Brian Kidd's Goal in the 1983 League Cup Final

Lore & Background

Kidd, a striker, played for Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, Bolton Wanderers, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Minnesota Strikers in his footballing career. He scored on his 19th birthday for Manchester United in their 4–1 victory over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup Final. He scored 52 times in 203 league appearances for Manchester United. Following United's relegation in 1974, he was transferred to Arsenal for £110,000. He was Arsenal's top goalscorer in 1974–75, scoring 19 goals in 40 appearances. He scored a hat-trick against West Ham United in a 6–1 win at Highbury on 20 March 1976. Altogether Kidd scored 34 times for Arsenal from 90 appearances. In July 1976, he was sold to Manchester City for £100,000. With Manchester City, he scored three times against Manchester United in the 1977–78 season. He played 98 times for Manchester City, netting 44 goals. He moved to Everton in March 1979 for £150,000, netting 12 times in 44 appearances. He then joined Bolton Wanderers in May 1980 for £110,000, scoring 13 times in 43 appearances. He was loaned to NASL team Atlanta Chiefs in 1981, playing 29 times and scoring 23 goals. In January 1982, he signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and two years later with the Minnesota Strikers, retiring in 1984.

In Their Own Story

The roar of Old Trafford seemed to vibrate through the very turf as the ball found its way to Brian Kidd on the edge of the box. Time appeared to slow for the midfielder-turned-defender, who spotted a sliver of space between the Liverpool defenders. With a calmness that belied the chaos around him, he struck the ball with precision. It curled past the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper, nestling into the net as the stadium erupted in a deafening roar of relief and triumph.

Reader's Guide

Kidd began his coaching career at Barrow in 1984. He briefly managed Preston North End in 1986. He was brought back to Manchester United as a youth team coach by Alex Ferguson in 1988, helping to bring through the Class of '92. He was promoted to assistant manager in 1991, helping Ferguson win the League Cup in 1992, the Premier League in 1993, the double in 1994 and 1996, and another Premier League title in 1997. He left United to take charge at Blackburn Rovers in December 1998, but was unable to save them from relegation and was dismissed on 3 November 1999. He moved to Leeds United in May 2000 as youth coach, later acting as Head Coach under David O'Leary and Terry Venables, leaving in May 2003. He was named assistant to England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson in January 2003, but ended this role in May 2004 due to surgery for prostate cancer. He worked as assistant to Neil Warnock at Sheffield United, then under Bryan Robson, leaving in February 2008. On 11 February 2009, he became assistant to caretaker manager Paul Hart at Portsmouth, staying until August 2009. He became Technical Development Manager at Manchester City in September 2009, then assistant manager to Roberto Mancini on 19 December 2009. He served as caretaker manager for the final two games of the 2012–13 season, then returned to assistant role under Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola, leaving after the 2020–21 season.

Did You Know?

• Kidd scored on his 19th birthday in the 1968 European Cup Final.
• He was Arsenal's top goalscorer in the 1974–75 season with 19 goals.
• Kidd scored a hat-trick against West Ham United in a 6–1 win at Highbury on 20 March 1976.
• He scored three times against Manchester United while playing for Manchester City in the 1977–78 season.
• Kidd was capped twice for England in 1970.