Oxford United hero reveals ‘amazing’ shock Barcelona victory

Aldridge played for Oxford for three years after joining from Newport County in 1984, scoring 52 goals for the club before leaving for boyhood side Liverpool.

The 67-year-old spent two seasons with the Reds before moving abroad to Spanish outfit Real Sociedad.

He then saw out his career with Tranmere Rovers as a player-manager.

Speaking exclusively to the Oxford Mail, on behalf of betTom, Aldridge recalled his time playing in La Liga.

“Anfield’s my number one [favourite stadium. My number two would be the Camp Nou,” the former Republic of Ireland international disclosed.

“I played there three times.

John Aldridge after scoring four against Gillingham (Image: Oxford Mail Archive)

“The first game, it was just amazing. We drew 2-2 and I scored two.

“Then we went again in the cup. After losing 1-0 at home, we won 3-2.

“We got to extra time and I scored another two.

“Then the last away game of my Spanish career in Sociedad was at Barcelona.

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“A week before I’d scored the winner against Atletico Madrid, 1-0, which won Barcelona the league.

“We went there in front of 110,000. We clapped them on the pitch.

“We beat them 3-1 and I scored another two. I scored six goals in three games.

“At the Bernabeu [against Real Madrid], I scored one when we won 3-2. That was amazing.

“It just didn’t have what the Camp Nou had.

“The Camp Nou was more natural to me.”