It is hard to miss the anomaly taking place in English football in the latter half of the 1960s.
The national team had become world champions with an efficient, low risk style of play, yet the domestic game was awash with teams who adopted a more dynamic, brakes-off approach. Indeed, if Sir Alf, as he became with his 1967 knighthood, was driver of a team resembling a reliable family saloon who completed the journey with rarely a misfire – but without ever approaching the speed limit – several of his club counterparts found their vehicles better suited, comparatively speaking, to the football fast lane of motorways that by now were stretching to every corner of the country.
Put another way, while some in 1967 were embracing the era of The Beatles and The Kinks with suitably technicolour football, others, such as Ramsey, preferred a more conventional style of performance and performer. England and Engelbert Humperdinck were both number one in their respective fields during the year, the Leicester-based crooner enjoying huge success with his ‘Please Release Me‘ hit of the period – a phrase formulated but perhaps not expressed to Sir Alf by some of his charges, who wanted to play in a more expressive way when on international duty.
One such player might have been World Cup winner Alan Ball, now part of an Everton team typifying the attack-minded attitudes of the time. Manager Harry Catterick had steadily built a purposeful side whose Goodison good days were coming with such frequency, the start of a successful league title challenge was barely eighteen months away.
There would, however, be a misstep at the end of 1967-68 for the land of Evertonia to endure, this in a season that otherwise was two steps forward.
At the start of the campaign it was widely acknowledged nobody had put more zing into English football during the ’60s than reigning league champions Manchester United. Their energetic football was built upon an axis of world class proportion, the trio of Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best elevating United to a position of unrivalled fame and flamboyance.
There had been trophies along the way and now another crack at the European Cup beckoned, boss Matt Busby clearly having the talent to mount a serious challenge as United aimed to become the first English team to be crowned champions of Europe.
Almost ten years on from the devastating disaster of Munich it was undoubtedly possible, but the footballing fates rarely aligned to create such symmetry…………
Across the land there were supremely gifted individuals who generated such anticipation they made the Saturday lunchtime, pre-match pint go down with added expectancy. Recent trophy-taking sides arrived everywhere with a welter of greatness on board.
If Spurs were in town it meant Greaves and Gilzean, Liverpool brought Hunt and St. John, West Ham put World Cup winning trio Moore, Hurst and Peters onto the field, with Stoke apparently happy giving the opposition license to test world number one goalkeeper Gordon Banks. Elsewhere fast-emerging Leeds United needed a major honour to reward their collective will, while Chelsea were in the first throes of cutting a dash that would see Stamford Bridge rival the King’s Road for illuminating intent.
Further down the pack Leicester City, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion were all prolific in front of goal, while somewhat porous at the other end, which made for an entertaining afternoon – and few were passing up the opportunity to watch a recently promoted Manchester City side, who schooled mainly by charismatic coach Malcolm Alison were adapting well to his belief in adventure with application.
As things transpired 1967-68 began with a flourish of memorable fixtures and there was a barely a let-up thereafter, individual brilliance bringing an extra dimension to the teams playing lights on, full beam football. In a season that had already enjoyed its share of drama and dazzle, the league title and FA Cup ending up in unexpected quarters only added to the intrigue.
If 1966 had been the year of Ramsey, ‘Revolver‘ and revelry on the Mersey with Liverpool as champions and Everton FA Cup winners, then the first half of 1968 belonged to Busby, Best, Book and Bell as the Ferris wheel of English football moved once more – the game ‘On a Carousel‘ to quote a recent hit from The Hollies, who, appropriately enough, were a successful pop act from Manchester.
TWENTY GREAT GAMES of 1967-68:
CELTIC 3 SPURS 3 – Pre-season friendly 5/8/1967: Those tasked with staging a fixture to mark the centenary of Queens Park FC knew how to put on a show, bringing the recently crowned European champions and FA Cup holders together at a jam-packed (91,708) Hampden Park – Celtic and Spurs sharing six goals but winning plenty of praise in the process.
When you have Bertie Auld, Steve Chalmers and the quick-silver Jimmy Johnstone in one team and the Jimmy Greaves/Alan Gilzean combination in the other, opposing defences were set for a testing afternoon in the Glasgow sunshine – the Celtic rearguard failing their first test when Greaves scored at close range after just thirty seconds.
But Auld has also brought his scoring boots with him, netting twice before the half hour mark as the all-conquering side assembled by Jock Stein flexed their muscles. But Spurs were also in no mood to pass up a goalscoring opportunity, Gilzean pouncing to equalise eight minutes shy of half-time.
With Greaves in the unrelenting form that would bring him nigh-on thirty goals in the season ahead, Spurs regain the lead when he shoots past Ronnie Simpson in the 49th minute. Yet a rare error of judgement from Pat Jennings enables Celtic to restore parity, the Northern Ireland international goalkeeper deceived by the flight of a Chalmers shot that levels the score and ultimately ensures a draw.
While both emerged from a magnificent match with reputations enhanced and optimism levels high for the challenges to come, each would falter where they most wanted to succeed, Celtic and Spurs both out of their respective European competitions before the Christmas decorations went up.
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 SPURS 3 – FA Charity Shield 12/8/1967: Seven days on from their Hampden humdinger against Celtic, Spurs travelled north again in making the somewhat shorter journey to Old Trafford – Bill Nicholson’s FA Cup winners contesting the Charity Shield with league champions United.
What transpired was not only the outstanding contest in the history of the fixture (before or since), but the finest domestic match of the decade, an honour, given the competition, SAMTIMONIOUS.com does not bestow lightly.
With each side able to field their own trio of authentic world class talent (Best-Law-Charlton/Jennings-Mackay-Greaves), in recent times the two sides had produced a number of memorable encounters when facing one another. But this latest went beyond previous high standards in creating the high water mark for ’60s English football.
Spurs struck first with an early tap-in for Scottish winger Jimmy Robertson, the lead extended in extraordinary fashion when a lengthy Jennings clearance lifts of the sodden surface like a bouncer at the nearby cricket ground of the same name – soaring over the head of opposite number Alex Stepney to nestle in the United net.
But if that bordered on the ridiculous the next significant action is sublime, Charlton lashing a thunderbolt past Jennings into the Stretford End goal. In their long history Manchester United might have scored more important goals than the one that follows yet there is none finer – twenty seconds of brilliance that encapsulates the wonderment of football and attraction of Manchester United in the 1960s.
Collecting a pass from Pat Creand in the left-back position, Denis Law advances forty yards during which he leaves one white shirted opponent trailing with an audacious body swerve and lightning turn of pace. His role is completed in slipping a pass to Brian Kidd who in turn rolls it into the path of Charlton – who without breaking stride scores with rocket shot from his left foot.
‘That goal was good enough to win the league, the cup, the Charity Shield, the World Cup and even the Grand National‘ remarks an enthralled Kenneth Wolstenholme in describing the scene, Charlton summoning such power a goalkeeper as good as Jennings is beaten for pace from fully twenty yards.
Reaching half-time with the scores level at 2-2, shortly after the break Frank Saul heads Tottenham back into the lead but the shooting of Charlton again proves instrumental in keeping United afloat. When Jennings can only parry a whistling daisy-cutter from the England World Cup winner, Law is on hand to finish smartly in restoring level terms.
During the afternoon both teams have a goal disallowed, have ‘keepers to thank for holding the opposition at bay, twenty one year-old Best often breathtaking when gliding past top draw defenders.
The match is Corinthian in spirit, thrilling in the moment, timeless in magnificence.
SCOTLAND 1 ENGLAND 1 – European Championship qualifier 24/2/1968: Ten months on from the Wembley victory that became the era-defining result for the Scottish national team, the sides reconvened in Glasgow for a fixture that would determine who advanced to the European Championship quarter-finals.
Since their April ’67 defeat of the world champions, subsequent results in qualifying Group Eight (also including Northern Ireland and Wales in a Home International tournament by proxy), had created the upshot of Scotland needing to beat England again if they were to advance, Sir Alf Ramsey taking his team to Hampden knowing a draw would take them through to the last eight.
While some detractors had labelled them ‘Ramsey’s Robots‘ for a perceived lack of creativity in their forward play, few international sides had the tactical discipline needed to secure a draw is such hostile surroundings. But built on the foundation stones of goalkeeper Gordon Banks and skipper Bobby Moore, this was an exercise in effectiveness, the ever-reliable Martin Peters giving the visitors a 19th minute lead that was cancelled out six minutes before the break by a John Hughes header – chances thereafter at a premium in this tense, no quarter given contest.
What was at stake is epitomised by a Scotland side selected mainly from Rangers and Celtic (Leeds captain Billy Bremner along with Chelsea pair Charlie Cooke and Eddie McCreadie the only anglos), while England field seven World Cup winners in holding their nerve to edge through – but without being able to avenge the only defeat they had so far suffered since winning the World Cup.
MANCHESTER CITY 4 SPURS 1 – 9/12/1967: There are few more resonant images of the season in question – or ’60s English football for that matter – than the grainy black and white footage that formally announces Manchester City as genuine title contenders.
Through the passage of time this resounding Maine Road victory over a high-profile Tottenham team has become known as ‘ballet on ice‘ due to conditions underfoot. The winter elements play a part, but never detract from a match remarkable in technical accomplishment – both sides to be applauded for operating with purpose rather than the safe option of playing percentages.
Following a few seconds worth of penalty area slipping and sliding Jimmy Greaves gives Spurs a sixth minute lead, the crowd, who resemble figures in a winter scape Lowry painting, witnessing plenty of heartwarming football from the home side before Colin Bell fires home an 18th minute leveler.
As the snow turns to sleet the scene in Moss Side becomes one of ‘artistry in the arctic‘ as Spurs are buried in the blizzard. City plough on through the second half, netting in quick succession through Mike Summerbee and Tony Coleman – the scoring later completed after the goal rush by Neil Young.
EVERTON 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 – 19/8/1967: For an opening day fixture to begin their defence of the title, the programme might have been kinder to Manchester United than a first-up trip to Everton – the champions given a thorough going over at a rammed to the rafters, 65,000 strong Goodison.
With many of their subsequent 1970 title winning talents already in situ, Everton are out of the blocks so quickly Alan Ball has them a goal to the good before United can catch breath let alone keep pace with the marauding midfield trio of Ball, Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey – the latter described by commentator Wolstenholme as ‘an England midfield player of the future‘ on delivering one exquisite cross field pass.
Through a superb team performance there are virtuoso displays from several in blue, not least Harvey whose blocked shot just after the hour falls into the path of the equally irrepressible Ball who doubles the lead – the land of Evertonia sent into higher rapture still when the ‘Golden Vision‘ himself, Alex Young, lashes in a third.
During the mid-60s it was a rare old Saturday afternoon when Manchester United were given such a chasing, although an inkling of their true capabilities is evident when Bobby Charlton scores with a trademark left foot shot four minutes from time.
NORTHERN IRELAND 1 SCOTLAND 0 – European Championship qualifier 21/10/1967: If by the autumn of 1967 anybody still needed conclusive proof George Best was the outstanding British footballer of the era, it arrived with bells on – his home city treated to an afternoon of the most audacious brilliance when Scotland arrived to contest a European Championship qualifying fixture.
Six months after their Wembley heroics, the Scots turned up at Windsor Park with a tidy side (if not quite as strong as the one that overcame England), but still with enough high class talent, (Law, Greig, Lennox, Gemmill, Murdoch), to see off the hosts who would summon their customary spirit.
Yet now it came interwoven with the inspired individualism only Best at the time could muster.
With dribbling reminiscent of Stanley Matthews and no back-lift shooting likened to that of Wilf Mannion, he has run the Scottish defence ragged by the time a second half dribble and dash results in a cross being deflected the way of Dave Clements – the Coventry City midfield man ultimately deciding the outcome with a close range finish.
Not to be overlooked is a fine display from Scotland goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson who denies Best on three occasions – yet he too appears mesmerised in the moment when deep into injury time the young Manchester United maestro evades two challenges before sending a low shot inches wide.
LEICESTER CITY 2 WEST HAM UNITED 4 – 30/12/1967: While for many the anticipated television highlight of Christmas 1967 was The Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour‘ road movie (in truth, a somewhat over-indulgent affair with just enough good songs to sustain it), arguably the most enjoyable festive viewing was this Filbert Street period piece.
Having met on Boxing Day, the teams faced each other again in the next fixture for each four days later – this mid-winter afternoon far from bleak in carrying on where they left off in E13.
Given a tendency to save their best displays for Upton Park, West Ham had long been labelled ‘Southern Softies‘, being perceived as a soft touch away from home. But the only thing lacking solidity when they take an early lead through Trevor Brooking is a quagmire pitch, the future England international finishing well at the end of a slick passing move.
True, their defensive frailty is evident when Frank Large and Bobby Svarc convert the chances that have The Foxes in front by half-time, but in Leicester they find opposition equally leaky, Brian Dear heading West Ham level midway through the second half.
Although both are currently loitering just above the relegation zone some enterprising football belies lowly league placings and the mud bath conditions. That said, there is an element of farce attached to West Ham taking the lead – winger John Sissons scoring direct from a left-wing corner, commentator David Coleman wasting no time in attributing blame to eighteen year-old Leicester ‘keeper Peter Shilton.
Through his long career Shilton would have finer moments, but is still beaten all ends up when Dear crashes in his second to clinch a 4-2 success for The Hammers, the same player having scored twice when they had defeated Leicester by the same margin earlier in the week.
But as for West Ham embarking on a magical tour of their own, there was no mystery surrounding several away defeats in the coming months.
NEWCASTLE UNITED 3 MANCHESTER CITY 4 – May 11 1968: The conclusion of a tense, frequently twisting title race boiled down to a Manchester v North East double header. In hosting Sunderland reigning champions United needed to better the result achieved by City at Newcastle, who began an extraordinary afternoon in top spot on goal average.
When Mike Summerbee fired City into a 13th minute lead on Tyneside it represented the ideal start for Joe Mercer’s men, but throughout proceedings there would come instances giving cause for nerves to jangle – the first arriving ninety seconds later when Bryan ‘Pop’ Robson volleyed Newcastle level.
With his namesake singer/guitarist having just recorded his first solo album, Neil Young restored the City lead with a fine solo effort just after the half hour, but once again the advantage was short-lived, Jackie Sinclair levelling with a blistering strike eight minutes before the break.
Meanwhile back at Old Trafford, Manchester United reached the interval trailing by the odd goal in three (reducing the arrears a minute before half time when Footballer of the Year Best scored his 28th league goal of the season) – their hopes of a league and European Cup double receding further when Young netted again four minutes after the restart.
Midway through the second half Francis Lee shot past Willie McFaul at the Gallowgate End to give City a 4-2 lead and put the visitors firmly in charge of their own destiny. But if they envisaged a comfortable ride to the final whistle it hit a bumpy stretch when an 86th minute John McNamee header reduced the deficit.
Yet having come so far the Maine Road side found sufficient resolve to see out time – duly winning the league championship after restoring their Division One status only two seasons before, the title heading to Moss Side for the first time since 1937.
As things transpired their uncomfortable moments at St. James’ Park meant nothing when it came to the bigger picture, United unable to stave off defeat as Sunderland became the fourth side to win at Old Trafford that season – Matt Busby’s team now having extra incentive to win the European Cup after being usurped by their neighbours in the title race.
SPAIN 1 ENGLAND 2 – European Championship quarter final (second leg) 8/5/1968: Ahead in tie thanks to a late Bobby Charlton goal in the Wembley first leg three weeks before, England simply needed to avoid defeat in the Madrid return to ensure progress to the semi-finals – a task easier said than done given Spain were the reigning European champions.
In front of a partisan, nigh-on 70,000 crowd, it would be a night not for the faint-hearted but the bloody-mindedness for which Sir Alf and England had renown – his thinking in this regard evident in the decision to replace eleventh hour injury victim Geoff Hurst with Norman Hunter, the Leeds defender bringing his combative instincts to bear in the middle of the field.
The other notable ’66 absentee is Gordon Banks, the injured World Cup winner replaced between the sticks by Chelsea custodian Peter Bonetti, who during a tense first half displays the composure that would elude him in Leon two years later.
With Alan Ball and Bobby Charlton keeping things ticking over nicely England reach half-time without undue alarm, but within a minute of the restart are guilty of an uncharacteristic dereliction of duty – the ball in the back of the net before anyone responds to the danger, a shot from Amancio drifting over Bonetti on taking a deflection.
Spain, who exited the 1966 World Cup in failing to make the last eight cut from a group of death that included West Germany and Argentina, may have thought the World Champions were reeling, Bonetti saving bravely at the feet of goal scorer Amancio soon after. But in a second half display that went on to epitomise not only the sense of purpose Ramsey instilled in his side, but arguably their finest 40 or so minutes between 1966 and 1970, England assume control by simple yet effective means.
They restore parity when an in-swinging Ball corner is headed home by Martin Peters, who yet again shows he was the master of losing a marker in a crowded penalty area. After Roger Hunt twice goes close to putting the visitors ahead, the game and place in the semi-finals is won as Ramsey is once more vindicated for his team selection – Hunter netting the winner with a low shot nine minutes from time.
EVERTON 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 – FA Cup Final 18/5/1968: Judging by latter-day reports, it would appear the outfit showing the most cohesion at the 1968 FA Cup Final were the marching band of the Royal Marines who bestrode the Wembley turf at half-time.
Protagonists Everton and West Bromwich Albion may not have produced the most riveting showpiece of the era, but is was still a game that had its moments even if the subplots were ultimately more interesting than the overall story.
With his fierce shot that decided the issue three minutes into extra-time, West Brom centre-forward Jeff Astle maintained his achievement of scoring in every round, manager Alan Ashman guiding The Baggies to their first FA Cup triumph since 1954.
While going into the match as underdogs – despite having only lost twice in their previous fourteen matches – Albion conceded the favourites mantle to Everton who had only been beaten twice in sixteen outings prior to arriving at Wembley, a sequence that included a 6-2 Hawthorns hammering of the home side.
To some the contest may have proved an anti-climatic affair after a Division One campaign when West Brom were top-flight top scorers and fifth-placed Everton boasted the best defensive record. Despite having a greater share of possession, The Toffees encountered an Albion defence in resolute mood, the tireless promptings of Alan Ball in this instance proving of no avail.
An inability to make a breakthrough when it really mattered took on a greater sense of irony three days after their Wembley disappointment. Everton returned to London to complete their league programme at already-relegated Fulham – where they could not stop scoring in a 5-1 win.
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 2 – 6/4/1968: This pivotal game in the championship race between the last two winners of the league title came with the added implication of leaving the losers with ground to make up.
The effects of a hard season, both contesting things at the top of the table and still being active in cup football (United, European Cup/Liverpool, FA Cup), is apparent in both sides missing key players. But revered managers Busby and Shankly remained able to field formidable line-ups boasting major talents – one of whom, the incomparable George Best, opens the scoring after just two minutes, white-shirted defenders left floundering as he races away to score.
Yet with many of his 60s redoubtables still in their prime, Shankly would have looked on contentedly as they turned things around before the twenty minute mark. Skipper Ron Yeats bundled the ball home after his own header had hit the post, the Stretford End quickly silenced again when Roger Hunt is next to score in front of them, the England striker scoring with trademark aplomb.
As the game unfolds Best hits the woodwork and draws a fine save from Tommy Lawrence, the handling of the Liverpool ‘keeper exemplary given the blustery conditions. At the other end Alex Stepney saves well from Hunt, Ian St. John and a young Emlyn Hughes, the visitors in all fairness winning more comfortably than the final score suggests.
The outcome, however, had a curious effect on what followed in the weeks ahead.
Liverpool, who became bogged down in FA Cup quarter-final replays against West Brom (to whom they eventually lost), managed only one win in their next four league games as their title challenge failed to last the course.
For their part United recovered from losing to their North West rivals with three wins and a draw from the next four games and briefly returned to the top spot – to where they would not return following an astonishing defeat at The Hawthorns in their third last game of the season……………….
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 6 MANCHESTER UNITED 3 – 29/4/1968: In a season when they had doled out their share of hammerings, few would have foreseen Manchester United being hit for six at The Hawthorns. They arrived in the Black Country with the destiny of the championship still in their own hands, but were to leave ditched, bothered and bewildered, their defence of the title now in a parlous state.
There was no shame in conceding first half goals to the prolific Jeff Astle and Welsh winger Ronnie Rees, trailing 2-0 to a free-scoring home side giving United plenty to think about at half-time – although not an insurmountable challenge for a team of their talents.
But if they did have notions of salvaging the situation the game was up around the hour mark. Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown (58, pen) and Astle (59) ended things as a contest despite Denis Law (playing what proved his final match of the season, a recurring knee injury limiting his appearances during the past few months), reducing the arrears with a penalty.
Yet Albion were in no mood to relent, a first senior goal for youngster Asa Hartford and hat-trick completing strike from Astle turning it into a night The Hawthorns faithful would never forget.
Two late Brian Kidd goals were testament to the commitment Matt Busby expected from his men and made the final score slightly more palatable from their perspective – the home support witnessing a nine goal fixture for the second time that season, this following an 8-1 November rout of Burnley.
NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 CARLISLE UNITED 1 – FA Cup third round 27/1/1968: Today a top half Premier League side playing host to nearby Championship outfit in round three of the FA Cup would involve calculated squad rotation, probably from both. These much changed line-ups would perform in front of countless empty seats in a stadium lacking atmosphere and genuine intent – minds too preoccupied with either staying in or reaching the Premiership.
Thankfully it was not always thus. The generation to which your genial host belongs acquainted with just how anticipated the FA Cup third round once was – the fascination built upon ties such as this.
Almost 57,000 packed into St. James’ Park for the visit of Carlisle – the Brunton Park side heading across the A69 with the aim of achieving what no top flight team had so far managed during the campaign, namely defeating Newcastle on their own patch.
Facing a very presentable home side, eight of whom would be involved in winning the Fairs Cup sixteen months later, Carlisle strike the decisive blow after just eleven minutes, Scottish midfielder Tommy Murray scoring with a close range header. Incessant pressure from the hosts brings several close calls for the Cumbrians who refuse to be breached, goalkeeper Allan Ross capping an inspired display by saving an 80th minute penalty from Ollie Burton.
The reward for Carlisle and their 12,000 travelling supporters was a plum fourth round home tie against Everton – Newcastle, after much FA Cup success in the 1950s, left to rue another year when the trophy would not be returning to Tyneside.
WEST HAM UNITED 3 STOKE CITY 4 – 7/10/1968: When looking back on West Ham in the late ’60s Harry Redknapp, a first teamer throughout this time, once reflected: ‘We had three World Cup winners in the side and rarely looked like winning anything – doesn’t say much for the rest of us does it?‘
As a microcosm of West Ham were about in those days, this autumn afternoon at Upton Park serves purpose, The Hammers looking world class in the opening forty five minutes before playing like a junior school class after the break. They earn top marks in taking a 3-0 lead into half-time, only to fail every test thereafter as Stoke mount a remarkable comeback.
The pass and move philosophy of manager Ron Greenwood is superbly captured in the first goal, Geoff Hurst on hand to finish an incisive passage of attacking play. Aforementioned winger Redknapp delivers the centre which Martin Peters coverts with an acrobatic volley, the half turning into something of ‘Harry’s game‘ when he crosses for Hurst to score with a powerful header – West Ham three up, home and hosed or so it would seem, with barely thirty five minutes played.
It then appears that time stands still, or at least the home defence does when Frank Burrows pulls one back soon after the restart. Warning lights begin to flash after Peter Dobing has plenty of time to bring Stoke back into contention, the danger signs still ignored when Burrows follows up to score after West Ham ‘keeper Bobby Ferguson spills a shot into his path.
The most extraordinary fightback of the season is completed when Dobing drifts through a gap the width of the Rotherhithe Tunnel as Stoke prevail by the odd goal in seven – the afternoon not altogether odd in an era when West Ham were capable of playing dream football and being simply dreamy in the course of the same match.
CHELSEA 2 SOUTHAMPTON 6 – 2/9/1967: After their first four games of the season had produced eighteen goals, in the fifth Southampton probably felt they were due a scoreless draw. Yet in a season where they scored plenty but had the second worst defensive record in the division, The Saints were not yet ready for anything mundane – coming up with a King’s Road crushing of SW6 sophisticates Chelsea.
Burdened by a defence susceptible to conceding, it was just as well Southampton had an established top draw marksman and one of the up and coming variety, Ron Davies and Martin Chivers combining to give the Chelsea rearguard a torrid afternoon.
Adding handsomely to a tally that would eventually climb to 28, Welsh international Davies – sharing top scorer laurels for the season with George Best – netted four times on a somewhat bewildering afternoon at the Bridge with Chivers completing the visitors total. At the other end Peter Osgood, no slouch himself in front of goal, replied with a brace for the humbled hosts.
Despite Chelsea letting in more than they scored through the season it did not prevent them from finishing a creditable sixth, while Southampton, for all their defensive frailties, managed to keep their head above close-lapping relegation water. It would be mid-December before they finally featured in a goalless draw, when true to form two came along in successive weeks.
ARSENAL 4 LEEDS UNITED 3 – 7/5/1968: Having won their first trophy of the Don Revie era a couple of months before, ironically with a League Cup triumph against the Highbury hosts of this must-win encounter for the Elland Road side, Leeds arrived in North London needing victory to prolong their title challenge – two points the absolute requirement from a fixture representing the match in hand they held on their rivals.
On watching his depleted side run out boss Revie, who had seen his team twice finish runners-up, lose an FA Cup Final and two semi-finals since their 1964 top flight return, would, not for the last time, have cause to curse the footballing fates – Leeds lining up without injured pair of goalkeeper Gary Sprake and Jack Charlton, while also missing Terry Copper and Norman Hunter, the latter duo on international duty with England in Madrid.
In the event their spirit was willing and able, Leeds three times coming from behind to level through Peter Lorimer, Mick Jones and Johnny Giles after Frank McLintock, George Johnston and Bobby Gould had each time put The Gunners ahead – the visitors finally felled by a Paul Madeley own goal ninety seconds from time.
Such was their resolve Leeds recovered to win a Fairs Cup semi-final second-leg against Dundee seven days later (going on to lift the trophy in the early weeks of the following campaign), the 1968-69 season ending with them crowned as runaway league champions.
With a trophy famine dating back to the days of post-war rationing even the five match winning streak that ended 1967-68 could not lift Arsenal any higher than ninth, but things were beginning to stir in N5 – and while there would be a shock League Cup Final defeat against third division Swindon Town still to endure, a Fairs Cup triumph and momentous league and FA Cup double would soon be in the offing.
REAL MADRID 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 3 – European Cup semi-final second leg 15/5/1968: Leading through a George Best goal from the Old Trafford first leg, many would have believed Manchester United had the capacity to secure the Bernabéu result required to secure a place in their first European final – few, however, would have foreseen progress being achieved in such astonishing fashion.
Once again denied the services of the injured Denis Law, the best bet (no pun intended) in attaining the low-scoring draw needed to advance, seemingly a wonder goal from either Bobby Charlton or the aforementioned Belfast buccaneer, coupled with a solid rearguard action.
Yet the reality could not have been more different. United eventually won through on a night in the Spanish capital when their defence disintegrated to the extent the visitors looked down and out – until late goals from a midfielder playing out of position and veteran central defender earned the draw that finally won the day.
The six-time European champions had gone close to wiping out the deficit before Pirri levelled the aggregate with a 32nd minute near post header. Madrid then extended their advantage when Gento, a player with half a dozen winners medals in the competition, seized on a Shay Brennan error to shoot low past Alex Stepney as the home side established a clear lead.
The unfathomable element to proceedings began in the 43rd minute when Real defender Zico inexplicably sliced a clearance into his own net in throwing United a lifeline. Yet a minute later the visitors again found themselves in stormy water, Amancio firing home from ten yards in taking the hosts to half-time holding a 3-1 lead.
As the second half unfolded there came a growing sense Madrid might just have done enough, particularly when Best, Charlton and Pat Creand were unable to hit the target when well placed. But salvation was to come from two unlikely sources.
With quarter of an hour remaining centre-back David Sadler, playing in a makeshift midfield role, was on hand to head home when the Real defence proved it was possible to sleep with the lights on, United back on level terms three minutes later as Bill Foulkes stroked home a pass from Best with Law-like assurance.
With three away goals in the bank and little time to play Matt Busby saw his team move safely to the final whistle, the European Cup, after ninety minutes that had been a mix of worry and wonder, still in their sights.
Now all they had to do was win it.
SPURS 6 SOUTHAMPTON 1 – 6/4/1968: Football it is often said is all about timing. In which case a Southampton side already reeling from taking a few hidings on the road (and a couple at home) could not have picked a worse time to rock up at White Hart Lane.
Two thirds of the way through an indifferent season, Spurs had suddenly hit a purple patch. In the previous couple of weeks they had returned figures of 8/0 in seeing off Stoke and Burnley – Southampton helpless in stopping this sudden momentum surge.
Having switched teams in joining Spurs for a club record £125,000 four months earlier, Martin Chivers netted against his former mates and was joined on the scoresheet by Alan Mullery, Cliff Jones, a Dennis Hollywood own goal and two from Jimmy Greaves (one a penalty), who remained outside the plans of England manager Ramsey despite going on to score twenty nine goals in all competitions.
For put to the sword Southampton Ron Davies inevitably replied, his prolific strike rate surprisingly not enticing a heavyweight club to break the bank and sign him as decade drew to a close.
Spurs continued in their rich vein of form, their slaughter of Southampton followed by an impressive 2-1 defeat of title hopefuls Leeds. But the inconsistency that hampered their aspirations through the late-60s returned during a hit and miss end to the season, Tottenham lumbering along to a seventh placed finish.
MANCHESTER UNITED 4 BENFICA 1 – European Cup Final Final (Wembley) 29/5/1968: So the 1967-68 season effectively boiled down to this – whether Manchester United could become the first English team to lift the European Cup.
The hand of fate, not to mention an exciting team containing a trio of world class talent, had carried United through to the final ten years after the Munich air crash had decimated the immensely gifted young team assembled by Matt Busby. The manager, a survivor of the disaster, rewarded for his determination to rebuild what had so cruelly been taken with a chance to honour the memory of ones lost while bringing legendary status to those of the present.
Such were the portents, the final of the 1967-68 competition was staged at Wembley, although barring the way to glory were Portuguese champions Benfica, a classy collective who had won two of the four European Cup Finals they had contested through the 1960s. Their primary source of danger was the brilliant Eusebio, whose breathtaking skills had made him European Footballer of the Year in 1965, top scorer at the 1966 World Cup when Portugal reached the semi-finals, a player widely recognised as the finest on mainland Europe.
While United were unable to call upon the injured Denis Law, the remaining members of their multi-talented triumvirate namely skipper Bobby Charlton (who with current team-mate Bill Foulkes had survived the Munich tragedy) and George Best were present and direct in shaping a defining night in the history of Manchester United – and English club football as a whole.
Following a tight and goalless first half United broke through shortly after half-time when Charlton netted with a glancing header and were only eleven minutes from victory when Graca levelled. The Old Trafford side were then indebted to Alex Stepney for reaching extra-time, the United goalkeeper twice saving well from Euesbio as Benfica created opportunities to win the match in ninety minutes.
But barely two minutes into extra-time Best scored an individual goal of heart-stopping ingenuity and panache, Brian Kidd (on the occasion of his nineteenth birthday) extending the lead shortly afterward with a close range header. The first period still had six minutes to play when the contest was settled beyond all doubt – and fittingly it was Charlton who wrapped things up.
ln the ninety ninth minute he swept home his second to complete the scoring as Manchester United finally brought to an end their bittersweet journey.
POSTSCRIPT: WOLVES 3 STOKE CITY 4 – 18/11/1967: With no footage available you will have to take your genial host here at SAMTIMONIOUS.com at his word in proclaiming this a great game. The details suggest as much, the significance personal being the first top flight fixture these eyes ever witnessed.
Eager to see the great Gordon Banks play this seven year-old was indulged by his loving Dad – the World Cup winning goalkeeper looking set for a quiet afternoon when John Mahoney, Calvin Palmer and Frank Burrows gave Stoke a 3-0 lead with barely half an hour played. Yet before the break Wolves, back in Division One following a two year second division sojourn, reduced the deficit through central defender John Holsgrove and a Peter Knowles penalty.
The passage of time have eroded all but the vaguest memory of Banks running toward the South Bank goalmouth prior to kick off, but the match details show Pat Buckley levelled the scores at 3-3 in the 71st minute, Wolves fight back all to no avail when Stoke won the match with a late goal from Alan Bloor – the central defender one of six players in The Potters line-up (Banks, Mahoney, Peter Dobing, George Eastham and young substitute Mick Barnard) who five years later would take the League Cup to the Victoria Ground.
As for Wolves, skipper Mike Bailey and striker Derek Dougan would be in the side who contested the 1972 UEFA Cup Final (along with full-back Gerry Taylor) and the 1974 League Cup winning team. But the player destined to play in the biggest club fixture of anyone on view that day would be Evan Williams, the Wolves goalkeeper in the Celtic side defeated by Feyenoord in the 1970 European Cup Final.
In the seasons that followed the father was indulging his son with trips to Molineux for sight of England World Cup winners playing for their club sides – greats such as Best, Law, Jennings, Bremner, St. John and Giles also seen in the process.
Thanks again for it all, Dad.
NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of MONTY’S DOUBLE – an acclaimed thriller available as an Amazon Kindle book.