The 1972 European Super Cup (it was known as Super Competition at the time) was a football match played over two legs between the winner of the 1971–72 European Cup and the winner of the 1971–72 European Cup Winners' Cup. The match was proposed by Anton Witkamp of De Telegraaf to decide who was the best club in Europe.
History In 1972, Witkamp proposed the idea to Jaap van Praag, the then president of Ajax, who were holders of the European Cup at that time. The idea was then taken to UEFA to seek official endorsement; however Artemio Franchi, the president of UEFA at that time, rejected the idea as the reigning European Cup Winners' Cup champions—Rangers—were serving a one-year ban at the time imposed by UEFA for the alleged misbehaviour of their fans.
The match went ahead, but unofficially as a celebration of Rangers' centenary. The first leg was played on 16 January 1973 and the second on 24 January 1973. Ajax won the tie 6–3 on aggregate, beating Rangers both at home and away, 3–1 in Glasgow and 3–2 in the second leg in Amsterdam.
Match details
First leg
GK 1 Peter McCloyRB 2 Sandy JardineLB 3 Willie MathiesonCB 4 John Greig (c)CB 5 Derek Johnstone CB 6 Dave SmithRM 7 Alfie Conn CM 8 Tom ForsythCF 9 Derek ParlaneCM 10 Alex MacDonaldLM 11 Quinton YoungSubstitutes: MF 12 Tommy McLean MF 14 Graham Fyfe Manager: Jock Wallace GK 1 Heinz StuyRB 3 Wim SuurbierCM 12 Horst BlankenburgCB 4 Barry HulshoffLB 5 Ruud KrolDM 15 Arie HaanCM 9 Gerrie MührenCM 10 Arnold MührenRF 16 Johnny RepCF 14 Johan Cruijff LF 11 Piet Keizer (c) Substitutes: FW 8 Sjaak Swart MF 2 Heinz Schilcher Manager: Ştefan Kovács
Second leg
GK 1 Heinz StuyRB 3 Wim SuurbierCM 12 Horst BlankenburgCB 4 Barry HulshoffLB 5 Ruud KrolDM 15 Arie HaanCM 9 Gerrie MührenCM 7 Johan NeeskensRF 8 Sjaak Swart CF 14 Johan CruijffLF 11 Piet Keizer (c)Substitute: FW 16 Johnny Rep Manager: Ştefan Kovács GK 1 Peter McCloyRB 2 Sandy JardineLB 3 Willie MathiesonCB 4 John Greig (c)CB 5 Derek JohnstoneCB 6 Dave SmithRM 7 Tommy McLeanCM 8 Tom ForsythCF 9 Derek ParlaneCM 10 Alex MacDonaldLM 11 Quinton YoungManager: Jock Wallace
See also 1972 European Cup final 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup final 1972–73 European Cup 1972–73 European Cup Winners' Cup 1972–73 Rangers F.C. season AFC Ajax in international football Rangers F.C. in European football
References
External links RSSSF