HE was football’s spectacular scissor-kick king.

But even Mark Hughes must have had pinch himself after smashing in that Wales wonder goal against Spain at The Racecourse on April 30 1985.

Hughes’ venomous volley, in front of the Kop where he used to watch his home-town club, Wrexham, was the highlight of a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win.

Speaking to the man who led Wales out that night, Kevin Ratcliffe held his hands up and admitted he could really remember or picture the goal.

“I was concentrating on keeping a clean sheet,” joked Ratcliffe. “But honestly I can’t remember much about the game.

“I don’t remember things from a lot of games. Andy Gray once said to me that he could recall every Everton game he played in. Well, he played 55 times and I made 490-odd appearances!

“I do remember Spain having a defender who was nick-named The Butcher of Bilbao - Goikoetxea - I think his name was and Sparky nailed him in the first minute! He knocked him around from pillar to post,

“There was a good crowd - we always had good crowds at Wrexham - the lads, especially those from north Wales - enjoyed playing there.

“My memory is their keeper. He was bolshy, arrogant. Luis Arconada was their captain and when we shook hands before kick off he tried to break my fingers.

“Then he goes and makes a real a howler and Rushie scores a tap-in.

“I remember thinking, ah, well maybe you’re not quite as good as you thought you were.

“I did an interview for one of the national newspapers and they told me I launched a long ball to set up the goal so I’ll take that.”

Ratcliffe can’t recall Sparky’s sensational scissor kick but I certainly can - sat on The Turf balcony - virtually level with Hughes as he launched his rocket shot into the roof of the net.

Free pop and watching Wrexham and Wales for nothing from that unique stand at the back of The Racecourse’s landmark pub were the perks of your father working for Border Breweries.

It was one of those classic ‘I was there’ football memories that you’ll never forget. You won’t see Wales beating Spain that often and goals like that one from Hughes were the kind you’d try and re-enact - and fail every time - on the park.

Hughes made those goals his speciality and certainly remembers the goal, putting in his top three folio.

“I remember the ball going into the box,” Hughes told The Independent. “I didn’t challenge for the initial one – I just stepped out, thinking it might drop. It came into my direction and bounced quite high. I actually thought the referee had blown his whistle.

“I don’t know whether somebody in the crowd blew a whistle but I thought there’d been a foul.

“The ball came up and thought, why not just hit it and see where it goes?’

“I used to stand on that terrace as a young lad and cheer Wrexham on, so to do it in front of the Wrexham Kop was a special moment for me.”

Ruabon-lad Hughes, aged 21 at the time and wearing the unfamiliar number 11 shirt, set up the final goal for strike partner Rush, who despite kicking off his career at arch rivals Chester, used to love playing at The Racecourse.

“When you got a full house at Wrexham, it made a massive difference,” said Rush, who hailed from Flint. “We just felt invincible there.”

Ratcliffe also enjoyed his Racecourse run-outs but admits that Wales suffered from not having a real home in those days.

“One game we were in Cardiff, then at The Vetch and then The Racecourse,” he added. “I think a lot of the lads like playing at Cardiff Arms Park but we did have a great record at Wrexham.”

Ratcliffe will be back at The Principality Stadium - in the BBC Wales commentary box - hoping Ryan Giggs’ Dragons can roar to another famous victory.