Matchday Memories: Watch Sky Blues defeat Red Devils on this day in 1973 as George scores the game’s last goal.
This day in 1973 (15 December) saw Gordon Milne’s Sky Blues visit to Old Trafford for a Division One fixture en route to an impressive double over Manchester United. The two teams were in very different situations today. The Red Devils were in nineteenth place and had not won in their previous seven games, while CCFC was flying high in the Divisional top ten and had won three straight games. They had defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 and Sheffield United 3-1 at Highfield Road, forcing a 2-2 draw at Arsenal in between.
On this day, the away team’s 3-2 triumph was well-earned.
At both halftime and fulltime, United’s lowest attendance of the season (28,589) witnessed the Sky Blues’ lead. A minute prior to halftime, Martin Buchan of United diverted a cross from winger Les Cartwright, who is now a member of the CCFPA, to Colin Stein, a Scottish international for Sky Blues. But it was none other than their legendary inside forward George Best who gave the Red Devils an equaliser two minutes after the half! This would end up being Besty’s final game for the team.
In a thrilling match, City’s Brian Alderson scored a spectacular goal on minute sixty-three to put the away team ahead once more. However, three minutes later, Red Devils’ Roger Morgan equalised again.
After 76 minutes, David “Psycho” Cross of the Sky Blues scored the game-winning header by heading past Alex Stepney in the United goal. Despite their best efforts, the home squad was unable to breach the Sky Blues’ resilient defence once more!
On that December day, Milne’s troops entered the pitch as follows:
The late Brian Alderson, Colin Stein, David Cross, Tommy Hutchison, Jimmy Holmes, Mick McGuire, Chris Cattlin, Bobby Parker, Les Cartwright, and Bill Glazier
We are happy to report that every member of the squad above, along with their “gaffer,” later joined this Association, with the exception of Brian, who tragically died in the States in 1997 at the age of just 46.
Dean Nelson, a former committee member of The Association, has provided us with comprehensive TV highlights, which you may view by clicking on the image below:
The following players were selected by the Red Devils:-
The following players: Clive Griffiths, Willie Morgan, Lou Macari, Sammy McIlroy, Tony Young, George Best, Steve James (sub. Mick Martin), Martin Buchan, Alex Forsyth, Brian Greenhoff, and Alex Stepney. G. Kew is the referee.
This season, future Sky Blue Managing Director Paul Fletcher, future Sky Blue defender Jim Holton (who also passed away tragically young), and future Sky Blue star (and CCFPA member) Gerry Daly were all included on the Manchester United playing roster!
The next February, Brian scored once more to give the Sky Blues a 1-0 victory at Highfield Road, completing the double over United.
Oddly enough, the Sky Blues lost 2-1 at home to United on this exact date in 1979–80 and drew 2-2 at home to H.R. in 1990–91.
In 1973–74, Manchester United was relegated, finishing in penultimate place (21st). Norwich City and Southampton, who were at the bottom, were the other victims. In a close season finale, the Sky Blues’ lead over the Saints was barely a few points (albeit they finished four spots ahead of them in sixteenth).
Leeds United won the championship five points ahead of Liverpool, who came in second.
