The
story that shocked the football world on February 5th, 1972 came from
Edgar Street, Hereford, in the FA Cup third round replay...
Southern
League side Hereford United, one of the biggest teams in non-league
football, had progressed to the third round of the FA Cup and had held
first division Newcastle United several days earlier at St. James' Park
to a 2-2 draw. Hereford were pleased to bring the former league
champions back to Edgar Street for another crack, but surely had no
chance of winning. 
Malcolm
McDonald, the England international striker and one of Newcastle's best
ever players, promised to score ten goals past Hereford but the Bulls,
managed by Colin Addison, had other ideas
Perhaps McDonald was a
little optimistic, but with eight minutes left he netted the first and
it looked as if Hereford were going out after a good fight at Edgar
Street. Cue a substitution!
Roger Griffiths was replaced by the
attacking-minded Ricky George minutes before Ronnie Radford, a
midfielder not renowned for scoring goals, unleashed a thirty yard
screamer out of the mud to equalise in the most spectacular fashion.
The goal eventually was voted 'goal of the season' by viewers of BBC's Match Of The Day, and Hereford went into extra time.
Surely, the part-timers of Hereford United would tire? True, they were but substitute Ricky George had fresh legs.
It
was George who scored to put Hereford into the lead in extra time from
close range, and Newcastle searched for a desperate equaliser. It was
not to be found, as Fred Potter in the home goal saved everything
Newcastle could throw at them. Hereford had secured the biggest FA Cup
upset ever, 2-1 over Newcastle United.
The season was one of
sweet success for Hereford reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup
(eventually losing in a replay to West Ham United), the semi final of
the FA Trophy (losing to Hillingdon Borough), and finishing second in
the Southern League. The Football League member clubs voted the Bulls
into Division Four after a second vote at the expense of Cumbrian side
Barrow.
Photos: Everyone celebrates after the Ronnie Radford goal (top).
The Hereford players celebrate in style after the game (left).
Ricky George's winner goes in (above, left).
Thanks to Nigel Hill for the images.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Rushall At Home In The League On Saturday 30th November At 3.00pm