Ronnie Radford RIP

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I saw he had passed a few days ago and then watched Hereford v Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Friday evening, they gave him a good send-off and it was great to see Colin Addison and Dudley Tyler talking about him before the game.

Until now I didn't know his career started at Leeds in the early 60's, though he didn't get a game so moved into non-League at Cheltenham Town and Rugby Town before turning up at Newport County in about 1969. From there he moved to Hereford and in February 1972, in the 4th round of the FA Cup, he scored the goal that made him famous for a bit more than 15 minutes.

I have to say that was probably the best goal ever scored in a Cup match but I invite comments and contradictions - we each have our own opinions and as a Palace fan I have my own personal favourites from 1976, 1990 and 2016 - but Ronnie's goal had everything - 1-0 down, mud, a scything tackle, non-league v 1st Division, 30 yard screamer. And it was the ONLY goal he scored for Hereford in the Cup.

From that, a true legend was born. And now he's passed away, aged 79.

RIP Ronnie, thank you, well done and