Clive Allen And The Ghost Goal

We’re now in an age where technology plays a major part in the proceedings of a football match. Goal-line technology and VAR can make you cheer or cry in an instant ( or 3-4 mins when VAR is concerned ). In 1980 Crystal Palace would have loved the option of goal-line technology against Coventry at Highfield Road. The date was September the 6th, the day of Clive Allen and the ghost goal.

At the time Palace was a team struggling to find a result. Losing three out of their first four games of the season and conceding 11 goals in the process. Above all when they met Coventry City at Highfield Road they were desperate for their luck to change.

Impressive Start From Palace

Crystal Palace started the game well with Clive Allen looking dangerous with Vince Hilaire prominent throughout. They had several half-chances in the first half that ended all square at 0-0.

Clive Allen continued his impressive showing in the second half by slotting home early in the second half to push Palace into a deserved 1-0 lead. However, two goals from Coventry’s Gerry Daly, the second from a Billy Gilbert mistake gave the Sky Blues a 2-1 lead.

Clive Allen And The Ghost Goal

More importantly, Palace needed to answer back or face losing a fourth league game in five to start the season.

Pushing forward at every chance they won a free-kick just outside the penalty area after Jerry Murphy was fouled. Up stepped Clive Allen to smash the ball past Jim Blyth into the top right-hand corner of the goal. The ball hit the stanchion at the back of the net and rebounded out.

As Allen celebrated the “goal” the Coventry players regrouped and cleared the ball. The game continued as Palace players surrounded the referee to protest. Only when the ball went out of play did the referee bow to the Palace protests and consult his linesman.

Surely The Linesman Saw It?

As the referee spoke to the linesman the Palace players applied as much pressure as they could to sway the decision. It didn’t work and the referee amazingly waved “no goal” to the disappointed Eagles players.

Not content with just one linesman’s opinion the referee ran across the pitch ( with Vince Hilaire in hot pursuit ) to talk to the other linesman. Surely he saw the ball hit the back of the net and bounce back out…he didn’t. As a result, the game continued with a throw-in.

Moreover, to compound Palace’s misery, Coventry went on to score a third to win 3-1.

“There’s not even a doubt in my mind that went in when it hit the iron stanchion at the back.”

Terry venables – Crystal Palace manager

From Bad To Worse

In conclusion, the season went from bad to worse for Crystal Palace. Venables left in October to become manager of QPR with Venables’ assistant, Ernie Walley becoming the caretaker manager. However just 2 months later following a run of just one point in 4 weeks, Crystal Palace re-appointed former manager Malcolm Allison to replace Walley. 

Likewise, Allison didn’t fare much better and was sacked by new Palace owner Ron Noades in February. His replacement was Dario Gradi who became Palace’s fourth manager of the season.

Down And Out

The constant change of manager didn’t change Palace’s fortunes. In short, they continued to struggle and were relegated at the end of the season. It would take eight seasons for them to return.

The campaign started with Vince Hilaire’s dismissal for pushing a referee and continued with loss after loss. Clive Allen and the ghost goal a newsworthy bump on a challenging and damaging road.