On August 5, 1970, a pre-season game between second division Hull City and footballing powerhouse Manchester United forever altered the course of the sport.
As the match ended in a draw, it became the first professional competitive game in history to be resolved through a penalty shootout—a departure from the traditional methods of deciding tied matches, which included coin tosses, drawing lots, or replaying the game.
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This match took place during the first season of the Watney Cup, an English knockout competition that was short-lived.
Manchester United’s lineup featured legends such as George Best, Denis Law, and Bobby Charlton.
Hull City player Frankie Banks and an 11-year-old fan, Martyn Kelly, shared their experiences of the penalty shootout with Phil Jones.
Banks reflected, “Looking back, it was incredible to be part of history. The atmosphere was electric.”
“The Manchester United players were our idols. We were determined to show everyone that while they were likely the best team in the world, we could compete with them.”
Discover more Manchester United content on BBC Sounds
[BBC]