The European Cup began in 1955 -- 56, but there was no English representative during that inaugural season as reigning champions Chelsea had been persuaded to withdraw by The Football League. The first English side to participate in the following edition was Manchester United, who were also the first English winners in 1968, ten years after their first attempt to win the cup had effectively ended when eight of their players died in the Munich air disaster when flying home from Belgrade after qualifying for the 1957 -- 58 semi-final. Tottenham Hotspur won the Cup Winners ' Cup in 1963.
first english team to play in european cup
1968