Thanks for telling us about this - I'll be really interested to watch it. I don't watch much TV (I mostly look at porn on the computer) but I'll definitely tune in for this one. In fact, I think I'll get me mam to tape it for me - I think I've got enough room on my 3 hour VHS tape - if not I'll just have to put some sellotape over the lugs on me sister's tape - it's only full of Downton Abbey crap anyway - and tape over t' top of it.
On a serious note: genuinely thanks for informing us. That's a bit of a golden era in my time watching Sheffield United. And Derby County were indeed a very fine team, with the likes of Archie Gemmill, Roy McFarland, John Hinton, John O'Hare, Kevin Hector, Roger Davies, etc. I would have been at that match at the lane in 1974 for sure. I remember going to the Baseball Ground too - probably the same season. I remember being stood behind the goal in a steep stand and the steps were made of wood. That's two things you don't see nowadays - standing areas - and stands constructed from wood (just as well re the latter).
I'd forgotten how close we came to Derby in the table - although this was back in the days of 2 points for a win - so we were 2 wins behind them, or 6 points, by today's standards. Still impressive though!
For any young 'uns tuning in, who never saw that side play, things to look out for perhaps are the ease with which the great TC plays the game. He never looked flustered or even in a hurry. He just gets the ball and does what he wants with it. Launching 70 yard passes with perfect precision - or doing a little shuffle and going past players like they aren't there. Then there's the wing play of Woodward, and the thunderous shot that he had. The lad could blast them home from 35 yards. But, it wasn't just the fact he could kick it hard, he could bend it as well. Watch him take corners with either side of his foot, and make it swerve through the air. Then there's the ferocious tackling of Hockey - watch him chase down his prey and snap at their ankles relentlessly. And the lionheart courage of Dearden - a rakish lad - not a lot of meat on him - but would run through a brick wall and get on the end of passes and crosses from TC and Woody and turn them into goals.
Great days!
