never took out time to read many books always busy doing something else but after reading your post I then have ordered one and it will arrive next week,
all I can remember about that day was my dad went to the game and came back with a 5 " plastic trophy and a cardboard head band with the Trinity name and logo on for me, he worked regular nights and never spoke of the game to me at all and was quickly forgotten to ask him about the game.

In the end the trophy was taken to Walton junior school and as kids we used to play football in the dinner time to see who would win it, we was that good we never lost even with 3 players less, their only chance of a result was to kick the ball into the pig pen which was at the side of the field

does anybody remember the pig pen next to the walton rec

Do you mean Crofton

Hello Wakey fans. I went on train to this famous final, as a schoolboy from Kingston Upon Hull, it was my first Wembley cup final, I remember the train coming in to Kings Cross (I think) and the rain could be heard inside the station bouncing of the roof, it was chuckling it down.

I remember the excitement and anticipation of entering the famous stadium, I was probably a little young to analyse the actual game, but remember wingers running through standing water, the ball stopping dead, with players running past the ball.

Of course the most famous moment when Don Fox missed that almost unmissable kick in front of the sticks, as he dropped to the floor in obvious heartbreak, that one moment for me encapsulated the love I’ve had ever since for our great game, the cruel & the hurt in that never forgotten moment filled me as a neutral with so much sadness for Don, memories of a lifetime.

I honestly wasn’t aware of any controversy regarding the officials, and didn’t until now know the terrible circumstances which became of the referee, I suppose back then, no social media etc, it was just one more moment in time.

That's were Leeds got there lucky Leeds tag ,and they have lived up to it many a time

Yup, it's such an engrossing story on every level.

Personally, I don't think the Ref was bent but I do think someone or something got to him, or in other words, he was nobbled somehow, Nothing I might add to do with the Leeds team or the club. I don't need to go into too much detail, I think we know the kind of people I am eluding to.

A truly crooked individual wouldn't kill himself, truly bad people rarely do the honorable thing, depending on your outlook.

That said it was only a part of the story and will only ever be speculation, so even if they ever do make a film of it

it's just some subtext.

The real story was Don Fox, the pain he felt, and the instant forgiveness and support he got from the people of the world's largest village and his teammates, it's that that makes me proud to call Wakefield my home (not, unfortunately, my birthplace).

Not sure they were lucky, well not the players, in the documentary few of them seemed totally comfortable with what happened that day, even though it had little to do with them. It's a bit like the SLGF and the CCup of the last two years, the teams earned it but it's tainted IMHO.

How happened to trinity in the years straight after 1968

The pitch was so full of puddles that the marching band, at half time as they came of where going out of step

Nah, that was just the excuse they used.

2 things that may or not be true.
No lap of honour by the Leeds team
Heppletwait related to leeda player shoebottom I think.

Alas they key turning point for me was committee men forcing Neil to play a game before the final when he told them he'd pulled his groin.

He ended up missing this game and the GB tour.

Possibly but as Neil says, he may have kicked that one but would possibly have missed the others or something like that.

All the same, thank god committee men are no longer allowed anywhere near team selection.

So the committee called the shots not the coach ?

That was quite common at most clubs and in most sports up until the '80s. They also signed and sold players, often without consulting the coach. It's only since the Aussies showed us how it should be done that the Coach has risen in the hierarchy. There were of course exceptions, Peter Fox for one but even he would have to defer to the committee in the end.

Despite winning the World Cup Alf Ramsey was never invited to a committee meeting and was never allowed to address the committee members by their Christian names, even, when he himself became a Sir!

Nothing was more class-ridden than British sport, dominated by pompous upper-middle-class prats, unlikeable versions of Captain Mainwaring. Glad that is mostly over with.

It's not just about the kick.
Having Neil playing would have changed the game.
Don was an excellent player and goal kicker so it's not about him.

But a team with Neil Fox in it will be better than one without.

I'm only going on what he said, it's not my opinion, he seemed to think his playing would have made no difference. I'll try and find the quoete.

In a cup final you play your best 13 it’s about winning nowt else.leaving Neil out was bloody crazy

No, you've got that wrong.

He was injured for the final so couldn't be selected, the error was playing him in the previous game when he should have been rested or that's how I read PT's post. HTH.

They played they're best 13 available if that helps.

Correct.
Playing a meaningless game cost him tge final and the GB tour in which I think he was due to be captain too.

I can't remember the details of the games but he told me that himself.

That game was the championship final so it wasn't just another game. Worse than that was that the GB selectors wanted Neil to prove his fitness to captain the World Cup team in the summer and forced him to play in a friendly on the eve of the championship final. Although he only played the first half, that was one and a half games in two days when not fully fit.

It was the Championship final so hardly meaningless.

A couple of years ago I attended a performance at the Trinity Club. It was a very entertaining dramatised version of David Hinchliffe's book; "They Walked on Water" . It was written by a Trinity supporter ( I can't recall his name), and it had a humourous slant on what was a very dramatic occasion. One of the performers was the former Trinity coach, Brian Lockwood. The play also contained a very funny impersonation of the late (not so) great Eddie Waring. If it pops up again anywhere I suggest going to see it.

That was before the final but I don't think it was the game. It was a trial game for GB or something similar.
I'll have to check now I've said it.

Went to this game in the most unusual of circumstances. Was working in South Africa when I received a telegram that my dad had died suddenly back in Hull. When I flew home for the funeral I found out that my dad had been sent a seat ticket for the match by Roy Francis the Leeds coach.
My dad and Francis were very good friends having met through business in Hull. Dad and I had been to 2 previous Wembley finals to see Hull lose consecutive matches against Wigan and Wakefield when coached by Francis.

After the funeral before flying back to SA I went to the match to see Francis win at his 3rd attempt.