Curr Avon Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 I dream that one day, hopefully soon, Deano, Bristol City will be gracing Old Trafford like the boys of 1976-80. On that note it's still magical to recall a very rare feat, a City win at the 'Theatre of Dreams' and Kevin Mabbutt's hat-trick, on October 21st 1978. Thanks for the wonderful memories Kevin and also to my friend Chris Bradfield for commending them to DVD, via an antique reel-to-reel video tape that was originally filmed by Jonathan Pearce's father, John. You can see them on YouTube: I also wrote this column for the Evening Post back in 2008. EXACTLY 30 years ago today Bristol City striker Kevin Mabbutt completed an extraordinary feat by becoming only the second player in Football League history to score a hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Bristol-born Mabbutt relocated to the United States in 1990 where he now lives with his wife and three daughters in Rancho Santa Fe, an upmarket suburb of San Diego. Yet despite his American accent, a West Country lilt is still evident as he recounted that unforgettable 3-1 victory when he was still only 19. He recalled: "Going to Manchester United to play for the first time is every young player's dream and I was extremely excited; especially during the coach journey to Old Trafford. "Even though I'd been playing in the First Division for over a year back then, playing at one of the greatest stadiums in the world, with United's fans and reputation, was a privilege and an honour." Despite a bright opening to the 1978-79 campaign, City went into this fixture on the back of two consecutive defeats and neither Mabbutt nor his strike partner, Joe Royle, had found the net that term. "Joe was really the main man up there and I was working off of him" he said. "But what's interesting is that we hadn't started the season well, as far as scoring, and yet we went there and between us we ripped United apart pretty much. "In fact, the team played fantastically that day and Trevor (Tainton),Gowey (Gerry Gow) and Jimmy (Mann) in particular kept winning the ball in midfield and controlled the game." But what about those goals? "What I remember was the confident way I took them all," he said. "For the first one, Joe knocked it on and I'd beaten my defender, Martin Buchan, to the ball with an early run, and their keeper was in front of me and instead of taking it on another step or two into the box, I just hammered it into the roof of the net." Mabbutt remembers each of his goals that way; the rush of adrenaline after anticipating the flight of Royle's passes, followed by split-second timing to out sprint his marker, crowned by a confident finish Following the opener on 11 minutes, Royle continued to give his marker Gordon McQueen a torrid time, out-jumping the big Scottish international to set up Mabbutt's second. United fought back, but City keeper John Shaw saved brilliantly from a Jimmy Greenhoff penalty. And despite the United striker chesting home shortly after, the Robins added a third two minutes from time. Royle challenged United keeper Paddy Roche following a swift City counter attack and cushioned the ball for Mabbutt to complete his hat-trick and join an elite band which now numbers four: Kevin, Dennis Bailey, Martin Peters and Ronaldo. After such a momentous victory, surely a celebration was called for? "There weren't any special celebrations," reflects Mabbutt, "but I remember sitting in the changing rooms afterwards and feeling very humble and trying to get my head round it." Mabbutt recalls one of the most memorable moments as being when the match ball was passed around the United team, some of whom refused to sign it. "I remember having the ball and being on the bus on the way back, and you know it kind of being a prize possession. I think my father still has it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRIAN WILSON Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 I was there AND extremely frightening coming out of the away end after Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 Dennis Bailey scoring a hat-trick for Rovers in the league at Old Trafford, after we did it first of course, but a lot of people forget Rovers went there and won too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curr Avon Posted October 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 3 minutes ago, Moments of Pleasure said: Dennis Bailey scoring a hat-trick for Rovers in the league at Old Trafford, after we did it first of course, but a lot of people forget Rovers went there and won too. Sorry to be pedantic, but Bailey scored them for QPR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 3 minutes ago, Curr Avon said: Sorry to be pedantic, but Bailey scored them for QPR. Well, yeah. But he was at Rovers before that. It's pretty much the same thing; City’s Kevin Mabbutt scored a hat-trick at Old Trafford, and Rovers' Denis Bailey scored a hat-trick at Old Trafford (for QPR). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murraysrightplum Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 I think everyone is forgetting that Barry Hayles scores 2 and got an assist in an fantastic away victory at Spurs*, which completely eclipses Mabbut. * for Fulham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 To the best of my knowledge, these two hat tricks by Mabbutt and Bailey are the last away team hat tricks in league matches, Div One and Prem, at Old Trafford. PS, what about 1-6 thumping this season. Did anyone get the match ball then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slartibartfast Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 1 hour ago, BRIAN WILSON said: I was there AND extremely frightening coming out of the away end after Me too, and, yes it was ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie andrews Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 i was there.......not many city iirc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 2 hours ago, BRIAN WILSON said: I was there AND extremely frightening coming out of the away end after If I remember, there werent many of us left in there at the end. They opened the gates with about 20 minutes to go and most City left, and United poured in. I was little more than a kid so think I got off lightly, plus our scarves in those days were red, white and black, same as theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCFC OF HUSKVARNA Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 King of the kings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRIAN WILSON Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 My Dad and I won tickets for the Man U game in a raffle on the way back from the inaugual CATS Trip to QPR (if my memory serves me right) bastard Busby scored in the last minute - So off to Manchester with Free Travel and Match Ticket ONLY to miss the coach, however a very quick trip up the motorway to flag down/catch the Coach at Michaelwood Services Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onehowie Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 2 hours ago, slartibartfast said: Me too, and, yes it was ! And me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DingleRed Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, onehowie said: And me! Me too! Ended up in the Stretford End. Got out to tell the tale, though. Was at school with KM so always followed his career with interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notbarrymanc Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 A deeply unpleasant person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curr Avon Posted October 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 38 minutes ago, DingleRed said: Me too! Ended up in the Stretford End. Got out to tell the tale, though. Was at school with KM so always followed his career with interest. I attended the 'Spirit of 76' commemoration dinner in 2011, which featured the majority of the promotion squad. Donnie Gillies told me that as he was about to strike a late winner for City at Old Trafford, in February 1975, in front of a baying mob of Stretford Enders, "I was sh****ng myself." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRock Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 5 hours ago, Murraysrightplum said: I think everyone is forgetting that Barry Hayles scores 2 and got an assist in an fantastic away victory at Spurs*, which completely eclipses Mabbut. * for Fulham Was that before, or after, the even more fantastic 9-0* scoreline away at Spurs? * to Spurs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curr Avon Posted October 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 Here's the Manchester United team from that day: http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/match_data/match_sql.php?my_match_date=1978-10-21 and the match programme cover City's heroes were.... John Shaw Gerry Sweeney Donnie Gillies Gerry Gow David Rodgers Norman Hunter Trevor Tainton Tom Ritchie Joe Royle Jimmy Mann Kevin Mabbutt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Port Said Red Posted October 22, 2020 Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 19 hours ago, Notbarrymanc said: A deeply unpleasant person. I met him several times through a family member and never found him so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted October 22, 2020 Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 22 hours ago, archie andrews said: i was there.......not many city iirc I wasn't there.......there were thousands of city (I recall correctly) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curr Avon Posted October 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 1 hour ago, Port Said Red said: I met him several times through a family member and never found him so. Me too PSR. I was lucky enough to interview Kevin in 2008 and spoke with him a few times over the next 3 years. This included arranging an interview with Geoff Twentyman on RB in 2010, prior to our first visit to Elland Road since Kevin scored a brace there in October 1979. He was a lovely guy and I can't speak too highly of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1ackbird Posted October 22, 2020 Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 Stuth, time flies when your having fun.. If I could watch three games from our history it would be Portsmouth to win promotion, Coventry away, and Bolton at Wembley... On the plus side I've seen us win at Anfield and Old Trafford.. Win some, lose some.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Med/MadHatter Posted October 22, 2020 Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 3 hours ago, Port Said Red said: I met him several times through a family member and never found him so. Me too, used to see him quite alot in those days, always nice to me, the same with Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notbarrymanc Posted October 24, 2020 Report Share Posted October 24, 2020 On 22/10/2020 at 18:33, Port Said Red said: I met him several times through a family member and never found him so. People from the metropolis of Regil know a bit more about the family. I’ll leave it there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.