Great blast from the past tonight on ESPN Classic, the 1977 Final of Superstars featuring Rugby League's Keith Fielding amongst others, I used to love this show when I was a kid and it used to have some real stars one it, I doubt that it could be done now due to teams fearing that the players would get injured.

Superstars, 1977 European Final
ESPN Classic
4:50pm.

They did bring it back a few years back.

The superstars were either individual athletes without contractual obligations to teams or recently retired stars.

IIRC Jonathan Davies and Martin Offiah were in it.

I seem to remember there being an American version of it with some big name stars in it, Boxers, American Footballers, Ice Hockey Player and track stars all in their prime. I think the legendary Austrian skier Hermann Maier absolutely wiped the floor with all of them.

Is it the one where he goes up against the late Andy Ripley, the England Union player ?

It's a laugh at the end where Ripley can't be awarded a prize (as a shamateur) and Fielding, IIRC, walks off with what was then a cutting edge video recorder under his arm.

It's the European final from that year when Fielding gets pipped at the post by a Dutch hockey player despite absolutely destroying the field in the final event (an indoor steeplechase).

I think Ties Kruize was the hockey player in question. In the European contests I seem to recall various speedskaters and cyclists generally used to dominate against contestants from more mainstream sports.

That one has just been shown on ESPN classic, Salford & GB RL Legend Keith Fielding picking up the winners trophy and prize money of £2500, the year is 1981 and the relative worth of £2,500.00 from 1981 is:

£7,140.00
using the retail price index

£7,010.00
using the GDP deflator

£11,000.00
using the average earnings

£12,400.00
using the per capita GDP

£13,600.00
using the share of GDP

So I doubt that kind of money would entice the modern day sportsman up from his armchair to go through so many events of endurance, skill and strength!

Man I used to love that show particularly watching Fielding, Drummond, Brian Jacks and Hooper (can't remember his first name, Brian or something like that).

Wasn't Hooper a pole-vaulter? Loved the show as a kid - Keegan coming off his bike and getting badly grazed, Brian jacks absolutely smashing everyone in the squat thrusts etc. Most of all, if they ever let someone from a non-athletic sport like snooker in. Seem to recall the league boys doing well - Fielding, Drummond and later Joe Lydon IIRC.

Fielding sold his last Superstars jersey for Auction ( i think it was for Paul Hightons testimonial) at the willows a couple of years ago. I was gutted that I couldn't get it.

Superstars was the best program on telly. I loved watching it when I was a kid. And of course having a Salford legend in it helped as well lol.