Everton 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup final

In the spring of 1985, the spotlight of European football descended upon Rotterdam, Netherlands, as Everton, the pride of England, faced off against Austria's Rapid Wien in the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup Final. It was a showdown of epic proportions, the climax of the 1984–85 European Cup Winners' Cup, and the 25th chapter in the history of this prestigious tournament.

The Feijenoord Stadion served as the grand theater for this football spectacle on the 15th of May, 1985. Everton, fueled by determination and driven by dreams of glory, asserted their dominance from the very beginning. The crowd roared, and the tension in the air was palpable.

As the match unfolded, it was Everton's trio of heroes who etched their names into the annals of football history. First came Andy Gray, with a precision strike that sent the Evertonians into a frenzy. Then, it was Trevor Steven who found the back of the net, doubling their lead and raising hopes higher. And finally, Kevin Sheedy delivered the coup de grâce, sealing Everton's triumph with a third goal.

The final whistle blew, and Everton emerged victorious, with a final score of 3–1. Yet, amidst the celebrations and jubilation, there was a somber note of regret. Despite their triumph, Everton would not be able to defend their hard-earned trophy in the next edition of the European Cup. As league champions, they had earned the right to compete in the 1985–86 European Cup. However, fate had other plans.

Dark clouds loomed over English football, casting a shadow of despair. The events at the Heysel Stadium had marred the beautiful game, leading to a ban on all English clubs from participating in European competitions. For Everton, it was a bittersweet victory, as they watched their dreams of continental glory fade away, their triumph forever overshadowed by the haunting events that had unfolded.