Looking back to that sun-soaked afternoon in May 1960 and the Rovers defeat to Wolves in the FA Cup Final conjures up a day of extreme disappoint for me and the thousands of Rovers followers. It was one of the worst Finals I think I’ve seen and being there as a young teenager only heaped misery on misery.
That it wasn’t to be the Rovers day of that there is no doubt but in retrospect the player who arguably did more than anyone to get us to Wembley, Michael McGrath, was dealt the cruelest of blows when he turned Deeley’s cross into his own net. Having gone a goal behind and reduced to playing the lion’s share of the game with 10 men, there was no way back for the blue and whites.
Rovers route to Wembley was a roller coaster of a ride, thrilling, anxious, some exquisite football and a modicum of good fortune. All the ingredients you need for a successful tilt at the Cup.
Michael McGrath’s heroics were never far from view as this swashbuckling competitor stamped his mark on the competition. It was in the 4th Round at Ewood that McGrath won his spurs and the title of “the Golden Boot” bestowed by Rovers finest and universally respected Telegraph reporter, Alf Thornton.
With Rovers trailing by a goal to nil against Lancashire rivals, Blackpool at Ewood, and the game fast approaching 90 minutes, one of the most amazing scenes ever witnessed at Ewood unfolded before our eyes. Rovers won a free kick deep in the Seasiders territory. Every Blackpool player and Rovers player, bar Leyland and Bray, were huddled within 12 yards of the Blackpool goal.
Vernon took the kick which Dougan met but only succeeded in heading the ball high into the air. What happened next was an unbelievable scrimmage with players and boots flying everywhere. The referee, who had a ringside seat, was inclined to let things go because it was impossible to make a decision one way or the other.
George Farm, the Blackpool ‘keeper, was pinned to the turf by a combination of Dougan and Douglas whilst utter mayhem ensued around them. At one-point Rovers claimed the ball had crossed the line, their appeals waived away by the Referee.
Then a Blackpool defender appeared to be cushioning the ball in his arms, and despite appeals for a penalty the Referee again declined to act, that was until the defender released his grip from around the ball which ran free and squirmed into the path of McGrath who needed no second invitation to hammer the ball home from 6 yards.
Amazing scenes all round with McGrath the hero. Fortunately, the replay the following Wednesday at Bloomfield Road was more akin to a Rovers procession as they ran out comfortable winners 3 – 0.
To perform a rescue act once in the cauldron of cup football is admirable, to repeat the dosage is some achievement. Cometh the hour cometh the man and once again the man was Michael McGrath. If you’re going to dampen down elation and shatter a few dreams, there’s no better place than at Turf Moor against the ‘owd enemy.
Trailing 3–0 with 17 minutes to play, the game was almost done and dusted for the Clarets. To cut to the chase, a Douglas penalty and a thunderous strike from Dobing gave the Rovers hope, which was realised with just 4 minutes to play.
A speculative effort from Clayton in a crowded Burnley box found McGrath who with little time to react fired a shot which struck the inside of Blacklaw’s post and nestled in the net. The “Golden Boot” proving lightning does strike twice. An extra time Rovers double in the Ewood replay saw the Rovers march into the semi finals. (and even more drama).
Michael McGrath joined the Rovers in August 1954 from Home Farm and made 268 League appearances and scored 8 goals in his 12-yearspell at the Club. Add to that a 9-year Ireland international career, comprising 22 appearances and you get an idea of the inestimable value McGrath possessed for both Club and Country.
McGrath made his Rovers debut in the 1955/56 season in a 1–1 draw at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground. His home debut was against Rotherham United in a 3–1 win at Ewood, having recently just turned 20.
The following season after appearing in two early league games, it wasn’t until later that season that McGrath returned to the team deputising for Ronnie Clayton at Middlesbrough. However, ironically, it was in this game that Ken Clayton sustained a severe leg fracture, which effectively ended his career and gave the young McGrath his chance of regular first team football. Fellow Irishman and Rovers boss, Johnny Carey had no qualms at passing on the mantle to McGrath who fully accepted with aplomb and became a regular in the team.
The 1957/58 promotion season saw McGrath play in every game together with every game in Rovers run to the FA Cup semi final. He even scored his first Rovers goal in the 2–1 FA Cup 5th Round replay win against Cardiff City at Ewood. McGrath’s first League goal for the Rovers was scored in a 2–1 defeat at Huddersfield in March 1958.
It says much about the class, pedigree and development of the young McGrath that he became a permanent fixture in what is arguably the finest ever Rovers half back line in the Club’s history – Clayton, Woods, McGrath. That unit was like a well-oiled machine, equal partners complementing and interdependent on one another. It was a privilege to see it in action.
Besides being a classy footballer, Michael McGrath had a voracious appetite for hard work. There were no lost causes as far as the tenacious Irishman was concerned. In games he must have covered every inch of grass whilst his tackling was fierce but fair and once, he’d won the ball he had the vision to set up attacks.
His defensive qualities too were of the highest order and his reading of any potentially dangerous situation enabled him to cut them out at source. He was a master of providing defensive cover, slotting in seamlessly behind the full back when Rovers were on the back foot and, on numerous occasions, occupying the goal line to make last ditch interceptions and clearances were executed from under the shadow of the crossbar.
Michael McGrath was one of my favourite ever Rovers players, it was a privilege to see him in a blue and white shirt. He was a great Rovers servant, a footballer’s footballer, a proper player and a consummate professional.
