This was my favourite ever match at Craven Cottage (Fulham V Liverpool on February 26 1966). Thank you for posting. In the days when it was just 2 points for a win, if my memory is correct, Liverpool were 4 points clear at the top, and Fulham were in bottom place by 4 points. Fulham scored in the first half, but the chanting (from the almost 32,000 crowd) was still LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL. But as the match went into the second half, the Fulham fans realized that an upset might be on the cards, and the chanting became LIVERPOOL, FULHAM. Then, after Fulham scored their second goal, the chanting became loudly FULHAM, FULHAM. It was a famous 2 - 0 victory, and it is interesting to listen to Kenneth W's gloating before the match about the certain Liverpool victory that was to follow. The key to Fulham's amazing escape from relegation in the 1965-66 season, was manager Vic Buckingham bringing in Dave Sexton as coach in early 1966. Sexton went on to get a lot of success as manager with different top flight teams.
Liverpool started the day 9 points clear at the top; Fulham were 5 points adrift at the bottom. And you forgot to mention the infamous sending-off of Ian St. John at the end for decking Pearson! Losing the match, they lost the plot. It was the beginning of Fulham's great escape (well, the greatest of many).
Small joys of watching these games...the advertising hoardings around the pitch. Northampton Town in the top division?! I don't think they'll ever do that again.
In the same season Fulham won a crucial match away at Macclesfield Town; incredible that Macclesfield were in the first division. One side of their pitch was missing any seating or stands. it was marked by a rope on metal poles!!
Great history; muddy pitch, everyone getting really muddy, crazy tackles going un checked, fans on the wrong side of the pathetic side fencing, large terraces with no restrainer bars and whole sections of the crowd falling on each other, and players having their "names taken" by the ref instead of being Booked! This was a start of a winning run for Fulham and they escaped relegation. My mate and I usually stood on the corner of the Putney bridge end, at the top, when it was just bare concrete steps. Approximately where Mr Wostenholme was standing when he opened the programme. Steve Earle and Les Barrett were my favourite players.
and here we are 56 years later and Liverpool still struggle against Fulham, LFC had also the same problem when playing Leicester City at Anfield in the early 70s.
What do you mean old timers ,although I'm a Fulham fan(fulham born ) and was there I'm only 64 does that make me an old timer lol ,,,, those were the days when Liverpool fans did come from Liverpool..
I agree. Or that other action some players do when some players pull their shirts over their heads in shame after having lost a game. They always reminds me of little kids who have been told off by their parents.
Wonderful nostalgic look back at the Cottage.
I urge any true Fulham supporter to watch this
This was my favourite ever match at Craven Cottage (Fulham V Liverpool on February 26 1966). Thank you for posting. In the days when it was just 2 points for a win, if my memory is correct, Liverpool were 4 points clear at the top, and Fulham were in bottom place by 4 points. Fulham scored in the first half, but the chanting (from the almost 32,000 crowd) was still LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL. But as the match went into the second half, the Fulham fans realized that an upset might be on the cards, and the chanting became LIVERPOOL, FULHAM. Then, after Fulham scored their second goal, the chanting became loudly FULHAM, FULHAM. It was a famous 2 - 0 victory, and it is interesting to listen to Kenneth W's gloating before the match about the certain Liverpool victory that was to follow. The key to Fulham's amazing escape from relegation in the 1965-66 season, was manager Vic Buckingham bringing in Dave Sexton as coach in early 1966. Sexton went on to get a lot of success as manager with different top flight teams.
I was at this game fab st John losing his temper
Liverpool started the day 9 points clear at the top; Fulham were 5 points adrift at the bottom. And you forgot to mention the infamous sending-off of Ian St. John at the end for decking Pearson! Losing the match, they lost the plot. It was the beginning of Fulham's great escape (well, the greatest of many).
Great dive by “Pancho” Pearson, St John never touched him (but certainly tried)
when football was football not business and corruption. Great post cheers
I was at this game Hammersmith End 17yrs of age what a great game an day as along life Fulham Fan
Small joys of watching these games...the advertising hoardings around the pitch.
Northampton Town in the top division?! I don't think they'll ever do that again.
Great to see this. I was a school boy at this. I remember the headline of the evening newspaper; Fulham Shatter Liverpool.
Sadly, the Fulham goalkeeper McClelland was to die of a brain haemorrhage 10 years later (March 1976) at only 35 years of age.
In the same season Fulham won a crucial match away at Macclesfield Town; incredible that Macclesfield were in the first division. One side of their pitch was missing any seating or stands. it was marked by a rope on metal poles!!
Mark 'Pancho' Pearson was a character and a wind up merchant even from his man utd era, sparked out from a wet paper bag punch, knew his stuff haha
Yes I thought that.
Great history; muddy pitch, everyone getting really muddy, crazy tackles going un checked, fans on the wrong side of the pathetic side fencing, large terraces with no restrainer bars and whole sections of the crowd falling on each other, and players having their "names taken" by the ref instead of being Booked! This was a start of a winning run for Fulham and they escaped relegation. My mate and I usually stood on the corner of the Putney bridge end, at the top, when it was just bare concrete steps. Approximately where Mr Wostenholme was standing when he opened the programme. Steve Earle and Les Barrett were my favourite players.
You can feel the concussion with every header
Milners first match
and here we are 56 years later and Liverpool still struggle against Fulham, LFC had also the same problem when playing Leicester City at Anfield in the early 70s.
You can sense the genuine football fever, unlike the cheat at all costs current game.
Still seething
Brillant
Old Liddypool turned into a bit of a Leeds United when they found they were on the backfoot.
Didn't the signing of Allan Clarke from Walsall also make a difference to Fulham staying up that season
I would say definitely .
when people had pride not avarice for tons of stupid advertising. great days. I watched Wimbledon in those days
Are here any Liverpool old timers out there who were at this game? I'd love to hear your memories.
What do you mean old timers ,although I'm a Fulham fan(fulham born ) and was there I'm only 64 does that make me an old timer lol ,,,, those were the days when Liverpool fans did come from Liverpool..
If this is the game where St. John was sent off I was there just on the half way line
Nice to see normal goal celebrations as opposed to modern choreographed, and usually idiotic, pantomimes.
I agree. Or that other action some players do when some players pull their shirts over their heads in shame after having lost a game. They always reminds me of little kids who have been told off by their parents.
Commentator talking as if Fulham were non league not in same division as there opponents?