West Ham’s last run to a European final was an archetypal 1970s tale of controversial decisions, World Cup stars and problems behind the Iron Curtain.
The Hammers, who won the European Cup-Winners’ Cup under Bobby Moore, returned to the competition in 1975-76 and came close to glory before losing 4-2 to Anderlecht.
After progressing past Finland’s Reipas Lahti in the opening round, John Lyall’s FA Cup winners were drawn against Ararat Yerevan, then part of the old Soviet Union though now in modern Armenia.
Travel was more complicated than hiring a private plane, as the club would do now.