1970-71 Astle's goal at Leeds

The infamous goal. Nothing wrong with it. Brown takes it on himself after he intercepts the ball. Terrible commentary from Barry Davies, should have been sacked.

[@AndrewSmith-qi1rt]

Made me laugh reading the comments on here. 99% of people commenting obviously never watched a football match in the 70`s. If you was in an offside position, you was offside back then. There was no was he or wasn`t he interfering with play. You could have been out cold in an offside position and you would have been offside. If you`re struggling with how the game was different back then, watch the 1970 FA Cup replay and try and work out how no one was sent off.

[@Dziugenonas]

I'm having trouble understanding. According to 70s rules, if any player goes into an offside position while his team has the ball, it's an automatic offside and the ref needs to blow the whistle? That's a crazy rule. I imagine it should have been very easy for the defending team to offside trap opposition players and regain possession that way.

[@matthewsmith455]

pretty sure it was only if you passed any player in an offside position could be called offside. That was not a pass, so even in the 70's you wouldnt be offside.

[@Geokinkladze]

interfering with play is irrelevant. In this instance the trigger for an offside offence is the phrase "When the ball is played..."

[@BigFatHarry]

No, this is bollocks as Brown does not pass the ball at any time to Suggett. Nothing to do with interfering with play. It's never been the case that if a player is stood in an offside position, the whistle goes for offside. It's only ever been offside if the ball is passed forward, interfering or not.

[@paultaylor7082]

Several First Division refs were asked their opinion of the goal, two respected ones, Jack Taylor (he referereed the 1974 World Cup Final between West Germany and Holland) and F A Cup final refereee Norman Burtenshaw both said Ray Tinkler's decision was correct.

[@billybronco4223]

Sugget was not interfering with play. Good goal. Even VAR should be able to get that one

[@jamessuggett580]

Suggett*

[@garystokes6407]

No goal

[@jamesvickers5998]

In today's rules you're right, but in 1971 there was no 'interfering with play' clause. If there was only one opposition player between you and the goal, you were offside. Plus wasn't Astle offside when he got the pass as well?

[@jamesvickers5998]

Play to the whistle!

[@Rem1Gnova]

VAR would send Astle off

[@paulwiley7533]

As a lifelong Albion fan whenever I am feeling down and needing cheering up I watch this wonderfully uplifting video

[@SteveCaseyBeijing]

As a leeds fan I understand your euphoria given your abject mediocrity since then.

[@fredfredlington]

That'll be everyday then.

[@richardbrighton1686]

As you are an Albion fan i reckon you are watching it every Saturday come 5pm.

[@SMSJSC]

It was a pure fluke victory for Albion. They hadn’t won away for 22 months. Commentator Barry Davis was spot on, that decision has been talked about… for over 50 years now

[@RobertWilletts-yk1yv]

​What about your abject mediocrity since then lol after that we had a great side in the late 70s early 80s Willie Johnston Laurie Cunningham Cyrille Regis Tony bomber brown Bryan Robson Len Cantello John Wile Alistair Robertson, besides you lot were in league one for ages so you can't talk about abjact mediocrity lol what a joker you are.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂​@@SteveCaseyBeijing

[@pabloalarroyo]

@ringlord2000 Wrong!! sorry to say mate I too served as a ref for some time and the law has remained quite the same always, a player is not offside unless taking part in the play, the refs call in this case is 100% correct

[@LoftusRoadLad]

Not correct! AT THE TIME the offside rule was completely different to today. You should know that. On THAT day he was Offside. I'm no fan of Leeds BTW.

[@pabloalarroyo]

@@LoftusRoadLad you are talking out of your hat, the rules are identical today but for minor changes, and in this instance the ref is 100% correct.

[@vordman]

The man in the offside position never touched the ball. Astle who tapped home, ran from an onside position. Nothing wrong with the goal whatsoever. Leeds fans who still go on about this are wankers.

[@iangascoigne8231]

Under the laws at the time he was offside.

[@wbabojo2779]

@@iangascoigne8231 oh ffs

[@iangascoigne8231]

@@wbabojo2779 Oh ffs, it’s true. All the expletives won’t alter that fact.

[@neilpickles8211]

@@iangascoigne8231 under the laws of the game at that time astle was not offside, he did not play the ball to a teammate,so it could not be offside. The referee was correct.

[@iangascoigne8231]

@@neilpickles8211 Whatever.

[@holmleighnyd]

Quite right Ulster, yet people have difficulty grasping that. I think the referee may have been about to blow until he realised Brown was running on to his own interception. This could have led to Leeds players stopping but that's their fault as he didn't blow.

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

Anyone who watched football in the 70s will ALWAYS enjoy watching this. Seeing a horrible team like Leeds in that era getting shafted was a glorious thing.

[@caeserromero3013]

If anything it showed up the arrogance of Leeds players and Revie. They thought the refs should always be on their side.

[@portcullis5622]

Definitely going down the leg side and missing the stumps, so stick with the on field umpire's call.

[@DeSoccerRefMan]

Even though the fat heads at the top of the law changers have changed offside 3 times since I have been reffing, I see no offside here in this play.

[@geraldowens3426]

Pass to Jeff Astle looks offside but hard to say for sure.

[@mrcls7040]

the rules at that moment says that it was off side.... crystal clear

[@Madkid73]

Try using the rules back then, as opposed to looking at it with an agenda ;)

[@paulneedham9885]

You dont know the rules then

[@mickeasingwood7451]

The linesman flagged for offside.ALL the players on BOTH sides stopped playing.The referee had not got a clue who was stood where or who kicked the ball from which point on the pitch.That's why linesmen make the offside calls during games. Tinkler went against the accepted conventions of the era.It's why it was so controversial at the time and is still discussed today,FIFTY YEARS LATER. Play to the whistle? Do you think an ultra "professional" team like Leeds would have left decisions like this ,be overruled on the whim of a dodgy referee?They would NEVER have stopped playing, if it wasn't the norm for the linesman to give ALL the offside calls.

[@andysmith5997]

This should have been goal of the season. Everyone hated Leeds then. Especially God.

[@marklucas855]

I think she probably still does.

[@dougscrivens4002]

Tony Brown ran onto his own pass there Astle was not offside.

[@dougscrivens4002]

When Brown passed the ball for Astle to score, Astle was behind the ball when it was played to him, therefore not offside. That part of rule has never changed. If you run onto your own pass you or any other player, unless he is interfering with play ( and that is at the ref's discretion) are onside. Problem was Leeds expected pressure on the ref to sway his decision. Fans likewise.

[@pauljohnson5190]

🤣🤣

[@dougscrivens4002]

@@pauljohnson5190 Not sure whether you are agreeing with me or laughing at a legitimate goal against Leeds.

[@mizofan]

Shameful from Barry Davies, supporting and encouraging the "mad" reaction of fans and players. Brown intercepted for himself, in his own half. No pass.

[@elgonm289]

Probably because he didn't want Arsenal to win the League...it was not offside the Colin Suggett won the ball in his half

[@duncanmiller1288]

One of the worst commentators ever... knew nothing about football and frequently opened his mouth before his brain was engaged.

[@rickster5120]

Another example of BBC commentators who never had a real football background...good decision by ref full stop...no doubt the bollaxes running the VAR machines would have disallowed it in a heartbeat

[@Lord_Hillcrest01]

@@elgonm289 Colin Suggett didnt win the ball . He was stood in an offside position in the leeds half . The question is is he offside . Yes hes offside but is he interfering . I wouldve said absolutely yes . The linesman says yes , the ref says no its that simple .

[@jeanlawley6483]

Its very clear ... back in that day this was offside ... a mistake by the referee which cost Leeds ... its irrelevant where the ball was won, as the offside player was always over the halfway line in the Leeds half.

[@stephenlaw9886]

Bomber brown still doing radio ,true baggie

[@matthewarmitage6681]

The Greatest, well along with Regis for me.

[@paultaylor7082]

Tony was from Oldham and a great player, along with Jeff Astle

[@peterreid9769]

I don't know what the offside rule was back then but Brown carried on after making the interception which indicates the referee probably got it right. I don't know for certain though.

[@frankythefox]

i think the argument is whether the interception by the player in his own half was deemed a forward pass or an intention to take the ball forward on his own. As he took it on his self i think the ref was right to over rule the linesman, Later in the move when the goal was scored that too was a correct decision as the scorer came from behind the man who passed the ball across and so clearly onside .

[@bevbo42]

frankythefox rubbish

[@pato2200]

I agree the first one was not off side as the ball was not passed forward. it was played if anything to run on to. if that is off side any players carrying the ball over the halfway line while a striker is beyond the last defender must result in an off side ruling.

[@nickclapham1336]

I was at the match and Astle did not run past a player when he scored. There was such an uproar about the first offside, which I agree wasn't, that no- one noticed where Astle was, the linesman having stopped to flag near halfway and the ref miles behind! Therefore no goal, Astle offside!

[@dazzla84_ssfc]

Rubbish, that happened in his own half, the Lino was correct to flag for offside against Suggett the instant the ball crosses the half way line. The ref thought otherwise

[@pavitashergill8308]

@@nickclapham1336 i was there 2. If that was your lot no worries. But because its albion and you lost its a problem. We went to enjoy football and our teams for entertainment and a day out. Back to work Monday morning friend. Good old days. P. S. You lost. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💯

[@RomanSzwaba]

... even the commentator does not understand the outside rule. The player in the offside position is only 'offside' if the ball is passed forward to him ... which it wasn't and it was against Dirty Don's Dirty Leeds so happy days 😂

[@kanifuker721]

The St John's Ambulance guy laughing his head off after the goal was the highlight of a very good goal scored here.

[@marklucas855]

Four words, Leeds; "Play to the whistle."

[@jeanlawley6483]

Four words ... The linesman was shit

[@marklucas855]

@@jeanlawley6483 I like it. Maybe another four...."All sour are we?" Great fun.

[@jeanlawley6483]

@@marklucas855 why would i be sour ... I'm a Liverpool fan ... lol ... see epic fail on your part ... i believe in fair play simple as ... it was offside then and its offside now ... oh dear you made a real boo boo ... now that's GREAT FUN

[@marklucas855]

@@jeanlawley6483 delighted to hear it. I will always have a soft spot for The Kings of Europe afdter 3 years at Liverpool University back in, what feels like, c. 1920. :-). Leeds fans tend to sing "All Leeds are we" hence the third person in my reply - but I'm sure you knew that. I too believe in fair play. It was onside then, and is onside now. Have a great day xx

[@paulneedham9885]

@@marklucas855 wrong. go learn the rules

[@pabloalarroyo]

Even if they hadn't stopped they were getting nowhere near the attacker.

[@Lord_Hillcrest]

Leeds were awful that day even if you forget that goal.

[@matthewarmitage6681]

I was born in 1971 and I am an Albion fan to the core but my Dad is a Leeds fan so this game is remembered by all in my family. Fingers crossed West Brom and Leeds can both reach the promised land this season, but I fear that Brentford may have other ideas COYB

[@robertanderson6776]

2 great football clubs albion and leeds

[@shazmeertv44]

Both went up

[@matthewarmitage6681]

@@shazmeertv44 Yes but sadly one came back down

[@matthewarmitage6681]

@@robertanderson6776 Indeed they are m8, especially in my household.

[@TheBobbyel]

Perfectly good goal. The player ran from well inside hid own half. The linesman was wrong to put his flag up and the ref., quite rightly overruled him. The Leeds players should have played on. Hood goal.

[@teddyirons8240]

Perfectly valid goal, whether to today's rules or the interpretation back then.

[@paulneedham9885]

wrong

[@teddyirons8240]

@@paulneedham9885 Explain your reasoning or STFU! :-)

[@txpommie]

I was a referee in the UK until about 30 years ago. Most referees would have given offside, even me, but I felt it went against the grain a little. The Law states a player in an offside position has to be interfering with play and that part was interpreted liberally. The current interpretation of the law is a lot better, however back then 99/100, offside would have been given.

[@bungalowlegs]

CLEARLY ONSIDE

[@dw69ful]

During that era Leeds were hated and used to moan about everything, that was all part of the entertainment. So many Teams and Stars apparently disliked for their "hardness" but dont we miss participants like those these days. As far as the offside goes imo the Ref got it spot on.Would be very interesting to see what would happen nowadays re VAR etc, but of course this now is all part of the fun !!

[@fredfredlington]

What do you mean 'that era' they are still hated.

[@paultaylor7082]

The Leeds of the 1960s and early 70s wouldn't have lasted very long these days. They'd have been lucky to finish a game with 11 of their players still on the pitch.

[@handy-ewes]

Forget the shenanigans at the half way line, isn't Astle offside when that forward pass is played to him in the box??

[@dougscrivens4002]

15 years after that goal I was in a restaurant in Leeds, with my wife, who is from Leeds but can't stand football. The manager asked me if I supported Villa or Birmingham City. Neither, I said, Baggies are my team, despite me being from Birmingham. We were asked to leave the restaurant. My wife couldn't understand what all the fuss was about!

[@marklucas855]

Did you manage to get a sip of the Sour Grape wine before you left???

[@dougscrivens4002]

@@marklucas855 Further to that episode, I was asked, (politely), to remove a Baggies sticker from my car when visiting friends near Elland Road. They still bear a grudge after 50 years.

[@davidmichaels8934]

@@marklucas855 nice one Mark, nice one!

[@dougscrivens4002]

I'm still married to the same girl. She still doesn't like football and I still can't stand Leeds Utd. It all started when Revie told his players to kick, cheat and intimidate their way to success. COYB.

[@paultaylor7082]

Childish behaviour by the restaurant manager. Mind you, Leeds always were bad losers. I can't understand why, as they got plenty of practice. They frequently finished as runners up in the League or Cup competitons. When they were in their heyday, they didn't win anywhere near the amount of trophies they should have.

[@8563robbie]

This is so painful to watch as a Leeds fan..... particularly because there is nothing wrong with the goal...I watched it again and hoped the scoring pass was offside... but looks like he ran from behind.... gutted as this was a turning point in the season

[@stewartwest347]

yeah it was onside. Referee was correct. I feel sorry for you mate. Leeds should have played to the whistle.

[@costaloppas7480]

was offside , back then u didnt have to interfere to be offside as long as ur in offside position ur offside@@stewartwest347

[@section5760]

Absolutely brilliant. Never offside. Well played Albion. Nothing special about Leeds here they messed up play to the referees whistle.loved that era growing up. Proper football no messing around.

[@wormy67]

He was 15 yards off pal

[@section5760]

Bet you wasn’t even born then fella. Albion won. What’s the big deal anyway?

[@wormy67]

@@section5760 who finished higher in the league that season lad and who's a bigger club

[@19037vinny]

You are not well sir. The commentator was adamant it was offside, plus the lineman's flag was raised. As George Best once said..... referees are useless. Get to Specsavers mister.

[@jimiawaydazeawaydaze]

Best part of that was Norman Hunters initial square pass.

[@pabloalarroyo]

There was never offside in the play, the ref knew the rules which is more than can be said for the commentator. 😂

[@jeanlawley6483]

Looks like the Ref and you don't know the rules of the day ... lol

[@section5760]

@@jeanlawley6483 surprised you even know what offside was then? 🤔🤫. Look at ware astil is behind the halfway line how many Leeds players are front of him. 🤔? That’s your problem. He ran to score the goal from behind the Leeds players so he’s not offside is he?? 🤔🤫🤫

[@jonesyboy69]

Think in those days if a player was standing in an offside position it’s given by the officials as offside. Nowadays it’s play on.

[@robertsteveson3497]

Not interfering with play , so guy with ball carried on , legit goal !

[@LFC-Adrian]

Yea but the non interfering offside rule wasn't implemented until about 10 years ago.

[@davidmichaels8934]

This was at the time one the most controversial goals of all! Tony Brown intercepted the pass and ran forward, Colin Sugget was forward of Tony Brown, but crucially not interfering with play! Then when Tony Brown thought he was offside he almost stopped running, but the referee Ray Tinkler to his credit waved play on, Jeff Astle ran from behind the last Leeds defender and tucked the ball home, so no way he could have been offside! But to this day, and do not forget this was 1971, the Leeds supporters from generation to generation have continually argued over that incident!

[@jeanlawley6483]

Learn the rules of the day fool

[@Mr123GDT]

Too many morons applying today’s offside rule, it’s irrelevant as to whether he was interfering with play

[@richardcaldicott9987]

In 1971, this was a controversial decision. In that situation, off side was normally given as interfering with play was interpreted differently back then. Too many offside decisions were called back then, but Barry Davis was 100% correct with his assessment - for me, I'm glad the goal stood and possibly paved the way for sense to prevail in deciding interference.

[@henrysmith883]

Yes. Now it wouldn’t be offside at all surely?

[@seanscanlon9067]

Whether people liked the offside trap or not, surely though if the defending side then pushed up and an attacking player was not able to stay onside, then the defenders should not be punished for it.

[@stewartwest347]

@@seanscanlon9067 Not interfering with play hence no whistle. Referee correct. Astle and Brown professional. Goal stands. Leeds Plonkers.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@stewartwest347 I am not even sure that the interference argument applied back then, but my general point was if a defence pushes up to catch a forward offside, then he should be deemed offside regardless.

[@stewartwest347]

@@seanscanlon9067 The Leeds defense left themselves high and dry as Barry Davies said. It's an interception- and not interfering with play. What do you expect WBA to do? There's no whistle. You have to play to the whistle. Brown and Astle - the most ruthless partnership of the day. It's a goal all day long.

[@hughjanus501]

Leeds are all upset? Works for me....somebody must be doing something right!

[@martinberty2002]

As a Huddersfield fan, I thought it was hilarious. But after watching it again, the referee got it spot on.

[@CB-xr1eg]

I see your lot are plummeting back into the championship. What a shame...NOT.

[@martinberty2002]

Clive Bindley maybe, but many said we would be down before the Christmas trees. Six points from your shambles again will help us straight back up though.

[@CB-xr1eg]

Newsflash, you can't go actually down before May. My shambles? Who on earth can you mean?

[@kimlanghorn8383]

As a Non Udders dog botherer I think its hilarious that relegation is certain.

[@ianbennett1491]

The linesman flagged for offside and the referee looked over and stopped as well, which caused the players to stop. He then waved play on but Astle was offside when he received the ball. Terrible from the referee but it's Leeds and it happened all the time.

[@robtatum5277]

Back then it was offside Today after a 20min VAR check probably handball from an incident 5mins earlier

[@dooda77penn19]

Not offside then or any other time.

[@RupeWard]

Astle was behind the ball when it was passed to him. But the offside claim is nothing to do with Astle. It's Suggett, the player who was clearly in an offside position when Brown played the ball forward into the Leeds half and chased it. But being in an offside position is not an offence. The ball wasn't passed forward so the ref was right to allow play on.

[@dazzla84_ssfc]

Yes, technically Brown was maintaining possession after the interception, if he attempted to pass to Suggett then yes, it would be offside, but he didn’t

[@doodles863]

But the pass to Astle was forward and he is offside, if you think it wasn’t passed forward l suggest you take another look

[@timwalker2458]

@@doodles863 The pass was forward but that isn't important. What matters is where Astle was when the ball was passed. If he was behind Astle then he is not offside.

[@johnmcdonald8567]

Thug team which ran riot for years. Pity they'll be remembered as such because there was so much talent in that side.

[@blackbob3358]

they gave what they got, mr McDonald... a lot of teams obviousely "lost their trewsers" a'gin leeds. objectivity is lacking.. do try.

[@converse91970]

Funnily enough, I watched a documentary about Leeds United on YT, and Eddie Gray was brave enough to admit that he thought then, and still thinks now that it was a good goal, differing from his teammates. I think the problem was probably caused by the linesman putting his flag up prematurely, causing the Leeds players all to stop.

[@mohammadramzan831]

Disgusting

[@shazmeertv44]

Yo

[@johndeacetis4707]

The goal was given .

[@UltraGaivalas]

no offside. those wabbling about "history of football" shoul shut up and read the rules

[@magnele4711]

The rules were different at that time.

[@UltraGaivalas]

@@magnele4711 thank you

[@gerrycollins2335]

It was a different age when a player did not have to receive the ball to be offside. All that was required was that he should be "interfering with play" which in those days was interpreted as almost anything except lying injured on the ground. That's why the commentator and many of the players were so surprised that the ref waved play on. As Bill Shankly (I think) once said, "if he's not interfering with play, what's he doing on the pitch?" The rules have changed since then.

[@mickeasingwood7451]

The not interfering part was virtually NEVER applied in this era.Offside was offside ,it didn't matter what occured .If a player was stood in an offside position ,the flag went up and a free -kick was awarded.Ray Tinkler decided to go against the convention of the day.He allowed play to continue without the linesman,who would have flagged Astle offside in the Leeds penalty area on the final pass.But he was stood static ,bewildered by Tinkler's disgraceful decision, as everyone else was.

[@davidmerrilees8560]

@@mickeasingwood7451 your reply is by far the most accurate. Most people don't understand the changes in the offside interpretation in the last almost 50 years. At that time anyone in an offside position was penalised no matter where the play was. They then split the field into 3 sections near side middle and far side and only players in the section where play was taking place could be penalized. They also had a time where a player in an offside position couldn't be penalized if he was stationary or moving back towards his own half. More recently the player in an offside position had to be in a position close enough to take part in the play. Today you pretty much have to touch the ball to be given offside. Great answer from you though

[@tomthomas9708]

Shankly's daft comment doesn't allow for context though c*nt. In this clip, Brown rant onto his own interception which might have made a difference.

[@SMSJSC]

I think it was Brian Clough who said that, but yes it’s common sense - how can a player not be “interfering with play”? It’s a ridiculous rule

[@Paguo]

What? How is that an offside? What are they mad about? Did the rules change regard offside since 71?

[@Mr123GDT]

Yes, the rules have changed 3 times since then. They first changed in 1990. Prior to 1990, if a player was in an offside position regardless of whether he was interfering with play it was given as offside and a free kick would be given.

[@TheGiantKillers]

The old offside rule. A player is offside if there is less than two defending players between he and the goal when tha ball is passed. Brown didn't pass the ball until he was in the penalty area by which time he was the furthest attacking player forward, thus playing all his team mates onside. One of the best referee calls I ever saw because everyone's natural first reaction to this is offisde, forgetting that you can't be offside until Brown passes.

[@jeanlawley6483]

His interception with the ball going forward over the half way line is deemed a forward pass in the day, he did not retain control on the interception

[@TheGiantKillers]

No because although the ball is passed forward, Astle was behind Brown when the ball was played. A player cannot be offisde when he is behind the player passing the ball. As some have said here, Tinkler called it spot on and this was a classic case of play to the whistle. Suggett is miles offside but your only offside if a team mate passes the ball and Brown didn't pass.

[@dazzla84_ssfc]

You’re right on Astle, Brown played the pass forward and judging how he was running with the defender (I think that may have been Madeley) he was behind Brown as well so yep, Astle was onside BUT as for Suggett, remember this is 1971, whether you’re being passed the ball (interfering with play) or not was IRRELEVANT. You are still in an offside position. Yes Brown got the ball in his own half but the instant he crosses the half way line, the linesman has to flag against Suggett If this was today’s rules though, it would be a perfectly good goal

[@Phill0old]

@@dazzla84_ssfc No, you were only offside if, when the ball is played you are offside. The player isn't offside because the ball is not played to him, or by him or any other player who is in an offside position. If he had interfered with play he would have been offside.

[@Shaytime6]

@@Phill0old 'Seeking to gain an advantage' is the expression you're looking for, and Suggett most definitely wasn't. In fact, he took no part in what followed. Tinkler applied the laws correctly and the goal was good. It's only magnified anyway because Leeds were in the hunt for the title. They won their last three games after this and lost out by a point. So Leeds fans claim Tinkler cost them the title. Which, as a season is over 42 games, is ridiculous.

[@HandleGF]

Eh mate, you forgot obstruction/distraction as a common interference from an offside position, pass or no pass.

[@TheGiantKillers]

He didn't obstruct anybody, while distraction is not caused by merely being in an offside position. Distraction would have been if Suggett had shouted or made clear gesture to ask for a pass.

[@holmleighnyd]

But being in an offside position is not an offence. The ball wasn't passed forward so the ref was right to allow play on. The problem was caused by the linesman putting his flag up prematurely, causing the Leeds players all to stop. The absolute clincher is that the ball wasn't passed forward but carried forward by Brown. Classic way to beat the offside trap.

[@dazzla84_ssfc]

The interception actually took place inside West Brom’s own half, and surely it must mean that it’s not a pass but Brown is actually maintaining possession, you cannot be offside surely as the result of a play in your own half In today’s rules, it would be a perfectly legal goal as one, Brown does not pass to Colin Suggett and two, Suggett is technically not interfering with play

[@paulneedham9885]

@@dazzla84_ssfc but its not todays rules, it it

[@teddyirons8240]

@@paulneedham9885 The rules back then were the same - if you kicked it forward and ran onto it yourself, no offside.

[@paulneedham9885]

@@teddyirons8240 yes, but Jeff Astle was in an offside position. He scored the goal

[@teddyirons8240]

@@paulneedham9885 You can't know that Jeff Astle was offside because he's out of the camera view at the time of the pass so you're making shit up. If he's behind the ball when passed he's not offside, and seeing as he's off camera, only the linesman can see that.

[@davidthompson3434]

Good goal all day long !! Even VAR would have confirmed it :)

[@frankobarressi7919]

How can passing the ball to yourself be offside 😂😂😂 the commentator should stick to horse racing.

[@bungalowlegs]

CLEARLY ONSIDE

[@georgeball6997]

It was the other player who they was calling for. But good on the ref for letting it play on.

[@SMSJSC]

Troll

[@clivenaylor5392]

Not an offside goal. Still hate the linesman though

[@markdavies5376]

Given the rules of the time in regard to offside ,it was offside. As many used to say if your not interfering with play what the hell are you on the pitch for. Others on here either hated Leeds or are looking at it from the the overly complex offside rule of today. Others are of the view that Suggett was not offside because Brown only intercepted the ball, and then kept possession. However Suggett was active and ready to participate. The ball travelled quite a long way towards Suggett. Anyone with any ounce of cultural awareness will realise and fully understand that Suggett was definitely offside. The offside rule then was totally totally different, it was not up to interpretation. Any referee on here suggesting otherwise , has his mind confused by what came later. They are putting interpretations on time honoured matters and they have no right to do so.

[@NotoriousK_I_T]

Cry more

[@brianwainwright6499]

One Jeff Astle, there's only one Jeff Astle!

[@glen1555]

Legend. sadly missed

[@pauljohnson5190]

Except for that sitter he missed for England ☹️

[@matthewarmitage6681]

Said to be our favourite striker of all time, but he's my number 2. There's only one Cyril Regis xxx. I still can't believe he's gone.

[@Shadow-di7mw]

And here is why you should always play to the whistle

[@tonybates7870]

All Barry Davies was guilty of was thinking it was offside. Whether it actually was or not, it's hardly proof of bias, and not something he should have been sacked for, as is being suggested here.

[@Seahawksnewera]

I have just done the lines on the VAR definite goal , interception by the Bomber in his own half ...same old Leeds could not handle it, maybe it explains why they dont like Wesy Brom even today ..mind you they dont seem to like anyone!!!

[@mickigoe]

That other team was rubbish ..... they had loads of time to get back in the game .... but they were totally outclassed. Albion forever !!

[@corin492]

actually no, this was at the end of the game, leeds scored but had no time left, you are talking rubbish.

[@markmeade2937]

Fair goal, but it was the linesman who put up his flag far too soon, and then all hell broke loose ....... Football , it’s a funny old game 😉

[@allangow4746]

Perfectly good goal. Leeds fans should stop gripping.

[@deletebilderberg]

You’re confusing the 2021 offside rule to what it was than

[@allangow4746]

@@deletebilderberg No you're wrong, the player to his left was not interfering with play. He had no effect on the leeds players, at the moment the ball was played.

[@Arthur_Pint]

As a lad I attended many league games both before and after 1971, and I can confirm that it was common practice for referees, when officiating situations like that shown, to judge them as ‘offside’. What’s more, it was also extremely uncommon for a referee to ‘over-rule’ a lineman in that way, especially over a seemingly ‘clear-cut’ decision. So it was no surprise that both teams stopped when the linesman’s flag was raised, as their expectation would have been for the referee to blow his whistle for a free-kick to Leeds and so ‘end-of’! The other point here is that this was an absolutely massive match for the referee to make such an untypical and controversial call. This was no Sunday ‘kick-around’ in a park. The defeat effectively ruined Leeds’ chance of winning the title that year, which was instead narrowly won by Arsenal in what was for them a ‘double’ winning year.

[@MMM18092]

It was such a clear error by the linesman that I am surprised the players even looked at him!

[@SMSJSC]

@@MMM18092pretty sure Tinkler never refereed another game for Leeds before he retired in 1976

[@ysgol3]

Perfectly correct decision under 1971 Rules because Brown didn't pass the ball and Suggett didn't interfere with play, so all Barry's hysterics were misplaced. Whether Astle was offside is another question, of course the Leeds players etc weren't appealing because of Astle. (The TV film doesn't help with this issue.) BTW I could never understand why Tony passed to Jeff at all, Jeff was very nearly tackled and Sprake didn't seem well positioned at all to stop a low shot to his left.

[@jeanlawley6483]

Nah wrong interpretation

[@garyowens1517]

I was 11 when this happened and remember seeing it on Match of the Day on the Saturday night. Cost Leeds the title. Shame!

[@holmleighnyd]

No mate, sorry you're wrong. Brown took the ball on himself, didn't pass it to any other player, Suggett was offside and would have been called so if Brown had passed it forward. No infringement of the offside law occurred. The problem arose because the linesman, wrongly, thought Brown had passed to another player.

[@bobby6517]

astle the KING

[@BenNewton-c6z]

It's clearly two offsides - even by the poor refereeing standards of the early 1970s. Both Colin Suggett and Jeff Astle. I think there was certainly an 'anti-Leeds' bias around at this time - which was down to their reputation and perception as a 'dirty' and 'cheating' team - which probably extended to Referees, too. Personally, I think it was much more likely that they were seen to be that way as 'upstarts' and 'newcomers' - after all they were in the old Second Division until 1964 - yet were challenging the likes of Manchester United for the title straight away - in 1964-65. And the FA Cup, too - against Liverpool that season. I've also just re-watched highlights of the Leeds versus Chelsea FA Cup Final replay from 1970 - the so-called 'dirtiest' game in history (Yawn . . . media hype again). Bremner was kicked all over the pitch in that game - which Leeds also lost. And so too was Eddie Gray - by far Leeds' best player in those two matches. And I'm 'unbiased' - I actually support Fulham !

[@HandleGF]

To paraphrase Jack Hawkins in The League of Gentlemen (1960) ... "We football authorities will always give the Germans, the Russians, the Japanese, or even the Egyptians the benefit of the doubt, but NEVER Leeds."

[@robin231176]

How ironic that the greatest cheats in the history of the game were on the receiving end here.

[@derekskinner]

Spot on

[@doinacrancher8412]

"Leeds have every right to go mad, Leeds have every justification to go mad"..disgracefully biased commentary and incorrect.

[@PaulCarew-j9j]

Leeds always had it in their own minds that they were a great side. They didn't win enough to be able to say that. Just 5 titles in the Revie period and runners-up on many occasions. Too many occasions and their cockiness did them no favours.

[@sim100]

I was an avid Leeds fan in those days and was livid because there appeared to be two offsides - but I can see now that the interception was fair (and in his own half) and the WBA player carried the ball forward so he was not offside. The final pass to Astle is inconclusive but it looks like he runs on to it from an onside position. Leeds should have played to the whistle. That said we were often done out of cups by poor refs (Paris EC final v Bayern, FA replay at Old Trafford v dirty Chelsea eg

[@ianbennett1491]

Astle was offside.

[@davekeegan2398]

Bit rich a L666s fan calling Chelsea “dirty”. Kettle shouting grimy ass!

[@mickeasingwood7451]

Watch the video and see why ,then.Chelsea would have had 3 straight red cards in the first 15 minutes .11 v 8 ,even Leeds couldn't throw that away.No need for any retaliations if the referee had done his job.

[@StoutProper]

@@mickeasingwood7451 yeah but we apply those rules to every Leeds game in there era Leeds would have regularly finished with 8 men

[@section5760]

@@ianbennett1491 look ware astle was he was behind the half way line you idiot.

[@carolinealowry4286]

Well it's the only thing WBA fans can cheer about. They are just a mediocre team. 🤣 😂

[@jonathangeddes-mcclure1923]

I literally could watch that over and over again. A joyous, joyous incident that gets better and better on each viewing.

[@keshoasubuhi]

It was against Leeds, after all !!

[@ga-ow7yf]

Yes I prefer the Mighty Leeds United winning the ' Centenary Cup Final ' 1972.

[@leetyson1476]

You obviously enjoy watching football won by corruption then 💩💩

[@Frank.Ridgington]

2022 laws: clearly no offence. 1971 laws: "if a player is seeking to gain an advantage by being in an offside position". That's a strange phrase, but Colin Suggett clearly started trying to get down the field, so he did seem be taking advantage of his location. I am old, and I remember far too many goals being disallowed for this technicality. The current laws are a big improvement. A couple of things that were in newspaper reports, but are offscreen here: the linesman had stopped, with his flag up- he wasn't trying to keep up with play. And the Leeds players also saw the referee lifting his whistle to his mouth...but no sound came. They were wrong to stop, but you can see their point.

[@paulcarbonaro6748]

It was a perfectly good goal, and the leaat the cheating bastards of Leeds deserved. Brown was onside. The Leeds players should have played to the whistle - just as we're all taught as young kids.

[@dougscrivens4002]

A good goal then and still a good goal now. Play on until the ref says otherwise. Long live the King ( Jeff Astle).

[@terranceparsons5185]

Leeds has zero justification for going mad Barry. PLAY TO THE WHISTLE not the flag

[@jarrodhayes5093]

wtf, onside by a mile, should have stopped whinging and crying and fought back into the game like propper men

[@lestrem11]

This still makes me laugh even today. Leeds didn't deserve anybody's sympathy, a bunch of animals in football kit...

[@Geokinkladze]

The ref subsequently retired to run his own coach company on Barry island called Dave's Coaches.

[@winny8420]

Surely the no.8 who ran with the ball into the penalty area was onside, so surely it was right the goal stood.

[@andrewastle3170]

Best goal Jeff astle ever scored shame he couldn't do for england

[@chatham43]

.....well he did in Mexico70...against Romania...

[@Lord_Hillcrest]

@@chatham43 No he didnt . Geoff Hurst scored. Astle was not a world class player.

[@TheWelwyn21]

He was useless

[@stewartwest347]

That's a goal. Get over it Leeds. The way WBA intercepted the back pass.

[@jamesmitchell8922]

It was the worst day of English football ever

[@BigAL0074]

lol

[@kevinovard8354]

the linesman made the mistake and Barry Davies was out of order supporting Leeds when it was obvious there was no offside - didn't he know the rules of football??

[@HandleGF]

Poor Stevie Gerrard didn't have the consolation of a creative referee, in his fateful screw-up in a very similar position to Hunter's.

[@ianholden7]

Boing boing

[@mikenicol400]

Nothing wrong with the goal at all. In fact it's even more onside that we can witness on tv simply because it is against the most hated club in England.

[@portcullis5622]

Maybe the most hated at that time, because they were from an unfashionable region and successful at a time when all teams had tough/dirty players. I would think that Manchester United are probably the most hated now for many reasons. Over twenty years of success and a siege mentality when Ferguson was manager.

[@billybigtime2808]

Rule no1 in football always play to the whistle in boxing protect yourself at all time. Basic rules I do feel Leeds pain though as it was a messy goal with some confusion in the moment that cost them the title

[@stephenhardy7469]

That's the referee's envelope straight in the bin

[@HandleGF]

Note Suggett running sideways to make sure all the Leeds players noticed him.

[@khh4093]

Play.To.The.Whistle. Rule no.1. Simples.

[@PMC-jp2dg]

Schoolboy error they should have played to the whistle and not the flag !

[@alankenny8650]

Great decision, play to the whistle is basic, idiotic defenders.

[@gavinbowles1629]

There was no offside. No pass was made it was an interception and when the pass was ultimately made to Astle he is behind the ball. Officials were correct. What was Barry Davies on about?

[@CS-mo7xp]

Gavin Bowles I think it was more the fact that the linesman flagged, so half the players stopped but the ref never blew...

[@JakeWalshMusic]

But is Astle behind the ball when it is passed? Doesn't look like it from this angle...

[@paulthompson8996]

As others have said, the offside rule was different then. A West Brom player is standing in an offside position when the ball gets played forward, simple as that. Now there would be no problem.

[@petersmith892]

Geoff Astley wasn't offside its the bloke in front you stop it and look

[@howardsternisbatman]

VAR would have sorted that out.. I don't think.

[@Isleofskye]

I heavily suspect that at Elland Road Leeds enjoyed more than their share of Home decisions with the likes of Giles/Clarkie/BB/TC/JC and Hunter et al breathing down the Refs neck !

[@royphair9676]

It wasn't a pass he kept the thus the other player was not offside

[@Thebigdog_1984]

classic example of play to the whistle - no whistle? then carry the fuck on

[@paulnutter1713]

The same rule that said there was no offside was the same one that said bremner was in Paris in 1975. Both goals should have been given but who cares. Swings and roundabouts. Crap pass started it all off

[@TheTmny876able]

Liverpool did that to us a few years ago after our player tapped the ball ready to take a free kick and they scored and got away with it.

[@jeanlawley6483]

Idiot ... the rules back then were different