The agony and the ecstasy
TUESDAY, May 4, 1976, saw 48,918 fans cram into Molineux for one of the most important games played there – a match that was to decide matters at both ends of the First Division.
Liverpool had come knowing that a win would see them crowned champions – the first under manager Bob Paisley – while Wolves were battling for survival. Sheffield United and Burnley had already been relegated but Wolves were hoping to escape that last relegation position and send near neighbours Birmingham City down instead, who were playing the already downed Blades on the same night.
Taking the field for Wolves were: Gary Pierce, Alan Sunderland, Geoff Palmer, Steve Daley, Mike Bailey, Derek Parkin, Kenny Hibbitt, Willie Carr, Steve Kindon, John Richards and Jimmy Kelly.
For Liverpool were: Ray Clemence, Tommy Smith, Phil Neal, Phil Thompson, Ray Kennedy, Emlyn Hughes, Kevin Keegan, Jimmy Case, Steve Heighway, John Toshack and Ian Callaghan.
Early in the first half, it looked as if the football gods were smiling on the Wolves. Writing in the Guardian, Paul Fitzpatrick said: “Wolverhampton could hardly have been given a better start, scoring through Kindon after 13 minutes, and then receiving the information that Sheffield had gone a goal ahead at Bramhall Lane. A fine goal it was too, unexpected but well taken. Kindon’s power and speed were major threats to the comfort in the first half of Hughes and Thompson. Now those qualities were seen at their best.
“First Kindon beat Hughes in an aerial battle; then he went away like an explosive event. Richards laid the ball into his path and Kindon’s resultant right foot shot would have beaten any goalkeeper in the world.”
Wolves battled bravely on and at half time the score was still 1–0 in their favour.
However, in the second half Liverpool calmly asserted their dominance. The Daily Mirror’s wrote: “What really made it so memorable from then on was Liverpool’s determination not to allow that shock to disturb their massive composure, ruin their rhythm or affect their attitude of complete certainty.” But by no means did Wolves simply roll over for the potential champions – the Reds were made to battle all the way.
In the 60th minute Liverpool substituted Jimmy Case for David Fairclough and seven minutes later Wolves swapped Jimmy Kelly for
Bobby Gould.
There were only 14 minutes left to play when Liverpool equalised through Kevin Keegan. John Toshack put Liverpool in front in the 85th minute. Only then were the Wolves’ heads bowed and Liverpool grabbed a third goal in the 89th minute, thanks to Ray Kennedy.
History
Liverpool were champions for the ninth time in their history, finishing the season on 60 points, one point ahead of Queen’s Park Rangers, who enjoyed their best ever finish. Third were
and fourth were
Tommy Docherty’s Manchester United Derby County.
Sadly for Wolves, Birmingham City drew their final game of the season with Sheffield United, 1–1. That meant the Blues ended on 33 points to Wolves’ 30.
Wolves’ record for the season was played 42, won 10, drawn 10, lost 22, goals for 51, and goals against 68.
Wolves’ biggest win was 5–0 at home to Newcastle United and they also beat both relegated clubs, Burnley and Sheffield United by 5–1. The biggest defeat came at St James’s Park, when Newcastle beat Wolves 5–1. John Richards was the club’s top scorer with 17 League goals.
Relegated to the Second Division, Sammy Chung replaced Bill Mcgarry as boss at the Molineux, and led Wolves straight back up to the top flight. Wolves finished 1976-77 as Second Division champions.