When the beautiful game was a bit brutal

Jason Stockwood is right that the 1970 FA Cup final replay between Leeds and Chelsea was a brutal game – one among many during that period (Fluid poetry has beaten brutality in the battle for football’s evolution, 14 May). Chelsea had Ron “Chopper” Harris while Leeds had Norman “bite your legs” Hunter. “Never mind the ball, let’s get on with the game” was a fitting analysis of many games.

However, Leeds had many players who would grace the Premier League today. Paul Madeley was a stylish centre back who could move effortlessly into midfield, and Terry Cooper a fast and skilful overlapping full back, dangerous in attack and effective in defence. Billy Bremner and John Giles were midfield players who produced penetrating passes that would confuse any modern defence.

Few, if any, full backs would be able to contend with the dribbling skills of Eddie Gray or the powerful shooting of Peter Lorimer. At times, their football would match today’s top teams, although they would certainly get more yellow cards.
David Mumby
Burrowbridge, Somerset

• Most football fans would approve of the improvement in fluidity, skill and entertainment since the Leeds-Chelsea 1970 kick-fest. However, in referencing that game, most observers miss the most dramatic contrast. Watch how the players responded to the brutality – no diving, cheating, screaming or rolling around. In many cases they jumped right up. Only a genuine injury caused them to pause.

Is there any way of combining the fluid beauty of today’s game with some of the attitudes of the past? Can you imagine Bremner, Charlton and co screaming and rolling around after a strong challenge? Fifa stamped out the unpunished bad tackles – time to do likewise with the cheating.
Jason Delf
London

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