MIRALLAS ON THE SPOT

With Miralass and Baines bickering over a penalty kick against West Brom, at Everton last night, it is worth reminding ourselves of the more important occasions when penalties have been in the news. Willie Cook of Everton scored three penalties in separate matches in the Christmas period between 24-27 December 1938. Ronnie Allen of West Bromwich Albion scored penalties in both the semi-final and the final of the 1953-4 FA Cup competition, firstly against Port Vale, his previous club and then against Preston, as his two goals were enough to win the cup for the Baggies.

The first league penalty was scored by Joe Heath for Wolves against Accrington in September 1891. The fastest penalty ever awarded was scored by Sammy Collins in August 1956, when the ref awarded a penalty against Wallsall, after only 10 seconds in the Third Division league game. On the last day of 1980-1 at the bottom of the Second Division, Don Givens missed a last kick of the game penalty and relegated his team, Sheffield United, whereas opponents, Wallsall, the Sadlers, rode their luck and stayed up.  

It is believed that William McCrum invented the penalty kick in 1890 in Milford, County Armagh, Ireland and it was approved internationally when the IFA presented the idea in June 1891.