This Day in History: 2023-04-24

Nr. 443

GOALKEEPER TURNS GOALSCORER (1967)

Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Pat Jennings could not have picked a better stage to open his goal-scoring account. He chose the traditional season­opening showpiece Charity Shield match to score a historic goal for his FA Cup-winning team Tottenham Hotspur against League champions Manchester United. Jennings’ amazing kick upfield from his own goal area gave Spurs a 3-3 draw, but, although he was a powerful kicker, his punt was grabbed by a strong wind. This bamboozled the Manchester United defence and left United goalkeeper Alex Stepney embarrassed as the ball eluded his grasp and dropped into the net 80 yards from where Jennings had launched it.

Alan Gilzean of Tottenham celebrates as United goal keeper Alex Stepney looks dejected at being beaten by Jenning’s speculative punt.