The Languid Misconception of Steve ‘Archigoles’

For 4 years Steve Archibald was a hero to Barcelona fans. During this time he became one of the most successful British exports to grace Spanish football. Often criticised for his lack of interest at times this article is about the languid misconception of Steve ‘Archigoles’. Primarily his time with Barcelona. Without a doubt one of the finest Scottish exports to the leagues of mainland Europe there has ever been. After all, you don’t earn the nickname ‘Archigoles’ by accident

When Archibald joined Barcelona in 1984 for £1.15m after 4 successful seasons with Spurs it wasn’t without some major doubters. Despite being efficient on the ball and having an eye for the goal. It was considered by many that Archibald would struggle overseas.

The Dream Start

Archibald would need to hit the ground running if he stood a chance. The Barca fans would easily spot a player who wasn’t up to their levels and let him know. They didn’t have long to wait to make their judgement. First game of the 1984-85 season saw them pitted against arch-rivals Real Madrid.

In scoring a goal in a 3-0 victory and having a hand in the other two, he was well on the path to becoming a fan favourite

It was a dream start for the Scotsman from Glasgow.

From London to Barcelona

Archibald’s arrival very nearly didn’t happen. Current manager Terry Venables was a big fan. However, club leaders wanted to sign striker Hugo Sanchez from Atlético Madrid to replace the departing Diego Maradona. Venables won out and Archibald not Sanchez joined the Catalan giants.

His move to Barcelona was on the back of 4 productive years with Tottenham Hotspur. With Spurs, he won 2 FA Cups and the UEFA Cup in his last game in 1984. His final act scoring a penalty in the shoot-out against Anderlecht. What ultimately convinced Venables that Archibald was his man was his productivity in front of the goal. Coupled with his ability to form partnerships on the field, his elegance on the ball and his sheer professionalism.

An Argentinian Void

The Barcelona that Archibald joined were not the Barcelona of today’s modern game. They were a club and team in transition. Maradona had left and with him a huge void descended on the club. Archibald was presented as the answer to their problems. The man to replace Maradona. In reality, you couldn’t get two more differing players in style.

Even before his full La Liga debut goal against Madrid Archibald had been impressive in friendlies for the Blaugrana. Scoring twice in a 9-1 stroll against Boca Juniors in a pre-season tournament. That first season saw Barcelona cruise to the league title. Only their second in 24 years – with Archibald a pivotal part of the team. 

Real Madrid Romp

The following season saw Real Madrid romp to the title with Barca some 11 points behind them. Solace was found in a European Cup run that culminated in a Finals appearance against Steaua Bucharest. However there was some doubt as to whether he would be picked for the Final. Missing from the second leg of the semi-final through injury his replacement Pichi Alonso scored a hat-trick. Sending Barcelona through to the final following a penalty shoot-out.

Despite Alonso’s impressive hat-trick however, Archibald was chosen for the Final. In a stale and dull affair, Steaua set up for penalties from the first whistle to the last. As a result, Archibald was ineffective and replaced by Alonso in extra time. The game finished in a stalemate and went to a penalty shoot-out. Alonso, like everyone else for Barcelona that night, missed his spot-kick in the shoot-out and Barcelona were beaten.

The Brits Arrive

By the start of the following season, he had two new British forwards to do battle with. Mark Hughes and Gary Lineker had joined the Spanish giants. An injury curtailed Archibald’s start to the season. With restrictions on the number of foreigners allowed to play, Archibald found himself on the periphery. As a result, falling below the new arrivals in the manager’s pecking order.

Archibald’s return to fitness saw him playing for Barcelona B. However with Hughes struggling to fit in, his chance would come again. He watched from the stands as Dundee United knocked Barça out in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. Watching Welshman Hughes struggling and hearing his own name being sung on the terraces all around him. 

The Languid Misconception of Steve ‘Archigoles’

He came back into the team at Hughes’ expense shortly after. Linking up well with Lineker, but, despite that, his time at Barca was running out. The following season, he spent a spell on loan at Blackburn. And, when he returned, the landscape in Spain had changed considerably. Venables was gone, replaced by the mercurial Johan Cruyff. And as a consequence, Archibald was no longer part of the club’s plans.

Despite this Archibald still managed a respectable 24 goals in 55 games for Barcelona and departed a fan favourite. After all you don’t earn the nickname ‘Archigoles’ by accident. His efficiency and work rate coupled with his goal-scoring acumen put pay to the critics. And in doing so the languid misconception of Steve ‘Archigoles’ .