“EARLY LEAVING FANS MISS A BLOOD CURDLING FINALE” screamed the headline in the Monday 28th December 1970 edition of the Hull Daily Mail. “You don’t say”, was the response from the nine year old me, my father and my maternal grandfather.
Life is all about learning lessons, and boy had I learnt one two days earlier on a particularly cold Boxing Day, to wit: “Never leave a football game early”. It’s such a simple, obvious truism but one which every week is ignored by hundreds, nay thousands of football fans throughout the land, as the temptation to make an early getaway and beat the crowds as their team is falling to an “inevitable”, depressing defeat is just too hard to resist.
Such was the case at around the 83rd minute mark of this Yorkshire derby at Boothferry Park, as visitors Sheffield Wednesday were 4-1 ahead, and had been since two goals from Jackie Sinclair and a Sam Ellis penalty in eight minutes at the start of the second half had ripped the heart out of the Tigers.
In our case it wasn’t the need to get to a car to beat the traffic, as we were heading back to my grandparents’ house just ten minutes walk away on Priory Grove, Gipsyville. No, it was more the fact that it was a) so bloody cold; b) City had been uncharacteristically dire that day; c) the leftover turkey and chips were so tempting; d) it was actually really, really cold. So when Grandad announced “I’ve had enough of this” and started to leave, we followed. As did several hundred other City fans. (I may well be romanticising this bit about it being my Grandad who started the exodus, but this was a chap who in his younger days had been thrown out of a Communist Party meeting at the City Hall for being too left wing. Rabble rouser, you could say).
Anyway, back to the football. This was a City side riding high in Division Two. A side that those who were fortunate to see in the flesh will never forget. Ian McKechnie, Frank Banks, Roger deVries, Billy Wilkinson, Ray Pettit, Chris Simpkin, Malcolm Lord, Ken Houghton, Chris Chilton, Ken Wagstaff, Ian Butler. (player-manager Terry Neill was replaced by Pettit as he nursed an injured thigh). They finished fifth that season, the highest position a City team would attain until 2007/08. In the interests of balance there shouldn’t be many Hull City teams who have the tag of “legends” applied to them, but this was most certainly one. A team renowned for scoring a lot of goals but not having the greatest defence, by any means, Boxing Day 1970 saw all of the strengths and weaknesses of this team magnified to the extreme.
After only four minutes, tackles that were ill-judged and impetuous by Simpkin and deVries let in Sinclair to serve up the chance for Mike Prendergast to score. 0-1. For the next 41 minutes, Wednesday seldom threatened, with City very much having the upper hand, but a combination of inadequate finishing and excellent goalkeeping by Peter Grummitt kept them out. However, just before half time an incisive City move involving Lord, Banks and Wagstaff allowed Houghton to bring the scores level at 1-1. A degree of calm and much needed warming Bovril filled the City faithful during the break.
Quite what the City players were imbibing at half time isn’t clear, but their defensive vulnerabilities were subsequently laid wide open. It’s painful to document the details of what happened in that second half up to the hour mark, but it involved City conceding the previously mentioned three goals, including Banks floundering on his back and handling the ball to concede a penalty for one of them, and Houghton going off injured (to be replaced by Paddy Greenwood). 1-4 down at home to mid-table Sheffield Wednesday; this, a City side, who had only lost two games at home so far that season, a 0-1 to Birmingham and a 0-2 to table-topping Luton.
In response, the football served up by City from the 61st minute was initially poor. Aside from a Chilton header that was cleared off the line by Harold Wilcockson, and a Lord effort that was hit straight at Grummitt, the remainder of City’s attacking philosophy was based around hoofing the ball forward with no real end product. Frustrating stuff, made worse by the chants from the away supporters of “easy, easy”. Our South Yorkshire friends must have found the resulting mass exodus hilarious. History fails to document precisely when the “we can see you sneaking out” chant originated but it was absolutely designed for this moment in this game.
To describe what happened next, your humble scribe clearly has to defer to the memories of a combination of stalwarts who didn’t sneak out and our local sports reporters. But it went something like this…
Between the 83rd and 87th minutes, Chris Chilton scored twice and Ken Wagstaff got the 250th goal of his career. The revival began when a long clearance by McKechnie was controlled 15 yards inside the Wednesday half by Chilton who then exchanged passes with Wagstaff and streaked away to plant the ball past the previously defiant Grummitt. So, 2-4.
Two minutes later a crossfield pass was headed on by Chilton in the most delicate fashion for the overlapping Banks. The full back wasted no time in going down the touchline and crossing the ball – but Chilton was still there in time to slam a left foot drive past the keeper. And it’s 3-4.
In the 87th minute with the Tigers in full cry and Wednesday bewildered by the pace and power of the revival, Chilton ran wide to the left to tease the defence apart. He slipped the ball across the penalty area for substitute Greenwood to push it back again and lay on the equaliser for Wagstaff. An inexplicable 4-4.
Further pressure almost resulted in an unbelievable pantomime-esque winner as City struck the woodwork in the 90th minute. The finale was played out in such a stirring style that the remainder of the 24,399 Boothferry Park crowd invaded the pitch.
Meanwhile, three freezing cold, miserable City fans arrived at their homely destination, perhaps a little confused at some of the noises they could hear behind them, to be greeted by the matriarch of the family saying “Ooh, I bet that was exciting; you’re early!” The results service, hosted by Dickie Davies on World Of Sport, had already communicated the news of the amazing events that we had missed, a result that left City in third place as the year ended, just two points off the top of Division Two.
The parallels with the current side managed by Steve Bruce in terms of their league position are quite clear. The potential for the current squad to improve on the “legends” and achieving promotion to the top flight is distinctly achievable. The possibility of us seeing a three-goal come back to 4-4 is unlikely. The likelihood of us missing it, should it happen, is utterly, utterly unthinkable.
Richard Cundill
thanks for the memories. your recollection of what actually transpired is much more vivid then mine.
my dad was always the opposite of the get away early brigade. he always insisted that we hang around after the game to let the crowds disperse.
Comment by Robbo — January 10, 2013 @ 10:30 am
When I was a kiddie I used to catch the bus from Hedon and turn up at Boothferry patk around mid-day ready to collect autographs, every match, reserves inclded. I was hooked.
I have never left a match early in my life,the thought of it!
Except this one.
We walked back to Paragon station and discovered that Chis Chilton had led a miraculous recovery. I was so disgusted with myself that I didn’t read the report of how they did it.
I have now, Great report, thanks.
Comment by breadvan — January 10, 2013 @ 11:47 am
The prospect of gran’s boxing day tea in Marfleet beckoned…. Dad sagely decided at 1-4 that the pull of her turkey sandwiches, along with a treat of tinned salmon and a “salad” comprising a tomato, a lettuce leaf and 4 slices of cucumber was too great. And thus, we purposefully strode towards Boothferry Halt….
Oh the fun of sitting on a train listening to the goal-greeting roars….
I think I was permenantly scarred. By both the salad and the sadly unwitnessed comeback.
Bloody City
Comment by bunkerzilla — January 10, 2013 @ 11:48 am
Believe it or not, my Dad was at this game and was one of the fans that left early. It is because of this game that he taught me the very same lesson he learned that day – never leave a game early. I was only telling someone about this last week. Thanks guys!
Comment by Robin Thompson — January 10, 2013 @ 12:32 pm
Chillo scored on 81 min i recall as myself and my brother were leaving the ground to catch an early train home and thought at least we had given the score some respectability.
As we walked up to the platform to catch the train at BP Halt we scored another and as we sat on the train about to pull out we equalised – the old train was rocking, literally.
As we got to Paragon, alll the fantsay talk was whether or not we could have won it – no internet and mobile phones in those days ya know.
The team of 70-71 missed out on promotion in the same season we lost to Stoke in that epic 6th Rd FA Cup match at BP and after beating Sheff U in the Battle of Bramall Lane a few days later – it was then to take me 37 years to finally see the Tigers reach the promised land of the the now PL.
The current side is however head and shoulders better than Terry Neill’s side of that era, Waggy, Chillo & Butler part.
Excellent read guys.
Comment by suttontiger — January 10, 2013 @ 1:36 pm
Ken Houghton was also a class act suttontige, but yes I agree they are now a much better side (as are most of the opposition of course)
Comment by breadvan — January 10, 2013 @ 1:53 pm
Suttontiger – fairly uncommon for someone who saw the Waggy & Chillo team to not regard as the best ever, I can only assume that’s steepling praise for the current side.
Comment by Andy — January 10, 2013 @ 2:11 pm
God I feel old! Amazing memory, many thanks. Me and my two older brothers left early at 1-4. The rest is, as they say and as you so well describe, history. We heard the first roar as we walked across the North Stand car park and couldn’t believe it when we turned on the car radio.
At the risk of coming over all Large Michaelesque, regardless of personal thoughts and opinions, the 2008, so far, has proved itself to be the best ever City side, end of argument. I hope this seasons crop surpass that and get automatic promotion, as another Wembley, however ultimately enjoyable, is not good for the nerves. The piss-up afterwards was excellent mind.
Comment by Cayman Tiger — January 10, 2013 @ 7:21 pm
Probably the most annoying result ever due following the same early departure plan. (What a lot of old farts on this forum). I blame Chilton and Wagstaff – very selfish of them.
Comment by 4Jacks — January 10, 2013 @ 7:35 pm
After all those stories I feel almost guilty that I stayed and witnessed the amazing comeback. I’d forgotten that we hit the woodwork late on and could have won it. The fact that my uncle was over for the game from Rotherham added extra glee to the post-match discussions.
I do think that side was very watchable, because of the number of goals, and the tremendous understanding between the forwards, but our defence was not solid, and McKechnie was a great shot stopper but never came to catch a cross. And poor old Malcolm Lord suffered horrible abuse from the home fans for his lack of skill, which, sadly, was not quite counterbalanced by his hard work and effort, which were unquestioned.
I remember our heading the table briefly in, maybe, Feb, after beating Leicester 3-0 and inspiring the Sportsmail headline “Terry’s Tigers topple the table toppers”. But Neill himself was torn a new one by Malcolm MacDonald in that 0-2 reverse by Luton (was that an early example of the hoodoo brought about by the match being on TV?) and later – while manager of Arsenal- signed him from Newcastle.
I never left a match early until the Cup defeat at Brentford last year. That was just too much.
Comment by Eidur Tiger — January 10, 2013 @ 10:15 pm
Actually didn’t we see that match together 4jacks? Oh and you’re older than me I think,
Comment by breadvan — January 11, 2013 @ 1:10 am
My father and I tried to leave early but were prevented by a jobsworth. “can’t open the gate until full time” so we stood and watched the comeback. Lesson learned painlessly thanks to an officious steward – I have never left a game early since then.
Comment by Hertford tiger — January 11, 2013 @ 1:06 pm
Yes breadvan I believe you had to get back home to get your nappie changed and I wanted to grab a pint before dinner. As for the current team being superior yes I think they are but I the Chilton Wagstaff era was more entertaining due to poorer oposition and the resultant goals goals goals.
Comment by 4Jacks — January 11, 2013 @ 4:27 pm
I remember the game vividly. Back from college with all my mates on Bunkers. Dad had brought me up never to leave before the final whistle, just as well as Chris Chilton took the game single handedly by the scruff of the neck for the amazing comeback. My uncle had left early and was waiting at the car freezing. “Bloody rubbish” he moaned (he had no idea of the final score!). Imagine the current team with Waggy and Chilo in it!!
Comment by LA Tiger — January 12, 2013 @ 12:31 am
Thought I remembered this quite well…but not sure now. Thought Les Collinson played a part in driving the Tigers forward…? Was it played on rolled snow with a bright orange ball? Terraces very icy. Got to the NE corner top terrace on the way out…of the East Stand… when the fight back started, and watched it from there. Remember Chillo grabbing the ball from the net and running back to the centre for a restart. Yes, I’d forgotten the goal post hit too.The current team has great potential, but no goal scorer like Waggy or Chillo! Auto promo with such…SB please note!!
Comment by gjhdurham — January 12, 2013 @ 6:58 pm
Hope you Tigers fans don’t mind an Wednesdayite old fart sticking his ten penny worth in. Still got the programme for this game.The good old days ! North Country Breweries. Ken Knighton turned out for us in the seventies and I remember that Hull season. Good to see the Tigers up there and a new stadium.
Fond memories of the White Hart.
Cheers!
Ron
Comment by ron clayton — January 12, 2013 @ 9:57 pm
You’re very welcome Ron, thanks for stopping by. Before my time, but City fans of a certain vintage still talk about this game forty-something years later – after all, a club is nothing without its history. Well played today.
Comment by Andy — January 12, 2013 @ 11:23 pm
[...] For members of the Tiger Nation whose devotion to the black and amber cause extends much farther into the past than Wembley or the Emirates, the question “Were you there?” would, for the best part of 40 years, most probably have been a reference to only one of two fixtures (OK, maybe if you’re old enough you could include the Crook Town game, but let’s not complicate matters). The first of those was Boxing Day 1970, by a happy coincidence so admirably recalled in the most recent AN “Nostalgia” slot. [...]
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