If during the 60s the top scorer in Division One ending the season with a league title winning medal had been a rare occurrence, then in the decade that followed it became obsolete altogether.
There were plenty of great strikers on the scene, forwards whose goal returns were consistent and in some cases colossal – but not one was able to emulate the 1960s achievements of England internationals Ray Crawford (Ipswich Town) and Roger Hunt (Liverpool), who were champion performers in both senses – the marksmanship of each manifesting in championship triumphs for their respective clubs.
Indeed, through the 1970s there was more likelihood of finding the top flight, top scorer, being the saviour of an outfit operating in mid-table waters rather than member of a team riding the crest of a trophy-winning wave. There is not one instance in the years between ‘Let it Be‘ and ‘London Calling‘ of the top goal scorer in Division One playing for the champions or even runners-up – the anomalies of the time exemplified in 1973-74 by Mick Channon.
The England forward finished as top scorer in the first division while playing for a side who were relegated, his prowess in front of goal undermined by a porous defence as Southampton tumbled into Division Two.
The days when a striker of West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, Southampton or Bolton Wanderers finished as leading scorer in the top division may not return, although with Erling Haaland currently breaking Premiership goal scoring records, it seems somewhat ironic the biggest individual haul of the period was netted by a Manchester City player – yet even then the league title went elsewhere.
Those subscribing to the theory that great goal scorers are born not made have their argument endorsed by the achievements of Bob Latchford and Bryan ‘Pop‘ Robson, who during the decade topped both the second and first division lists. Malcolm Macdonald was also a two-time, top line merchant, being the only player to twice top Division One lists.
Further afield, John Hickton (Middlesbrough) and Dixie McNeill (Hereford United) had the rare distinction of being highest scorer in their respective divisions in consecutive seasons – but in regard to remarkable scoring feats of the 1970s, it is impossible to ignore Ted MacDougall.
Between 1970 and 1976 the Scottish striker finished different seasons as the leading goal-getter in the fourth, third and first division, his 42 for Bournemouth in 1970-71 the highest divisional tally of the decade.
SAMTIMONIOUS.com hereby drifts into space beyond the back four to discover who was doing damage to defences in the 1970s……….
1969-70: Division One – Jeff Astle (West Bromwich Albion) 25: Division Two – John Hickton (Middlesbrough) 23; Division Three – George Jones (Bury) 26; Division Four – Albert Kinsey (Wrexham) 27;
In a season that would culminate with Sir Alf Ramsey naming the England squad that would head to Mexico in order to defend the World Cup, there was every incentive for Division One strikers to impress – Jeff Astle making sure he would be on the plane for South America with an impressive haul that ensured West Brom stayed clear of relegation danger in finishing sixteenth.
Astle also played a key role in Albion reaching the League Cup Final and although they were beaten by Manchester City, the England man created history in becoming the first player to score at Wembley in a League and FA Cup Final, his extra-time FA Cup winner securing victory against Everton two years earlier.
In Division Two John Hickton enhanced a growing reputation as an accomplished finisher, but his efforts could not lift Middlesbrough into the promotion frame, while in Division Three Bury had top scorer George Jones to thank as they finished just above the drop zone.
The biggest personal tally of the campaign was to be found in Division Four – ex-Manchester United striker Albert Kinsey making a telling contribution as Wrexham finished runners-up to Chesterfield.
1970-71: Division One – Tony Brown (West Bromwich Albion) 28; Division Two – John Hickton (Middlesbrough) 25; Division Three – Gerry Ingram (Preston North End) 22/Dudley Roberts (Mansfield Town) 22; Division Four – Ted MacDougall (Bournemouth) 42;
In a curious twist of fate, West Brom again boasted the top Division One marksman as the 70s started in earnest – Tony ‘Bomber‘ Brown earning an England call-up and solitary cap on the strength of his performances. Albion once more provided excellent entertainment as only four sides scored more, but nobody else in the top flight conceded as many.
Another stellar effort from the ever-reliable Hickton could not bring first division football back to Ayresome Park, with the honours shared in Division Three by Gerry Ingram of champions Preston North End and Dudley Roberts of seventh placed Mansfield, his tally including four in a February ’71 fixture against Tranmere Rovers.
It was also the season where Ted MacDougall first made his presence felt, the future Scotland international breaking the forty-goal barrier as Bournemouth finished second in Division Four.
1971-72: Division One – Francis Lee (Manchester City) 33; Division Two – Bob Latchford (Birmingham City) 23; Division Three – Ted MacDougall (Bournemouth) 35: Division Four – Peter Price (Peterborough United) 28;
For the third season in a row Francis Lee was top scorer for Manchester City, his decade high total for the top flight – that included fifteen penalties – looked likely to see the Maine Road side crowned champions, only for their challenge to falter in the final strait.
The goals of Bob Latchford were a key component in Division One football returning to St Andrews, Birmingham holding off Millwall in finishing runners-up to Norwich City. One level lower MacDougall easily outscored everyone else in the division (aside from another huge league tally, he scored nine in an 11-0 FA Cup win over non-league Margate), but the Cherries came up just short in their bid to achieve back-to-back promotions.
Down in Division Four, Welsh U-23 international Peter Price was the main contributor as Peterborough found the target on 82 occasions (only champions Grimsby Town scored more), but for all their goal-getting ‘The Posh’ had to settle for an eighth place.
1972-73: Division One – Bryan Robson (West Ham United) 28; Division Two – Don Givens (QPR) 23; Division Three Arthur Horsfield (Charlton Athletic) 26; Division Four – Fred Binney (Exeter City) 27;
There is a strong case to be stated for Bryan ‘Pop‘ Robson being the English striker most unfortunate not to win a full England cap – his marksmanship instrumental in taking West Ham to a creditable sixth-placed finish.
On the other side of the capital Don Givens, soon to be capped by the Republic of Ireland, marked his first season in a QPR shirt after moving from Luton Town doing all that was asked as a return to Division One came to pass in W12. Goals also flowed in South East London where Tyneside-born Arthur Horsfield also enjoyed a prolific first season in new colours, the former Swindon Town man netting regularly for a Charlton side unable to capitalise on his fine strike rate in finishing eleventh.
In Division Four Exeter City were equally wasteful with the goals of Fred Binney, who in four seasons at St James Park would average a goal every other game, his 72-73 return helping the Grecians to come in eighth.
1973-74: Division One – Mick Channon (Southampton) 21; Division Two – Duncan McKenzie (Nottingham Forest) 26; Division Three – Billy Jennings (Watford) 26; Division Four – Brian Yeo (Gillingham) 31;
In the first season of three-up/three down, Southampton lost the first division status they had enjoyed for eight years, all this despite fielding Channon who registered almost half of their tally.
There was no tangible reward for Nottingham Forest in having the leading marksman of Division Two in their ranks, finishing seventh on the back of a most presentable return from Duncan McKenzie – whose form brought him a high-profile move to Leeds during the short, tempestuous Elland Road reign of Brian Clough early the following season.
Another player securing passage to bigger things was Billy Jennings, his excellence in front of goal for third division also-rans Watford coming to the attention of West Ham – with whom he would win an FA Cup winners medal in May 1975. In Division Four, Gillingham built their promotion success on the marksmanship of Brian Yeo, who now in the midst of a twelve-year Priestfield career would become the first Gills player to score a hundred league goals.
1974-75: Division One – Malcolm Macdonald (Newcastle United) 21; Division Two – Brian Little (Aston Villa) 20; Division Three – Dixie McNeill (Hereford United) 31; Division Four- Ray Clarke (Mansfield Town) 28;
After coming close to finishing in top spot for the past three seasons, ‘Supermac‘ finally achieved the feat – his personal achievement having collective consequences, in other words the difference between Newcastle finishing in lower mid-table rather than being relegated.
Those who did go down (all three of whom conceded less on their travels than Joe Harvey’s side), were passed by Aston Villa, whose list of achievements included a League Cup triumph, promotion to the top flight, top scorers in Division Two and in future one-cap England international Brian Little, leading goal scorer in the second tier.
With Dixie McNeil passing the thirty goal mark, Hereford consolidated the gains they had made since entering the Football League three seasons before, while in Division Four champions Mansfield were blessed with a sparkling first season from Roy Clarke. The Stags scored ninety en route to winning the title, Londoner Clarke enjoying a productive time at Field Mill before future stopping off points at Sparta Rotterdam, Ajax, Club Brugge, Brighton and Newcastle.
1975-76: Division One – Ted MacDougall (Norwich City) 23; Division Two – Derek Hales (Charlton Athletic) 28; Division Three – Dixie McNeil (Hereford United) 35; Division Four – Ronnie Moore (Tranmere Rovers) 34;
Reunited at Carrow Road with former Bournemouth boss John Bond and ex-Cherries strike-partner Phil Boyer, MacDougall, (after relatively short spells with Manchester United and West Ham), found the company once more to his liking, Norwich finishing a commendable twelfth. In Division Two Derek Hales was rarely off target for Charlton who came home ninth, his exploits earning a big money move to Derby from where he would be sold to West Ham, eventually ending up back at The Valley before 1978 was out.
Dixie McNeil maintained a superb strike rate as Hereford took their biggest stride yet in winning the third division, 86 goals, including 41 on away grounds, making the Edgar Street side worthy champions. As Hereford departed Division Three, so Tranmere arrived – future Prenton Park boss Ronnie Moore having significant input as they attained promotion.
1976-77: Division One – Andy Gray (Aston Villa)/Malcolm Macdonald (Arsenal) 25; Division Two – Mickey Walsh (Blackpool) 26; Division Three – Peter Ward (Brighton & Hove Albion) 32; Division Four – Brian Joicey (Barnsley) 25;
While the Scots won the end of season Home International clash, in the goalscoring charts it was honours even between England and Scotland – Malcolm Macdonald marking his move from Tyneside to Highbury with a fine season as Arsenal finished eighth. Glasgow-born Gray was equally productive for fourth placed Aston Villa, who were top scorers in Division One and League Cup winners to boot.
Mickey Walsh followed his 1974-75 ‘Goal of the Season‘ achievement with another fruitful season, but Blackpool were to fall short of the promotion places after being in contention for much of the season. In August 1978 the Republic of Ireland international would join Everton, a later career move taking him to Porto for whom he played in the 1984 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Juventus, picking up a runners-up medal.
On the south coast the goals of future first cap/last cap England international Peter Ward saw Brighton to a third division promotion spot, the Seagulls outscoring everyone in finishing third. After five seasons with Sheffield Wednesday, Brian Joicey made an immediate impression at Oakwell – but even with his help Barnsley could finish no higher than sixth.
1977-78: Division One – Bob Latchford (Everton) 30; Division Two – Bob Hatton (Blackpool) 22; Division Three – Alex Bruce (Preston North End) 27; Division Four – Alan Curtis (Swansea City)/Steve Phillips (Brentford) 32;
Once a formidable strike partnership at St Andrews, the former Birmingham duo of Bob Latchford and Bob Hatton each had a campaign to remember, but with bittersweet overtones for both.
Latchford, by now an England international, became the first top flight striker for five seasons (and only second of the decade) to reach the thirty goal mark – but while the land of Evertonia enjoyed its best season since the league title triumph of 1970, the trophy drought continued.
For Hatton the ironies were even more compounding. The much-travelled striker showed his goal scoring capabilities were still in good order, but results on the final day conspired against the Bloomfield Road side who dropped into the bottom three for the first time and were relegated.
Their demotion to Division Three saw them moving in the opposite direction to near-neighbours Preston, for whom Scot Alex Bruce – in his second spell at Deepdale – provided the goal impetus as they took the last promotion berth.
Also on the up, only from Division Four, were Swansea (third) and Brentford (fourth), respective input from Alan Curtis and Steve Phillips going a long way to ensure the two sides would meet at a higher level the following season.
1978-79: Division One – Frank Worthington (Bolton Wanderers) 24; Division Two – Bryan Robson (West Ham United) 24; Division Three – Ross Jenkins (Watford) 29; Division Four – John Dungworth (Aldershot) 26;
Given the curiosities that abound in 70s football, it seems fitting and no way surprising, that a couple of regular goal scorers throughout the decade should end the era pretty much as they started it.
There is a good argument to be made for Frank Worthington being the definitive English centre-forward of the times – a cavalier performer blessed with every talent in the book, but whose virtuosity put him out of sync with those selecting the England side. This at a time when the national team were more likely to under achieve than over excite.
By the late-70s his ongoing reliability in front of goal could be found at Bolton, where a sizeable haul from Worthington staved off a quick return to Division Two after being promoted the previous season.
In the second division another old hand at this scoring lark was showing everybody how it was done. Robson, leading scorer in the top flight six seasons before, did all he could to soften the blow of West Ham playing in the second division for the first time in twenty years, even if his individual efforts went unrewarded in the promotion stakes.
The Hammers fixture list the following season would include meetings with Watford, who under future England boss Graham Taylor secured successive promotions, Ross Jenkins the main contributor to a free-scoring side.
One level below, the form of John Dungworth as Aldershot finished fifth and went far in the FA Cup did not go unnoticed – Shrewsbury Town, who pipped Watford to the third division title a few months previously, paying £110,000 for the services of Dungworth early the following season.
In the final season of the decade it was somehow fitting the top scorer in Division One should also score ‘Goal of the Season‘ – perhaps even, goal of the 70s. All the flair and finesse that went into being Frank Worthington evident in a sublime effort scored at Burnden Park against Ipswich Town on April 21 1979.
If wishing to be reminded of this exercise in quick-thinking genius it can be found on YouTube. After such a lengthy appraisal of who scored how many for whom, the clip is simply titled, ‘Frank Worthington wonder goal.’
In both cases there is not much more to say…………….
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NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of ‘MONTY’S DOUBLE‘ – an acclaimed thriller now available in paperback and as an Amazon Kindle book.