ON THIS DAY

Tragedy strikes at the Bradford City v Lincoln City match at Valley Parade when a discarded match starts a fire in the wooden Main Stand. It was soon engulfed in flames which left 56 dead and over 250 injured. 12 th May

Surprising, despite having scored less goals than relegated Sheffield United, going into their last match of the season Crystal Palace had everything to play for. They were fourth in the Second Division table but the top three sides who were in the promotion spots had all completed their League fixtures - Palace were catching up after a poor season of weather-related postponements. A win for the Terry Venables managed Palace on that Friday night would see them finish top and deny great rivals Brighton the championship, a draw would see them miss out on the title but still win promotion to the top flight while a defeat would see them in the Second Division for another season. What is still a record Selhurst Park crowd of 51,482 witnessed a goalless first half against Burnley before goals from Ian Walsh and David Swindlehurst in the last quarter of an hour gave the Londoners a 2-0 victory and the Second Division title.

On May 11th 1976 Elton John performed a concert at Earls Court. Elsewhere, in the world of football on that day Jim Bonser resigned as chairman of Watford FC with his replacement being one Reg Dwight, aka Elton John. The new chairman said ' I'm really serious about this. I hope people will not treat this as a gimmick. I've supported this club since I was seven years old.' Graham Taylor was an early appointment as manager and between them in ten years they turned Fourth Division Watford into a club who had finished second in the top flight, reached an FA Cup final and had played in European competition. Far from being a gimmick the appointment of Elton John was surely Watford's greatest ever signing!

Between the sacking of Alf Ramsey and the appointment of Don Revie as his successor Coventry City boss Joe Mercer became temporary manager of England for 7 matches. The first of those games was on Saturday 11th May 1974 when England visited Wales for a Home International match played at Cardiff City’s Ninian Park ground. England won the match 2-0, the goals coming from Kevin Keegan, his first goal for England in his third appearance for his country, and QPR’s Stan Bowles whose goal was the only one he scored in his five England appearances. Joe Mercer’s seven matches in charge of England were played in the space of less than a month with England winning three of them, drawing three but losing to Scotland. Many hoped he would take permanent charge of England but back to Coventry City he went.