50 years since brilliant solo goal

Ask any Workington supporter in their sixties, seventies or eighties which was their favourite Borough Park goal, chances are the majority would mention Johnny Martin’s stunning solo effort against Rochdale in the FA Cup.

Incredibly, it is fifty years ago but for many that goal will never be forgotten, such was the individual brilliance on FA Cup First Round day on 15 November, 1969.

Reds were in a poor run of form when Rochdale travelled to West Cumberland and it was no surprise when the Lancashire side took the lead. But Brian Doyle’s side hit back and a Jimmy Goodfellow goal restored parity before a wonderful, skilful dribble from the undisputed ‘king of the Derwent End’ culminated in a superb finish to secure a 2-1 victory for the Reds.

It was the only FA Cup goal he scored for Workington, during a Borough Park career spanning well over 200 games, but better than most winning goals ever seen at Wembley.

RIP Johnny.