League Division One
Team: Parkes, Clement, Gillard, Leach, McLintock, Webb, Thomas, Francis, Masson, Bowles, Givens
Sub: Hollins
Attendance: 21,161
On the 25th of October 1975, Rangers took on bottom-placed Sheffield United at Loftus Road. James Mossop’s report follows:
‘When the England footballers fly to Czechoslovakia tomorrow, one figure will be left curbing a desire to thumb a lift.
Stanley Bowles, the class act on a grey day at Loftus Road, has elected to fight for his place with England.
“He is working really hard,” said manager Dave Sexton, and Bowles’ role in the goal that put Rangers back at the top of the First Division, was only one of several brilliant, fluent moments of thoughtful footwork.
In it he quietly helped England captain Gerry Francis and Eire centre-forward Don Givens to share the game’s brief glory.
The yawning stopped in the 62nd minute when Bowles, collecting from Francis, held on until his skipper was off on a run to the dead-ball line.
Here the England skipper showed his own pace, balance and control by squeezing in a centre when all seemed lost.
It was a beauty, and Givens met it with such power that Sheffield’s deputy goalkeeper Tom McAlister, playing his first league game for two years, could only help it into the net.
Of course, Rangers should have won by more. Givens missed his kick when McAlister fisted a Dave Thomas corner to him; then Bowles was blatantly obstructed as he cut in on goal, with a scoring look in his eye.
And Givens blasted high when Bowles capsized the entire defence with a shimmy, a shake and a perfect pass.
A couple of players were booked – Eddie Colquhoun (tripping), and Don Masson (dissent) – but two questions remained.
Why is Bowles not accompanying Phil Parkes, Ian Gillard, Dave Thomas and Gerry Francis on the England excursion?
And can new manager Jimmy Sirrell lift Sheffield United closer to security in their fight for First Division survival?’
Elsewhere, Manchester United lost 1-2 at Upton Park, Derby County drew 1-1 with Liverpool and Leeds beat Coventry City 2-0.
So, Rangers headed the table on 19 points, with Manchester United and West Ham on the same number pf points, whilst Liverpool were one point behind in fifth place.
Steve Russell