SNIFFER SCENTS VICTORY
“WHO put the ball in Arsenal’s net?” Leeds fans used to sing whenever their side played the Gunners.
“Allan, Allan Clarke.”
His goal won the Centenary FA Cup Final, played on May 6, 1972 in front of the Queen and Prince Philip.
Arsenal had achieved the Double the previous season, pipping Leeds to the league title by a point.
And there was bad feeling between the sides that lingered from the 1968 League Cup Final, won by a Terry Cooper strike, which, Arsenal insisted, should have been ruled out.
“We knew Arsenal could mix it,” said Leeds skipper Billy Bremner (below, receiving the FA Cup from Her Majesty) years later. “So we knew it wasn’t going to be an elegant game. We were really up for the fight.”
Only two seconds into the game, Clarke clattered Gunner Alan Ball and defender Bob McNab went into the referee’s notebook after just 48 seconds for hacking down Peter Lorimer.
There was goalmouth action as well in a first half that brought four bookings.
Arsenal went close when Alan Ball’s rightfoot shot seemed destined for the corner before Paul Reaney’s toe knocked it to safety.
Clarke was just inches away from putting Leeds ahead at the other end, sending a glancing header against the crossbar.
However, Clarke was right on target in the 53rd minute.
“I remember Jonah (Mick Jones) taking on McNab and Rice,” said the goalscorer known as ‘Sniffer’.
“As the ball’s coming over, I’m thinking, ‘Right-foot volley’ and I fancy my chances. But when it was about 10 yards from me, it started to lose pace and I’m thinking, ‘It ain’t going to get to me’. I’ve only got a split-second to make up my mind, so I think, ‘I’d better take off’. So I did.’
Clarke took off and sent his diving header into the corner of the net for one of the great FA Cup Final goals.
Charlie George almost equalised, slamming a shot off the crossbar, but late drama came at the other end when Jones fell awkwardly.
He felt the “unbearable pain” of a dislocated elbow, but Norman Hunter was determined to help his heavily strapped team-mate up to the Royal Box to collect his winner’s medal.