HIGHGATE UNITED v ENFIELD TOWN FC: MATCH PREVIEW...

This Saturday a tribute game between Highgate United and Enfield Town FC is being staged to mark 50 years since Highgate player Tony Allden was struck by lightning during an FA Amateur Cup Tie between Highgate and Enfield at The Coppice, Solihull… 

He died the following day.

Tony Allden: 50 Years On…

Beyond a canal, over a humped bridge,

Tythe Barn Lane lay in wait

For a rain-soaked FA Amateur Cup quarter-final

And Enfield FC were visiting The Gate…

Maybe 2000 spectators packed into The Coppice

But beyond the fields and woods a storm thundered;

Highgate’s underdogs scrapped from the start

But an early goal by Enfield was plundered…

Suddenly though in the 27th minute,

The storm wielded its frightening power:

Lightning struck the centre-circle area

And some players fell, some would cower…

Those affected soon began to recover

But then it became shockingly clear

That prone Highgate defender Tony Allden was hurt

And the horror turned to abject fear…

Allden was rushed to Solihull Hospital

But consciousness was never regained

And he died the following lunchtime,

Martyred by lightning that fate had ordained…

Pete Ray

The abandoned game was replayed at Villa Park, a match I attended, as illustrated by the images of my match programme. Enfield won 6-0 and progressed to the Final, in which they beat Skelmersdale United 3-0 at Manchester City’s old ground, Maine Road, following a 0-0 draw at Wembley…