LIGHTNING STRIKES

On 25th February 1967, Highgate United's 6' 1" centre half, Tony Allden was struck by lightning in an FA Amateur Cup quarter-final against Enfield. He died the next day.

The 22-year old, had helped the small Worcestershire Combination club into the quarter-finals of  this historic competition, where they hosted Enfield, the Isthmian League side,  a club two levels above Highgate in the English football pyramid. Enfield were clearly favourites, but with the anticipation from a capacity crowd of over 2,000 locals and some visitors, the teams walked onto the pitch under a heavy downpour at 3 o'clock.

By 3:27 pm, with just under half an hour played, a bolt of lightning struck Tony Allden, who was standing in the center circle. According to one report, Allden fell "crumpled in an aura of blue smoke." Two other players, brothers Eric and Roy Taylor, also collapsed due to shock. All three were rushed to the hospital where the Taylors soon recovered, but Allden did not. He passed away from his injuries on the Sunday. He stands back row, fourth from left as you look at the photo.

After much media attention, the Cup replay drew a potential crowd of over 30,000, so it moved away from Highgate's, Tythebarn Lane, to Villa Park, where Enfield won 0-6. The Highgate team wore Villa's strip on the day. The Essex club went on to win the cup beating Skelsmerdale United 3-0 after a 0-0 draw, in the final at Wembley, 75,000 watched the first game on April 22nd. Seven days later the reply at Manchester City's Maine Road ground attracted 55,388. Some of the proceeds went to Allden's family and a stand at Highgate's ground was named after him.

That April, a memorial match was played in Allden's honor between a Midlands' Select XI and an International XI. His death was recognized with the creation of the Tony Allden Memorial Cup, presented on the day.