Stefano TACCONI 1980-83
This controversial figure was consistently one of Europe’s top goalkeepers during the 1980s and early ‘90s. He joined Avellino from Sambenedettese in 1980 and, after three outstanding seasons in Campania, was chosen by Juventus to fill the gloves of the retiring Dino Zoff. Tacconi spent nine seasons in Turin, winning every domestic and European club trophy on offer. For the Azzurri, he acted as understudy to Walter Zenga at Euro ‘88 and Italia ‘90.
Luciano FAVERO 1981-84
A tough and dependable defender, the moustached Favero went five consecutive Serie A seasons without missing a game. After beginning his career at Messina, he moved to the Stadio Partenio in 1981 and immediately helped the Lupi finish in a superb eighth position. In 1984 Juventus Coach Giovanni Trapattoni reunited him with old teammate Tacconi. Favero played in the infamous European Cup Final against Liverpool at Heysel in 1985.
Cesare CATTANEO 1977-81
During his four years at the club, Cattaneo was a symbol of the team. His defensive displays led the southern minnows to promotion to Serie A in 1978 and then respectable mid-table finishes in the following three seasons. His most prized moment came in 1980 when he scored the winner against champions Milan, a goal that effectively handed the Scudetto to Inter. He moved to Udinese in 1981, playing alongside Brazilian legend Zico.
Paolo BERUATTO 1978-81
This left-sided defender had a long and distinguished Serie A career spanning over a decade. His three seasons in Campania coincided with the Biancoverdi’s strongest years defensively and the total of 26 conceded in 1979-80 remains a record low for the club in Serie A. Beruatto then enjoyed six seasons at Torino, playing with the likes of Junior and Giuseppe Dossena, before moving on again to Lazio.
Franco COLOMBA 1983-88
This inspirational midfielder was implicated in the infamous Totonero betting scandal in 1980 and banned from football for three months. He joined the Biancoverdi from Bologna in 1983 and in his first game for the club scored the final goal in possibly Avellino’s most famous ever victory, a 4-0 thrashing of Milan. Colomba soon became a firm fans’ favourite and was named captain in 1985. He also led the southerners to an eighth-place finish in 1987.
Angelo COLOMBO 1984-85
The blond-haired midfielder is best known as part of the all-conquering Milan team of the late 1980s. However Colombo’s first season in Serie A was with Avellino in 1984. The Monza native was an instant success, scoring six goals and finishing the campaign as his club’s top scorer. He was immediately snapped up by Udinese, where he stayed for two years, before Arrigo Sacchi made him one of his first signings at Milan in 1987.
Fernando DE NAPOLI 1983-86
Local boy De Napoli made his Serie A debut with Avellino at the age of 19. A dynamic workhorse in midfield, he was one of Italian football’s unsung heroes in his day. He made 73 appearances before moving to Diego Maradona’s Napoli in 1986, where he won the Scudetto twice, the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia. Moved on to Milan in 1992 and won two consecutive Scudetti under Fabio Capello. Capped by Italy on 49 occasions, scoring once.
DIRCEU 1986-87
This silky Brazilian attacking midfielder was a key factor behind Avellino’s joint best top-flight finish of eighth in 1987. Dirceu scored six goals and finished the season as the club’s joint top-scorer with Angelo Alessio. He also played in three World Cups for Brazil and was a star at Argentina ’78. In total he represented the Selecao on 44 occasions, scoring seven goals. He was tragically killed in a road accident in 1995 at the age of just 43.
JUARY 1980-82
This lightning-fast Brazilian striker enjoyed two excellent seasons at the Stadio Partenio in the early 1980s, scoring 13 goals in 34 games. Juary was adored by the Biancoverdi fans, both for his fighting spirit and for his Roger Milla-style corner flag dance after scoring a goal. He was snapped up by Inter in 1982, but was never given a chance to shine and was released after a single year. He later moved to Porto, where he famously scored the winner in the 1987 European Cup Final.
Walter SCHACHNER 1986-88
The Austrian forward battled single-handedly to try and prevent Avellino’s eventual relegation to Serie B in 1988. His nine strikes accounted for almost half of his team's 19 goals for the season, seven more than Fabrizio Di Mauro, who was the Biancoverdi’s next top scorer with just two. ‘Schoko’ also enjoyed productive spells at Torino and Cesena and finished his seven-year career in Italy with an impressive 48 goals in 190 appearances.
Ramon DIAZ 1983-86
‘El Pelado’ first came to prominence in Argentina’s FIFA World Youth Cup victory in 1979, where he finished as top scorer with eight goals. Diaz joined Avellino from local rivals Napoli in 1983 and had three successful seasons, scoring 22 goals in 78 appearances. The left-footed striker then moved on to Fiorentina and later Inter, where he won the Scudetto in 1989. He also featured in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, scoring a screamer against Brazil.
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