‘I’ll probably go and watch the video another 50 times now’ – Tony Taggart on his famous goal for Hawks against Notts County

It's the moment that will never grow old for Tony Taggart.
Tony Taggart scores the only goal against Notts County in December 2007. Pic EmpicsTony Taggart scores the only goal against Notts County in December 2007. Pic Empics
Tony Taggart scores the only goal against Notts County in December 2007. Pic Empics

In fact, he was even planning to go and 'watch it a few more times' once he'd finished this interview.

Introduced by then Hawks manager Shaun Gale minutes into the second half, the former dustbin man already had the picture painted in his mind.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Racing to get to Alfie Potter's pass in behind three minutes from time, Taggart beat two Notts County defenders to the ball and was through one v one - only to fall to the ground under a hefty tackle.

Tony Taggart watches the ball go in for the FA Cup winner at Notts County in December 2007. Pic EmpicsTony Taggart watches the ball go in for the FA Cup winner at Notts County in December 2007. Pic Empics
Tony Taggart watches the ball go in for the FA Cup winner at Notts County in December 2007. Pic Empics

Yet, as he picked his head up to see what had happened, incredibly, the ball had rolled past Kevin Pilkington and into the net.

His dream when sat on the bench in the first half had been fulfilled - Taggart's strike secured a 1-0 victory for Hawks over League Two Notts County in December 2007 to send them into the FA Cup third round for the first, and so far only, time in the club's history.

That’s something the Londoner, 39, will never forget and he'll have a nice reminder of his time in the spotlight this weekend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And Taggart is hoping another Hawks player can make himself a hero when Paul Doswell's side welcome Notts County in the FA Trophy last-16.

The ball is on the way into the net for Tony Taggart's winner at Meadow Lane in 2007 on the only previous occasion Hawks have played Notts County. Pic: Empics.The ball is on the way into the net for Tony Taggart's winner at Meadow Lane in 2007 on the only previous occasion Hawks have played Notts County. Pic: Empics.
The ball is on the way into the net for Tony Taggart's winner at Meadow Lane in 2007 on the only previous occasion Hawks have played Notts County. Pic: Empics.

‘Whenever I see it - I’ll probably go and watch it now we’re chatting about it another 50 times - any excuse to watch it,' quipped Taggart.

‘Funnily enough, I only recently got a video (of the goal), someone shared a memory of it, I’d been trying to get hold of the video from the BBC.

‘But someone tagged me in the highlights and I’ve got the clear video of it and you just watch it back and back. It’s nice to see how quick I was back then!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

'For me, it was just good that it went in because I know we’d have got the penalty.

Tony Taggart is congratulated after his FA Cup winner at Notts CountyTony Taggart is congratulated after his FA Cup winner at Notts County
Tony Taggart is congratulated after his FA Cup winner at Notts County

‘But for it to go in and get the winning goal was just a nice moment for me.

‘In that cup run the majority of my role was to come off the bench trying to make things happen when others teams were quite tired.

‘It was nice to get that run because I could see he was about to play it back, but I thought ‘I’m going forward here’ and managed to catch them out.

‘It was definitely one of the top moments.

‘The club and all that were always good to me.

‘I hope they get the right result.'

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Taggart enjoyed two spells at Westleigh Park as a player - the first between 2005-08 and his final stint for the 2012-13 campaign.

The tricky attacker, who has now hung up his boots, also played under Hawks boss Doswell and assistant manager Ian Baird during his playing career.

It was Baird who first brought Taggart to the club while he also joined him at Eastleigh.

Doswell recruited him during his time at Sutton and Taggart is wishing his old club well as they search for another surprise cup victory against Notts County.

‘Obviously you like to follow your old teams,' he added.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Ian Baird was my manager at Eastleigh and Paul Doswell managed me at Sutton. They’ve always been a good combination.

‘I was looking back at the record and I think we’ve only played them once and beat them once, so let’s hope they can make it two out of two.

‘For us because it was such a big gap (when Hawks played Notts County), it can sometimes creep in when you play a bigger club.

‘There’s only one league difference now but Notts County is a massive club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘It’s just about going out and believing you can follow your game plan and when you do get your chances, obviously everyone will create chances, that they can take them and you see it out to get the right result that you want.'