Born in South Elmsall, West Riding of Yorkshire, Radford started his footballing career at Sheffield Wednesday and later Leeds United, but did not make a first team appearance for either club. He joined Cheltenham Town where he was an ever-present in the 1963–64 season, even though he was only a part-time footballer; working during the week as a joiner. He spent one season at Rugby Town before returning to Whaddon Road in 1966. Newport County then paid £1,500 for him in 1969, and in his first season he was voted Player of the Year by the supporters. While at Newport Radford scored a volley from the edge of the box against Bradford Park Avenue, which flew into the top corner. Years later Radford said in an interview that he believed that goal was equally as good a goal as his most famous effort. Eventually the financial and physical strain of travelling to and from Newport led to Radford moving to a club closer to home. That club was Hereford United. Radford was a regular in the Hereford midfield and was part of the team that went on an incredible cup run, from the Fourth Qualifying Round to the Fourth Round Proper. In the Third Round Hereford met Newcastle United at St James' Park, and the team of part-timers came away with a 2–2 draw, after going 1–0 up in the first minute.
The Newcastle replay
The much-postponed replay at Edgar Street was played on a quagmire of a pitch in front of a capacity crowd. The match was being covered by the BBC with a young John Motson commentating. It was originally scheduled for a small slot on Match of the Day later that evening. Newcastle United went 1–0 ahead in the last ten minutes, and with the tie seemingly settled, Radford won a tackle in the Newcastle United half and played a one-two with Brian Owen. The return pass bobbled on the muddy surface but sat up nicely for Radford, and he unleashed a 30-yard strike into the top corner that beat Willie McFaul to equalise. The goal sparked a pitch invasion, and the images of the muddy pitch, Radford celebrating with arms aloft and the crowd invading the pitch, have since become immortalised in FA Cup history. Radford's goal is sometimes incorrectly attributed as the winning goal; indeed the match actually went to extra time. It was substitute Ricky George who got the winner and wrote his name in the history books alongside Radford, as Hereford held out for an incredible 2–1 victory which is generally considered the greatest FA Cup shock of all time. The BBC quickly switched the match to the feature slot on Match of the Day, and Radford's goal was replayed countless times and was eventually voted Goal of the Season. It was the first goal from the FA Cup to win the Goal of the Season competition. For many years the footage of Radford's wonder goal, coupled with the commentary of John Motson, was part of the Match of the Day opening titles and it arguably launched Motson's career. Described as the FA Cup's greatest ever giant killing Motson believed because of this game he was later given a 3-year deal. Motson also believed if Radford had never scored his famous goal he'd never have had a TV commentary career. Motson's commentary on the Radford goal:
Later career
After bowing out of the cup to West Ham United, Ronnie eventually finished runners-up in the Southern League and were elected to the Football League. Hereford stayed at Radford until July 1974 when he became player-manager at nearby Worcester City. He later played for Bath City and Forest Green Rovers but an Achilles tendon injury ended his playing career. He moved back to Yorkshire to continue his work as a carpenter and joiner, having been a part-time footballer for much of his career. In 2002 his goal against Newcastle was voted 97th in the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.
