Wolves v Manchester United, 16th September 1972 by @Mercian1969 - Post Details
Wolves v Manchester United, 16th September 1972
Highlights of a First Division match between Wolves and Manchester United on 16th September 1972. The 1972-73 season showcased the abilities of the Wolves team with a 5th placed finish in the league and semi-final appearances in both the FA and League Cups. The season was also a personal success for Wolves striker John Richards. His 36 League and Cup goals were suitably rewarded with the Young Player of the Year award for 1973 and also a cap for England at the end of the season. Richards had formed a highly successful partnership with Derek Dougan and 'The Doog' contributed 17 league and cup goals for the season. The Wolves strikers were supported by a highly capable midfield, led by inspirational captain Mike Bailey, with the very efficient Jim McCalliog as Bailey's partner in the centre of midfield and the creative talents of left winger Dave Wagstaffe and Kenny Hibbitt on opposite flanks. Wolves were fortunate to have good cover in reserve in Barry Powell, the versatile Alan Sunderland and the enigmatic Danny Hegan, but Bill McGarry's team were at full strength for the match against United. Frank O'Farrell's Manchester United team had begun the 1972-73 season disastrously and, prior to the match with Wolves, were bottom of the First Division with no wins in the opening eight matches of the season. Against Wolves, United included six of the team that had beaten Benfica in the 1968 European Cup with goalkeeper Alex Stepney, Tony Dunne, David Sadler, Bobby Charlton, George Best and Brian Kidd all in O'Farrell's team at Molineux. However, despite such pedigree United's poor run continued and, with the team still occupying a relegation position in the league, O'Farrell was sacked following a 5-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on 19th December 1972. His replacement was Tommy Docherty and he subsequently guided United to survival with a finish of 18th in the league. Originally broadcast by ATV Star Soccer with commentary provided by Hugh Johns.
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Wolves v Arsenal, 20th November 1971
In tribute to Wolves legend Dave Wagstaffe, who sadly passed away on 6th August 2013 aged 70, are the full highlights of the First Division match between Wolves and Arsenal at a wintry Molineux, 20th November 1971. Originally broadcast in colour on BBC Match of the Day, with commentary provided by Barry Davies, the uploaded footage is of Sky TV's Bobby Charlton's Football Scrapbook, presented by Dickie Davies with contributions from Bobby Charlton and studio guest Kenny Hibbitt. The former Wolves midfielder begins the programme by mentioning that, before every match, Dave Wagstaffe disappeared into the solitude of the dressing room toilets to smoke a cigarette in order to settle his pre-match nerves! The match itself was both testament to the formidable attacking prowess of Wolves and the brilliance of Wagstaffe who, in a stunning second-half performance from manager Bill McGarry's team, played a prominent role with a superb crossfield pass to help set up Wolves' second goal (15:47), preceded by an equally superb long-range goal from 'Waggy' himself (12:28) - a strike that he considered as the favourite of his 32 league and cup goals scored for Wolves. Wolves were considered to be one of the finest teams in the First Division during the early-mid 1970s, with two top five finishes in the league during that period offering proof of their capabilities. The 1971-72 season saw a memorable UEFA Cup run from Wolves that ended with a narrow defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the final. There was further disappointment for Wolves the following season, with FA Cup and League Cup semi-final defeats against Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Victory in the finals of the Texaco Cup in 1971 and League Cup in 1974 provided a measure of success for Wolves but it was arguably scant reward for such an excellent team. According to former Leeds United manager Don Revie Wolves possessed "the ability to swamp opponents like a tidal wave" and this was perfectly evident at Molineux against reigning league champions Arsenal. Their natural attacking flair was led by the formidable strike partnership of Derek Dougan and John Richards and supported by a richly talented Wolves midfield of Mike Bailey, Kenny Hibbitt, Jim McCalliog and, of course, Dave Wagstaffe. Also remembered with great fondness and respect by Wolves fans, are two teammates of Waggy's who were equally integral to the success of the Wolves team of that period and who've sadly passed away in recent years; the charismatic 'Doog' and cultured centre-half Frank Munro. Approximate time of goals on YouTube footage: 07:36 Wolves 0 Arsenal 1 (Ray Kennedy) 12:28 Wolves 1 Arsenal 1 (Dave Wagstaffe) 15:47 Wolves 2 Arsenal 1 (Kenny Hibbitt) 17:20 Wolves 3 Arsenal 1 (Derek Dougan) 21:34 Wolves 4 Arsenal 1 (Jim McCalliog - Penalty) 25:16 Wolves 5 Arsenal 1 (Derek Dougan)