WHEN Hereford United and Newcastle United faced each other on that marvellous, murky day in 1972 who would have thought that 30 years on the most famous of all those players would be a joiner who had kicked a ball about to supplement his income.

Agreed, the entire Newcastle squad enjoyed vastly more successful careers than tradesman Ronnie Radford who spent most of his time toiling in the lower divisions of the Football League or on the part-time stage.

But now, in 2002, especially among those aged 40 and under, it is Radford whose name means far more than the majority of those 'Magpies' he helped humble with his glorious goal three decades ago.

And, except on Tyneside perhaps, Radford is more of a soccer celebrity than Macdonald or Moncur to the casual fan. Possibly Ricky George is, too.

Radford's unforgettable creation is screened on television dozens of times every season and stands alongside wonder strikes by legends Pele and Maradona in the golden goal hall of fame.

Millions of hairs on the back of Herefordian necks have stood to attention over the years to salute the hero racing along with arms aloft and midriff exposed.

Everyone knows what a radio commentator means when he describes a player as 'trying to do a Ronnie Radford'.

Some goals that have won FA Cup finals in recent years are difficult to recall, but every fan can picture what Radford did in the 86th minute of that third round replay on February 5, 1972.

Poor Joe Harvey, the Newcastle manager, was physically sick on the way back to the north east that evening. But he felt far better the following Saturday when his team, mercilessly taunted by Manchester United fans, silenced them by winning at Old Trafford. That's how good the Newcastle side was.

To appreciate fully the wonder of Radford's equaliser one has to set it in context. On a quagmire of a pitch, United's part-timers were trailing, with four minutes remaining, against a team of super-fit First Division stars, several of them internationals.

Suddenly, Radford combined in a few magical moments, three stunning examples of the footballer's art - a tenacious tackle, a considered pass and a ferocious finish.

It would have been a magnificent goal had it simply been a shot out of the blue, but much preceded that hefty strike.

There was the do-or-die, ball-winning challenge which saw him floored in the mud. Up he bounded and showed calm and enterprise to play a one-two with Brian Owen. Then a right leg surging with adrenaline let fly.

Spectators perched in overlooking trees risked death in their celebrations! Below them, youngsters invaded the pitch motivated by sheer joy and not a jot of malice.

'Match of the Day' cameras had captured the goal of the century and Radford was to be up there with Stanley Matthews, Bert Trautmann and Ricky Villa in FA Cup folklore. A Hereford 'Hopper' bus was named after him, too!

Before long the Daily Mirror produced a small booklet which, by a fast flick of the thumb across the edge of the pages, enabled the reader to re-create Ronnie's 'rocket'. It had a regal companion, for on the obverse side was Geoff Hurst's controversial second World Cup Final goal.

Few realise that Radford's goal had a 'twin'; not an identical one, but a beautiful, bonny product nonetheless. Ricky George still raves about it.

It had come at Margate earlier the same season when Dudley Tyler mesmerised the home defence before sending over a deep cross which Radford, thundering in, met after one bounce to thrash the ball home.

Sadly, no TV camera recorded the moment, but thankfully we have its 'brother of all goals', to savour forever.