Top 5 Fights of the 70's and 80's

In today’s modern game we’ve all seen players confront opponents ( and sometimes team mates ) with all the bravado of a budding Mike Tyson. Most of the time they are more than happy to be held back by the smallest member of the team. All the while shouting and pointing as if ready to explode. Back in the 70’s and 80’s however players were more than willing to back up this bravado. Punches were thrown at will and players were allowed to continue to punch themselves out before the referee took control. Here are the Top 5 Fights of the 70’s and 80’s.

5. Brian Clough Punches His Own Fans

In 1989 Brian Clough was seen punching and slapping home supporters who had invaded the pitch. The incident followed his team’s empathetic 5-2 win over Queen’s Park Rangers. Two of the fans, who had been punched by Clough, came to the City Ground after the incident. Their reason was to say sorry for what they’d done and apologise personally to Clough. Clough’s reaction was to give them both a kiss on the cheek.

The club publicly backed Clough throughout the coming weeks. Some demanded a criminal investigation against the Forest manager. Others felt that Clough should be sacked, and there were even Forest fans who thought their manager had gone too far. Clough was eventually handed a then record £5,000 fine and a touchline ban for the rest of the season.

4. Leeds United Throughout the 70’s

It’s hard to include a list of fights in the 70’s and 80’s without including Leeds United. Despite their ability to play sensational football as illustrated in the 7-0 demolition of Southampton in 1972. They were undoubtedly more renowned as “Dirty Leeds” for their “combative” style of play. Players like Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter were more than enforcers for the team from Yorkshire. They dictated the style of play that was both revered and despised throughout the country.

Fighting was never far away when Leeds played. Classic scraps including Bremner and Giles v Kevin Keegan in the Charity Shield. And who can forget the infamous Norman Hunter v Franny Lee bout at Derby. Also noteworthy is the Chelsea v Leeds United 1970 FA Cup Replay. A match where football was a bystander to violent tackles and aggression.

3. Kevin Keegan vs. Billy Bremner & Johnny Giles

On August 10 1974, English league champions Leeds United met FA Cup winners Liverpool in the FA Charity Shield. The football season’s ‘curtain-raiser’ at Wembley Stadium. It was the first time the FA Charity Shield had been held at Wembley. The football on show from the start however was dominated by niggling fouls and heated arguments. 

In the second half this escalated notably. Keegan was targeted and received harsh treatment from the Leeds players. It wasn’t long before Keegan’s temperament would snap. Keegan was floored by the right fist of Johnny Giles after tripping him early in the game. And when the same player — who had been merely booked by Matthewson — then barged him, Keegan and Billy Bremner traded punches. Both players were dismissed. A more than worthy entry in our Top 5 Fights of the 70’s and 80’s.

2. Norman Hunter v Francis Lee

If you were going to pick a fight with someone in the 1970’s then Norman Hunter probably wouldn’t be a name high on your list of opponents. Mr “Bite yer Legs” was a formidable force at the time both with or without the ball. But that’s exactly who Franny Lee chose in what was to become the greatest fight in English football.

The powder keg was initially lit in the first half. Lee, enraged the opposition by tumbling over a barely outstretched leg to win a penalty and make it 2-1. It was obvious that Hunter was unimpressed with Lee’s cheating theatrics.

Just seven minutes into the second half Hunter would enact his revenge. Following a shot by Lee the Leeds defender clattered into him with his full force behind the “tackle”. The challenge was late to say the least. Lee retaliated which was probably exactly what Hunter was hoping for.

What followed was a “proper” football fight. Hunter and Lee exchanged punches both before being sent off and also as they both left the pitch. The result would probably have resulted in a points win for Lee who managed to put Hunter on the floor with a “phantom” punch ain to Ali v Liston 2 back in 1965.

1. Diego Maradona vs. The Whole Athletic Bilbao Team

The 1984 Copa Del Rey Final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao proved to be the last game Maradona played for the Catalan giants.

Coming face to face with the ‘Butcher of Bilbao’ Andoni Goikoetxea, who had broken Maradona’s ankle in a previous meeting between the sides in September. Maradona would lose the match. But ultimately win the war.

Taking exception to gloating Athletic player Sola waving him off the pitch with the Spanish gesture for “fuck off”. Maradona reacted as a man possessed. Within seconds Maradona had put Sola on his back-side and then proceeded to dispatch oncoming opponents with gay abandon. Punches, karate kicks, running kicks were all deployed like a fight scene from Karate Kid. The coup de grâce a flying knee kick from Maradona into an opponent’s head.

As a result, Maradona had to personally apologise to the king of the country after prompting the multi-man tear up. It was, without doubt, the worth winner of our Top 5 Fights of the 70’s and 80’s.