Hereford’s Ron is still mud for it
LIFE has never been tougher for FA Cup minnows – but one of the greatest giant-killers of them all is still hoping to see another huge cupset.
Cup legend Ronnie Radford, 73, scored one of the game’s most iconic goals as non-league Hereford slayed top-tier Newcastle in the Edgar Street mud, back in 1972.
The memories have stayed with Radford ever since – and he’d love to see a new legend born.
But with only five non-League teams even making it through to this season’s third round, Radford knows the going has never been harder.
“The teams, particularly those in the Premier League, are light years away from the rest because of the money they’ve spent on their squads,” said Radford.
“It’s more difficult than ever for the smaller clubs to go out and cause an upset. Just to be in this third round is an incredible achievement for these teams – but actually winning against the bigger clubs is tougher now.”
Plymouth Argyle and Peterborough are flying the flag for the lower leagues this afternoon and neither will expect to be involved in the draw for the next round – regardless of the sides put out by Liverpool and Chelsea.
But Radford insists the cup still holds a powerful magic and big clubs resting key players might even help keep that spark alive.
“There’s always a chance for a player to change his life and make a name for himself,” added Radford.
“For the players coming up against the big boys, it’s all about the team they’re playing against, not the players on the pitch.
“In years to come, it won’t mention who was and wasn’t playing, only the score matters. That’s the beauty of the FA Cup – and that will never change.”