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Gordon Hill joined Manchester United in November 1975 for £70,000 from
Millwall. Having spent a year in the 2nd Division in 1974/75, United had
returned to the top flight with a growing reputation for attacking
football under the guidance of Tommy Docherty. Docherty had freshened
the side up with youth and Hill, at 21, more than fitted the bill. He
made his debut in a 2-0 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford and
scored his first goal in his fifth appearance, a 4-1 mauling of
Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The good form continued and by the end
of March the team were challenging for the title and through to the FA
Cup Semi-Finals. United met Derby County in the cup and Hill scored both
goals as they made it to Wembley with a 2-0 win. The young legs tired,
however, and the season ended in disappointment with third place in the
league and a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup Final. The
following season Hill was virtually ever present, scoring 15 goals in 39
league games, as the side continued to bang the goals in.
The defence,
however, was leaky and United finished the season in 6th place after
winning only 2 of their final 10 league matches. After the
disappointment of the season before, United returned to Wembley for the
1977 FA Cup Final to meet treble-chasing Liverpool. Gordon had scored 4
goals in his previous 3 outings going into the final to take his total
for the season to 21 in all competitions. Though he didn't score in the
final, United were victorious by a 2-1 scoreline. Within a month of
securing the trophy, Docherty was sacked and replaced by Dave Sexton.
Gordon scored in the opening two fixtures of the 1977/78 season and
enjoyed a spell of 10 goals in 14 games from 21st January to 1st April
1978. Despite his ongoing impressive performances, Hill was suddenly
surplus to requirements and the game on April 1st against Arsenal at
Highbury proved to be his last. Sexton sold him to Derby County for a
fee of £250, 000. (Steve Drabble)
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