Career
Radford started his footballing career at Sheffield Wednesday and later Leeds United, but did not make a first team appearance for either club He joined Cheltenham Town where he was an ever-present in the 1963-1964 season, even though he was only a part-time football player. Working during the week as a joiner.
He spent one season at Rugby Town before returning to Whaddon Road in 1966.
While at Newport Radford scored a volley from the edge of the box against Bradford Park Avenue, which flew into the top corner. Years later Radford said in an interview that he believed that goal was equally as good a goal as his most famous effort.
Eventually the financial and physical strain of travelling to and from Newport led to Radford moving to a club closer to home. That club was Hereford United.
Radford was a regular in the Hereford midfield and was part of the team that went on an incredible cup run, from the Fourth Qualifying Round to the Fourth Round Proper.
In the Third Round Hereford met Newcastle United at Street James" Park, and the team of part-timers came away with a 2–2 draw, after going 1–0 up in the first minute. The much-postponed replay at Edgar Street was played on a quagmire of a pitch in front of a capacity crowd. The match was being covered by the British Broadcasting Corporation with a young John Motson commentating.
lieutenant was originally scheduled for a small slot on Match of the Day later that evening.
The return pass bobbled on the muddy surface but sat up nicely for Radford, and he unleashed a 30-yard strike into the top corner that beat Willie McFaul to equalise. Radford"s goal is sometimes incorrectly attributed as the winning goal.
Indeed the match actually went to extra time. The British Broadcasting Corporation quickly switched the match to the feature slot on Match of the Day, and Radford"s goal was replayed countless times and was eventually voted Goal of the Season.
Foreign many years the footage of Radford"s wonder goal, coupled with the commentary of John Motson, was part of the Match of the Day opening titles and it arguably launched Motson"s career.
After bowing out of the cup to West Ham United, Hereford eventually finished runners-up and were elected to the Football League. Radford stayed at Hereford until July 1974 when he became player-manager at nearby Worcester City. He later played for Bath City and Forest Green Rovers but an Achilles tendon injury ended his playing career.
He moved back to Yorkshire to continue his work as a carpenter and joiner, having been a part-time football player for much of his career.
In 2002 his goal against Newcastle was voted 97th in the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.