AUGUST 1980: CITY 1 (Campbell 77) LIVERPOOL 0

IN the week that Ray Clemence died, it also marked the fourth anniversary of Bobby Campbell taking his own life at the age of 60.

So, I make no apology if this week’s nostalgia game is one you might have read before.

But it seemed appropriate to turn the clock back 40 years to the famous night that the best goalkeeper in England played second fiddle to the big Irishman.

Campbell’s record of 143 goals in 320 appearances for City remains one that may never be beaten.

He went far too soon but he has left so many fond memories.

Campbell's huge contribution and larger-than-life personality will never be forgotten by those who played alongside him or were lucky enough to watch from the Valley Parade terraces.

But ask any fans – and former team-mate - of a certain age and one particular goal will crop up in conversation more than most.

It may not have been the most spectacular finish but then it’s not often that the champions of England – and soon-to-be European Cup winners – are humbled by a team from the Fourth Division.

Clemence would let in only four goals in nine European ties on the way to Bob Paisley’s star line-up lifting the famous trophy for a third time in five years.

As any opponent would tell you, Liverpool were notoriously tough to prise open.

But Campbell and City managed it in a League Cup second-round tie on a late August night at Valley Parade.

A crowd of 16,223 included excited 16-year-old apprentice Stuart McCall, who would go on to forge such a close relationship with the no-nonsense striker.

McCall, like every City fan, turned up more in hope than expectation against THE team of that era.

Kenny Dalglish may have been missing through injury to end an astonishing run of 180 consecutive appearances since signing from Celtic, but this was no second-choice selection.

Other than “super-sub” David Fairclough getting a rare start in the Scot’s absence, this was the team that had put so many to the sword down the years.

Liverpool, predictably, dictated matters from the off.

Clemence was a distant spectator as opposite number Steve Smith was kept busy in the Bantams net.

Smith saved from David Johnson just two minutes in and then escaped as Graeme Souness fired against a post.

Liverpool dominated but could not find their way through. Campbell had City’s sole attempt on the half hour but it came to nothing.

The visitors should have broken the deadlock four minutes into the second half but Johnson shot straight at Smith from a promising position.

The longer it stayed goalless, the more the belief grew within the home ranks. Could City hang on or even pull off an incredible shock?

Lammie Robertson started to get more on the ball in midfield. Ces Podd and Les Chapman took the opportunity to push forward more and more.

The chances started to fall for City. Terry Dolan twice had opportunities – screwing one shot wide of the far post and seeing another blocked by Alan Hansen.

At the other end, Smith continued to win his personal duel with Johnson as he denied the Liverpool number nine for a third time.

With 13 minutes to go, the improbable/impossible finally happened after City won a free-kick in sight of goal.

Chapman went to take it but instead stepped over the ball for Dolan to fire at the target.

It appeared to catch Liverpool off guard and Clemence could not hold his shot.

The rebound squirmed free and Campbell reacted ahead of the goalkeeper and Hansen to smash it into the net.

Campbell and Valley Parade went wild in celebration – and City managed to see it through to record a famous scalp.

The two-leg format of the competition meant that Liverpool were still firm favourites to win the tie overall.

And a week later, McCall was again among the vociferous travelling support at Anfield where the home side restored the formbook with an emphatic 4-0 victory.

Liverpool would go on to win the cup after a replay against Second Division West Ham. But only one club had actually beaten them in the competition.

CITY: Smith, Podd, Wood, Robertson, Jackson, T Cooper, Dolan, Staniforth, Campbell, McNiven, Chapman.

LIVERPOOL: Clemence, Neal, A Kennedy, Thompson, R Kennedy, Hansen, Fairclough, Case, Johnson, McDermott, Souness.

REFEREE: M Scott (Nottingham)