On September 22, 1984, Newcastle United visited QPR to play on the then-famous plastic pitch. In the summer of 1984, both clubs had managerial changes. Arthur Cox oversaw Newcastle’s promotion to the top flight in 1983/84. But left for Derby, dissatisfied with his Board’s lack of support. QPR had finished fifth in Division One under Terry Venables. However, Barcelona came knocking And Terry Venables became El Tel. Former England internationals Jack Charlton and Alan Mullery were tasked with replacing two successful managers.

After just three minutes, the action began when Neil McDonald scored after excellent work down the left by Waddle, the Newcastle winger who was the star of the first half. Waddle extended Newcastle’s lead with two goals in the space of five minutes, and it seemed like the game was over when he scored his third goal from long range to complete his hat-trick.QPR were down but not out. Reeling from Newcastle’s 4-goal salvo  Gary Bannister started the unlikely comeback in the 49th minute. It was the start of an amazing comeback.

Goals Galore

The second goal scored by QPR just before the hour mark was undoubtedly a freak. And destined to appear on numerous lists of hilarious own goals. But the utter calamity of it sums up Newcastle’s performance in the second half. Kevin Carr had no chance to stop Peter Haddock’s attempted clearance because it struck Kenny Wharton in the head and went into the Newcastle goal. Before focusing on the other end of the field, QPR came close to scoring an incredible own goal of their own. Although QPR’s second disallowed goal of the game, a goal by Simon Stainrod, was overturned, a John Gregory goal after 73 minutes began to make the seemingly impossible seem feasible.

Ten Goal Extravaganza

When Waddle reclaimed possession of the ball, the game appeared to be over. With only six minutes left, his run and cross allowed Wharton to score with a simple tap-in, relieving tension in the dugout and on the crowded terraces behind the goal that QPR was attempting to score. But in the final few seconds, those spectators were about to endure even more suffering. The pressure increased following an immediate response from Steve Wicks, and with one minute remaining, Gary Micklewhite broke through Newcastle’s defence to score an almost unbelievable equalizer.

Some QPR supporters invaded the field as the crowd around them swelled into a mass of limbs. At least they wouldn’t have gotten their shoes muddy, and the celebrations made sense given the nature of the comeback. Everyone could try to catch their breath after the final whistle.

Charlton was livid. Speaking for the stunned Geordies that now had to make the trek home after witnessing the collapse. “They’re driving me mad,” he admitted. “I have never seen anything as disgusting as that in the 32 years I have been in the game.”

It’s every manager’s nightmare. You think they might get back in the game, but don’t really believe it when you’re 4-0 up. We just stopped playing. We did exactly the same at Arsenal, at Old Trafford and got hammered five, and again last week against Everton.

Unhappy Managers

The manager certainly wasn’t holding back when it came to discussing his team. “The players showed no common sense. There’s so much learning to do at this club it’s untrue. I don’t know who’s been educating them but it certainly wasn’t me” Mullery was naturally delighted with the comeback, stating that it was great for the fans, but likely to give the managers a heart attack. “I’ll watch the second half with anybody, but the first half I’ll view privately because I might kick the dog and the television.”

For Newcastle’s star, the afternoon turned sour with every QPR goal. “The thrill of what should have been the most memorable day of my career was ruined,” Waddle said. “I can’t believe what’s happened,” with a little over 14,000 others no doubt nodding in agreement.