Joyce Powell attended last Saturday's Hereford United Giantkillers dinner at the Starlite Club. In this special article for BN, she reflects on the evening.
This comes as a mix of happenings and a personal collection of feelings of an exceptional evening, written by a supporter so proud to have been part of the 71/72 era and still proud to be part of 2012.
Well a first half of more deck-like football which was less agonising to watch. I had been praying hard that my present team would not leave me to feel too embarrassed with those extra-specials watching from the stand...... And remembering whilst standing at the ME, that 40 years ago I was less comfortable for attending matches, (each and every one of the cup run) being expectant of 1st offspring later born on... of all days..Cup Final Day. Too much information!
Ten of us sitting at table 13 sharing an expectant air in a packed newly refurbished Starlite Rooms were all welcomed by our able Chairman, David Keyte, a mere youngster back then but with beautiful memories.....THE boys appeared like stars, introduced one at a time thus receiving an individual and well earned ovation. To 'round' off this gathering of celebrities came the final entrant still dressed in sheepskin coat of course,(much to everyone's delight)... M i s t e r .....MOTSON.
The organisation of our dinner of chicken liver pâté, Herefordshire Beef (of course) and a chocolate torte, ran smoothly under the ever watchful eye of James. His staff were most attentive and deserve high praise.
The memories began....a poignant minute of silence for brave Roger Griffith(who sadly passed away 6 years ago) our local hero who played part of a match with a broken leg. That minute summed up and recalled so much of the determination and tenacity of the whole team. Highlights were shown of THOSE goals, the ones that were the reason for us being together. Thick Herefordshire red mud but the game was the same for both sides. I do remember that we did cope rather well and showed no fear of heavy grounds in those days.
McFaul flying almost horizontally across his goal but to no avail was sheer delight. Our own Super Mac (Laughlin not Donald) holding firm with Trampas(Alan Jones, unfortunately not able to share the the evening due to family committments) and ever steady Fred, hawk-like, acrobatically snatching and holding any mud-coated ball that might just come his way. The delights of Dud, the skill and pace of the boy...mesmerising. Later whilst chatting he explained to us how different it was for the players to watch the highlights, a completely new experience so different from that of the supporter who sees the game as a whole. Would be good to remember this in future when a pass isn't quite as perfect as we expect it to be ! "Like a Red Rag to a Bull" (following the alleged comments of MacDonald's 10 goals) our Ronnie must have thought when that ball left his foot goal-bound to make the history books 'goal-of-all-time'.
Andy Morris had the unenviable task of interviewing in pairs these exuberant players each recalling his own memory to share with us. Their amazing eloquence brought the room to order, with the over enthusiastic Addo having to be curtailed occasionally by our MC! He had so much to relate like the time at West Ham when they took Frank Taday from the 'Spread' to the London Britannia Hotel to prepare the teams usual pre match meal of steak!
Everywhere they went they were treated as royalty, so much newspaper hype resulting from the demise of Newcastle they were the toast of the nation. Just a squad of THIRTEEN players for the TEN cup games ...... watched by a total of 154,307.
Our Mac recalled having to return on the train straight after the Newcastle evening match to be in Newport for his shift at the steelworks next morning. His fellow workers had organised a reception of a guard-of-honour-welcome. These boys all held full time jobs having to beg to leave early
for an evening game. Few lived locally. Peter Isaac held together ALL the odd jobs and with no spare kit even oversaw the washing line as well as being the invaluable physio.
Ricky George and Billy Meadows both living in London at the time always travelled together, what a pair, would love to have been a fly on the visor! Small in stature but huge-in-heart-captain Tony Gough jokingly stood on his chair to take his bow. Of course it was Brian Owen who started it all by scoring that oh so early goal that stunned the Magpies into silence. And the 13th of the squad one of my heart throbs Billy Tucker had lost some of his huge mop of hair but none of his love for the squad and supporters. The team spirit still showed through, after all those years.(Ken Mal who was partaking of a cruise will no doubt be so envious when he hears reports).
More film, made for the Spanish TV was shown,with Colin becoming emotional (even in sub titles)at the recollection of 'those days'. That did it ...my cheeks were more than damp and with a sideways glance could see Colin once again accompanied by several team members, wives and supporters surreptitiously wielding a tissue.
Grapefruit tasted good, it kept me sober to savour every single second. The 2 way flow of respect and love echoed in everyone's sparkling eyes and smiles. Enjoyed such an evening of adrenalin fixes, cuddles and kisses galore they loved re-meeting us as us them. From the unanimous positive feelings towards their memories of the club and supporters, to the repartee .....and Lady Mayoress not only thanked all but was so obviously genuinely appreciative of the boys' contribution to our county's history and the club's importance.
At 1.00am we were still soaking up the atmosphere not one of the players had left....says it all.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next: Home Against AFC Telford On Tuesday October 21th At 7.45pm
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