The Day The Scots Invaded Wembley

England v Scotland at Wembley on June 4th 1977. A date that would go down as probably Scotland’s greatest victory on the hallowed turf of English football. Scotland was already on their way to a second successive World Cup. And as a result, were rightly recognised as the leading nation in the British arena. However, if anyone was in doubt they showed this superiority both on the pitch with a comprehensive win. But also with the pitch invasion that followed. June 4th 1977 was the day the Scots invaded Wembley.

Scotland went into the game on the back of a 10-year winless streak at Wembley. Their last victory was the infamous 3-2 victory in 1967. A victory over the current World Cup holders led to Scotland’s self-proclamation of being the best team in the World. Now under the mentorship of the confident Ally Macleod Scotland had the World Cup in Argentina to look forward to. A tournament in which Macleod famously boasted they were favourites to win.

The Day The Scots Invaded Wembley

England on the other hand was in disarray. Under manager Don Revie they looked certain to miss out on Argentina 78. And just days earlier had lost to Wales also at Wembley. The knives were out for Revie and nothing short of a comprehensive victory would do. A win was needed against the Auld enemy to alleviate the growing pressure on his position.

By the time kick-off came around Wembley stadium was decked completely in the tartan colours of Scotland. It was as if it was a home fixture for the Scots. The bi-annual nature of the fixture at Wembley and the more than hopeful promise of a Scotland victory had encouraged more than 65,000 fans to London.

The pattern of the game was no surprise. Tackles were aplenty as both sides tried to push their authority on each other. Scotland knew that there would be opportunities against a low in confidence English defence.

Scotland Press Home Advantage

Just before half-time, Scotland struck to take a deserved 1-0 lead. England’s dependable full-back Phil Neal gave away a needless free-kick down England’s right-hand side. The subsequent cross by Hartford was delivered inch-perfect to the onrushing McQueen who rose majestically to plant a header past the hapless Ray Clemence in the England goal. The goal was no less than Scotland deserved.

The second half continued in the same vein. Scotland were looking the more likely to score to push home their advantage. In the 60th minute, they scored again through a scrappy Kenny Dalglish effort. A scramble in the England penalty area found the ball falling to Dalglish in the box. His initial effort was half-blocked but he was quickest to react stretching to poke the ball in off Emlyn Hughes and beyond the despairing Clemence.

Scotland In Complete Control

Scotland was now in complete control and it appeared England had no answers. Despite this they were thrown an unexpected lifeline in the 87th minute when a rash challenge by McQueen on Trevor Francis resulted in a penalty. The award and subsequent successful penalty from Mick Channon were met with near silence in the 98,000 crowd such was the sheer volume of Scottish fans in the crowd.

The penalty from Channon was not enough and Scotland ran out 2-1 winners.

The Day The Scots Invaded Wembley

What followed was a pitch invasion by Scottish supporters of the like that Wembley had never seen before. Thousands of elated Scots leapt from the stands onto the pitch. At the time Wembley’s perimeter fencing hadn’t quite been installed. With nothing to stop them, the fans raced onto the pitch. Scotland’s captain Bruce Rioch and his teammates were carried shoulder-high from the pitch. Wembley’s hallowed turf was ripped up and stuffed into pockets to be carried back north. In the ongoing celebrations, over-exuberant fans climbed onto the unguarded goals and snapped the crossbar.

The Birth Of A Scottish Celebrity

The man that snapped the crossbar was 21-year-old Alec Torrance, who became something of a Scottish celebrity.

He later recalled: “Those were Bay City Roller days and I’m sorry to say that I was wearing a tartan shirt. Along with brown flares and platform shoes”.

“I just started running towards the posts where the winning goal had been scored. Scots were climbing all over it, and I tried climbing up but it was difficult because of my platforms”.

The End Of A Tournament

These scenes and the rioting in the centre of London later that day, contributed to the curtain being brought down on the Home Championship. The last tournament took place a few years later in 1984.

Scotland would go on to the World Cup in Argentina and famously fail to impress. Ally Macleod’s arrogance in not preparing for fixtures against Peru and Iran is the main reason for their downfall.

For Don Revie, it would be his last appearance as England manager at Wembley. It would be a day both he and English fans would never forget – the day the Scots invaded Wembley.