'I scored a sensational winner against the team that rejected me to give Man City cup final glory - but I missed the celebrations'

Manchester City won the League Cup 50 years ago this year. Matchwinner that day Dennis Tueart speaks to the Manchester Evening News.

Barely a week goes by without Dennis Tueart being reminded of one of the most iconic cup final goals of all time - even if he missed the Manchester homecoming parade.

His spectacular overhead kick in the League Cup final in 1976 earned Manchester City a 2-1 win over Newcastle United and, at that time, just the club’s second success in a competition they have now won eight times.

50 years on the Blues have a chance to replicate that final success this weekend when they take on Arsenal at Wembley. The trophy cabinet at the Etihad is a bit more regularly topped up these days but silverware is still special.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don't miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

For Tueart, it’s difficult to escape his matchwinner half a century ago such is the regularity it is brought up in conversation or how images adorn the Etihad and reminders are prominent at reunions.

“Whenever I go to the stadium or see supporters you are always reminded of it," said Tueart, speaking to the Manchester Evening News this week, who said the moment was the pinnacle of his career, even if he missed the celebrations back up north.

"That was the disappointment and the pleasure," he explains. "Peter Barnes (City teammate) and I were involved in the football writers' dinner the day after so we stayed down in London for the awards dinner. I was in the first division team of the year and Peter Barnes had won the young player of the year. It was a tremendous honour but we missed the homecoming.

"After my experience with the homecoming with Sunderland in 1973 (after winning the FA Cup), which was unbelievable with so many people turning out at Roker Park, that was a special moment for supporters."

Despite missing the parade in Manchester, Tueart still ranks that final win with City as the crowning moment of a stellar playing career that yielded England caps and success across the Atlantic in America.

"It is top because of the circumstances," he said. "It was against my hometown team who had rejected me as a 15-year-old and it was to win a trophy for my team, teammates, club and supporters. All the elements were in the right place. The domestic trophies were so important to the club and the supporters.

"That season I think I got 20-odd goals, which wasn’t bad as a winger. Those four years from 1976-80 were the best of my career. I went to New York in 1978 and won the North American Soccer League in the first year, I won the MVP in the play-offs and offensive player of the game in the final when we won 3-1 against Tampa Bay and I scored twice."

Tueart has spent most of his life associated with City across two spells as a player and nearly 10 years as a director. His company has a box at the Etihad and he regularly watches the Blues in action. He was on the pitch prior to the Premier League game against Newcastle last month as part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of that League Cup win.

And while these days huge emphasis is placed on reaching the Champions League, City chief Pep Guardiola has always placed stock in lifting silverware. Tueart concurs.

"Your football career might last eight to ten years at the top and you want something in your trophy cabinet," he surmises.

Tueart is reminded regularly of his City silverware. Does he ever tire of seeing it? "No, no, it's a sense of pride."

You sense the goal will still be shown regularly 50 years from now.