Football has evolved over the years and each year has it's own wonders. Free kicks are awarded after a defender fouls an opponent. There are different types of free kicks; direct which the taker can opt to shoot direct to the goal and indirect where the taker passes the ball. I will expound the indirect one.
52 years a go, a mad genius free kick was taken when Everton played against Coventry City. This was October 1970 when Coventry City by then were regular top flight team. Everton were on the receiving end when Coventry used this undiscovered trick.
By the look of things, this free kick seemed to be planned and practiced during training session before Coventry City unleashed it against Everton. As the wall lined up, Coventry's Willie Carr stood over the ball innocently and suddenly gripped the ball between his heels and flicked it into the air. Striker Ernie Hunt swung back and smashed a volley that found the back of the net. What a genius trick!
The match commentator, John Motson termed it as "An original piece of football impudence." Everton players on the other hand stood looking confused as they were caught completely unaware as they were waiting for a traditional free kick.
Unfortunately, football authorities banned this free kick technique that was called the 'donkey kick' at the end of the season. Coventry City went on to win the match 3-1 with Hunt who died in 2018 grabbing a brace under his name.
The closest we'll probably see in the Premier League era is something like Matt Le Tissier's flick-up free-kick, which also resulted in a volleyed finish but with Le Tiss providing the set-up himself. The world will not see a mad genius like this unless the Fifa and FA relaxes the 'donkey kick' free kick.
Comments
Post a Comment