Kelly remembered the shock of seeing his beloved Hull City line up against George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law — a trio he compared to today’s Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappé — as he told the BBC’s Sporting Witness.
Former Hull player Frankie Banks called it a huge occasion: Manchester United were European champions just two years earlier. The atmosphere crackled. United’s stars were their idols, and although Hull looked outmatched on paper, they were desperate to show they could compete.
Hull struck first after 11 minutes through Chris Chilton. Law equalised in the 78th, forcing extra time. As the added period ebbed away, the players sensed they were part of something historic.
Player-manager Terry Neill asked for penalty volunteers; some hesitated, others stepped forward. Banks, not selected that day but in attendance, noted that nobody wants to be the one who misses — especially not the first ever in a shootout.
Best calmly opened the shootout, sliding a right-footed effort low to the left. Neill replied, becoming the first player-manager to score in a shootout, and it remained level at 3-3 amid deafening noise.
Then came a moment future stars would know well: Law’s low strike was saved by a diving Ian McKechnie. That made Law the first player to miss in a shootout, and McKechnie the first goalkeeper to save one.
Ken Wagstaff then missed for Hull. Willie Morgan converted for United, leaving Hull needing to score their final kick.
Up stepped McKechnie — the first keeper to take a penalty in a shootout. Kelly couldn’t believe it; neither could his mum, and even United’s Alex Stepney asked what McKechnie was doing up there.
McKechnie blasted his attempt against the underside of the bar, becoming the first goalkeeper to miss in a shootout.
Banks maintained McKechnie was the right choice — a sweet left foot and plenty of nerve — and said he’d have bet on him to score. Still, he added, that miss stayed with Ian for the rest of his life.