Blackburn Rovers made it to the first ever Premier League play-off final in 1992 after beating Derby County over two legs in the semi-finals. Sadly the second leg at the Baseball ground ended on a bad note when some angry Rams fans invaded the pitch and attacked Rovers striker, David Speedie.
Fortunately for Speedie and Blackburn Rovers, help was at hand when a steward went to his aid. Lifelong Derby County fan and club steward, Richard Hughes, threw himself over Speedie as punches rained down upon the player. And with help from others, including Rovers players and officials, managed to drag Speedie into the players tunnel without him suffering serious injury. Along with Speedie, Richard also received a few slaps for his trouble.
Even worse was to follow for Speedie. A Derby fan spat at and then punched the Rovers striker, who retaliated by hitting his assailant back. This so-called ‘fan’ then tried suing Speedie for assault. The assault case against David Speedie was rightly thrown out.
During the period leading up to Speedie’s assault trial, Richard was hounded by press to tell them what happened. They managed to find his telephone number and journalists even turned up on his doorstep offering him money to reveal what really happened. But Richard was having none of this and justice was seen to take place.
On the Canary island of Fuerteventura is a pub called El Perro Loco. Located on a hillside, overlooking Castillo Beach Bungalows, Caleta de Fuste, it is managed by Richard and partner Sophie, who also hails from Derbyshire. In English this pub name means the mad dog and seems quite ironic after what Richard had to go through on that crazy night at the Baseball Ground in 1992.
If it wasn’t for the actions of Richard Hughes, David Speedie may have missed the play-off final, including events which led to Mike Newell’s winning penalty goal against Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers may have missed out on promotion to the new Premier League. What happened on that day at Wembley has gone down in football history and remains part of Blackburn Rovers folklore. The last word must go to Richard. He says: “It wasn’t a case of me saving David Speedie from the Derby fans. It was more a case of me saving the Derby fans from David Speedie”.
