Wrexham v Crystal Palace 1977

[Willywill]

That “they don’t want to go up” used to really rattle me. Usually from smug old timers who thought that they had seen it all before. Even they couldn’t imagine what would happen to us over the next 40 years. If you want an easy life, ‘support’ a top six club in the premier league. Following your home town club is where it’s at.

[wxmdoug]

Originally Posted by Wiltshire_Red

As we all look forward to the ups and downs to come in this seasons run-in, a look back at a blast from the past.

For those of us of a certain age this was the game that nightmares are made of. With 2 games left of the 76/77 season we needed 1 point to gain promotion to the promised land of the second division (Championship today). With both those games at home, we couldn’t fail, could we.........

The 2 games were Crystal Palace and Mansfield. Palace on a good run, Mansfield already promoted as champions.

2 points for a win and no playoffs in those days, so no second chance if not in one of the promotion places.

From 2-0 down, it was 2-2 going into injury time, we were almost promoted, but then disaster 2 goals in injury time by Palace. Over 18,000 left the ground in shock, I remember I was close to tears.

Here’s the goals from the game at a packed Racecourse https://youtu.be/lzFwj2n1Hy0 the goals start at 36:40

The rest is history, we failed to best Mansfield in the last game and missed out on promotion. However, as hard as it was to take, it made us stronger, and with Arfon taking over the reins and some astute signings we then had that great team to win the title in the following season.

remember it like yesterday , palace played their third choice keeper as the other two were injured and he could not kick the ball to save his life.

how we lost them two games i will never know ,

but the next year it all came great

[Quay Red]

Originally Posted by bowler

Not ashamed to say but tears in my eyes that day.Mansfield game was the end of the world never thought we would get another chance.John Neal left taking Billy Ashcroft with him.But thanks to Arfon who persuaded players to stay and give it another go and there where a few who had offers to go elsewhere we achieved the second division(championship as now) first season I think we finished 6th in the league but correct me if I'm wrong. Today just realised what time it is I will be attending Our Captain Gareth Davies celebration night what a player and a nicer guy you couldn't wish to meet.

You're not the only one who was crying. I remember Eddie Neidzweski and myself consoling each other on the pitch and hundreds of fans wandering around in utter shock.

[wrexhamfredin swansea]

I remember this well of course. I was a PGCE student at Chester at the time(yes, I know!). A friend and I came down for both games - wonderful atmosphere at a packed Racecourse but utter desolation at the end. Then the thought of going all over again on the Saturday, but with the same result. God, it's hard work supporting Wrexham, but I have continued to do so even though returning to South Wales to live. I have even brought my son up as a Wrexham fan and by god does he get some strange looks when he says he supports Wrexham even though living and working in Swansea with its Premier league side! Keep the faith! This is our year!!

[GoJohnnyGoGoGoGo]

The goal difference issue was important at the time. Palace needed to win by a two goal margin to put us under pressure in the last game. Conceding the third goal was bad but the crushing blow was their fourth going in, as it suddenly meant we needed two points in our last game. I also remember a complete feeling of numbness lasting for several weeks after the fourth goal hit the net.

[RemovedUser]

I wasn't at the Palace game at the Racecourse, though I was at the Selhurst Park match. I was living and working in leafy Surrey at the time, newly married and working with a scutch of Palace fans. I refused to go with any of them to the match, despite numerous offers.
Instead, I took the new Bride to her first ever match (to this day she has only been twice....this one and Anderlecht).
Anyway we were in the then main stand surrounded by some older but still sh*thouse Palace fans. I had warned the Missus to keep a low profile and not advertise our allegiance, for the sake of our personal safety.
That worked for all of 2 minutes because Mel Sutton put us in front in double quick time. Cue my new wife jumping to her feet cheering and shouting........the response was obviously many glaring looks from those around us and talk of sheepshaggers etc etc.
Now the more astute and self aware among us would have gathered their composure and sat down quietly to absorb the warm feeling of being ahead. This philosophy did not sit well with the dear wife and she proceeded to give the abuse back with interest, despite me trying to get and keep her under control....something I have learnt is a forlorn task, 41 years later!!
Anyway, as we all know, the euphoria only lasted until the 18th minute when Hinshelwood equalised, and then turned to dismay after Swindlehurst got what proved to be the winner in the 35th minute.
We endured the rest of the game in virtual silence, apart from the odd outburst from the nearest and dearest whenever a hefty tackle went in on one our players, or a chance went begging.
My overriding feeling as we left the ground was that we would finish the job at Oxford 4 days later........ or even 8 days later when we would play Palace again at the Racecourse.............or 3 days after that against Mansfield. How wrong I was!
I went home to Wrexham for that final game, which turned out to be the unhappiest day of my life, up to that point, made worse in the knowledge that I would have to return to work in Surrey the next week and face those crowing, arrogant sh*thouse Palace fans again.

[RemovedUser]

Originally Posted by GoJohnnyGoGoGoGo

The goal difference issue was important at the time. Palace needed to win by a two goal margin to put us under pressure in the last game. Conceding the third goal was bad but the crushing blow was their fourth going in, as it suddenly meant we needed two points in our last game. I also remember a complete feeling of numbness lasting for several weeks after the fourth goal hit the net.

I could be wrong, but my recollection is that I don't think we actually necessarily needed to win that last game.
Positions were decided on goal average in those days and I seem to recall that the 4th Palace goal was important insofar as it meant that we needed to score a goal and not lose our last game.
So a scoring draw would have been good enough.............as I say I could be wrong, after all this time.

[RemovedUser]

Originally Posted by GoJohnnyGoGoGoGo

The goal difference issue was important at the time. Palace needed to win by a two goal margin to put us under pressure in the last game. Conceding the third goal was bad but the crushing blow was their fourth going in, as it suddenly meant we needed two points in our last game. I also remember a complete feeling of numbness lasting for several weeks after the fourth goal hit the net.

I could be wrong, but my recollection is that I don't think we actually necessarily needed to win that last game.
Positions were decided on goal average in those days and I seem to recall that the 4th Palace goal was important insofar as it meant that we needed to score a goal and not lose our last game.
So a scoring draw would have been good enough.............as I say I could be wrong, after all this time. Or it may have depended on other results going in our favour too.

Apologies for the double post.

[moynkeepthefaith]

Originally Posted by Redrobinman

I could be wrong, but my recollection is that I don't think we actually necessarily needed to win that last game.
Positions were decided on goal average in those days and I seem to recall that the 4th Palace goal was important insofar as it meant that we needed to score a goal and not lose our last game.
So a scoring draw would have been good enough.............as I say I could be wrong, after all this time. Or it may have depended on other results going in our favour too.

Apologies for the double post.

I think you are right - we scored more goals than them but conceded more. Goal average was anyway close to goal difference and I think we also had a worse goal difference but it was close. Its history anyway and lets hope us old sods get a chance to celebrate again this year. Its time the sheeping giant woke up