BOXING DAY FEAST

COLIN ALLAN RECALLS WHEN FULHAM LED THE WAY IN A GOAL-CRAZY ROUND OF FESTIVE MATCHES

- COLIN ALLAN

BOXING Day 1963 would live long in the memories of Fulham fans. It was the day their team beat Ipswich Town 10-1 at Craven Cottage.

The main architect of their amazing win was Graham Leggat, who scored four goals. In fact, he scored a hat-trick in just five minutes before the midway point in the first half.

In truth, Fulham should have won by an even greater margin. Leggat himself shot wide of an open goal and a shot by Maurice Cook stuck in the mud as it was about to cross the goal-line.

Ipswich goalkeeper Roy Bailey had an unlucky match. He inadvertently helped a corner from Bobby Howfield into the net and was generally encumbered by the soft pitch to come out and dominate his area when centres were floated his way.

Ipswich only just beat the referee's whistle for halftime for their consolation goal.