Hearts FC - Historian David Speed

I was recently in touch with Hearts historian and archivist David Speed regarding the wonderful stanchions that once supported the Gorgie goal nets. His reply to my enquiry is as below.

Dear History of Goal Nets, thanks for your enquiry about the goal nets and frames. This is indeed an interesting question. 

Th nets and stanchions to which you refer were installed at the start of 1965-66 and, as you say, were dismantled at the end of 1983-84. Sadly I was not involved in preserving the club's history at that time and they were not retained. I checked this with the club groundsman and there is nothing of this nature in the store. I have also checked the club minutes and no reason is given for the change of goals. This must have been a fashion issue. 

Regarding the change in 1983-84, it is only a personal observation but perhaps the change was due to the fact that the ground was struggling to comply with the Safety of Sports Ground Act. In this connection, more space was required around the perimeter for the police and stewards. The D-shape stanchion achieved this. 

David supplied the marvellous photo below for our pleasure.

Thanks David.

101 Great Goals - Teófilo Cubillas

spec·tac·u·lar  (spk-tky-lr)

adj.

Of the nature of a spectacle; impressive or sensational.

n.

Something that is spectacular, as:

a. A single dramatic production of unusual length or lavishness.

b. An elaborate display.

Though watched at the time through the gaps in my fingers, no-one could argue Teofilo Cubillas' first goal against Scotland on 3 June 1978 wasn't impressive, sensational or an elaborate display.

But it's worth breaking the goal down to discover what exactly made this such a spectacular goal.

It wasn't the work Cubillas put in to carve out the opportunity; in the commentary, Arthur Montford accurately describes it as "almost a free shot."

And it certainly wasn't Alan Rough's feeble, if unsighted, attempt to make a save.

I've always thought what made Cubillas strike so spectacular and a Great Goal was the Hotshot Hamish-style performance by the wonderfully designed L-supported goal nets.

101 Great Goals - Derek Johnstone

Our History of Goal Nets community has generally despaired at the ball retention properties of the nets of today, perhaps expecting little else from structures boxed, made of trampoline and stretched taut.

But stretched taut in itself need be no barrier to some decent ball retention. No nets were stretched tighter than those at old Hampden, yet they often transformed a simple goal into one that's memorable.

If scored into nets of today, Derek Johnstone's header in the 1978 Scottish Cup Final would likely rebound to the 18 yard line.

Yet the way the old Hampden nets stop it dead has always fascinated me.

UEFA Europa League - Real Betis

If I showed you goals scored at Real Betis' Estadio Benito Villamarin, you'd recognise the hybrid box-nets instantly.





But looking back further than Spain 1982, Real Betis History of Goal Nets shows they - like Valencia in the same era - were serious A-listers in the A-frames department.

A-list A-frames - Arbroath FC

The Red Lichties are famous abroad for a 36-0 and their Gayfield Park being the stadium closest to the sea in Britain...

But if you pay your entry money and walk through the gates of history, you'll see Arbroath once played between a set of A-frames as curvy as those at Tynecastle but skinny as QPR.

A-list A-frames - Motherwell FC

Though Motherwell are more popularly recognised for the Continental D's installed at Fir Park in the early 1970's -



The steelworks suspending the nets prior are more culturally appropriate for a club nicknamed the Steelmen and based in Lanarkshire, home to the Ravenscraig steelworks of the time.

Off the stanchions at Wembley - Gordon McQueen

Celebrating the end of International week while looking back at happier times for Scotland (but not the Wembley goals which were infamously broken after the game), here's Gordon McQueen's header off the stanchions at Wembley.


Winning this game won Scotland the 1977 Home International tournament and dialled up the country's World Cup aspirations to fever pitch. In October of the same year qualification for FIFA World Cup 1978 was won against Wales.



Gordon McQueen however would play no part in he Argentina finals after being ruled out by injury.

Off the stanchions at Wembley - Kevin Beattie

Four years before the Wembley stanchions did for George Wood's Scotland career, Stewart Kennedy lined up against England for his fifth cap.






Having played in every Rangers game in their triumphant 1974-75 league campaign - their first league win in 11 years - Kennedy had every right to believe he had a long Scotland career ahead of him.

However, in less than 10 minutes Gerry Francis had beaten Kennedy from distance then Kevin Beattie looped in a header off the stanchion.



It might've been the 5-1 scoreline, but it was probably this goal and Kennedy's slow reactions and embarrassing collision with the goalpost that ensured this fifth cap would be his last.

A-list A-frames - Hibernian FC

On the other side of Edinburgh, Hibs' recent history offers up not one but two great examples of A-frame architecture.

(It's worth noting that the goals in both clips below were scored into the same goal at the same end of the stadium. The shifting viewpoint is caused by Easter Road stadium reconstruction, which moved the TV gantry from the old East terrace to the Main Stand).

The stanchions George Best scores into are as languid and laid back as the terrace behind the goals.

 

While 10 years later the A-frames in the 80's are more upright, like the stand which has replaced the terrace.

Off the stanchions at Wembley - Peter Barnes

After the humiliation of Argentina '78, it took Scotland nearly a year to post a victory, against Northern Ireland, in the Home Internationals series of 1979.

That win, and the new players introduced such as goalkeeper George Wood, who made his debut in that game, hinted at better times ahead.

After John Wark's early goal and a generally encouraging first 44 minutes of their next game against England, Scottish expectations were on the rise again. However, Peter Barnes trundler of an equaliser past George Wood and off the stanchion at Wembley, stunned the recovery.


England went on to win the game 3-1.

Scotland would fail to qualify for the 1980 European Championships.

George Wood would play only twice more for his country.

UEFA European Championships - Italy 1968

England qualified for the 1968 Finals after beating Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park. The Scots had their revenge though, seemingly flying in the famous Hampden goals for Yugoslavia to score a late winner.



Yugoslavia went on to play hosts Italy, who won in a replay at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, where the goals look like they've been flown in from England's Wembley Stadium!

Why is it important for the goalnet to retain the ball when a goal is scored? #4

Two famous half-volleys.



Is Champagne Charlie's strike enhanced by the ball burying itself in the goalnet?

Greenock Morton FC

In the late 70's, Greenock Morton were a force to be reckoned with in the Scottish Premier League. With Andy Ritchie - the original idle idol - they were briefly table-toppers, late in 1978.

The glamour's all there in this clip - the South American bendy free-kick; the World Cup adidas Tango football; the Scottish goalkeeper, Alan Rough, wearing what looks like an International shirt he swapped for at the end of a Scotland game (and getting beaten by a free-kick at the same post, just like Peru's 3rd goal at the World Cup, and 'reacting' just like Peru's 2nd goal!)

Only the sad, creaking stanchions suggest where Morton came from, and to where they'd soon return.

Oxford Utd

Freed from the shackles of their old Manor Ground - where admittedly they had fantastic square stanchions, (then rather ordinary Continental D's ) - at Kassam Stadium in season 09/10, Oxford installed a masterclass set of Continental D's;



Might they remind you of a couple of Scotland games at the World Cup? First, versus Holland in Mendoza, Argentina


And versus Brazil in Seville, Spain


(they're not Continental D supports, but they look just as marvellous)

Hampden Park - Iron Man

Through the Scottish glory days of the late 1960's and 1970's the iconic and instantly recognisable Hampden nets were hooked up to a couple of 4 x 4's and stretched tiiight over wrought iron girders to form goal structures at once imposing and forbidding but somewha stylish and confident in their own way. What the Scots call gallus.

Then, as the team's performances dipped in the 1980's, so did the goalnets. They sagged as if struggling under the weight of expectation until the old square 4 x 4's and stanchions were retired in 1988 and replaced by a set of Continental D supports so random and out-of-place in the vast bowl of a stadium that they must have fallen off the back of a lorry.

The D's were in turn replaced by the inevitable box nets of today in time for this -

The best goal ever scored at Hampden?