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When I was just a little boy

19/12/2012

5 Comments

 

By Mark Rasdall

Picture
When I was just a little boy Peter Lorimer scored a late goal for Leeds United against Chelsea in the FA Cup which was disallowed. I was seven years' old and I have never forgotten it. To my young, developing mind, the injustice of that day was beyond reason.

Kenneth Wolstenholme still voices in my mind the disbelief I felt and even after 45 years it still hurts, as does, similarly, Barry Davies's assurance that 'Leeds will go mad and they have every right to...' after that Jeff Astle goal in 1971.
 
In the same year - 1967 - Celtic won the European Cup. Three years' later LUFC lost to them in the semi-final of the European Cup. I actually admired Jimmy Johnstone and the rest and, though it was upsetting, the devastation wasn't nearly so bad as it was after the FA Cup defeat - again to Chelsea. Whereas Celtic were simply a great team to be admired in the same way as Don Revie admired Real Madrid - and put us in white shirts as a result - Chelsea were just intent on stopping us playing. They were lauded for their silky skills and we were simultaneously hated for our dogged determination. Journalistic license of course: what real football fan could not admire the skills of Bremner and Giles or deplore the building site intent of 'Chopper?'

That 1970 final at Wembley still haunts me - especially Gary Sprake's late mistake - but I do also remember Eddie Gray absolutely tormenting David Webb throughout the game. No surprise then that Ron Harris committed a terrible tackle early on against Eddie in the Old Trafford replay which effectively put him out of the game. The violence that followed is history of course but I still wake up in the middle of the night willing Webb's winner to go over the bar. The record books show that it didn't, of course, and we got nothing. Surely the epitomy of injustice that year? The Chelsea goalkeeper - Peter Bonetti - then let us down in Mexico that summer as well: England 2 West Germany 3 still upsets me to this day...
 
So, Chelsea have a special place in my heart - dark clouds on previously sunny days - and whatever happens in the Capital Cup tie at Elland Road tonight I don't think the heartbreak of those young years as a Leeds United supporter will ever be truly forgotten. But I am older and wiser now and more devoted to our club than ever. Good days may well be on the horizon once more and maybe one day we'll truly move beyond the shadows and head into the warmth of knowing that white is the colour and football really is the game.

5 Comments
Christopher Byrne
18/12/2012 09:10:10 pm

Mark, you couldn't have put it better. I felt and still do feel exactly the same emotions. I went to all those games (except the West Brom game because I was playing that day), and it always seemed to me that officials interpreted the rules (and I don't man flout or bent them) fully intent on damaging Leeds United where they could.

In 1967 what a lame excuse .....the wall was not far enough back and the ref hadn't blown his whistle.....In 1970's FA Cup Final replay, allowing Chelsea....well I won't go on. Leeds fans might know what I was going to say. In 1971 allowing WBA to play on despite a player of theirs in an offside position when the ball was played. Ref Tinkler must have been 30 years ahead of his time because he allowed the current day rule to apply; and still he got it wrong because the final ball to Astle was played forward to him!!!

As a 17 year old I was in the Hampden crowd the night Celtic beat us and I was devastated (and in the wrong place!!!) but their fans were great to me and I wished them well in the final.

Yes, like with yourself, it still hurts today, but a great article from you. Thanks for the memories

Reply
Tare
18/12/2012 09:17:44 pm

Those were the days but if you ask me then Chelski is there to be taken this very evening and 'cause of this non.pressure game I am waiting top performances from EHD, SB. Champagne football has lost its cause so go and get them. Tare

Reply
derbyshirewhite
18/12/2012 09:25:39 pm

I seem to remember 'we were robbed at Villa Park' became our anthem back in those days although as you have recalled, it was far from the only injustice we suffered. Thanks for the memories too.

Reply
Martin Fouweather
18/12/2012 09:40:18 pm

I too was at the 1970 Wembley final and the Old Trafford replay as a raw 15 year old . The sense of injustice will live with me forever , To completely dominate a team over 2 games and come away with nothing as we did left me sick to the stomach.
The bus journey home is also something I will always remember , nobody said a word it was utter desolation.
I have since moved on and now live in Johannesburg but will be a white till I die and will be watching tonights game from the comfort of my armchair , cheering on the whites abusing both Chelsea and the ref and driving the wife barmy!
I still look back on those days knowing that I was privaliged to watch one of the greatest teams to grace English football and they can never take that away from us !!!!!!

Reply
JDC
18/12/2012 09:51:19 pm

Thanks for the memories ... I was at all three of the Chelsea games and remember the hurt and disappointment I felt as if it was yesterday ... maybe tonight we can start to put the record straight.

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