went on to lift the trophy that season. Forest proved stiff competition in the race for the first division league title too, but Liverpool ran away with it and won the league championship with a record points total.