I tried to translate into English for the British fans of Preston North End this story I had written in Italian, I hope I have done a good job and I apologize for the many spelling errors that surely there are!
When Finney met Eusebio (english version)
We all know the story of Sir Tom Finney, the great legend of Preston North End and of the England National team, but perhaps someone doesn't know about the time when the English champion faced in a European match Eusebio, the strongest Portuguese player of all time.
Finney ended his fantastic career with Preston North End in 1960, playing his last official match on 30th April of that year at Deepdale against Luton Town, a career that saw him star in the field and off, thanks to his personality which made him an example and a champion for a whole city, Preston.
I have already written a lot about this great man, who unfortunately passed away on 14th February 2014, you could write endlessly of his prowess on the football field, but also what has been done for his city and his country during and after his career as a player, but this time I want to tell a particular story about this wonderful champion.
Sir Tom, as we all know, has always played official games exclusively for Preston North End and for the England National team, becoming a legend of the Lancashire Club as well as the whole England, but there was an exception, an exception very special that allowed him to play at age 41 an European match for Club, an opportunity that unfortunately the North End had never given to him, and face a strong Portuguese team like Benfica challenging consequently the team's star, legendary Eusebio.
All this took place in 1963, Finney, as mentioned, had retired in 1960 and at age 41 would have never thought he could scale once again the football pitches, at least officially, and even be able to play a European match against the great Benfica of the great Eusebio, this opportunity didn't give him from his PNE or another English team, perhaps one of those that we played in Europe every season, but from the little-known Distillery FC, Northern Irish Club, now called Lisburn Distillery, with headquarters in the city of Lisburn located near Belfast and located on the Lagan river that divides it between the counties of Antrim and Down.
The Distillery FC had indeed won the Champion Title in Northern Ireland's league in the previous season, the 1962-63, gaining for the first time in its history the access to the first round of the Champions Cup in the 1963-64 season.
For the Distillery FC that was the sixth title won after those of seasons 1895-96, 1898-99, 1900-01, 1902-03, 1905-06 (shared with Cliftonville), the first, however, that allowed them to play in the Champions Cup (only set up in 1955), but also the last of its history, and then the game against Benfica would be a historic event and very important for the small club of Northern Ireland who was going to challenge a rather glorious and celebrated Club who had won the top European competition in the 1960-61 and 1961-62 seasons and reaching the finals even in the 1962-63 season.
When Finney met Eusebio (english version)
We all know the story of Sir Tom Finney, the great legend of Preston North End and of the England National team, but perhaps someone doesn't know about the time when the English champion faced in a European match Eusebio, the strongest Portuguese player of all time.
Finney ended his fantastic career with Preston North End in 1960, playing his last official match on 30th April of that year at Deepdale against Luton Town, a career that saw him star in the field and off, thanks to his personality which made him an example and a champion for a whole city, Preston.
I have already written a lot about this great man, who unfortunately passed away on 14th February 2014, you could write endlessly of his prowess on the football field, but also what has been done for his city and his country during and after his career as a player, but this time I want to tell a particular story about this wonderful champion.
Sir Tom, as we all know, has always played official games exclusively for Preston North End and for the England National team, becoming a legend of the Lancashire Club as well as the whole England, but there was an exception, an exception very special that allowed him to play at age 41 an European match for Club, an opportunity that unfortunately the North End had never given to him, and face a strong Portuguese team like Benfica challenging consequently the team's star, legendary Eusebio.
All this took place in 1963, Finney, as mentioned, had retired in 1960 and at age 41 would have never thought he could scale once again the football pitches, at least officially, and even be able to play a European match against the great Benfica of the great Eusebio, this opportunity didn't give him from his PNE or another English team, perhaps one of those that we played in Europe every season, but from the little-known Distillery FC, Northern Irish Club, now called Lisburn Distillery, with headquarters in the city of Lisburn located near Belfast and located on the Lagan river that divides it between the counties of Antrim and Down.
The Distillery FC had indeed won the Champion Title in Northern Ireland's league in the previous season, the 1962-63, gaining for the first time in its history the access to the first round of the Champions Cup in the 1963-64 season.
For the Distillery FC that was the sixth title won after those of seasons 1895-96, 1898-99, 1900-01, 1902-03, 1905-06 (shared with Cliftonville), the first, however, that allowed them to play in the Champions Cup (only set up in 1955), but also the last of its history, and then the game against Benfica would be a historic event and very important for the small club of Northern Ireland who was going to challenge a rather glorious and celebrated Club who had won the top European competition in the 1960-61 and 1961-62 seasons and reaching the finals even in the 1962-63 season.
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| Distillery 1962-63 |
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| Celebrations for 1962-63 Title |
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| Benfica 1963-64 |
The first match to be played at Windsor Park in Belfast (Linfield ground) was scheduled for 25th September 1963 and this day was so important to the Club who was probably in great agitation, but at the same time wanted the team could do the best figure possible in front of Benfica and the whole of Europe for its prestige, but this game was important also for the whole of Northern Ireland, country not used to matches of this importance.
For Distillery would be the biggest game in all its history, in the years ahead in 1970 challenged in the Uefa Cup Barcelona, but this was, against Benfica, the game that everyone would remember forever.
For all these reasons, Mr. George Eastham, the Distillery manager, thought that in order to deal with such a strong team he would need a great player, one that was available to play this unique game and free from professional contracts with other Club... so ... his thoughts immediately went to a big "retired" champion, but still in the right physical shape to be able to play these ninety minutes so important for his team, and he was obviously the legendary Tom Finney, a "one-man Club" but he might have been accept to dress a different shirt, but always white, to PNE and England, to be able to have the chance to make his dream of playing European football come true by his being allowed to play for Distillery.
The hard part for Eastham was the one to convince Finney and to do this, in the 15th August 1963 he crossed the Irish Sea to go to Preston where he met in person the former champion at his business offices in Moor Lane.
Finney in those days was training one evening a week with the youth team of Preston NE to keep fit in view of the various events to which he was called to participate in such testimonial match and charity games and then his possible presence in the game against Benfica would not be in any way out of place, even the class that had marked on the football field was still well intact and would certainly have done great convenience to the Distillery that absolutely had no players of his level ... even at 41 ages Finney would have been without a doubt the star of the Northern Irish team and his class could have led to teammates to make a big deal, just what wanted to Eastham.
Of course, to prepare for that game Tom Finney would have to intensifying his training program, it was one thing to play occasional games with nothing to win, another deal was, if only for ninety minutes, play against the great International champions of Benfica team , but probably this for him was not a big problem ... the real problem was perhaps of playing for a team that wasn't his lovely Preston North End.
In some way, however, despite the doubts expressed by the champion, Eastham he succeeded to convince him and just on that day Finney was officially registered to play that game, exclusively those ninety minutes, while he wouldn't participate in the trip to Lisbon, Portugal, for the second leg of the match.
In the days before the challenge Finney trained with seriousness wanting honor, as in his style, the commitment to ensuring that he would do his best for Distillery.
The wait in Belfast was high, in one day Windsor Park would be the home of Finney and Eusebio, and Distillery, one of the many teams of Belfast and certainly not the most successful and famous, would have the honor of having a champion in its formation, yes... Tom Finney would have worn the shirt of the Whites, just once, but for those fans and for this club, this would be enough, would be enough to say they could see him playing football and most importantly could admir he while representing their own team.
Then came the day of his departure to Belfast from Liverpool Speke Airport, also known by the business name of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, where, before boarding the plane, he said "I am looking forward to the match immensely. I accepted with reluctance, but having done so, for this one match only, I will do by best."
Finney met his impromptu teammates only on match day, I can imagine the excitement of those guys, but even than they were honored to play alongside Finney, a champion that everyone knew and admired; Eastham decided to select him to play centre-forward and to honor him with the captain's armband, a recognition not only due to the fact that he agreed to play this game, but also for his experience and what has been done in the course of its long and glorious career.
These are the teams that took the field in that historic night:
Distillery: Kennedy, D. Meldrum, Patterson, Kennedy, Gregg, Ellison, Campbell, Meldrum J., Anderson, Finney, Hamilton
Benfica: Pereira, Cavem, Raul Cruz, Germano, Humberto, Eusebio, Serafim, Yauca, Coluna, Simoes
For Distillery would be the biggest game in all its history, in the years ahead in 1970 challenged in the Uefa Cup Barcelona, but this was, against Benfica, the game that everyone would remember forever.
For all these reasons, Mr. George Eastham, the Distillery manager, thought that in order to deal with such a strong team he would need a great player, one that was available to play this unique game and free from professional contracts with other Club... so ... his thoughts immediately went to a big "retired" champion, but still in the right physical shape to be able to play these ninety minutes so important for his team, and he was obviously the legendary Tom Finney, a "one-man Club" but he might have been accept to dress a different shirt, but always white, to PNE and England, to be able to have the chance to make his dream of playing European football come true by his being allowed to play for Distillery.
The hard part for Eastham was the one to convince Finney and to do this, in the 15th August 1963 he crossed the Irish Sea to go to Preston where he met in person the former champion at his business offices in Moor Lane.
Finney in those days was training one evening a week with the youth team of Preston NE to keep fit in view of the various events to which he was called to participate in such testimonial match and charity games and then his possible presence in the game against Benfica would not be in any way out of place, even the class that had marked on the football field was still well intact and would certainly have done great convenience to the Distillery that absolutely had no players of his level ... even at 41 ages Finney would have been without a doubt the star of the Northern Irish team and his class could have led to teammates to make a big deal, just what wanted to Eastham.
Of course, to prepare for that game Tom Finney would have to intensifying his training program, it was one thing to play occasional games with nothing to win, another deal was, if only for ninety minutes, play against the great International champions of Benfica team , but probably this for him was not a big problem ... the real problem was perhaps of playing for a team that wasn't his lovely Preston North End.
In some way, however, despite the doubts expressed by the champion, Eastham he succeeded to convince him and just on that day Finney was officially registered to play that game, exclusively those ninety minutes, while he wouldn't participate in the trip to Lisbon, Portugal, for the second leg of the match.
In the days before the challenge Finney trained with seriousness wanting honor, as in his style, the commitment to ensuring that he would do his best for Distillery.
The wait in Belfast was high, in one day Windsor Park would be the home of Finney and Eusebio, and Distillery, one of the many teams of Belfast and certainly not the most successful and famous, would have the honor of having a champion in its formation, yes... Tom Finney would have worn the shirt of the Whites, just once, but for those fans and for this club, this would be enough, would be enough to say they could see him playing football and most importantly could admir he while representing their own team.
Then came the day of his departure to Belfast from Liverpool Speke Airport, also known by the business name of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, where, before boarding the plane, he said "I am looking forward to the match immensely. I accepted with reluctance, but having done so, for this one match only, I will do by best."
Finney met his impromptu teammates only on match day, I can imagine the excitement of those guys, but even than they were honored to play alongside Finney, a champion that everyone knew and admired; Eastham decided to select him to play centre-forward and to honor him with the captain's armband, a recognition not only due to the fact that he agreed to play this game, but also for his experience and what has been done in the course of its long and glorious career.
These are the teams that took the field in that historic night:
Distillery: Kennedy, D. Meldrum, Patterson, Kennedy, Gregg, Ellison, Campbell, Meldrum J., Anderson, Finney, Hamilton
Benfica: Pereira, Cavem, Raul Cruz, Germano, Humberto, Eusebio, Serafim, Yauca, Coluna, Simoes
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And even then it was 3-3 at Windsor Park, but this time to face each were Distillery and Benfica, was an absolutely prestigious draw for the Irish and the contribution of Finney was decisive so that an article of that time said that the 'former player of Preston caused to Irish fans two opposite feelings, that of jubilation for his great performance, and that of regret because it already knew that the champion would not play the game in Lisbon where they would lose 5- 0 thus being eliminated from European competition.
But that will always remain a historical night for Distillery and for Northern Ireland at Windsor Park went to stage a great show and the home team managed the incredible feat of scoring three goals to great Benfica stopping they on an unexpected and amazing tie.
That night there was a very special atmosphere at Windsor Park in Belfast and the 19,326 fans flocked despite the heavy rain were excited about this game so unusual and prestigious, many rushed to see the little Distillery challenge the great Benfica, but also for see with their own eyes the deeds of two champions like Finney and Eusebio, a "friend for a night" and an "enemy tonight and that of Lisbon", but both respected for their respective careers and their undeniable class which distinguished them in the field and that made them look like once the strongest among the 22 who challenged.
Under the torrential rain didn't serve the spotlight at Windsor Park to illuminate Finney that immediately after less than a minute of the game was able to get rid of the Portuguese defenders and to trigger with a probing ball towards the onrushing Kennedy who kicked fishnet beating goalkeeper opponent and finding the immediate scored for the Irish.
The greater experience allowed the Lusitanian to find after a few minutes, at 15th, the equalizer with Serafin, but in the 25th minute another spell of Finney allowed Hamilton to bring back the advantage for Distillery to the delight of the fans, in disbelief, but excited to see their team prevail over the Portuguese champions.
The advantage of the Eastham team withstood almost until the hour of the game, but then was Eusebio to bring back the result in a draw after 58 minutes, and only two minutes later Benfica also created the 2-3 goal signed again by Serafin.
At this point seemed to Windsor Park having to resign, but someone still did not want to surrender, was the team's captain, was the legend of Preston North End, was the 41 year-old who still ran like a boy, was that "kid" who that night was wearing the white jersey not of the PNE, not of England, but of the small Distillery, was Tom Finney who with his usual class delighted once again those fans, that for one night had the privilege of being able to see him, giving them another decisive play that allowed the Whites to score again, this time with Ellison, to live a dream that would be remembered forever in the history of the Club.
It ended 3-3, was an unrepeatable spectacle, the performance of Finney would be remembered for years to come and the lucky people present at Windsor Park that night could certainly tell what they lived, the succession of emotions, suffering, fear, hope and finally the joy for that draw unexpected, that prestigious draw that was worth as a great victory.
There aren't great details on what happened at the end of that match, but I can imagine that teammates and opponents complimented the "41-year-old boy," I can imagine that the crowd was excited and in disbelief at what they had seen, but I especially like to imagine, and I am convinced that it happened for real, that the two great champions, Finney and Eusebio, said goodbye and made their compliments to each other, that night the star shone above the English player, but the fame of the Portuguese class was certainly not in discussion and respect between the two men was certainly the same.
In that battle in the storm on that cold night under the sky of Belfast, the two stars lit up Windsor Park, two different champions, from different periods, Finney was unfortunately at the end of his career for three years, while Eusebio was in the apex of his years as a player, two great of this sport, they met only once, only that night.
It was amazing how Finney, 41 years old and retired from football for three years, was able to play that game for ninety minutes, delighting the crowd with his superb class and especially making himself the protagonist on the occasion of all the goals scored by Distillery, also that evening this great champion proved to be a huge player, but also a man of honor, a man, before a football player, who honored the most of that commitment, respecting in the best way the word given, fielding all what he could give ... which as usual was much, very much ..
Finney was decisive in the field, but also he managed to convey his teammates the belief of being able to play a great game before encouraging them to enter in the field without suffer from any kind of inferiority complex against rivals, giving to these inexperienced players in European fields a big boost of confidence, certainly the words of this great champion gave more motivation to the whole team that took the field with the right competitive nastiness that allowed them to deal on equal footing with Portuguese champions forcing them to return home with only a tie pocket.
At the end of the match Finney declared himself glad because ha could help that wonderful team to draw against one of the biggest teams in the world and wished his teammates to do well in the return match in Lisbon ... yes... in Lisbon didn't go at all well, but in Lisbon he there wasn't..... in any case for Distillery that will remain the best game of its history, it does not matter what later happened in Portugal.
It was the first and last time that Finney and Eusebio met on a football field, were two great champions, but from different eras, when Finney retired in 1960, Eusebio was still playing in his first team, the Sporting L. Marques, before to pass, at the very beginning of the following season, at Benfica, where he remained until 1975 becoming legend, then the two players are never challenged in international competitions nor with their respective clubs, nor with their respective National team, but destiny would have made them somehow meet again, both of which are now in heaven to make a spectacle kicking a ball in the clouds, they both left us in 2014, 5th January Eusebio and 14th February Finney, both have left indelible memories for world of football and beyond and I like to imagine them as well, playing football, what they have been able to do so divine.
In the days of their deaths were so many awards from around the world of football, but it's nice to know that even Distillery FC, now Lisburn Distillery FC, wanted to honor who was for one night only their player, their best player ever, observing a minute of silence before the game following his tragic death.
On 25th September 1993, Lisburn Distillery FC wanted to remember with a dinner the 30th anniversary of that incredible match and, as told by the current Club Director Terry Thompson, Sir Tom Finney was also invited to the event, but he was forced to give up because at the time his wife was ill.
Thompson was present that night in 1963 and still remembers very well that game and fantastic performance of Finney, these are his words: "I remember well the crowd reaction when Tom took to the field, my vivid memory is how he made things look so simple and in particular his stance. He seemed to stand so upright compared to the other players and the torrential rain that fell that night didn’t seem to make a bit of difference to him as he glided through the game showing his undoubted class on many occasions.
Very nice and meaningful what later Thompson tells about the memorial dinner, a detail that makes us even once understand the personality of Sir Tom, a true gentleman in and out from football: “I personally had spoken to Sir Tom on the telephone to invite him over and he was hoping to make the journey but sadly around the time his wife took ill so he was unable to attend.
“At the dinner all of the players received a memento of an engraved cut glass crystal bell and as Sir Tom had been unable to attend I posted his across to his home in Preston.
“Well lo and behold a couple of weeks later a parcel arrived at my house and it was the crystal bell being returned with a lovely note from Sir Tom which thanked us for such a generous gift but requesting that club held onto it in the hope that when people looked at it they would recall the night when Tom Finney was given the chance to make his dream of playing European football come true by his being allowed to play for Distillery Football Club, that was such a nice touch by one of the games true gentlemen.”
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This match will forever be remembered by Distillery and its fans, but for us fans of Preston North End it will be forever remembered as "When Finney met Eusebio."
p.s. I also used as source the "Sir Tom Finney commemorative magazine - A tribute to a legend"
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