Hereford mourn death of legend Colin Addison

By Ian Morris

The man who masterminded the FA Cup’s greatest ever giant killing has died at the age of 85.

Colin Addison not only managed but also played for Hereford United in their seismic defeat of Newcastle United in 1972.

The match is remembered for Ronnie Radford’s 40-yard thunderbolt, a young John Motson starting out in commentary and the pitch invasion of parka jackets.

It also shone a spotlight on a 31-year-old player-manager who would go on to take charge of a long list of clubs, including Derby County, Swansea City, Atletico de Madrid, Cadiz and Celta Vigo.

Succesful

Born in Taunton, Addison joined York City as a teenager. After helping his side win promotion to the third division, he was bought by Nottingham Forest in 1961.

Addison enjoyed a successful spell at the City Ground, scoring 62 goals in 160 league appearances.

Arsenal manager Bertie Mee was one of many impressed by the style of the young forward and Addison moved to the Gunners in 1966 for £45,000.

Sadly, Addison sustained injuries at Arsenal. After scoring an average of one goal in every three games, he was sold to Sheffield United in 1967.

During his four years as a player at Bramall Lane, Addison completed coaching courses.

When Hereford offered the Blades £3,000 for his services as a player-manager, he took the chance to move south.

Incredible

Speaking to The Observer in 2007, Addison said: “It was my first management job – a real crash course.

“Everyone else was part-time and the players were scattered everywhere.”

Addison’s first season saw Hereford play 79 matches – many of those in an incredible FA Cup run featuring replays instead of penalty shootouts.

One often forgotten fact among the drama of the Newcastle victory is that the part-timers of Hereford held their higher-graded opponents to a 2-2 draw in the North East in a now overlooked first match between the two sides.

Addison scored one of the Hereford goals. Malcolm McDonald, the fearsome Newcastle number 9, said in his autobiography that it was one of the greatest strikes he had ever seen.

Alas, no TV cameras were at St James’ Park that night to film the goal.

The same could not be said for the third-round replay that eventually took place on February 5, 1972, on a quagmire of a pitch at Edgar Street.

Speaking to Four Four Two magazine in 2022, Radford said: “Colin inspired us with his words.

“Even today, whenever he talks to you, it’s like a team talk. Colin made a huge difference. He was a very good player – the best signing Hereford ever made.”