Legends
When people talk of legends in
European football, there are four
names who spring to mind Real
Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan
and the visitors today, Ajax.
At the start of the '70's, there is no
doubt that the name of Ajax was
on everyone's lips, not only for their
tremendous achievement but the
style of play.
Dutch Stylists
We have seen in two successive
World Cup competitions, the style
of Dutch football and Ajax typify
this trend. They arrive at The
Hawthorns today after clinching
the Dutch championship and Cup
double and it should be a marvel
lous start to our Centenary cel
ebrations.
I have long been a fan of Dutch
football and today we have the best
on show. They still have several
internationals and in Rudi Krol, they
have, in my opinion, one of the
finest players in the World today.
Checking the European
Scene
Football is a World game and our
own achievements have broken
through certain barriers. Recently, I
stepped on a plane to Yugoslavia to
watch Ivan Katalinic who has been
with us this week for training and
who plays today. British football
must know what is happening in
Europe and the players available
and this why all clubs should keep a
careful eye on the European circuit.
I was very impressed with Ivan
when I saw him play and he is one
of the two top goalkeepers in his
country.
New Season Optimism
Apart from Ivan, we have at the
club Peter Barnes and Gary Owen,
two of the top competitors, not
only on the domestic scene but also
in Europe. With these players and
the present squad, I am sure we
can all look forward to the new
season with a great deal of opti
mism.