.... In the mists of time, late 70s, I remember watching a Jim'll Fix It episode where he fixed it for a fan to play in a match for Liverpool. Does anyone remember this episode or the match he played in?"
It wasn't actually Jim who fixed it for Liverpool fan Lol Cottrell, but Esther Rantzen in her Jim'll-Fix-It-For-Grown-Ups affair, The Big Time.
Bakery delivery driver Cottrell was a keen amateur footballer and Liverpool fan given a chance to play for his beloved Reds in Tommy Smith's testimonial.
Liverpool's opponents were an international XI, including Bobby Charlton, Norman Hunter and Alex Stepney.
After some coaching from Smith, Cottrell turned out at Anfield and late on Smith's side were awarded a penalty.
Cottrell was given the opportunity to score from the spot and win the game for his side in front of the Kop … and missed.
Fortunately the referee "spotted an infringement" and ordered a retake only for the hapless Cottrell to miss again. The referee decided two chances was enough and the game ended 3-3.
In interview afterward, Smith was clearly livid that this untried player had been allowed to take the spot-kick despite the fact that it wasn't a competitive match.
Cottrell allegedly received a ban for life a couple of years later for assaulting a referee.
Source: FOOTYMAD
