Portsmouth v Wolves, 25th February 1967

Extended highlights from a Second Division match between Portsmouth and Wolves at Fratton Park on 25th February 1967.

Wolves, managed by Ronnie Allen, were among the leading clubs chasing promotion throughout much of the 1966-67 season and ultimately achieved their aim by finishing in second position behind Coventry City. However, Wolves could have secured the title that season, but a crucial defeat at Coventry on 29th April and, in particular, a heavy final day defeat at Crystal Palace proved ultimately decisive.

The success of Wolves that season was largely due to their goal scoring potency; with 88 goals scored that season Wolves were the leading scorers in the Second Division for the second season in succession. Ernie Hunt, who was the leading scorer for Wolves with 20 league goals, was ably assisted by Terry Wharton and Hugh McIlmoyle with 13 league goals apiece. Wharton was a very effective right-winger for Wolves, offering balance to the always impressive Dave Wagstaffe on the opposing flank.

Wolves, with goalkeeper Phil Parkes making just his second appearance of what ultimately proved to be a lengthy career at Molineux, benefitted greatly through the inspirational captaincy of Mike Bailey in midfield and the brilliance of the mercurial and enigmatic Peter Knowles. In addition to his celebrated skills, the often-fiery temperament of Knowles was also displayed at Portsmouth with the celebratory kicking the ball out of Fratton Park following his equalising goal (32:55) - an act for which, it is reputed, he was billed £7 10s by Portsmouth for the cost of a replacement!

After winning the Third Division in 1961-62, Portsmouth had maintained their position in the Second Division under manager George Smith. Against Wolves, Smith included in his team the likes of Ray Hiron - the 11 league goals he scored that season were part of an impressive 119 in total for Pompey - former England international Ray Pointer, transferred to Fratton Park from Coventry City and playing just his third match for Portsmouth against Wolves, goalkeeper John Milkins, who appeared in a total of 389 matches in well-over a decade of service for Portsmouth and the two-goal scorer against Wolves Cliff Portwood who, although an accomplished goal scoring footballer during his career, subsequently achieved more success as a singer in Australia and the United States.

Originally broadcast by BBC Match of the Day (Portsmouth's first-ever appearance) with commentary provided by Kenneth Wolstenholme.

Approximate time of goals on YouTube footage:

04:48 Portsmouth 1 Wolves 0 (Cliff Portwood)
10:35 Portsmouth 2 Wolves 0 (Cliff Portwood)
28:24 Portsmouth 2 Wolves 1 (Mike Bailey)
32:55 Portsmouth 2 Wolves 2 (Peter Knowles)
35:16 Portsmouth 2 Wolves 3 (Ernie Hunt)