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February 1974

As appeared in Rothman's Football Yearbook 1974-75 (5th year) :

The Queen Anne Press, London 1974

February 1974

1 Terry Garbett has moved to Sheffield U. from Blackburn for 35,000 pounds . . . Noel Cantwell has signed a three-year contract with Peterborough and has said that if any other club wants him as manager, they will have to pay a transfer fee to the 'Posh'.

2 Only 18 goals are scored in the First Division, and seven of the matches end in a draw. Ipswich beat Southampton 7-0 - their best ever win in Division One. . . Leeds are still unbeaten, but Bristol R. are defeated at Wrexham . . . Frank Munro, the Wolverhampton defender, is sent off at Molineux during a match against Stoke. . . Derek Dougan says that if the club chairmen veto TV for next season, members of the PFA might withdraw their labour. They have collected 25,000 pounds each year from this source and the money is used for the education of players in different trades. Dougan has complained that the PF A was not consulted concerning a possible TV black-out.

3 The Football League has rejected the three-year offer from the BBC and ITV. The voting is 28 against and 18 for the offer, and it means an end to Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon football on TV next season. Both companies have expressed their disappointment over the decision, but they have restated that they are not in the position to make an increased offer. . . Once again, above average crowds attend today's (Sunday) 17 league matches.

5 After days of wrangling, the Bournemouth board agrees to sell Phil Boyer to Norwich for 150,000 pounds. Boyer and McDougall have played together for York City and Bournemouth, and now they will team up for Norwich.

6 FA officials wish to ensure that every First and Second Division manager will go to the World Cup. Ted Croker says, 'We hope to have about 30 coaches based in a sports centre in Cologne. We should learn everything we can. It will be nice to say, when we qualify in 1978, that we were ready to look and learn in 1974.' 7 Brian Clough has accused his players of not knowing their own trade. He has also said that the players have shirked all moral responsibilities. He is backed up by assistant manager Peter Taylor. . . Peter Hindley, 29, has joined Coventry for 35,000 pounds.

8 Brian Greenhalgh, leading scorer at Cambridge, has joined Bournemouth for 38,000 pounds . . . Nine Ajax players are planning a World Cup boycott because they regard the bonus payments as 'insufficient' . . . Three British referees-Jack Taylor, Clive Thomas, and Bob Davidson-have been invited to officiate in the World Cup finals. . . Derek Dougan has responded to Brian Clough's attack on his Brighton players: 'He shouldn't criticise his players publicly, unless he allows them to answer back.'

9 60,025 people-the largest league attendance this season-see Leeds beat Manchester U. 2-0 at Old Trafford. United are bottom of the First Division and Leeds lead the field by nine points.

13 Yugoslavia beat Spain 1-0 at Frankfurt and qualify for the World Cup Finals.

14 Bob Latchford has signed for Everton for an estimated record transfer fee of 350,000 pounds -Everton defenders Howard Kendall and Arthur Styles, plus 80,000 pounds cash, make up the fee. Freddie Goodwin, who a few weeks ago vowed that he would not sell Latchford or Francis, has defended the move by saying that no players are available for money and he had to settle for an exchange deal. . . Peter Osgood will play for Chelsea against Aberdeen in a friendly, but remains on the transfer list. . . Bournemouth have signed the Plymouth winger AJan Welsh for 30,000 pounds.

15 Bertie Mee says that English football needs a 'dictator' : 'Too many clubs-perhaps understandably-are acting out of self-interest. We have to have a more positive professional leadership.'

16 David Smallman scores the winning goal for giantkillers Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round tie at Southampton. Leeds draw at Bristol C., but Liverpool beat Ipswich 2-0 at Anfield.

18 The Football v Television war continues. Q.P.R. last night banned the cameras from their replay against Coventry because they felt that an early announcement on TV might harm the gates. Bob Lord of Burnley demands 10,000 pounds for the televising of his club's sixth round tie v Wrexham. 'I have never said that we should not have TV football, but if matches are screened, the TV companies must pay adequate compensation. There is no possibility of the figure being reduced.' Both BBC and ITV have a written agreement with the FA that all four quarter-finals of the Cup will be covered, but apparently Burnley do not feel obliged to comply with this contract. . . Gordon Dunwoodie, secretary of the Scottish Players Union, says that talk of a strike during the World Cup is premature. Earlier it was suggested in the Continental Press that the players might attempt to boycott the World Cup, unless their demands (freedom of movement, limited contract periods, pension schemes etc.) are granted.

19 Bristol C. beat Leeds at Elland Road in a sensational F.A. Cup replay. Don Gillies scores the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute. . . In London, Q.P.R. beat Coventry 3-2-the winning goal is scored from a free-kick by Stan Bowles seconds before the final whistle. . . Celtic pay 30,000 pounds to Sheffield United for Jim Bone. . . John Evanson has moved from Oxford to Blackpool for 40,000 pounds.

20 Derby have signed Bruce Rioch from Aston Villa for 200,000 pounds . . . Ted Croker states that clubs must honour the FA's contracts with the TV companies, or opt out of the competitions. But the FA will not put pressure on Burnley because it is understood that the clubs have the option on whether to allow the cameras into their grounds.

23 Leeds unbeaten League record ends at Stoke. The visitors take a two-goallead early in the match, but Stoke equalise before half-time. Dennis Smith heads the winning goal in the 67th minute. . . Liverpool draw at Newcastle and are now eight points points behind Leeds with one game in hand. . . Spain beat W. Germany 1-0 in a friendly.

25 Ted Croker, FA secretary, calls for the introduction of professional referees and the permanent establishment of Sunday League football . . . Brian Clough says that TV must be banned from the grounds for at least six months to see the effect on attendances. 'I would like to see TV commentators-including myself---0n the dole.'

26 Two players, Jackson of Notts Forest and Heppolette of Orient, are sent off at Nottingham, where Forest beat Orient 2-1 . . . W. Germany draw 0-0 with Italy in Rome. This is the 11th consecutive match in which Italy have not conceded a goal and 'keeper Dino Zoff, of Juventus, remains unbeaten for 1017 minutes.

27 The England Youth team beat Holland 1-0 and need only one more point to qualify for the Finals of the UEF A Youth Tournament in Sweden.

28 Preston pay 70,000 pounds for Mike Elwiss of Doncaster . . . The sage of discontent at Chelsea continues. Tommy Baldwin is fined two weeks' wages and Ian Hutchinson is on the transfer list. Hutchinson says, 'This thing has been dragging on for weeks. Chelsea have not told me how much they think I'm worth on the market.' Osgood has confirmed that he is also determined to get away and is worried about the approaching transfer deadline. . . Alan Hudson is recalled into the international reckoning and is included in the England Under-23 squad v Scotland. Ian Gillard of Q.P.R. is a newcomer in the party. . . Swindon sack Les Allen following a series of disappointing results. Swindon are bottom of the Second Division.