Ronnie Radford
Encyclopedia
Ronnie Radford is a former English
footballer who notably scored a memorable goal in the 1971-72 FA Cup
for Hereford United
during their famous 2-1 giant-killing
of Newcastle United
.
and later Leeds United
, but did not make a first team appearance for either club. He joined Cheltenham Town
where he was an ever-present in the 1963-64 season, even though he was only a part-time footballer; working during the week as a joiner. He spent one season at Rugby Town
before returning to Whaddon Road
in 1966. Newport County then paid £1,500 for him in 1969, and in his first season he was voted Player of the Year by the supporters. While at Newport Ronnie scored a volley from the edge of the box against Bradford Park Avenue
, which flew into the top corner. Years later Ronnie said in an interview that he believed that goal was equally as good a goal as his most famous effort.
Eventually the financial and physical strain of travelling to and from Newport led to Ronnie moving to a club closer to home. That club was Hereford United. Radford was a regular in the Hereford midfield and was part of the team that went on an incredible cup run, from the Fourth Qualifying Round to the Fourth Round Proper. In the Third Round Hereford met Newcastle United at St James' Park, and the team of part-timers came away with a 2-2 draw, after going 1-0 up in the first minute.
with a young John Motson
commentating. It was originally scheduled for a small slot on Match of the Day
later that evening. Newcastle went 1-0 ahead in the last ten minutes, and with the tie seemingly settled, Ronnie won a tackle in the Newcastle half and played a one-two with Brian Owen (who had scored the first goal at Newcastle). The return pass bobbled on the muddy surface but sat up nicely for Ronnie, and he unleased a 30-yard strike into the top corner that beat Willie McFaul
to equalise. The goal sparked a pitch invasion, and the images of the muddy pitch, Radford celebrating with arms aloft and the crowd invading the pitch, have since become immortalised in FA Cup history.
Ronnie's goal is sometimes incorrectly attributed as the winning goal; indeed the match actually went to extra time. It was substitute Ricky George
who got the winner and wrote his name in the history books alongside Radford, as Hereford held out for an incredible 2-1 victory which is generally considered the greatest FA Cup shock of all time. The BBC quickly switched the match to the feature slot on Match of the Day, and Radford's goal was replayed countless times and was eventually voted Goal of the Season. For many years the footage of Ronnie's wonder goal, coupled with the commentary of John Motson
, was part of the Match of the Day
opening titles and it arguably launched Motson's career. On the day before the match, Ronnie had been putting a roof on a house, a job to which he returned at 9am on the following Monday morning.
, Hereford eventually finished runners-up and were elected to the Football League. Ronnie stayed at Hereford until July 1974 when he became player-manager at nearby Worcester City
. He later played for Bath City
and Forest Green Rovers but an Achilles tendon injury ended his playing career. He moved back to Yorkshire to continue his work as a carpenter and joiner, having been a part-time footballer for much of his career.
In 2002 his goal against Newcastle was voted 97th in the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who notably scored a memorable goal in the 1971-72 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
for Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
during their famous 2-1 giant-killing
Hereford United v Newcastle United 1972
Hereford United v Newcastle United was a football match played on 5 February 1972 at Edgar Street, Hereford. The match was an FA Cup Third Round Replay after the first match had resulted in a 2–2 draw. The result, a 2–1 extra time victory for Hereford, is notable for being arguably the...
of Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
.
Career
He started his footballing career at Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
and later Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, but did not make a first team appearance for either club. He joined Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
where he was an ever-present in the 1963-64 season, even though he was only a part-time footballer; working during the week as a joiner. He spent one season at Rugby Town
Rugby Town F.C.
Rugby Town F.C. is a football club based in Rugby, Warwickshire, which plays in the Southern Football League Division One Central. It is nicknamed The Valley, and plays its home matches at Butlin Road...
before returning to Whaddon Road
Whaddon Road
Whaddon Road is a football stadium in Cheltenham, England. It is the home ground of Cheltenham Town F.C. and shared with Gloucester City A.F.C.. It has a total capacity of 7,066, with a mixture of seating and terracing...
in 1966. Newport County then paid £1,500 for him in 1969, and in his first season he was voted Player of the Year by the supporters. While at Newport Ronnie scored a volley from the edge of the box against Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
, which flew into the top corner. Years later Ronnie said in an interview that he believed that goal was equally as good a goal as his most famous effort.
Eventually the financial and physical strain of travelling to and from Newport led to Ronnie moving to a club closer to home. That club was Hereford United. Radford was a regular in the Hereford midfield and was part of the team that went on an incredible cup run, from the Fourth Qualifying Round to the Fourth Round Proper. In the Third Round Hereford met Newcastle United at St James' Park, and the team of part-timers came away with a 2-2 draw, after going 1-0 up in the first minute.
The Newcastle Replay
The much-postponed replay at Edgar Street was played on a quagmire of a pitch in front of a capacity crowd. The match was being covered by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
with a young John Motson
John Motson
John Walker Motson OBE ,AKA Motty, is an English football commentator on both television and radio as well a well known moter. He made his name as 'Moty' after he moted out the entire Huddersfield huddersfield cheerleaders team. writer.-Biography:The son of a Methodist minister, Motson was educated...
commentating. It was originally scheduled for a small slot on Match of the Day
Match of the Day
Match of the Day is the BBC's main football television programme. Typically, it is shown on BBC One on Saturday evenings during the English football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in English football's top division, the Premier League...
later that evening. Newcastle went 1-0 ahead in the last ten minutes, and with the tie seemingly settled, Ronnie won a tackle in the Newcastle half and played a one-two with Brian Owen (who had scored the first goal at Newcastle). The return pass bobbled on the muddy surface but sat up nicely for Ronnie, and he unleased a 30-yard strike into the top corner that beat Willie McFaul
Willie McFaul
William Stewart McFaul, known as Willie and Iam, is a former Northern Irish football player and now coach....
to equalise. The goal sparked a pitch invasion, and the images of the muddy pitch, Radford celebrating with arms aloft and the crowd invading the pitch, have since become immortalised in FA Cup history.
Ronnie's goal is sometimes incorrectly attributed as the winning goal; indeed the match actually went to extra time. It was substitute Ricky George
Ricky George
Ricky George is a former English footballer, businessman and columnist. He is notable for scoring the winning goal for Hereford United in the famous 1971-72 FA Cup match against Newcastle United...
who got the winner and wrote his name in the history books alongside Radford, as Hereford held out for an incredible 2-1 victory which is generally considered the greatest FA Cup shock of all time. The BBC quickly switched the match to the feature slot on Match of the Day, and Radford's goal was replayed countless times and was eventually voted Goal of the Season. For many years the footage of Ronnie's wonder goal, coupled with the commentary of John Motson
John Motson
John Walker Motson OBE ,AKA Motty, is an English football commentator on both television and radio as well a well known moter. He made his name as 'Moty' after he moted out the entire Huddersfield huddersfield cheerleaders team. writer.-Biography:The son of a Methodist minister, Motson was educated...
, was part of the Match of the Day
Match of the Day
Match of the Day is the BBC's main football television programme. Typically, it is shown on BBC One on Saturday evenings during the English football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in English football's top division, the Premier League...
opening titles and it arguably launched Motson's career. On the day before the match, Ronnie had been putting a roof on a house, a job to which he returned at 9am on the following Monday morning.
Later career
After bowing out of the cup to West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, Hereford eventually finished runners-up and were elected to the Football League. Ronnie stayed at Hereford until July 1974 when he became player-manager at nearby Worcester City
Worcester City F.C.
Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...
. He later played for Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
and Forest Green Rovers but an Achilles tendon injury ended his playing career. He moved back to Yorkshire to continue his work as a carpenter and joiner, having been a part-time footballer for much of his career.
In 2002 his goal against Newcastle was voted 97th in the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.