:1980–81 Ipswich Town F.C. season

|21,640

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|19 August 1980

|Brighton & Hove Albion

|2–0

|Wark, Gates

|21,568

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|23 August 1980

|Stoke City

|2–2

|Brazil, Gates

|10,722

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|30 August 1980

|Everton

|4–0

|Brazil, Wark, Butcher, Mariner

|20,879

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|6 September 1980

|Aston Villa

|1–0

|Thijssen

|23,192

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|13 September 1980

|Crystal Palace

|2–1

|Wark, Gates

|24,282

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|20 September 1980

|Coventry City

|2–0

|Wark 2

|20,507

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|27 September 1980

|Wolverhampton Wanderers

|2–0

|Brazil, Mariner

|18,503

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|4 October 1980

|Leeds United

|1–1

|24,087

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|11 October 1980

|Liverpool

|1–1

|Thijssen

|48,084

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|18 October 1980

|Manchester United

|1–1

|Mariner

|28,451

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|25 October 1980

|Sunderland

|2–0

|Mühren, Brazil

|32,368

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|1 November 1980

|West Bromwich Albion

|0–0

|23,043

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|8 November 1980

|Southampton

|3–3

|Gates, Wark, Mariner

|21,261

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|11 November 1980

|Brighton & Hove Albion

|0–1

|17,055

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|15 November 1980

|Leicester City

|3–1

|Gates, Williams (og), d'Avray

|19,852

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|22 November 1980

|2–1

|Brazil, Wark (pen)

|24,423

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|6 December 1980

|Manchester City

|1–1

|Mühren

|35,215

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|13 December 1980

|Liverpool

|1–1

|Brazil

|32,274

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|17 December 1980

|Tottenham Hotspur

|3–5

|Mariner 2, Gates

|22,741

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|20 December 1980

|Birmingham City

|3–1

|Mariner, Wark, Brazil

|16,161

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|26 December 1980

|2–0

|Brazil, Wark

|27,890

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|27 December 1980

|Arsenal

|1–1

|Wark (pen)

|42,818

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|10 January 1981

|2–0

|Mariner, Mühren

|25,701

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|13 January 1981

|Birmingham City

|5–1

|Wark, Butcher, Mariner, Mühren, Brazil

|21,158

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|17 January 1981

|Everton

|0–0

|25,516

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|31 January 1981

|Stoke City

|4–0

|Wark (pen), Brazil 2, Gates

|23,843

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|7 February 1981

|Crystal Palace

|3–2

|Mariner, Wark (pen), Gilbert (og)

|25,036

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|17 February 1981

|1–0

|Brazil

|24,781

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|21 February 1981

|Wolverhampton Wanderers

|3–1

|Wark, Gates, Beattie

|24,218

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|28 February 1981

|Coventry City

|4–0

|Brazil, Gates, McCall, Osman

|17,557

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|14 March 1981

|Tottenham Hotspur

|3–0

|Gates, Wark (pen), Brazil

|32,052

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|21 March 1981

|Manchester United

|1–2

|Butcher

|46,685

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|28 March 1981

|Sunderland

|4–1

|Mühren, Mariner 2, Thijssen

|25,450

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|31 March 1981

|Leeds United

|0–3

|26,462

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|4 April 1981

|West Bromwich Albion

|1–3

|Brazil

|22,216

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|14 April 1981

|Aston Villa

|2–1

|Brazil, Gates

|47,495

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|18 April 1981

|Arsenal

|0–2

|30,935

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|20 April 1981

|0–1

|26,083

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|25 April 1981

|Manchester City

|1–0

|Butcher

|22,684

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|2 May 1981

|1–2

|Mariner

|15,503

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|13 May 1981

|Southampton

|2–3

|Brazil, Wark

|19,504

==League table summary==

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDLHA

|section=First Division

|res_col_header=QR

|show_limit=5

|winpoints=2

|team1=AST|name_AST=Aston Villa|status_AST=C

|team2=IPS|name_IPS=Ipswich Town

|team3=ARS|name_ARS=Arsenal

|team4=WBA|name_WBA=West Bromwich Albion

|team5=LIV|name_LIV=Liverpool

|team6=SOU|name_SOU=Southampton

|col_EC=#ff0|text_EC=Qualified for European Cup 1981–82 First round

|result1=EC

|col_UC1=thistle|text_UC1=Qualified for UEFA Cup 1981–82 First round

|result2=UC1|result3=UC1|result4=UC1|result6=UC1

|col_LIV=#66CDAA|text_LIV=European Cup 1981–82 First round

|note_res_LIV=Liverpool won the European Cup this year, and thus qualified for the following season's competition as defending champions. They also won the League Cup this year.

|result5=LIV

|col_UCWC1=#bcf|text_UCWC1=UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1981–82 First round

|result10=UCWC1

|col_R=#fcc|text_R=Relegated

|result20=R|result21=R|result22=R

|update=complete|source=[https://www.11v11.com/teams/ipswich-town/tab/leagueTables/1981/ 11v11.com]

}}

=League Cup=

Ipswich commenced the 1980–81 Football League Cup campaign in the second round, where they were drawn against Middlesbrough. They lost the first leg 3–1 away from home, but secured a second leg 3–0 win courtesy of a Paul Mariner brace and a goal from Russell Osman. Although the match was covered for television by both the BBC and Anglia Television, footage was not screened because the Middlesbrough shirts were sponsored by a car company, contrary to the broadcasting companies' rules.{{Cite news| title = Soccer Blackout | newspaper = Liverpool Echo | date = 4 September 1980 | page = 20 | via = British Newspaper Archive | access-date = 30 January 2020 | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19800904/553/0020}} In the third round, against local rivals Norwich City, another Osman goal ensured a 1–1 draw at Portman Road. Ipswich progressed to the fourth round following a 3–1 victory at Carrow Road. Mariner put Ipswich ahead, but Tony Powell's first goal in two years drew the scores level. Mariner's second strike and a goal from Mühren in a three-minute spell secured the victory for Ipswich.{{Cite web | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19801010/001/0001 | via= British Newspaper Archive | title = Mariner leads Ipswich romp | newspaper= Newcastle Journal| page = 1 | date = 10 October 1980 | access-date = 30 January 2020}} They then faced Birmingham City at St Andrew's but went into the tie without regulars Mariner, Thijssen, Beattie and O'Callaghan, all through injury. Ipswich were knocked out, losing 2–1 despite taking the lead with a penalty from Wark. It was their first overall domestic loss of the season.{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19801029/384/0022 | via = British Newspaper Archive | date = 29 October 1980 | access-date = 30 January 2020 | page = 22 | title = Wark on target, but Ipswich toppled | newspaper= Aberdeen Press and Journal}}

File:Arnold Mühren.jpg

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
scope=col\| Date ! scope=col\| Round ! scope=col\| Opponents ! scope=col\| H/A ! scope=col\| Result F–A ! scope=col\| Scorers ! scope=col\| Attendance
bgcolor="#ffdddd" \|26 August 1980 \|Round 2 First leg \|Middlesbrough \|A \|1–3 \|Wark \|14,459
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|2 September 1980 \|Round 2 Second leg \|Middlesbrough \|H \|3–0 \|Osman, Mariner 2 \|14,780
bgcolor="#ffffdd" \|23 September 1980 \|Round 3 \|Norwich City \|H \|1–1 \|Osman \|26,462
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|8 October 1980 \|Round 3 Replay \|Norwich City \|A \|3–1 \|Mariner 2, Mühren \|24,523
bgcolor="#ffdddd" \|28 October 1980 \|Round 4 \|Birmingham City \|A \|1–2 \|Wark (pen) \|18,968

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

scope=col| Date

! scope=col| Round

! scope=col| Opponents

! scope=col| H/A

! scope=col| Result
F–A

! scope=col| Scorers

! scope=col| Attendance

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|26 August 1980

|Round 2
First leg

|1–3

|14,459

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|2 September 1980

|Round 2
Second leg

|3–0

|Osman, Mariner 2

|14,780

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|23 September 1980

|Round 3

|1–1

|Osman

|26,462

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|8 October 1980

|Round 3
Replay

File:Paul Mariner cropped.jpg

|3–1

|Mariner 2, Mühren

|24,523

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|28 October 1980

|Round 4

|Birmingham City

|1–2

|Wark (pen)

|18,968

=FA Cup=

Ipswich's first appearance in the 1980–81 FA Cup was in the third round, against Aston Villa at Portman Road. A goal from Paul Mariner was sufficient to see the team progress to a fourth round tie with Second Division team Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow. The match ended in a goalless draw, forcing a replay and Robson declared Shrewsbury to have been unlucky: "if we play like that again we won't win the cup or the league title".{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19810126/516/0026 | title = Shrewsbury unlucky, says Robson| date = 26 January 1981 | page=26| newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal| via= British Newspaper Archive}} Ipswich won the replay 3–0 with two goals from Eric Gates and John Wark scoring his 25th goal in all competitions that season.{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19810128/749/0042| via = British Newspaper Archive | date = 28 January 1981 | access-date = 30 January 2020 | newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal | title =Ipswich outclass Shrewsbury|first=Mike|last=Green}}

A home draw in the fifth round against Charlton Athletic ended in a 2–0 victory to Ipswich courtesy of strikes from Mariner and Wark. Ipswich were drawn to play away against Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in the quarter finals. In a match described by ESPN as "a classic FA Cup tie", the visitors took a two-goal lead through a Mariner strike and an own goal from Viv Anderson, before Forest fought back to take a 3–2 lead after goals from Trevor Francis, Colin Walsh and John Robertson (from the penalty spot). Thijssen then scored with six minutes remaining to take the tie to a replay.{{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/facupstories/sport/story/141206.html | publisher = ESPN | title = Late, great, last eight winners | date = 16 March 2012 | access-date = 21 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200130131703/http://en.espn.co.uk/facupstories/sport/story/141206.html | archive-date = 30 January 2020 | url-status = live }} The replay, held three days later at Portman Road, was decided by a single goal from Mühren, with Robson describing his team's effort as "superhuman" while Clough, whose team dominated the first half, said: "I am still not sure they are a better team than us".{{Cite web | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000445/19810311/334/0016 | via = British Newspaper Archive | title = Robson: One game at a time | newspaper=Aberdeen Evening Express | date = 11 March 1981| page=16}} The semi-final against Manchester City was played at Villa Park as a neutral venue. Described as "one of the celebrated strikes in the club's history", Paul Power's extra time free kick settled the match in City's favour.{{Cite web | url = https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2013/may/great-fa-cup-goals-paul-power--v-ipswich-1981| publisher = Manchester City F.C. | access-date = 21 January 2020 | title = Great FA Cup Goals: Paul Power | first = Nicola|last=McCarthy| date = 3 May 2013}} It was also to be the last game for the club for the injury-struck Beattie who broke his arm during the match. Beattie recalled "I collided with Dave Bennett during an aerial challenge. I won the ball fairly easily but he actually headed my arm{{nbsp}}... the arm was bent out of shape and I was in agony".Henderson, p. 89

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
scope=col\| Date ! scope=col\| Round ! scope=col\| Opponents ! scope=col\| H/A ! scope=col\| Result F–A ! scope=col\| Scorers ! scope=col\| Attendance
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|3 January 1981 \|Round 3 \|Aston Villa \|H \|1–0 \|Mariner 12' \|27,721
bgcolor="#ffffdd" \|24 January 1981 \|Round 4 \|Shrewsbury Town \|A \|0–0 \| \|18,000
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|27 January 1981 \|Round 4 Replay \|Shrewsbury Town \|H \|3–0 \|Gates 2, Wark \|27,543
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|14 February 1981 \|Round 5 \|Charlton Athletic \|H \|2–0 \|Wark, Mariner \|30,221
bgcolor="#ffffdd" \|7 March 1981 \|Round 6 \|Nottingham Forest \|A \|3–3 \|Mariner, Anderson (og), Thijssen \|34,796
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|10 March 1981 \|Round 6 Replay \|Nottingham Forest \|H \|1–0 \|Mühren \|31,060
bgcolor="#ffdddd" \|11 April 1981 \|Semi-final \|Manchester City \|N \|0–1 \| \|46,537

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

scope=col| Date

! scope=col| Round

! scope=col| Opponents

! scope=col| H/A

! scope=col| Result
F–A

! scope=col| Scorers

! scope=col| Attendance

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|3 January 1981

|Round 3

|Aston Villa

|1–0

|Mariner 12'

|27,721

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|24 January 1981

|Round 4

|Shrewsbury Town

|0–0

|18,000

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|27 January 1981

|Round 4
Replay

|Shrewsbury Town

|3–0

|Gates 2, Wark

|27,543

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|14 February 1981

|Round 5

|Charlton Athletic

|2–0

|Wark, Mariner

|30,221

bgcolor="#ffffdd"

|7 March 1981

|Round 6

|3–3

|Mariner, Anderson (og), Thijssen

|34,796

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|10 March 1981

|Round 6
Replay

File:Finale Ipswich Town tegen Standard Luik (2-0). Wark (rechts) maakt 1-0, Bestanddeelnr 931-6178 (cropped).jpg

|1–0

|Mühren

|31,060

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|11 April 1981

|Semi-final

|Manchester City

|0–1

|46,537

=UEFA Cup=

Ipswich's European campaign commenced in the first round of the UEFA Cup against Greek team Aris Salonika. The first leg, at Portman Road, was an ill-disciplined match which saw Aris' Giorgos Foiros sent off after a second yellow card towards the end of the first half. Ipswich were awarded three penalties, all of which were converted by John Wark, who also scored a fourth from open play. Aris also scored from the spot through Theodoros Pallas in what would be a consolation goal in a 5–1 win for Ipswich,{{Cite web | url =https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66541--ipswich-vs-aris-thessaloniki/ | publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, First round, 1st leg – Ipswich 5–1 Aris | access-date = 20 January 2020}} described as a "sparkling" victory by the Belfast Telegraph.{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19800918/501/0025| via = British Newspaper Archive | title = Injuries are key in United's Euro bid | work = Belfast Telegraph| date = 18 September 1980| access-date = 30 January 2020| page = 25}} Two weeks later, Aris won 3–1 in the return leg, taking an early 2–0 lead before Gates pulled one back for Ipswich. Although Aris scored a third midway through the second half,{{Cite news | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19801002/229/0014 | via = British Newspaper Archive | title = Aris Salonika 3–1 Ipswich | newspaper= Newcastle Journal| page=14 | date=2 October 1980| access-date = 30 January 2020}} Ipswich progressed to the next round 6–4 on aggregate,{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66542--aris-thessaloniki-vs-ipswich/| publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, First round, 2nd leg – Aris 3–1 Ipswich | access-date = 20 January 2020}} where they faced Bohemians of Prague. A 3–0 home win saw Wark on target twice more, who was substituted off with a tendon injury, to be replaced by Kevin Beattie who scored a third for Ipswich with a free kick,{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19801023/633/0027 | via = British Newspaper Archive| date= 23 October 1980|title = Pool give Aberdeen nightmare| newspaper = Belfast Telegraph | access-date = 30 January 2020}} described in The Times as a "thunderbolt".{{Cite web | url = https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/the-50-greatest-ipswich-town-players-7nqxxx6jgzw | work = The Times | access-date = 30 January 2020 | title = The 50 greatest Ipswich Town players | date = 6 July 2009 | first = Tim | last = Meston | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200130161225/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-50-greatest-ipswich-town-players-7nqxxx6jgzw | archive-date = 30 January 2020 | url-status = live }} The goal would prove to be pivotal as Ipswich, without regular goalkeeper Paul Cooper, midfielder Thijssen and striker Mariner, all through injury,{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002454/19801102/224/0046 | via = British Newspaper Archive | title = Oh Bobby | date = 2 November 1980 | newspaper = The People| page = 46| access-date = 30 January 2020}} lost the away leg 2–0 with goals from Antonín Panenka and Tibor Mičinec, but qualified for the third round 3–2 on aggregate.{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66587--ipswich-vs-bohemians-praha/| publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, Second round, 1st leg – Ipswich 3–0 Bohemians 1905 | access-date = 20 January 2020}}{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66588--bohemians-praha-vs-ipswich/ | publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, Second round, 2nd leg – Bohemians 1905 2–0 Ipswich| access-date = 20 January 2020}} Three weeks later, Ipswich faced Widzew Łódź from Poland, who had defeated Manchester United and Juventus in previous rounds, at Portman Road. Wark once again found the net, scoring a hat-trick with goals from Alan Brazil and Paul Mariner completing a comprehensive 5–0 victory,{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66615--ipswich-vs-widzew/ | publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, Third round, 1st leg – Ipswich 5–0 Widzew | access-date = 20 January 2020}} the only negative being a trip to hospital for Mick Mills for 15 stitches in a cut to his shin.{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19801127/594/0029 | via = British Newspaper Archive | newspaper = Belfast Telegraph | date = 27 November 1980 | page = 29 | title = Ipswich aces destroy Poles | access-date = 31 January 2020}} On a frozen pitch which many observers considered to be dangerous,{{Cite news| url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19801211/698/0022| title = Ipswich stars given all-clear|first = Ian| last=Hargreaves |newspaper = Liverpool Echo | access-date = 31 January 2020 | date = 11 December 1980| page = 22}} Widzew Łódź won the away leg 1–0, with {{ill|Marek Pięta|pl}} scoring for the hosts but went out 5–1 on aggregate.{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66616--widzew-vs-ipswich/ | title = 1980/81, Third round, 2nd leg – Widzew 1–0 Ipswich | access-date = 20 January 2020}} The lead from the first leg allowed Robson to withdraw Mariner and Mühren, as he said that he was prioritising Ipswich's league challenge.

After a three-month break, Ipswich faced French team AS Saint-Étienne in the quarter-finals in March 1981, the first leg being held in the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Dutch player Johnny Rep put the home team in the lead after 16 minutes, but a brace from Mariner and goals from Arnold Mühren and John Wark ensured Ipswich took a 4–1 lead into the second leg.{{Cite web | url = https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-s-greatest-games-the-blues-thump-the-superstars-of-st-etienne-1-5095222 | work = Ipswich Star | title = Ipswich Town's greatest games: The Blues thump the superstars of St. Etienne | first = Mark | last = Heath | date = 8 July 2017 | access-date = 20 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200220171340/https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-s-greatest-games-the-blues-thump-the-superstars-of-st-etienne-1-5095222 | archive-date = 20 February 2020 | url-status = live }} The victory against the French team has been described as one of the greatest performances in Ipswich's history, with Robson noting: "we have demolished a good side with one of the best victories anyone has achieved in Europe in the past 10 years".{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/mar/04/features.sport10 | work = The Observer | date = 4 March 2007 | title = Frozen in time: 18 March 1981 | access-date = 31 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141003011912/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/mar/04/features.sport10 | archive-date = 3 October 2014 | url-status = live }} Ipswich won the game at Portman Road 3–1 with goals from Terry Butcher, Mariner and another penalty from Wark, while Saint-Étienne's consolation goal came from Jacques Zimako.{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66632--ipswich-vs-st-etienne/ | publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, Quarter-finals, 2nd leg – Ipswich 3–1 St-Étienne | access-date = 20 January 2020}} Winning the tie 7–2 on aggregate, Ipswich progressed to the semi-finals where they met German side 1. FC Köln. Both legs finished 1–0 to Ipswich, Wark scoring again in the home leg,{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66633--ipswich-vs-koln/| publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, Semi-finals, 1st leg – Ipswich 1–0 Köln | access-date = 20 January 2020}} his 12th goal of the European campaign, with Butcher heading in a Thijssen free kick in Cologne.{{Cite news| via = British Newspaper Archive | access-date = 31 January 2020 | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19810409/551/0024 | title = European goal number 12 for Wark| date = 9 April 1981 | page = 24 | newspaper = Aberdeen Press and Journal}}{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/66634--koln-vs-ipswich/| publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81, Semi-finals, 2nd leg – Köln 1–0 Ipswich | access-date = 20 January 2020}} The 2–0 aggregate victory ensured that Ipswich qualified for their first (and {{as of|2020|lc=y}}, their only) European cup final, where they would face Dutch team AZ Alkmaar.{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/008a-0e6a0a02d996-129ab95150db-1000--1980-81-ipswich-thankful-for-thijssen/ | publisher = UEFA | title = 1980/81: Ipswich thankful for Thijssen | date = 30 April 2010 | access-date = 20 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100913041054/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=392026.html | archive-date = 13 September 2010 | url-status = live }}

The first leg of the 1981 UEFA Cup Final took place at Portman Road on 6 May 1981. Ipswich took the lead through Wark who scored from the penalty spot midway through the first half. It was Wark's 13th goal of the European campaign and ensured that he had scored in every round of the competition.{{Cite news| url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19810507/455/0024 | via = British Newspaper Archive | title = Dazzling Ipswich set to clinch UEFA Cup | date = 7 May 1981 | first= Bob | last = Harris | access-date = 1 February 2020 | newspaper = Aberdeen Press and Journal | page=24}} The lead was doubled a minute into the second half, following a header from Dutchman Frans Thijssen.{{Cite web | url = https://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-s-greatest-games-blues-lift-the-uefa-cup-in-1981-1-5055006 | work = Green 'Un | publisher = Archant | access-date = 20 January 2020 | title = Ipswich Town's greatest games: Blues lift the UEFA Cup in 1981 | first = Mark | last = Heath | date = 17 June 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200220171343/https://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-s-greatest-games-blues-lift-the-uefa-cup-in-1981-1-5055006 | archive-date = 20 February 2020 | url-status = live }} A third goal for Ipswich, this time from Paul Mariner, saw the English team win the game and take a 3–0 lead into the second leg at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.{{Cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2079905.html | publisher = UEFA | title = AZ stir memories of 1981 run | date = 3 April 2014 | first = Berend | last = Scholten | access-date = 20 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140601072711/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2079905.html | archive-date = 1 June 2014 | url-status = dead }} Thijssen scored four minutes into the second leg, giving Ipswich a 4–0 aggregate lead, but Austrian striker Kurt Welzl pulled one back for AZ minutes later. Playing with two central defenders, the rest of the AZ team attacked,Henderson, p. 26 and Johnny Metgod and Pier Tol scored before half-time, either side of a Wark goal, to take the aggregate to 5–3. Jos Jonker scored AZ's fourth of the day with 16 minutes to go, but Ipswich held on to win 5–4 on aggregate, with their goalkeeper Cooper named as man of the match. As Mühren, one of the two Dutchmen playing for Ipswich, later recalled, "most teams would have given up, but AZ suddenly had wings{{nbsp}}... AZ seemed possessed that night{{nbsp}}... we really had to give all we had to reach the end, by the skin of our teeth – relieved and happy".

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
scope=col\| Date ! scope=col\| Round ! scope=col\| Opponents ! scope=col\| H/A ! scope=col\| Result F–A ! scope=col\| Scorers ! scope=col\| Attendance
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|17 September 1980 \|Round 1 First leg \|Aris Salonika \|H \|5–1 \|Wark 4 (3 pens), Mariner \|20,842
bgcolor="#ffdddd" \|1 October 1980 \|Round 1 Second leg \|Aris Salonika \|A \|1–3 \|Gates \|23,306
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|22 October 1980 \|Round 2 First leg \|Bohemians Prague \|H \|3–0 \|Wark 2, Beattie \|17,163
bgcolor="#ffdddd" \|5 November 1980 \|Round 2 Second leg \|Bohemians Prague \|A \|0–2 \| \|13,000
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|26 November 1980 \|Round 3 First leg \|Widzew Łódź \|H \|5–0 \|Wark 3, Brazil, Mariner \|20,445
bgcolor="#ffdddd" \|10 December 1980 \|Round 3 Second leg \|Widzew Łódź \|A \|0–1 \| \|12,000
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|4 March 1981 \|Quarter-final First leg \|Saint-Étienne \|A \|4–1 \|Mariner 2, Mühren, Wark \|36,919
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|18 March 1981 \|Quarter-final Second leg \|Saint-Étienne \|H \|3–1 \|Butcher, Wark (pen), Mariner \|30,151
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|8 April 1981 \|Semi-final First leg \|FC Cologne \|H \|1–0 \|Wark \|24,780
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|22 April 1981 \|Semi-final Second leg \|FC Cologne \|A \|1–0 \|Butcher \|49,476
bgcolor="#ddffdd" \|6 May 1981 \|Final First leg \|AZ Alkmaar \|H \|3–0 \|Wark (pen), Thijssen, Mariner \|27,532
bgcolor="#ffdddd" \|20 May 1981 \|Final Second leg \|AZ Alkmaar \|A \|2–4 \|Thijssen, Wark \|22,291

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

scope=col| Date

! scope=col| Round

! scope=col| Opponents

! scope=col| H/A

! scope=col| Result
F–A

! scope=col| Scorers

! scope=col| Attendance

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|17 September 1980

|Round 1
First leg

|Aris Salonika

|5–1

|Wark 4 (3 pens), Mariner

|20,842

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|1 October 1980

|Round 1
Second leg

|Aris Salonika

|1–3

|Gates

|23,306

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|22 October 1980

|Round 2
First leg

|Bohemians Prague

|3–0

|Wark 2, Beattie

|17,163

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|5 November 1980

|Round 2
Second leg

|Bohemians Prague

|0–2

|13,000

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|26 November 1980

|Round 3
First leg

|Widzew Łódź

|5–0

|Wark 3, Brazil, Mariner

|20,445

bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|10 December 1980

|Round 3
Second leg

|Widzew Łódź

|0–1

|12,000

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|4 March 1981

|Quarter-final
First leg

|Saint-Étienne

|4–1

|Mariner 2, Mühren, Wark

|36,919

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|18 March 1981

|Quarter-final
Second leg

|Saint-Étienne

|3–1

|Butcher, Wark (pen), Mariner

|30,151

bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|8 April 1981

|Semi-final
First leg

|FC Cologne

|1–0