The Dubai Champions Cup (originally called the Dubai Super Cup) was an annual association football match contested between the champions of the English and Scottish leagues. The competition took place for three consecutive seasons from 1986–87 to 1988–89 in the United Arab Emirates port of Dubai, during the time when English football clubs were banned from taking part in UEFA club competitions as a result of the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985.
History The first match took place on 9 December 1986 at the Al Wasl Stadium between English champions Liverpool and Scottish champions Celtic. The match finished 1–1, with Liverpool winning 4–2 on a penalty shoot-out.
English champions Everton and Scottish champions Rangers played the match the following year in December 1987. Rangers came from two goals behind to level the match after 90 minutes at 2–2. This was despite referee Keith Cooper disallowing six goals for the Ibrox club during the game. Rangers went on to win 8–7 on penalty kicks.
The final match took place on 4 April 1989 at the Al-Nasar Stadium. The competition was now renamed the Dubai Champions Cup and featured the same sides that took part in 1986; Liverpool and Celtic. Once again the match finished level after 90 minutes, 1–1; this time Celtic won 4–2 on penalty kicks.
1986–87
GK Pat BonnerDF Danny McGrainDF Roy AitkenDF Pierce O'LearyDF Derek WhyteMF Peter GrantMF Tony ShepherdMF Paul McStayFW Alan McInallyFW Mark McGheeFW Owen ArchdeaconSubstitutes:DF Willie McStayFW Mo JohnstonManager: Davie Hay GK Bruce GrobbelaarDF Gary GillespieDF Barry VenisonDF Alan HansenDF Jim BeglinMF Steve NicolDF Mark LawrensonMF Steve McMahonMF Ronnie WhelanFW Paul WalshFW Ian RushSubstitutes:FW Kenny DalglishPlayer/Manager: Kenny Dalglish
1987–88
GK Chris WoodsDF Scott NisbetDF Jimmy PhillipsDF Graham RobertsMF Ray WilkinsDF Richard GoughMF Trevor FrancisFW Robert FleckFW Ally McCoistMF Ian DurrantMF Derek FergusonSubstitutes:GK Nicky WalkerDF Stuart MunroDF Jimmy NichollMF Dave MacFarlaneMF Graeme SounessMF Davie KirkwoodPlayer/Manager: Graeme Souness GK Neville SouthallDF Gary StevensDF Neil PointonDF Kevin RatcliffeDF Dave WatsonMF Peter ReidMF Trevor StevenFW Adrian HeathFW Graeme SharpMF Ian SnodinMF Kevin SheedySubstitutes:MF Ian WilsonMF Neil AdamsGK Bobby MimmsManager: Colin Harvey
1988–89
GK Pat BonnerDF Chris MorrisDF Anton RoganDF Steve McCahillDF Mick McCarthyMF Peter GrantMF Joe MillerMF Paul McStayFW Tommy CoyneFW Mark McGheeMF Steve FultonSubstitutes:GK Ian AndrewsDF Lex BaillieMF Billy StarkFW Andy WalkerManager: Billy McNeill GK Bruce GrobbelaarDF Gary AblettDF David BurrowsDF Steve NicolMF Ronnie WhelanDF Gary GillespieFW Peter BeardsleyMF Barry VenisonFW Ray HoughtonMF John BarnesMF Steve McMahonSubstitutes:MF Mike MarshFW John AldridgeDF Steve StauntonFW Kenny DalglishDF Alex WatsonPlayer/Manager: Kenny Dalglish
References