Foty years after their epic defeat of Newcastle United and their legendary 1972 FA Cup run, Hereford United’s FA Cup giantkillers held an emotional reunion last week.
Welcomed as heroes, the past part-time players were embraced by the club and the town during their stay, as they took part in a series of events to commemorate their incredible achievement.
Surprised shoppers were thrilled to see the joyful and humble pensioners with the FA Cup, walking from the Green Dragon Hotel on Friday through town to the Mayor’s Parlour for a special reception with Hereford City Mayor Councillor Julie Woodward.
On Saturday, the past players – Peter Isaac, player/manager Colin Addison, Ronnie Radford, Fred Potter, Billy Tucker, Mick McLaughlin, Ricky George, Brian Owen, Dudley Tyler, Tony Gough and Billy Meadows – enjoyed a pre-match lunch before parading on the pitch at Edgar Street, and watching the home match against local rivals Cheltenham Town.
They were joined for the weekend by BBC commentator John Motson, whose coverage of the Newcastle replay was one of his first assignments. It was expected to be shown for just a few seconds on television but because of the result, became the star of the show.
Guests at a party night on Friday and a gala dinner on Saturday were able to drink once again in the success of the team and relive the glorious moments, with videos of the cup run and a tear-jerking Spanish video with interviews with the players.
The emotional evening which saw the players being presented with replica football shirts, was rounded off by singer Harry Harris, who had performed ‘A Ballad to Ronnie Radford’ in front of the great man, who had let fly from 30 yards to score the equaliser for Hereford, and created a FA Cup highlight which will never die.
Cinema nights showing the cup run kicked off the celebrations in style and on Sunday, the past players were presented with gifts.
Hereford United Director and one of the organisers, Dave Preedy said: “The giantkillers have had a fantastic weekend, everything went really well. Some great stories have come out and I think, now they realise that they are welcome at the club at any time, some of them may come back again.
“Everybody at the club was really happy with how everything went and it was so wonderful to see almost all the team back together again 40 years after their epic achievement.
“I want to thank everyone involved in making the event such a success, particularly Jamie Griffiths, who put together all the videos, music and media.”
A DVD of the week’s events is now being put together – it will include clips from the cinema nights, the Spanish video, the Mayor’s reception and Harry Harris singing. It will be available from the club shop or on the club’s website.