Chelsea

When the beautiful game was a bit brutal | Letters

19-May-2024 16:48:47 | The Guardian

Readers respond to Jason Stockwood’s article about football’s evolution and the unforgettable 1970 FA Cup final between Leeds and Chelsea

Jason Stockwood is right that the 1970 FA Cup final replay between Leeds and Chelsea was a brutal game – one among many during that period (Fluid poetry has beaten brutality in the battle for football’s evolution, 14 May). Chelsea had Ron “Chopper” Harris while Leeds had Norman “bite your legs” Hunter. “Never mind the ball, let’s get on with the game” was a fitting analysis of many games.

However, Leeds had many players who would grace the Premier League today. Paul Madeley was a stylish centre back who could move effortlessly into midfield, and Terry Cooper a fast and skilful overlapping full back, dangerous in attack and effective in defence. Billy Bremner and John Giles were midfield players who produced penetrating passes that would confuse any modern defence.