Team photo 1965-66

Bradford 7
Hector 5, Fryatt, Ironside og
Barnsley 2
Ferguson, Henson
20 November 1965
Bradford made just one change from the side which were beaten 3-2 by Hull City in the FA Cup a week earlier with Jim Fryatt coming in for Sam Lawrie who was named substitute.
Although both clubs were lying in mid table Avenue went into this Yorkshire derby with just one defeat in their last 7 league matches and with striker Kevin Hector in a rich vein of form. And it was Hector who made all the headlines in this one sided encounter as Avenue put in one of their most accomplished team performances for many a year and Hector scored 5 goals to take his season’s tally to 19 in just 17 games. By his standards though Hector was suffering something of a goal drought as almost 30 minutes had gone by without him getting on the score sheet. He was even guilty of missing a simple chance on 15 minutes before the floodgates well and truly opened.
The first goal of the afternoon came after good work down the left wing by Geoff Gould. Then 8 minutes later it was Albert Broadbent, who along with Fryatt had a fine match, who turned provider. Within another minute Hector had completed his hat trick showing great close control to beat three defenders and slip the ball past oncoming Barnsley keeper Roy Ironside.
The half time interval came to Barnsley’s rescue but Hector was at it again soon after the break. Within 3 minutes of the restart Ironside failed to hold onto Gould’s shot and Hector rolled in the rebound. Martin Ferguson got one back for Barnsley on 53 minutes before the Bradford number 8 intercepted a pass intended for Ironside and ran through the visitor’s defence to score his and Avenue’s 5th on the hour. Hector’s 5 goal haul had come in an amazing 27 minute spell. Fryatt and an unfortunate own goal from the hapless Ironside who fell over attempting to collect a cross from Bobby Ham and diverted the ball into his own net completed the scoring for Bradford whilst George Henson scored a late goal for Barnsley. The win moved Avenue up to 8th position just 2 points outside the promotion places.
Bradford : Hardie Thomas Lightowler Gordon McCalman I’anson Ham Hector Fryatt Broadbent Gould. Substitute Lawrie
Barnsley: Ironside Parker Brookes Addy Swallow Duerden Earnshaw Bettany Kerr Ferguson Hewitt. Substitute Murphy
Attendance: 5,833

 

@Red Rain other memories from Bradford fans that day:

"I believe one goal was so good dribbling around a few in the area (maybe the one that completed his 5 no idea) that the entire Barnsley team goalie included applauded him as he made his way back to half way"

• One of the goals, his shot hit the right hand post, came back and hit the keeper who had dived, on the head and went in. The keeper was Roy Ironside. One of the fastest 5 individual goals, if not the fastest, scored in a game in terms of match time. Exaggerated only by the half time break! Right hand post looking at your painting.
  • ·
    
• I seem to recall it going in off his backside Dennis. Immediately gave him a new name. Roy Backside!

 

A local artist painted a scene of the evening - I'm sure he won't mind me posting it on here as I have bought a couple of his works over the years. Somewhere, in the lit houses in the background, I was happily growing in my mummy's tummy and I hatched in December that year. My dad was probably at the game

 

Roy. Of course it was. Amazingly I remember the televised game against Tranmere too and his blooper. Quite an occasion being on the telly then.
Was Westwood the chairman at the time of the photo? My memory is a bit fuzzy. My dad hated his guts haha. Maybe it was his departure prompted the investment that brought Evens and Thomas, which as you will know, was the game changer.

 

George Henson? Don’t think so

 

Not sure about Westwood. I think it was Joe Richards in the chair for many years and no tears were shed when he stepped down

 

We had some decent players then and shouldn't have been anywhere near the bottom of the 4th Division. Winnie was obviously outstanding, but John Bettany was a really good midfielder, and Dick Hewitt was a very tricky left winger. Alan Hill was a great keeper, an England Youth international, I believe. His career was ended prematurely by a series of shoulder/collarbone injuries.

 

Hampstead, wasn't it?

 

That’s him. Joe Richards lol! Told you my memory was a bit fuzzy !

 

Nearly. George Hamstead

 

That's what I typed! Damned predictive text!