When outfield players become goalkeepers Part II
Bobby Moore (West Ham United) vs Stoke City, 26th January 1972
West Ham’s goalkeeper Bobby Ferguson took a kick to the head in the 13th minute when diving at Terry Conroy’s feet. He was given treatment on the rain-sodden pitch for seven minutes but had to be taken off.
Bobby Moore took the goalkeeper’s jersey and within a couple of minutes, West Ham had given away a penalty. Stoke’s Mike Bernard took the kick, hitting it almost straight at Moore who pushed it away but Bernard chased in to score the rebound.
Bobby Ferguson returned 20 minutes after being taken off and Moore returned to the centre of defence.
Stoke won the match 3-2 and went on to beat Chesea 2-0 in the Final at Wembley.
Alan Young and Steve Lynex (Shrewsbury Town) vs Leicester City, 6th March 1982
This FA Cup Quarter Final saw Leicester play with three different goalkeepers over the course of the match.
Leicester City’s goalkeeper Mark Wallington took a thump from Shrewsbury’s Chic Bates when Leicester were 1-0 up.
Wallington was replaced by striker Alan Young who also had to leave the field of play, after being knocked unconscious by Shrewsbury’s Bernard McNally.
Steve Lynex took over for a short period whilst Young got patched up on the sidelines. Young went back in goal short while later and Leicester won the game 5-2. They lost 2-0 to eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur in the Semi-Final.
Chris Hedworth and Peter Beardsley (Newcastle United) vs West Ham United, 21st April 1986
On a torrid afternoon for Newcastle United at West Ham, the visitors had to use three different goalkeepers in an 8-1 defeat.
First choice goalkeeper Martin Thomas left the field with a bad shoulder and centre-back Chris Hedworth took over.
Hedworth conceded a goal before also going off injured. Peter Beardsley then went in goal and conceded five.
Alvin Martin scored a hat-trick in the 8-1 win, one past each of the three goalkeepers used by the visitors that day.
Graham Roberts (Rangers) vs Celtic 17th October 1987
Rangers’ goalkeeper Chris Woods was sent off in the first half of this Old Firm Derby along with Frank McAvennie of Celtic. Rangers had no choice but to put defender Graham Roberts in goal.
Rangers came back to level the game at 2-2 before they had Terry Butcher sent off. With a few minutes to go, the Rangers fans began signing sectarian chants and Roberts began ‘conducting them’. He claimed afterwards that he didn’t know what was being sung and was found not guilty in a court of law.
Vinnie Jones (Wimbledon) vs Newcastle United 21st October 1995
With the score at 3-1 to Newcastle, Wimbledon’s goalkeeper Paul Heald was sent off. Wimbledon had already used all three of their allocated substitutes, meaning an outfielder had to go in goal.
Vinnie Jones volunteered to go in goal and despite putting in a confident performance, he conceded three goals. Newcastle won the game 6-1.
Graeme McLaren and Kevin McLaren (East Stirlingshire) vs Albion Rovers, 10th May 2003
East Stirlingshire incredibly used FOUR goalkeepers on the firnal day of the 2002/03 season away to Albion Rovers.
Regular goalkeeper Chris Todd went off injured after six minutes, replaced by substitute keeper Scott Finlay.
Finlay was given his marching orders by referee Andrew Harper ten minutes into the second half. Defender Graeme McLaren took over in goal for the remaining 35 minutes.
McLaren only lasted ten minutes before he too was sent off, meaning Kevin McCann had to go in goal for the rest of the match.
McCann performed heroics and even saved a penalty in his time in the ‘Shire goal. Albion won the game 4-1 but missed out on promotion by a single point.
Incidentally, referee Harper sent off another five East Stirlingshire players over the course of the season. Three of those red cards were shown in a single game against Peterhead!
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