Liverpool and Trabzonspor mark 50 years since their first clash
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 5, 2026, 3:34 PM
Last updated Aug 5, 2026

This October marks the 50th anniversary of the first European Cup meeting between Liverpool and Trabzonspor, which took place in 1976. At that time, Liverpool's then-manager Bob Paisley expressed his disdain for Trabzon's facilities and equipment, referring to the team hotel as a 'doss house' and criticizing the quality of the match ball. As the anniversary approaches, reflections on that encounter highlight the evolving relationship between the clubs. Details regarding any upcoming commemorative events or matches have yet to be announced.
- •Liverpool first faced Trabzonspor in the 1976 European Cup.
- •Bob Paisley criticized Trabzon's facilities during that match.
- •Anniversary celebrations are anticipated in October 2026.
- •No details on events or match plans have been released yet.
- 3:34 PMThe Guardian Sport — Football Daily | Mohamed Salah and a potted history of Liverpool legends visiting Trabzon
"Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! This October will mark the 50th anniversary of the first time Liverpool and Trabzonspor were thrown together by the gods of football. When they played each other in the second round of the European Cup in 1976 it’s fair to say not many associated with Liverpool were impressed with Trabzon. Bob Paisley described the team hotel as a “doss house”, the ball as “a pig’s bladder” that “was not good enough for blow football”, adding that “teams in the Durham Mining League would not play with it”, and as for the food, well, he’d had “better rations in my bivvy in the Western Desert”, back when he was in Montgomery’s Eighth Army. This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
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