Jim McCalliog
Cup Winners’ Cup (1976–77)
Jim McCalliog featured for Southampton in the 1976–77 Cup Winners’ Cup, appearing in their first-round tie against Olympique Marseille. It was a short-lived campaign for the Saints, who were eliminated over two legs, but the competition marked a European milestone in the latter stages of McCalliog’s career.
Earlier in his playing days, McCalliog had represented clubs like Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday at the top level and played for Scotland at international tournaments. He joined the Imps in 1977, bringing a wealth of experience to the squad in the twilight of his career. Though his spell with City was brief, his European background added a touch of pedigree to the club’s ranks during that period.
Jimmy Gilligan
UEFA Cup (1983/84), Cup Winner’s Cup (1988/89, 1991/92)
I love this entry, and I don’t really know why.
Forward Jimmy Gilligan was part of Watford’s 1983/84 UEFA Cup squad and made a significant impact by scoring against both Kaiserslautern and Sparta Prague. The then-young striker was seen as one of the club’s brightest prospects and gained valuable exposure during their European run. He also appeared in Cardiff City’s run in the 1988/89 Cup Winners’ Cup, bagging a hat-trick against Derry City and scoring in the first leg of their tie with Aarhus GF in Denmark. Remarkably, he represented a third side, Swansea City, in the 91/92 ECWC, but they were thrashed 8-0 by Monaco, with George Weah among the goals.
What is interesting is Gilligan played for the Imps before his European exploits, on loan from Watford, and in the midst, after signing to help us avoid relegation in 1987 (which he failed to do). His past exploits in Europe—including goals against some of the continent’s most recognised teams—added pedigree to his profile and made him one of the rare Imps to have scored in UEFA competition either side of their City spell. Just a pity he couldn’t score past Scunthorpe, isn’t it?