On this day in 1984, Lincoln City supporters witnessed a remarkable second-half demolition of Reading, with five goals lifting us out of the Third Division relegation places.
Elsewhere, manager Colin Murphy was being linked with a return to Notts County. It was quite a combination for a Monday evening paper.
Although five-star City beat Reading 5-1 at Sincil Bank, the 2,422 spectators had seen little in the opening half-hour to suggest such a scoreline was coming. Reading, managed by former City defender Ian Branfoot, took the lead in the 13th minute when Trevor Senior headed home a Dean Horrix cross. Both forwards threatened again, and Branfoot had every reason to feel his side had enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.
“You don’t need to tell me that we were on top for the first half hour,” he told the Echo afterwards.
Maurice Burton’s Echo report was equally frank about our start, describing those opening 30 minutes as City’s worst of the season. Captain Steve Thompson earned his man-of-the-match vote for holding things together when Reading threatened to take control, providing the platform for a very different second half.
We were level three minutes after the restart, following the second of two corners taken by John McGinley. Alan Walker flicked the ball on at the near post, and John Fashanu‘s header at the far post eventually went in after striking both post and bar. Five minutes later, Gordon Mair supplied the cross which led to Fashanu being fouled in the box. Ross Jack took responsibility from the penalty spot, driving his effort straight down the middle to put us ahead.
The final score was settled by three goals in four minutes, beginning with Phil Turner in the 75th minute. The midfielder worked his way into the penalty area and finished with a low shot, giving City a two-goal cushion. Walker then powered home a header from Mair’s free-kick, opening his account for the season. A minute later, George Shipley spotted Reading goalkeeper Gary Westwood off his line and sent a lob towards goal, with Westwood only able to help it into the net.
Shipley’s contribution carried extra significance, bringing up his 50th goal for City in league and cup football. Five different players had scored in our biggest win for nearly two years, securing only our third league victory of the campaign.
Burton also highlighted Jack’s influence on the attack, a player Murphy had wanted to sign in 1982, but was not given the funds to do so. City had beaten Preston and Burnley with him in the side, before drawing with Bournemouth and losing at Millwall during his absence, making his contribution to another victory particularly welcome.
County linked with Murphy
Alongside that welcome result came a story with rather less appeal for Imps supporters. Notts County were seeking a replacement for Larry Lloyd, and Murphy was reported to be among the names under consideration, alongside former Stoke City manager Richie Barker and former Wolves boss John Barnwell.
County had been relegated from the First Division the previous season and were now bottom of the Second Division, with Jimmy Sirrel overseeing the team. Murphy had previously worked as Sirrel’s assistant, giving the speculation an obvious connection. However, the Echo suggested compensation would be a substantial obstacle. Murphy was under contract until 1987, while Hull City had reportedly been quoted £40,000 when showing interest during the summer.
City chairman Dennis Houlston made clear that he wanted Murphy to stay, although he said he knew nothing official about a possible move. Murphy offered little encouragement to anyone seeking a revealing response.
“I have nothing to say on the subject at all,” was his verdict.
There was no immediate return to Meadow Lane, and Murphy’s first spell at Sincil Bank continued until May 1985. He would eventually manage County in 1995, but on that October Monday in 1984, the more immediate satisfaction was a five-goal response from his Imps.
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