Liverpool v Everton FA Cup derby: Clive Thomas controversy still haunts Ronnie Goodlass
Jan 23 2009 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
Referee Clive Thomas (centre) famously disallows Bryan Hamilton's late goal against Liverpool in the 1977 FA Cup semi final at Maine Road 320
It’s hard to argue with that analysis when even the late Emlyn Hughes, in the intervening years. conceded that his side was lucky to get the call.
LIverpool had already been pegged back twice when leads given to them by Terry McDermott and Jimmy Case were wiped out by McKenzie then Bruce Rioch.
Little wonder then that Everton felt so aggrieved because having fought so doggedly to stay in the tie, they knew their best chance had gone.
The lost the replay 3-0 and although Liverpool would go on to lose the final 2-1 to Manchester United, they picked up ample consolation by retaining the league title and securing the first of five European Cups.
“That was the thing with that Liverpool side, you knew you’s only get one chance,” added Goodlass.
“It was hard enough beating them once but then we had to go out and beat them twice.”
Replays weren’t very good to Everton in 1977.
Despite their heartbreaking FA Cup exit, they did get to Wembley under new manager Gordon Lee to play Aston Villa in the League Cup final.
But what transpired there was a non-event, a 0-0 draw setting up a replay at Hillsborough which also ended level thanks to a late Bob Latchford equaliser following an earlier Roger Kenyon own goal.
The second replay at Old Trafford had more late drama and Everton were again left licking their wounds as Brian Little hit the winner in extra time for a 3-2 victory in a game memorable for Chris NIcholl’s incredible 40-yard drive that brought Villa level.
All of which meant an Everton era famous for Goodison greats such as Latchford, Lyons, Dobson and McKenzie were left with no medals to show for it.
Another reason why Goodlass still shivers at the thought of Clive Thomas’s raised arm on that wet week in Manchester.
“I really think if we had won something that season it would have been a springboard,” added Goodlass.
“We could have gone on to better things but that season was as good as it got.
“When you think of the 1960s and the 1980s, in comparison the 1970s get a bad press. But look at our finishes in the league, we were in and around the top three and pushing for Europe for a few seasons.
“It was certainly a better era than the 1990s but then they won the FA Cup – and we didn’t!”
