Written by John White
Branch Secretary
Carryduff Manchester United Supporters’ Club
It was on this very day 55 years ago, 23 September 1964, David Herd achieved a unique hat-trick for Manchester United.
United were in Sweden to play Djurgardens IF in the First Round of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. It was United’s first participation in the competition and a goal from Herd helped United to a 1-1 draw. Herd’s goal meant he became the first Manchester United player to score in all three of Europe’s main competitions (European Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup).
In season 1971-72, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup became the UEFA Cup which today is the Europa League (Leeds United were the last ever winners of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in season 1970-71). Herd scored his first European Cup Winners’ Cup in a 1-1 draw away to Willem II in Round 1, First Leg in season 1963-64 and scored his first European Cup goal against HJK Helsinki in a 3-2 away win in the Preliminary Round, First Leg in season 1965-66.
In season 1963-64, United participated in the European Cup Winners’ Cup having defeated Leicester City 3-1 in the 1963 FA Cup final, Herd scored twice and Denis Law also scored.
David joined us from Arsenal on 19 August 1961 and scored 145 goals in 265 appearances (including one substitute appearance) for United, an average of 0.54 goals per game which is an excellent strike rate.
I rate David as an 8/10 in terms of players who have played for both us and Arsenal. Can you name any other United-Arsenal players and what score out of 10 do you give them in the red of United?
Just name one player please so as others also have an opportunity to comment.
Did You Know That?
On 26 November 1966, David scored four goals in a 5-0 First Division victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford (Law also scored). Remarkably, David scored against three different goalkeepers in the game.
He scored his first goal against Jim Montgomery who then had to be taken off after being injured, his second was scored against winger George Herd who also went off with an injury and he was replaced in nets by centre half Charlie Hurley who David bagged two against. Only one substitute was permitted at the time.
