While Brighton slid down the Football League in 1995/96, young central defender Ross Johnson could still be proud of his calm performances, showing good aerial ability and growing in confidence.
The Brighton-born lad, who turned 20 in February 1996, even got a bit of national media coverage in Shoot! Magazine, with his long throw-in, which served the team well in matches as effectively as a corner:
A throw of 33.6m propelled Johnson onto the Leaderboard in fifth place. Sadly, I have no record of Eddie Spearritt’s effort for Grandstand in 1970/71, in the BBC’s sport show’s Longest Throw competition, presented by Frank Bough, who also presented on Nationwide in the 1970s and then Breakfast Time in the early 1980s.
Sporting some lovely curly blonde hair, Spearritt was an impressive utility player for the Albion in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He could play in defence and midfield, and even deputised in goal when required. He’s also the uncle of Hannah Spearritt, ex-member of S Club 7. Here, his long throw is beaten by Cardiff’s Bobby Woodruff:
The Goldstone Wrap 