West Ham United v Wolves, 4th November 1972

Highlights of an entertaining First Division match at Upton Park between West Ham United and Wolves on 4th November 1972.
Originally broadcast on LWT's The Big Match, with commentary provided by Brian Moore, the uploaded footage is from Sky TV's Bobby Charlton's Football Scrapbook, presented by Dickie Davies with contributions from Bobby Charlton and studio guest, former West Ham striker Bryan 'Pop' Robson.
Although Wolves ended the 1972-73 season having failed to win any major honours, the ability of Bill McGarry's team was demonstrated by a 5th placed finish in the league and semi-final appearances in both the FA and League Cups. The season was also a personal success for Wolves striker John Richards; his 36 league and cup goals were suitably rewarded with the Young Player of the Year award for 1973 and also a cap for England at the end of the season.
Richards formed a highly successful partnership with Derek Dougan and 'The Doog' contributed a total of 17 league and cup goals for the season. Against West Ham, however, Dougan was absent through injury and was replaced by the powerful and pacy forward Steve Kindon.
The Wolves strikers were supported by a highly capable midfield, led by inspirational captain Mike Bailey, with the very efficient Jim McCalliog as Bailey's partner in the centre of midfield and the creative talents of left winger Dave Wagstaffe and Kenny Hibbitt on opposite flanks.
In defence, Derek Parkin's lengthy long-term absence through illness proved to to be an ongoing issue for McGarry and his team selection. In general, Gerry Taylor or John McAlle deputised for Parkin at left-back, with McAlle chosen for the position against West Ham and Derek Jefferson occupying McAlle's usual centre-half berth alongside Frank Munro.
West Ham United manager Ron Greenwood was able to field a relatively settled team throughout the 1972-73 campaign that enabled the Hammers to finish a very respectable 6th at the end of the season. Wolves were aiming to complete a double over Greenwood's team following a 3-0 victory at Molineux early in the season but in 'Pop' Robson, who concluded the season with a very impressive 30 league and cup goals, West Ham possessed one of the most consistently prolific strikers in the country.

[@chairmanalf7856]

I was behind the South Bank goal during that match. There is a myth that Sir Trev never scored with his head until the 1980 cup final 😉

[@tbeau5748]

He scored a few with his head. One I remember was in the 1976 ECWC semi final 2nd leg win over Eintracht Frankfurt

[@johncambridge7339]

Wolves back then where a hard team to play against

[@johncambridge7339]

Proper football

[@peterturley8846]

Steve Kindon - great player!

[@tallytalbot7150]

deffo one of the true sprinters in the game