Date: Saturday 10th September 1977.

Venue: Elland Road, Leeds.

Competition: First Division.

Score: Leeds United 2 Ipswich Town 1

Scorers: Leeds United: Hankin (2). Ipswich Town: Mariner.

Attendance: 24,280

Teams:

Leeds United: Stewart; Cherry (Stevenson), F. Gray; Lorimer, McQueen, Madeley; E. Gray, Hankin, Jordan, Currie, Graham.

Ipswich Town: Cooper; Burley, Tobbot; Talbot, Hunter, Osman; Osborne, Gates, Mariner, Whymark, Woods.

Referee: K.McNally (Cheshire).

Ray Hankin, although only twenty-one years old, presented a fearsome sight to opposing defenders and he made his considerable presence tell to good effect when Leeds United successfully dealt with the threat of Ipswich Town in a First Division tussle in September 1977. The six foot two inch, thirteen stone thirteen pound Geordie had scored three goals in his first three outings of that season and he took his tally to five in four games when he found the target twice as Ipswich were beaten 2-1. His five goal tally made him the joint leading scorer in the top division and though he went on to score twenty league goals in thirty-three appearances, United had to be content with finishing the season in ninth position.

Hopes were high when Ipswich arrived at Elland Road for this early season encounter. United had lost one of their four opening league games and had won through their first league cup match and Bobby Robson’s side came to Elland Road having made a good start, remaining undefeated in league and cup to that point.

Trevor Cherry passed a late fitness test on a groin strain, a legacy of his display for England in midweek, and Eddie Gray, who had been troubled by a leg strain, returned after a three match absence which left twenty-one-year-old Byron Stevenson on the bench. Ipswich, though, were without injured stars John Wark and Mick Mills and their England defender Kevin Beattie failed a late test which allowed eighteen-year-old Russell Osman to continue in the side.

After a goalless first half, Ipswich took the lead through their England striker Paul Mariner, who was on hand near the penalty spot to sweep the ball past David Stewart after Les Tibbott and Eric Gates had linked well to build the attack. Two minutes later though, Ray Hankin headed United level. Tony Currie began the move with a change of direction to send Arthur Graham racing away on the left. The Scottish winger hit a fine swerving centre and Hankin launched himself into a dive to head in from six yards.

Eight minutes of the game were left when Hankin made it 2-1. Eddie Gray’s cross from the right was won in the air by Gordon McQueen, who headed the ball for Hankin to glance his header past Paul Cooper from close range. After the game Hankin made it clear he wanted to shed a pound or two off his massive frame following almost a year on the sidelines working his way back from a nagging knee injury. “I would like to lose a few pounds and get down to thirteen and a half stones,” he said. His manager Jimmy Armfield, was, however well pleased with his progress but said, “I do not think that he has reached anywhere near his peak yet. His appreciation of the game is great and he will only improve.”

Match Action:

Ray Hankin dives to head United’s first goal (Courtesy Mark Ledgard)

Ray Hankin heads United’s winner (Courtesy Mark Ledgard)

Leeds big men on the attack as Joe Jordan challenges Paul Cooper for a high ball with Ray Hankin and Gordon McQueen looking on

Ipswich goalkeeper Paul Cooper foils a jumping Joe Jordan

Players:

Ray Hankin scored both Leeds goals Paul Mariner scored for Ipswich Gordon McQueen headed on in the United second goal

Trevor Cherry and Eddie Gray both returned after injury David Stewart was the United goalkeeper

Arthur Graham and Tony Currie were involved in the lead up to United’s first goal Paul Reaney did not play

Byron Stevenson was Kevin Beattie failed a fitness check John Wark and Mick Mills were missing for Ipswich.

on the bench

18-year-old Russell Osman Eric Gates and Les Tibbott were involved in the Ipswich goal