50 years ago today

[Silent Blade]

28/4/1972

Wolves 1 (Richards) Blades 2 (Dearden, Currie)

The match was brought forward from Saturday afternoon to Friday evening but I dont remember the reason for this. It would have been at Wolves request as they had to play the UEFA Cup final over two legs against Spurs also they had to play at home to title chasing Leeds for the last league game of the season. England v West Germany in the UEFA Euro final 1st leg at Wembley on the Saturday evening could be another reason.

Whenever I watched Wolves on tv, I was always impressed with the design of the Molineux Street stand



My dad and I got in the stand but it wasnt as impressive as it looked on tv as it was full of wood, the seats were poor and it felt smaller than it looked on tv. I dont remember John Richards' opener but was I surprised that there were Wolves fans booing at David Wagstaffe when he got the ball. I always thought he was one of their best players and he did ok that night.

Dont remember Dearden's equaliser but faintly remember TC's winner, I think he was lying flat on the pitch as his teammates swarmed round him to congratulate him.

Last game of the season for us but there were some games left at the top 4 apart from Man City.






League table in below link

1972-04-28

 

[reedy63]

Thanks, Silent Blade.

 

[Chilttheblade]

The Best Blades Line I have ever seen1970-72. in my opinion.

Agreed
Not a weak link anywhere

 

[Silent Blade]

29/4/1972

I went to watch Wendy v Birmingham. Before 3pm Birmingham had 2 games left and were a point behind Millwall in 2nd place, Norwich already were secured a promotion to the top tier for the first time in history. Birmingham won 2-1 and needed a draw at Orient a few days later to clinch the 2nd promotion place (only 2 went up at the time)



Word got round at the Millwall v Preston game that Wendy had beaten Birmingham. The misinformation got the Millwall fans and players celebrating after the final whistle thinking that the club had gained promotion to the top tier for the first time in their history as you can see near the end of the below video.



Forest and Huddersfield were confirmed as the two teams to be relegated to the 2nd division. See scores and tables below.

1972-04-29

Later in the evening I watched the England v West Germany Euros quarter final 1st leg live on tv.

I remember my dad raging at Bobby Moore gifting West Germany the first goal scored by Uli Hoeness. In the 2nd half I was jumping up for joy round the house when Francis Lee netted the equaliser. Soon after, West Germany were awarded a penalty. Man of the match Gunter Netzer took the penalty that Gordon Banks almost kept it out as the Germans took the lead again, then Gerd Muller made it 3-1 with his usual deadly finishing.

 

[Blade1959]

29/4/1972

I went to watch Wendy v Birmingham. Before 3pm Birmingham had 2 games left and were a point behind Millwall in 2nd place, Norwich already were secured a promotion to the top tier for the first time in history. Birmingham won 2-1 and needed a draw at Orient a few days later to clinch the 2nd promotion place (only 2 went up at the time)

View attachment 134957

Word got round at the Millwall v Preston game that Wendy had beaten Birmingham. The misinformation got the Millwall fans and players celebrating after the final whistle thinking that the club had gained promotion to the top tier for the first time in their history as you can see near the end of the below video.



Forest and Huddersfield were confirmed as the two teams to be relegated to the 2nd division. See scores and tables below.

1972-04-29

Later in the evening I watched the England v West Germany Euros quarter final 1st leg live on tv.

I remember my dad raging at Bobby Moore gifting West Germany the first goal scored by Uli Hoeness. In the 2nd half I was jumping up for joy round the house when Francis Lee netted the equaliser. Soon after, West Germany were awarded a penalty. Man of the match Gunter Netzer took the penalty that Gordon Banks almost kept it out as the Germans took the lead again, then Gerd Muller made it 3-1 with his usual deadly finishing.

I did the same, Wolverhampton the night before,then saw Birmingham win on Saturday afternoon & England lose in the evening. I think the Wolves rearrangement was something to do with the Uefa Cup final as you said previously.

 

[Silent Blade]

Appearances and goals for 1971-72 season

League appearances

42
Len Badger and Eddie Colquhoun

41 + 1 sub
Geoff Salmons

40
Ted Hemsley

39 + 1 sub
Alan Woodward

38
Tony Currie and John Hope

36 + 2 sub
Stewart Scullion

35
Bill Dearden

28
Trevor Hockey

23
John Flynn

21
Ian MacKenzie

14 + 5 sub
Gil Reece

7 + 2 sub
David Ford

4
Tom McAlister and David Staniforth

3 + 1 sub
Mick Speight

2
Steve Goulding and Ian Holmes

1 + 2 sub
Alan Ogden

1
Frank Barlow and Steve Cammack

League Cup Appearances (inc subs)

Len Badger, Eddie Colquhoun, Tony Currie, John Flynn, Trevor Hockey, John Hope, Geoff Salmons, Stewart Scullion and Alan Woodward 5
Bill Dearden, Ted Hemsley and Gil Reece 3
Frank Barlow and Steve Goulding 1

FA Cup appearance (all 1)
Hope, Badger, Hemsley, MacKenzie, Colquhoun, Hockey, Woodward, Salmons, Dearden, Currie, Scullion and Reece (sub)




League goals

Bill Dearden 16
Alan Woodward 15
Tony Currie 10
Stewart Scullion 6
John Flynn and Gil Reece 3
Geoff Salmons and Eddie Colquhoun 2
Len Badger, Trevor Hockey and David Ford 1
1 own goal

League Cup goals
Alan Woodward 5
Bill Dearden, Tony Currie and Gil Reece 1

FA Cup goal
Ian MacKenzie 1

 

[Silent Blade]

I was expecting Tony Currie to win the 1971-72 player of the season but Trevor Hockey won it. He receives the trophy from Jack "Smiler" Smith who was our long serving goalkeeper in the 1930s and 1940s. He played in the 1936 FA Cup final.

 

[Silent Blade]

Blades took part in the Zambia tour playing 4 matches between May 3rd and 14th. I assume the photo below was taken on their arrival at Zambia rather than departing after the tour.

 

[bornablade]

Blades took part in the Zambia tour playing 4 matches between May 3rd and 14th. I assume the photo below was taken on their arrival at Zambia rather than departing after the tour.

View attachment 135069

Is that Ted at the back?

I thought he would have been given spcial leave to pursue his cricket career.

 

[Paisley Blade]

I was expecting Tony Currie to win the 1971-72 player of the season but Trevor Hockey won it. He receives the trophy from Jack "Smiler" Smith who was our long serving goalkeeper in the 1930s and 1940s. He played in the 1936 FA Cup final.

View attachment 135051

View attachment 135052

I remember being sat with my Granddad in the old JSS, circa 1978. He pointed out the white haired bloke sat just in front of me and told me it was Jack Smith. As a young un it just went over my head. Find it incredible now I was sat next to a Blades Cup final winner.

 

[Sandygate Blade]

I remember being sat with my Granddad in the old JSS, circa 1978. He pointed out the white haired bloke sat just in front of me and told me it was Jack Smith. As a young un it just went over my head. Find it incredible now I was sat next to a Blades Cup final winner.

Sorry to disappoint you but we lost the 1936 FA Cup final. At least he played in the final.

 

[Paisley Blade]

Sorry to disappoint you but we lost the 1936 FA Cup final. At least he played in the final.

Oh aye ..... it's early

 

[Silent Blade]

Is that Ted at the back?

I thought he would have been given spcial leave to pursue his cricket career.

Yes, Ted played in the tour. I suppose he was paid more at SUFC than WCCC?

 

[Silent Blade]

I remember being sat with my Granddad in the old JSS, circa 1978. He pointed out the white haired bloke sat just in front of me and told me it was Jack Smith. As a young un it just went over my head. Find it incredible now I was sat next to a Blades Cup final winner.

A fraction of a second later

 

[Silent Blade]

1/5/1972

A John McGovern goal against Liverpool put Derby top of the league in their final league game of the season. Leeds beat Chelsea 2-0 to put them one point behind Derby and they needed just a draw at Wolves the following Monday.



Liverpool still have a chance of winning the league if they win at Arsenal and if Leeds lose at Wolves

 

[Silent Blade]

2/5/1972

Bob Latchford scores the only goal of the game at Orient to clinch promotion for Birmingham

 

[Silent Blade]

3/5/1972

Rokana United (Zambia) 1 Blades 2 (Currie, Scullion)

Played at Livingstone

Blades team: McAlister, Badger, Hemsley, MacKenzie, Colquhoun, Goulding, Woodward, Scullion, Dearden, Currie, Salmons. Subs: Holmes and Speight

 

[finlaytheblade]

Didn't we score quite a few at home that season?

We were a bit vulnerable away from home which cost us promotion.

The same was happening in the promotion season until the master stroke by John Harris bringing in Trevor Hockey who stiffened the midfield .

 

[Alan Birchenall's hair]

I was expecting Tony Currie to win the 1971-72 player of the season but Trevor Hockey won it. He receives the trophy from Jack "Smiler" Smith who was our long serving goalkeeper in the 1930s and 1940s. He played in the 1936 FA Cup final.

View attachment 135051

View attachment 135052

Whoa! Look at TC with his Brutus Jumbo collar shirt, and Woody with a Penny Round collar. I had loads of them in different colours from Harringtons in Castle Market. £1.99 each they were. I know I know, fashion victim.....

 

[Silent Blade]

6/5/1972

FA Cup final

Leeds 1 (Clarke) Arsenal 0

FA Cup finals in the 1970s and early 1980s were always memorable to watch live on tv. Watched the 1970 (and replay) at my home, 1971 at my twin uncles' in Shiregreen. This time my Uncle Pete invited me to watch the final on colour tv at his flat in Abney Close. At the time he was the only one in my mum's or my dad's family to have colour tv. I wanted Leeds to win because I disliked Arsenal more especially after they thrashed us 5-0 at the Lane also with Alan Ball tormenting us by "sitting on the ball". I liked Mick Jones too although I was too young in remembering him playing for the Blades.

During the 1st half there were two men delivering some furniture into the flat. I felt sorry for them for having to work on a Saturday afternoon and missing the cup final on tv. Years later at my boarding school I told the Career Officer that I would be interested in getting a job that didnt involve working on Saturdays. My headmaster got to find out about what I told the Careers Officer , wasnt impressed with the fact that I didnt want to work on Saturdays and he told my dad about it! Now I have worked for nearly 43 years and have rarely worked during weekends!

I remember Allan Clarke's header from Mick Jones' cross and celebrated with my Uncle Pete. Pete was a big Wendy fan and named his two budgies "Ozzy" and "Ritchie" but he wanted Leeds to win too.



Just before the final whistle, Mick Jones had his elbow dislocated after a challenge near the Arsenal end. He was in a lot of pain and he was being treated by Les Cocker and it took a long time for him to get up. The Leeds team had already received the cup and the medals from the Queen (sub Mick Bates had already collected Mick Jones' medal). When Jones eventually got up, he was determined to go up the steps to shake hands with the Queen. Norman Hunter went up the steps again to make sure Jones got up the steps to shake hands with the Queen. It was quite moving!

 

[Greenwich Blade]

6/5/1972

FA Cup final

Leeds 1 (Clarke) Arsenal 0

FA Cup finals in the 1970s and early 1980s were always memorable to watch live on tv. Watched the 1970 (and replay) at my home, 1971 at my twin uncles' in Shiregreen. This time my Uncle Pete invited me to watch the final on colour tv at his flat in Abney Close. At the time he was the only one in my mum's or my dad's family to have colour tv. I wanted Leeds to win because I disliked Arsenal more especially after they thrashed us 5-0 at the Lane also with Alan Ball tormenting us by "sitting on the ball". I liked Mick Jones too although I was too young in remembering him playing for the Blades.

During the 1st half there were two men delivering some furniture into the flat. I felt sorry for them for having to work on a Saturday afternoon and missing the cup final on tv. Years later at my boarding school I told the Career Officer that I would be interested in getting a job that didnt involve working on Saturdays. My headmaster got to find out about what I told the Careers Officer , wasnt impressed with the fact that I didnt want to work on Saturdays and he told my dad about it! Now I have worked for nearly 43 years and have rarely worked during weekends!

I remember Allan Clarke's header from Mick Jones' cross and celebrated with my Uncle Pete. Pete was a big Wendy fan and named his two budgies "Ozzy" and "Ritchie" but he wanted Leeds to win too.



Just before the final whistle, Mick Jones had his elbow dislocated after a challenge near the Arsenal end. He was in a lot of pain and he was being treated by Les Cocker and it took a long time for him to get up. The Leeds team had already received the cup and the medals from the Queen (sub Mick Bates had already collected Mick Jones' medal). When Jones eventually got up, he was determined to go up the steps to shake hands with the Queen. Norman Hunter went up the steps again to make sure Jones got up the steps to shake hands with the Queen. It was quite moving!

This is the first FA Cup Final I can remember watching on telly. I spent most of the rest of the day trying to replicate Clarke's goal in the hallway - a diving header on your own isn't easy. I also remember my dad commenting with admiration on Mick Jones's heroics going up to the Royal Box. That was a time when we didn't hate Leeds like we would do three or four years later.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

3/5/1972

Rokana United (Zambia) 1 Blades 2 (Currie, Scullion)

Played at Livingstone

Blades team: McAlister, Badger, Hemsley, MacKenzie, Colquhoun, Goulding, Woodward, Scullion, Dearden, Currie, Salmons. Subs: Holmes and Speight

Holmes? Who was he?

 

[Silent Blade]

Holmes? Who was he?

Left us for York City two seasons later

 

[Greenwich Blade]

Left us for York City two seasons later
View attachment 135340

Not my idea of a pin-up.

 

[Silent Blade]

7/5/1972

Zambia X1 1 Blades 1 (Scullion)

Zambia Airways Cup

I have seen a photo of Zambia's President Kaunda shaking hands with the United players somewhere some years ago but I cannot find it.

Len Badger and Eddie Colquhoun were sent off despite the below report saying that it was Steve Goulding but Denis Clareborough insisted it was Badger, not Goulding in his complete records book

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

This is the first FA Cup Final I can remember watching on telly. I spent most of the rest of the day trying to replicate Clarke's goal in the hallway - a diving header on your own isn't easy. I also remember my dad commenting with admiration on Mick Jones's heroics going up to the Royal Box. That was a time when we didn't hate Leeds like we would do three or four years later.

Almost a mirror image for me. Except I already hated them as lots of local lads in Sheffield already supported them , much to my disgust!!

 

[Silent Blade]

8/5/1972

Wolves 2 Leeds 1

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0

Leeds needed a draw that night to win the league, Liverpool needed a win at Arsenal. Both failed and the Derby players celebrated on being league champions after hearing the results at Majorca! Brian Clough was with his family at Scilly Isles.




Despite wanting Leeds to win the FA Cup two days earlier, I was pleased that they failed to be the league champions!



Derby parading the trophy at Baseball ground some days later

 

[Silent Blade]

Sadly, Mick Jones was too ill to attend last weekend's reunion

 

[Bell4]

29/4/1972

I went to watch Wendy v Birmingham. Before 3pm Birmingham had 2 games left and were a point behind Millwall in 2nd place, Norwich already were secured a promotion to the top tier for the first time in history. Birmingham won 2-1 and needed a draw at Orient a few days later to clinch the 2nd promotion place (only 2 went up at the time)

View attachment 134957

Word got round at the Millwall v Preston game that Wendy had beaten Birmingham. The misinformation got the Millwall fans and players celebrating after the final whistle thinking that the club had gained promotion to the top tier for the first time in their history as you can see near the end of the below video.



Forest and Huddersfield were confirmed as the two teams to be relegated to the 2nd division. See scores and tables below.

1972-04-29

Later in the evening I watched the England v West Germany Euros quarter final 1st leg live on tv.

I remember my dad raging at Bobby Moore gifting West Germany the first goal scored by Uli Hoeness. In the 2nd half I was jumping up for joy round the house when Francis Lee netted the equaliser. Soon after, West Germany were awarded a penalty. Man of the match Gunter Netzer took the penalty that Gordon Banks almost kept it out as the Germans took the lead again, then Gerd Muller made it 3-1 with his usual deadly finishing.

I remember that match like it was yesterday - marvelling at Gunter N and the way West Germany ripped us up . I watched it at my nans as an 11 year old lad who had just seen his new found love finish one of the greatest seasons I can remember . Wolves went on to beat Leeds on the final game and hand the title to derby

Great days

 

[Bayingblade]

4/4/1972

Blades 1 (Salmons) Man U 1 (Sadler)

Attendance 45,045 (highest attendance for me out of the matches I was at Bramall Lane)

Last week Mrs Silent and I had a catch up with a friend (who played in the same football and cricket team as me for years) and his wife at Conisborough and later on we had a meal at Pastures Lodge in Mexborough. After our meal, we spotted Geoff Salmons who knows my friend as he often goes to this pub. He was happy to pose for a photo with me and my friend.

View attachment 133459

Back to the match, just before half time Salmons sped on the left with the ball and it seemed that the might be going out of play but he managed cross the ball but somehow it ended up in the net and keeper John Connaughton (who joined us the following season) misjudged the cross as it went over his outstretched hands. Throughout the game, Salmons' speed and skill troubled Man U's defence.

View attachment 133460

I dont remember David Sadler's equaliser but I remember Connaughton's brilliant save near the end of the match.

View attachment 133461
View attachment 133462

Scores, scorers, line ups and league table are in below link. Man City who were favourites to win the league, just before they signed Rodney Marsh, lose another match!

1972-04-04

From the match programme

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My first ever game at Bramall Lane