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Next Game: Rushall At Home In The League On Saturday 30th November At 3.00pm

Friday, January 06, 2006

Memories of Radford and Muddy Pitches

It's the Third Round of the FA Cup tomorrow and although Hereford United are not involved, the club is still remembered for its giant killing exploits and muddy pitches.

This year Huddersfield manager Peter Jackson has said that a win against Chelsea could top Hereford United's victory over Newcastle in 1972.

The Yorkshire Post reports that Jackson is hoping one of his Huddersfield Town players can tomorrow end Ronnie Radford's reign as the undisputed king of FA Cup upsets by creating a fresh chapter in football folklore.

The Terriers travel to Stamford Bridge to take on runaway Premiership champions Chelsea with Jackson claiming his side will have to create the biggest shock of all-time to progress to the fourth round.

But that has not stopped the Town manager believing one of his players can emulate the feats of Radford, whose 30-yard screamer in 1972 helped non-League Hereford United knock Newcastle United out in a third-round replay.

The footage of hundreds of young Hereford fans, all seemingly wearing Parka coats, invading the muddy Edgar Road pitch in celebration has become synonymous with the Cup and is dug out by the television companies at this stage of competition every year.

In future seasons, however, Jackson is hoping a more up-to-date clip will be shown featuring one of his players.

"It would be the biggest shock of all time, without a doubt.

"I'm convinced there will be one big shock in the third round - and why can't it be Huddersfield?

"It would be great to become the new giantkillers. Then it would mean we would not have to hear about Ronnie Radford's goal for Hereford any more," remarked Jackson.

Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson has also mentioned Hereford United. His side travel to Burton Albion, whose pitch has received 80 tonnes of sand in an effort to keep it playable.

"The pitch wasn't particularly good the night we played them in the friendly in November," recalled the United boss. "They were worried about it then, particularly the bit in front of the main stand.

"I've not seen it since then but I've read the stories about the sand which will help with the frost if it arrives; they're obviously very keen to get the game on.

"I remember going to Hereford in 1990 when their pitch was like an absolute quagmire - it didn't help that they had a bull running around the pitch before the game either! We also played Sheffield United in gale-force winds during another Cup tie in 1993.

"You get all different kinds of conditions in FA Cup ties and that's what adds to the romance of it all. You can expect Cup upsets because of it but we hope we're not part of those statistics on Sunday."