Blades 0 Derby 4 - April 1972

[Blackheath Blade]

Now I was only a half-ling at this stage , but did'nt one of our keepers break his leg or somerthing like that . v man city think they won 2-1 many moons ago { ie. } When John St were wooden and you could smoke in the stand fathers capstan full strength jesus they were lung buster's . Anyone help Dazzler ?

Dublin, your memory is correct. I was only 13 myself at the time but we had a young scottish keeper, Tom McAllister in goal for us for the 1973/74 season. I remember the match against City in which he got his leg broken by a very late challenge from that cocky bastard, Rodney Marsh who slid in on Tommo as he attempted to clear the ball.
The crack of his leg breaking was heard all around the ground and I remember all those round me saying that Marsh did it on purpose. The only other thing I remember is that Alan Woodward had to go in goal after Tommo had been carried off.

 

[pommpey]

Silent on John Hopeless ...

Sure, he was a tall feller (6'1") and could throw, but he was much of the time positionally poor (look at that corner by Hinton in the Derby game which rebounds off MacKenzie - I saw that in the BLLT that day and my uncle Fred went beserk) and he would come over as a bit of a wideboy 'fancypants' (another uncle Fred's term) rather than get on with the business of goalkeeping, like Hodgy (5'9") would. His kicking was cack as well. I was glad when he was dropped.

I met Hope after a BDTBL training sesh (he was in the same car as TC) and he was the only player out of all of that classic squad who regarded me and my mates (I'd written to John Harris to get permission to come to a training sesh) as toejam. Woody was ace, Flynny, Eddie Colquhoun, and Hodgy (who serenaded us with 'There are two men in my life ... " from the Shredded Wheat advert on at the time) - they were all ace.

We originally turned up at the Ball Inn ground, found out no one was there and walked down to BDTBL.

The Kiev Dynamo (as it was advertised) game was on a dark, damp weekday night, and I waited and waited outside our house for my dad to come home from Sheffield Works Department to take me. He was late ... really late ... because a young lad had been knocked down and killed on Norton Avenue at the back of our house, so I missed that match.

I remember reading in the Star (or Morning Telegraph) the next day that we played a new keeper.

pommpey

 

[Gabsblade]

Agree, certainly not the greatest keeper we`ve had by a long mile, especially considering other keepers like Hodgy, Jim Brown and Tom McAlister, but as already stated he was well remembered for his exceptionally long throw, easily cleared the half way line, which when accurate could easily turn defence into attack!

 

[Darren]

He got a knee injury in the following week at the reserves match he was playing in and was out of action for a long time. Cannot remember who was our keeper in reserves matches until we signed John Connaughton from Man U(he played well against us in the 1-1 draw a few days before that 4-0 defeat against Derby) in Oct 1972

We had 2 youth team goalies - Dick Foulke ( a descendant of the more famous Fatty) and Tom Meehan - who did reserve duties until we signed Connaughton.

 

[Darren]

That is totally unfair, during the 1970-71 season we conceded too many soft goals that Hodgy should have saved and he wasnt commanding his area like he used to and other teams were aware of this. When Hope first came to us he often came out of his goal to collect dangerous crosses which caused the Blades fans to gasp as it was a long time since we had a keeper doing this. Hope's best game in his first few months was in the 0-0 home draw against Norwich as he pulled off a string of fine saves as we struggled against a dominant Norwich side (no surprise they finished top in the following season). His throws to well over the halfway line also made the crowd gasp. He made a fine full length dive against Gordon Harris of Sunderland not long after Ted Hemsley gave us the lead in the 1-0 win also a full length diving catch from a header in the 3-0 win against Birmingham. If John Harris had not signed Trevor Hockey and not addressed the goalkeeping problem at a crucial time then it would have been unlikely that we would have got promotion. Hope was picked for the England squad twice (QPR's Phil Parkes was the first choice) while playing for us and he deserved the honour. Hope's first poor game was in the 5-0 defeat at West Ham in Nov 1971 and his next poor game was in the 5-0 home defeat against Arsenal (the game when Alan Ball sat on the ball) at end of Jan 1972. The first goal was similar to the first goal in the Derby game as Hope took a poor kick in which I think Charlie George collected the "gift" and scoring. The third goal by George Graham went through Hope's legs at the Kop end as you described. Sadly Hope had lost confidence after this Arsenal defeat. Harris asked Hodgy if he could return to the 1st team but Hodgy declined cos he had not played many reserves matches around that time so McAlister played in the friendly against Dynamo Kiev but he "didnt look ready for the 1st team" so Hope carried on until that 4-0 defeat against Derby

Hope was picked for the Ebgland under 23 squad, not the full squad. There's a team pic of the squad in one of the programmes with Phil Parkes as the other goalie.

 

[Darren]

I was at both games. Currie and a rarity from McKenzie won the day at St. James' Park. I had my first pint in a pub that day as a rather precocious 14 year old. Over 50,000 there including about 50 Blades (or so it seemed). We were on the old standing terrace amongst thousands of Geordies. Our goal celebrations were unspoken and undemonstrative but heartfelt.

I think SuperMac played for them that day; maybe scored their goal?

It was Scullion who got the other goal, not MacKenzie. The latter got his first goal in the 1`-3 FA Cup defeat at home to Cardiff on 15/1/72

Edit: must read full thread!

 

[sitwell]

The finest goalkeeping display ive ever seen was Jim Brown against newcastle at St James park on boxing day in the mid 70's. We drew 1-1 and he got a standing ovation from the home crowd and the players at the end of the game.

 

[Darren]

The finest goalkeeping display ive ever seen was Jim Brown against newcastle at St James park on boxing day in the mid 70's. We drew 1-1 and he got a standing ovation from the home crowd and the players at the end of the game.

Actually 27th December 1975 Woodward got our goal and it was only our second away point of the season ( we still only had one win all season as well).

 

[sitwell]

As a 13 year old i remember thinking how old and ugly the Newcastle players were ,Macdonald ,Gowling ,Barrowclough ,Tommy pig Craig and Alan Kennedy ,reet set of child frighteners.

 

[Pinchy]

It was Scullion who got the other goal, not MacKenzie. The latter got his first goal in the 1`-3 FA Cup defeat at home to Cardiff on 15/1/72

Edit: must read full thread!

Yes it was. I remember it now. Scullion scored with a low drive early on. In the second half, McKenzie crossed from the left for TC to knock in at the far post.

To paraphrase the great man: "I'm remembering all the right players...but not necessarily in the right order"

 

[Silent Blade]

We had 2 youth team goalies - Dick Foulke ( a descendant of the more famous Fatty) and Tom Meehan - who did reserve duties until we signed Connaughton.

Cheers, I think LSF knew Dick Foulke. Dont remember Meehan. Steve Conroy was in our books that season

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Dublin, your memory is correct. I was only 13 myself at the time but we had a young scottish keeper, Tom McAllister in goal for us for the 1973/74 season. I remember the match against City in which he got his leg broken by a very late challenge from that cocky bastard, Rodney Marsh who slid in on Tommo as he attempted to clear the ball.
The crack of his leg breaking was heard all around the ground and I remember all those round me saying that Marsh did it on purpose. The only other thing I remember is that Alan Woodward had to go in goal after Tommo had been carried off.

Thanks fella , 73 , jesus don't the years fly by , One of first matches I can remember did' nt Marsh and Best play for Fulham at one stage, almost sure I can remember seeing us beat them 2-1 with there players taking the ball off them to get a touch. UTB and thanks once again.

 

[Silent Blade]

Hope was picked for the Ebgland under 23 squad, not the full squad. There's a team pic of the squad in one of the programmes with Phil Parkes as the other goalie.

I meant the U23 squad! Forgot to type "u23". TC and Kevin Keegan were in the same squad pic too. Phil Parkes's full international debut was in Alf Ramsey's last match as England's manager (away friendly at Portugal in 1974)

 

[Silent Blade]

The finest goalkeeping display ive ever seen was Jim Brown against newcastle at St James park on boxing day in the mid 70's. We drew 1-1 and he got a standing ovation from the home crowd and the players at the end of the game.

I wasnt at the match but read a small report in Green Un's late news column stating that Brown received a standing ovation from the St James crowd. Best display for me was Simon Tracey at Anfield in New Years Day 1992. My most memorable displays by a keeper at BDTBL were Phil Parkes of QPR in the 1-1 draw in Nov 70, Jim Montgomery of Sunderland in our 1-0 win in Feb 71 and Pat Jennings of Spurs in our 1-0 defeat in Nov 74

 

[LSF]

Cheers, I think LSF knew Dick Foulke. Dont remember Meehan. Steve Conroy was in our books that season

Correct Silent, Played with and against Foulkey and have bumped into him on occasions in later life. He was never signed on apprentice professional or full time pro forms despite appearing on a full playing staff photo around 1972. The Foulke family descendants lived on Erskine Road duriing my time in that area which may be of interest to Darren (but knowing him, he'll know this already).
Tom Meehan was from Barnsley and as United seemed to have a penchant for, not that tall for a keeper. (Hodgy, Barry Gordine, Jim Brown)

 

[sitwell]

Mel Rees had an unbelievable game , and visiting would have to be Mart Poom.

 

[Silent Blade]

Thanks fella , 73 , jesus don't the years fly by , One of first matches I can remember did' nt Marsh and Best play for Fulham at one stage, almost sure I can remember seeing us beat them 2-1 with there players taking the ball off them to get a touch. UTB and thanks once again.

Rodney Marsh. George Best and Bobby Moore played for Fulham at BDTBL in Oct 76 which ended in a 1-1 draw. The only game Jimmy Johnstone played well for us. Woody fired in a left footed opener from outside the penalty box after selling a dummy to Bobby Moore. After half time John Mitchell equalised with a good goal which drew applause from the crowd. We beat Fulham 2-1 at BDTBL in Oct 77. George Best played but not Moore or Marsh. Tony Gale opened the scoring for Fulham. Just before half time Chico Hamilton equalised with a superb header from a Bobby Campbell cross. In the 2nd half Woody fired in the winner after a lay off from Campbell

 

[Silent Blade]

Correct Silent, Played with and against Foulkey and have bumped into him on occasions in later life. He was never signed on apprentice professional or full time pro forms despite appearing on a full playing staff photo around 1972. The Foulke family descendants lived on Erskine Road duriing my time in that area which may be of interest to Darren (but knowing him, he'll know this already).
Tom Meehan was from Barnsley and as United seemed to have a penchant for, not that tall for a keeper. (Hodgy, Barry Gordine, Jim Brown)

The photo was taken in Summer 1971

 

[BladeFisher]

John Hope, or No-hope as I liked to think of him. For a while, I aspired to the kind of mullet he sported.

Great kit, my favourite ever, and imagine our current lot trying to pass the ball on that kind of surface (which was much, much better than the bog at the Baseball Ground.

Are you suggesting the toilet in Derby was not up to standard?

 

[BladeFisher]

shows weve been capable of inept home displays for ages, its not a new phenomena
That season started full of promise , as we stormed into it, then finished like an underwater firework display

Bloody hell. You're sounding like mpjacko

 

[BladeFisher]

He got a knee injury in the following week at the reserves match he was playing in and was out of action for a long time. Cannot remember who was our keeper in reserves matches until we signed John Connaughton from Man U(he played well against us in the 1-1 draw a few days before that 4-0 defeat against Derby) in Oct 1972

Wasn't Conroy was it?

 

[Barney Rubble]

I seem to recall one match when we tried to unsettle the visiting goalie by booing him during his run up to goal kick. It didn't work, but in retaliation the visiting fans started booing Hope, who produced a series of kicks that failed to clear the halfway line and IO think at least one of them went straight to an opposition player and cost us a goal.

Although my rating of Hope wouldn't match Silent Blades praise, I'd agree that when he first came he was an improvement on Hodgy who had sadly been asked to play on too long and needed replacing.

My favourite performances by visiting keepers in this period were both in meaningless but highly enjoyable matches - the friendly against Dynamo Kiev mentioned earlier in the thread and Pat Jennings in an end of season match where we won 3-2, but Jennings seemed to stop about six more .

 

[metalblade]

The stand out player for Kiev was at the time Oleg Blokhin, if I remember right he scored on the night.

 

[sitwell]

Didnt we get beat 2-1 ,I think he scored both ,It was Kiev Dynamo in those days

 

[metalblade]

Yeah it was 1-2 to them he may well have scored both.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Thanks fella , 73 , jesus don't the years fly by , One of first matches I can remember did' nt Marsh and Best play for Fulham at one stage, almost sure I can remember seeing us beat them 2-1 with there players taking the ball off them to get a touch. UTB and thanks once again.

My pleasure Dublin. Funny how things like that from 40 years ago come to mind, yet sometimes, I cant remember summat what happened yesterday!!

Marsh and Best did play together at Fulham in the mid 1970's and they also signed Bobby Moore too. I never saw us play Fulham at the Lane though, but it was often reported that Best and Marsh used to tackle each other to liven things up a bit.
I loved Besty but all those years on, whenever I see Marsh on the TV or his name is mentioned, two words spring to mind: Tom McAllister.

 

[Darren]

Correct Silent, Played with and against Foulkey and have bumped into him on occasions in later life. He was never signed on apprentice professional or full time pro forms despite appearing on a full playing staff photo around 1972. The Foulke family descendants lived on Erskine Road duriing my time in that area which may be of interest to Darren (but knowing him, he'll know this already).
Tom Meehan was from Barnsley and as United seemed to have a penchant for, not that tall for a keeper. (Hodgy, Barry Gordine, Jim Brown)

I remember you mentioning he lived on Erskine Road. I was brought up (and my parents still live) on Erskine Crescent. Foulke was on the pre-season 1971-72 team photo. I assume he was registered on a non-conract basis with United?

 

[LSF]

I think I've mentioned before I am off Myrtle Rd. Did your parents live on there when it was just prefabs or move on there when the houses were built in 70's? I had a walk on Erskine Rd/Crescent last week on a nostalgia trip, lots of memories..
Richard Foulke olayed in NIL team on non contract basis but left after short period.He went on to play local non league and Sunday football but the Foulke genes soon saw him clap weight on in his early 20's.

 

[Darren]

I think I've mentioned before I am off Myrtle Rd. Did your parents live on there when it was just prefabs or move on there when the houses were built in 70's? I had a walk on Erskine Rd/Crescent last week on a nostalgia trip, lots of memories..
Richard Foulke olayed in NIL team on non contract basis but left after short period.He went on to play local non league and Sunday football but the Foulke genes soon saw him clap weight on in his early 20's.

We moved from Attercliffe into the spanking new houses in 1971 and my parents still live there. You could see bits of games at the Ball Inn from my bedroom window!

As for Foulke, he looked fairly chunky in that 1971 photo!

 

[Racy]

I remember Foulke he finished up playing Sunday league side who called themselves Playboys in the Regional Sunday League.

The side mainly consisted of old pros who ended up every Friday and Sunday night bolloxed in Josephines night club.
Foulke also used to run a successfull roofing firm.

 

[Racy]

I remember Foulke he finished up playing Sunday league side who called themselves Playboys in the Regional Sunday League.

The side mainly consisted of old pros who ended up every Friday and Sunday night bolloxed in Josephines night club.
Foulke also used to run a successfull roofing firm.