Your Cup Final Memories
The Cup Final returns to Wembley on Saturday - seven years after it was last staged there.
But what are your memories of Cup Final Day at the old Wembley? Maybe there's a goal that stands out - or a fantastic save? Or mabe your cup final memory is about the nightmare journey to or from the stadium? Is it the catering, the toilets or the obscured views that you remember?
We'll feature the best of your memories on Friday morning, on the eve of the 2007 final between Chelsea and Manchester United. Weekend Breakfast will come live from the stadium on Saturday morning.
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Comments
I was the traffic sergeant escorting Nottm Forest for the 1992 (I think) final against Spurs (being a lad from Nottinghamshire Brian Clough was my hero -the greatest manager England never had!!)
At half time I escorted Gazza to hospital in Central London following his serious injury sustained in a tackle early on in the game.
Forest lost and a sad and disappointed Brian Clough was the last to leave the dressing room and said to me as he was about to enter the team coach, 'Would you please take us away from here, sergeant?'
It was my pleasure and privilage to look after the great man on such an occasion
My earliest memory of the FA Cup is 1971, Chelsea 2 v 1 Leeds at Old Trafford after a 2-2 draw at Wembley. I was born in Edinburgh and have always supported Hibernian but like most scottish schoolboys I had an 'English' Team too. I chose Chelsea whilst my two brothers chose Leeds and Arsenal and my dad QPR. Despte that early memory my best FA Cup memory is 1973 when Sunderland beat Leeds 1-0 in the Montgomery Final. We had moved to England in 1970 and settled in Sunderland within walking distance of Roker Park. The Semi Final at Roker Park against Arsenal was a magnificent affair. I had to skip School and was prepared to take the caning that would surely follow only to discover that half the male teaching staff were there too. I forged a note from my father that was completely unneccessary and was given no more than a detention for the note and the truancy understood.
The final was the most exciting game I have ever watched on television. Never has there been more tension than the whole second half of that final. Ian Porterfield (later a Chelsea Manager) scored a great opportunist goal in the first half and, of course, the famous Jim Montgomery double save and Bob Stoke's dance across the Wembley Turf have firmly cemented this game in Wembley's history. Of course there have been other memorable finals and fans of other clubs will have their terrific memories too. There is no doubt though, that as a teenage boy the feeling of triumph and euphoria I experienced in 1973 will never be equalled.
I went to my one and only Cup Final in 1985. I travelled 3000 miles to get there - from Canada. A Manchester United Fan I couldn't wait to see my team play. We didn't know which end we would be standing in so we kept our red scarves, hats etc hidden in our bags until we found where we were. Thankfully we were amongst fellow red devils and in full swing we sang our way through a game that would become more memorable for it's sending off than anything else. Kevin Moran became the first person to be sent off in a Cup Final, yet United prevailed and Norman Whiteside scored the one and only goal of the game. The whole atmosphere of the day and meeting fellow fans is what I will remember the most. The songs, the cheers, the boohs - there is nothing like it. A great stadium, a great history.
My first visit to Wembley wasn't for a football match, but to see The Who in concert. 18 August 1979. It was the first day of the new football season, I'd been to see Orient v Burnley, which ended 2-2. I rushed down to Leyton tube, got to Wemberley in time to see the Stranglers, before the main event. It was two days after the premier of Quadrophenia, there were aroun two thousend mods & about 50000 hippies. These wern't kids, but blokes in their thirties who had been hippies since the sixties
29 April 1970 (Final played earlier because of World Cup) will always be remembered as the day Chelsea won the Cup for the first time. Had been ill when Final played at Wembley, but told my Dad that if there was a replay I would be there.
For the replay took the train to Manchester, eat at station cafe and then on to Old Trafford. Again Chelsea went behind when Mick Jones scored and Peter Bonetti was hurt. No sub goalies then.
Then Peter Osgood scored the equaliser and David Webb the wonderful winner.
We arrived home aout 4am, but what a wonderful night. Despite the team that normally plays there Old Trafford will always hold very special memories for me.
It was May 1962, The Clarets had got back to Wembley , after losing in extra-time to Charlton in 1947. Then after the bitter pill of defeat,my Dad (who had played for Burnley a bit in the reserves before the war)had been inconsolable for days and was unable to eat for a week...(On getting his appetite back however,I was conceived...not sure if it was in normal time or not)Anyway this time, having lost a huge lead in the First Division to Ipswich and a potential Double, we sat glued to the TV in nervous anticipation...After three minutes Jimmy Greaves waltzed round several Burnley statues for 1-0. BUT...in the second half it happened...a cross into the box hits Jimmy Robson's shin and in went the equaliser and the 100th goal in a Wembley Cup Final...My very athletic father roared and suddenly did a series of spectacular somersaults all around the living room, finally ending up wedged under the sideboard...Meanwhile, life not standing (or lying) still, Spurs went straight up the other end and Smith restored their lead. I sank to the carpet in childhood despair only to see Dad, still beaming, finally extricating himself from the furniture...Laugh or cry? We lost 3-1 in a marvellous game of cultured football. Alas I fear we will never get there again, but hope, like the sideboard lives on!
The 1969 LEAGUE CUP FINAL, the mighty Arsenal versus Swindon Town, then in the old 3rd Division.
A glorious battle in muddy conditions which ended in a 3 - 1 victory for Swindon after extra time. The 3rd goal a brilliant 60 yard run by Don Rogers which ended in him rounding Bob Wilson and rolling the ball into the net for his 2nd of the game. A fantastic day and a really unforgettable experience, my 2nd and last trip to Wembley.
I was taken to Wembley to see the 1960 FA Cup Final between Wolves & Blackburn by my dear old Gran, I was 14 at the time,
and we travelled up from Cornwall to see the game, don't even ask why I was a Wolves supporter from Looe Cornwall, it was all about the team colours Old Gold was such a romantic concept to a 14 year old. This was the Final we won 3-0 and Dave Whelan, now of Wigan, broke his leg. Wembley in those days didn't even have a roof, it was standing only as I remember, and capacity about 100,000 give ot take a few thousand! Brilliant day, and I lost my suitcase on the Tube afterwards....ah the good old days. James in Guernsey
The one FA Cup Final that always seems to get overtlooked is probably one of THE best, the Cockerels of Spurs against the Elephants of Coventry. Big Cyrille, Houchen (who had scored in every round) Mickey Gynn, dashing Dave Bennett against the goal scoring machine that was Clive Allen, the elegance of Hoddle, brilliance of Waddle and the steady hands of Clemence.
For the first time in our history the Sky Blues graced Wembley and the whole cilt of Coventry turned out. They sang, cheered, dressed up and with Sillet and Curtis, two of our great players as managers, we stormed the towers of Wembley.
After 2 minutes the dream looked like it was going to unravel and Allen put Spurs ahead from a Waddle cross - 1-0. The Sky Blues still sang, for some reason there was always a feeling we were going to score. Frantic end to end stuff saw Bennett draw the Sky Blues level with a fantastic poachers goal. 1-1 but Mabbutt put Spurs back ahead before half time 2-1. Then it happened, the Sky Blues attack, Houchen steaming into the area, Pickering shouts behind him "you'll get it if you fly" and so Houchen takes off, he launches himself at the ball and heads the ball past Clemence to score one of THE best goals ever seen at Wembley! 2-2. Extra time, the players are tired, Mickey Gynn works on tirelessly, Big Cyrille is everywhere, Dave Bennett runs like a man possessed. Then, local lad, Lloyd Mcgrath steams down the wing, but his cross seems to weak, Mabbutt sticks his leg out, the ball flys off his knee and over Clemence into the net - 3-2 AET.
The rest is history - 20 years now to be exact, but to have seen it, to be from the city of Coventry that day suddenly felt more important than anything else on earth.
I can not remember when I first went to Wembley but I can remember the dissapointment at the state of the stadium and the conditions we the fans were expected to endure. For a national stadium all I can describe it as is a hovel and if you were a true fan you didn't expect to get a good view of the pitch.
To Derek Tough;Great Memories for me too.Mony's Save was voted a better Save than Banks's(Mexico 1970)in 442 Magazine I think.Also,Sunderlands Semi against Arsenal was at Hillsborough in Sheffield.
The Worthington Cup Final, 2000. Tranmere Rovers vs Leicester City in the last League Cup Final to be played at the old Wembley. It was the moment when David "Ned" Kelly of Tranmere ran on to a superb pass to fire low just inside Tim Flowers' near post to equalise for Tranmere. One end of Wembley, which contained the whole of Birkenhead, or so it seemed, went absolutely barking mad! A moment that anyone who was there will never forget, as lowly Tranmere gave their much bigger opponents one hell of a fright.
The year was 1966 (Everton v Sheffield Weednesday). I went, without a ticket, by coach with a group of friends. Was eventually offered a ticket by a porter outside Euston Station, and he would NOT accept any more than the official price (£6 I think). Nearly refused entry to inner part of the stadium after dropping my counterfoil through window to fans without tickets outside. Eventually gained entry, great game, fantastic fight back from 0-2 to win 3-2. Thank God for Trebilcock (2) and Shirley Temple. Great night of celebration and memorable hang-over.
Old Wembley has many dramatic memories for Manchester United supporters, however my overiding memory is arriving late for the FA Cup final replay Man utd v Brighton. My late Mum and I had driven down the motorway with thousands of other supporters, the traffic was dreadful. We made it to the stadium with minutes to spare. We needed to visit the toilets before going to our seats, I came out of the gents without delay but my Mum was obviously delayed in a queue. While I waited outside for her I heard the band strike up "Abide with me", above the sound of the croud singing was my mum's wonderful voice singing from the loo at full volume. She rushed out still singing and we got into our seats (next to Noddy Holder by chance) just in time for the kick off.
We laughed and cried every time we heard "Abide with me" for ever after. We had the hymn played at Mum's funeral, she would have loved that.
Coming down south to Wembley was always a wonderful occasion, the memouries of 1966, 1968 European Cup and even loosing to Southampton stay with me.
I hope New Wembley has such a wonderful aura. I look forward to next Saturday, I know my Mum will be singing with me as I tearfully sing "Abide with me" while watching it on TV.
1982 - Terry Venables QPR v Tottenham.
Thousands of QPR fans marched from Loftus Road to Wembley along the North Circular, under police escort. We were an old second division club and Tottenham were the cup holders. We held them to a draw in the first game and the replay was won by a dodgy penalty converted by Glen Hoddle. Gutted. We were promoted to the old first division subsequently and were better than Chelsea and Tottenham in the following seasons. It's amazing the gap between the clubs now.
May 26th 1983 - my eighteenth birthday, a birthday shared with Sir Matt Busby of all people- Man U v already relegated Brighton & Hove Albion. Couldn't get tickets for the Saturday " and Smith must score..." game. Went to find a loo at halftime and had to walk what seemed like miles. Couln't get back to where I was supposed to be because of the mass of bodies between me and my place. Had to make do with sitting (or rather standing) on what can only be described school benches with a bunch of very drunk United fans - not a pleasant experience when your team go down 4-0.
Had been to the stadium before to watch internationals so knew what to expect but this didn't change the feeling of disappointment in the state of the place. Fond memories of other susequent trips but that was because of the games/results rather than the place itself and the nightmares of getting there and out afterwards.
The Cup Final of 1958 as a schoolboy with my father a season ticket holder at Bolton Wanderers. Final against Manchester Utd. post Munich and much emotion. We stood over the tunnel and were also together with Manchester supporters, no trouble and shared tears at 'Abide with me'.
Nat Lofthouse (why has he not been knighted?) scored both Bolton goals including the famous shoulder charge with Harry Gregg in front of us.
Nat is still the President at Bolton a club he has given his life to and it was wonderful to see him lift the FA cup.
I've been to 3 FA Cup finals but my first visit to Wembley was for an England v Scotland Schoolboys International in 1965. Peter Shilton was in goal for England and a lad called Paul Shoemark scored twice in a 3-0 win. He was tipped for great things and joined Spurs but he never made it. In 1967 I saw England v Spain in a friendly international. I remember arriving long before kick-off and me and my mate must have been the first two people inside the ground! I can still picture the scene now. The pitch looked like a billiard table, a groundsman was applying the finishing touches to the white lines and the sun was just dipping below the stadium roof. Magical. And England won 2-0.
I was 12 years old when I attended my first cup final in 1978 - Arsenal v Ipswich - as I left on the morning of the match with my dad, I said to my mum watch out for us on television!! My mum said don't be silly there will be 100,000 people there and I won't see you! Well the camera fell on me and my father and I waved (like mad) and both my mum and the neighbours saw me. To this day I have never seen the footage!! Can you help out BBC??
I have not been to a cup final but I remember the Cup Final as one of the very few football matches to be shown on television.
Every cup final was a day full of excitement. Start the day with Grandstand / Saint & Greavsie with all the pre match build up followed by the spectacle itself.
The earliest cup final I remember watching on television was 1980 Arsenal v West Ham. Unfortunately, I supported the wrong side that day because my beloved Everton had been beaten by West Ham in extra time (Lampard Senior scoring)at the Semi Final stage.
Every year I would select one team and of course adopt those colours for the rest of the day. The Spurs side during 81 and 82 were fantastic.
However, my greatest moment was 1984 when Everton won the cup against Watford. The worst moment was 1985 when Everton lost in extra time to a fantastic Norman Whiteside goal. I cried all day as our hopes for the Double were dashed. I truly hope that the new stadium can create that special excitement.
I can't wait until Saturday!
May 5th 1973. Dawned soggy in London. I was an spotty 18 year old student at Imperial College in South Kensington.
Called home to Sunderland. Mam said, "Sorry son, no ticket, your Dad's been trying all night but no luck."
A mate charged up the stairs. "They're selling them at the FA in Lancaster Gate."
I ran like the wind across Hyde Park. Soaked. The FA doorman looked at me and with slow, sadistic pleasure said "No tickets here, lad."
1 o'clock. Couldn't stand it. After all, I'd seen the games against Reading in the fourth round. Not my fault I was away from home. Emptied my beer kitty and took the 5 quid Mam had sent....10 pounds in all.
Over to Wembley. Plenty of touts, plenty of tickets. 15 quid. No chance.
2.45pm. Small boy of 10 comes over.....and shows me a 5 pound seat ticket. Wants 15. No chance.
2.50pm. He's back. "Take it for 10 ?". I TAKE IT.
What is there to say ?
I was parallel to the goalline where Porter(field) scored and Monty saved.
Couldn't watch the last five. Stood on those wonderful balconies, looking out down Wembley Way. A steward came out, "They've done it lad."
Screaming the Wearside anthems. Met bits of family coming out, cried with them.
7.45am Sunday. Woke up, in the doorway of Earls Court exhibition centre. Good night all in all. Went up to Kings Cross to see the Lads off. Felt homesick.
Thats the real FA Cup for you.
Forget the Baby Bentley hype.
Cheers.
Roy
Milk Cup Final of 1986 when for the 1st & only time in my lifetime Oxford Utd played and won at the twin towers. Amazing memories of Trevor Hebbard scoring at the far end and then in the 2nd half Ray Houghton & Jeremy Charles adding two more in front of the Oxford Fans at the tunnel end. Singing "Score in a minute" and then doing so!
Growing up in the 70's the Cup final was a magical day, which thanks to my mum for making my brother & my Rossettes in the two teams colours!
Cup Final Its-a-knockout on Saturday morning, always choosing the underdog & being gutted as an impressionable 8 year old when Fulham and Bobby Moore lost in 1975! Always remember having lots of neighbours round for the Cup Final to watch the colour television, had to be BBC as well!!!
My love affair with Spurs started when watching the 1962 cup final on an old black and white TV in Cork. I was 8 at the time, and my friend's elder brother told me we were supporting Spurs. I thought what a great name-he also told me Jimmy Greaves was the greatest player in the world, and he along with Pat Jennings who joined us a little later became my boyhood idols.
By 1967 both were helping us to beat Chelsea 2-1. By 1981 I was no longer in Cork and instead was standing on a terrace at Wembly behind the goal begging Rick Villa to shoot as he dribbled his way to victory.
Greaves/Smith Greaves/Gilzean Archibald/Crooks...now we have another great strike force Keane/Berbatov here's hoping for FA cup glory with them before too long
Went to the 1991 Cup Final between Spurs and Forest. In the first half we had conceded a goal which should not have been, had a perfectly good goal disallowed wrongly for offside, had missed a penalty, and lost our best player...
And still we came back to win, in probably the last eventful Cup Final at the old Wembley. It was an incredible day. I was sitting in the seats behind one of the goals at ground level, and could hardly see a thing.
It could've been a victory to send us on to more glory, but alas this wasn't to be...
my best memory was stevie g's belter against westham. he was in so much pain and to get so much power into a shot when he has got nothing left in his legs is incredible
Derek Tough's post.
Note that someone has already pointed out that the Sunderland v Arsenal semi was played at Hillsborough.
It was on a Saturday. Some schoolday! Some memory!
1973. The final whistle had just gone. The score Leeds 0 Sunderland 1. It took me 20 minutes to find my brother , who seconds earlier had been standing by my side. When I did eventually find him he was crying his eyes out. He had never been so happy.
I've never been to Wembley for a cup final - until now - the Real cup final this weekend, the Conference play off final where the mighty Grecians - on their first ever trip to Wembley - look to get back into the league..... apparently there's a game on Saturday too!
The 1993 FA Cup Final replay wasn't a particularly memorable one, but i'll never forget Andy Linighan's last minute goal which won the cup for my side, Arsenal. It had been pouring with rain all day, and after the drab initial final, we all returned once again to Wembley hoping for a better spectacle. Unfortunately, the game was still pretty dull, and as extra-time loomed, I just remember everyone around me saying "this has got penalties writeen all over it". Now, I don't really know why this happened, but as a 12 year old, the whole occasion along with the thought that we could lose this final suddenly got to me - it was the only domestic trophy I'd never seen Arsenal win, and I couldn't take the Spurs fans at school and in my family ridiculing me over the fact that my side threw it away. I think I spent the last 2 minutes of extra time in tears. And then suddenly it happened with literally the last move of the match - Linighan's head meets Merson's corner, Woods can't hold on, and we've won the cup and become the first side to win the FA & League Cup's in the same season. Brilliant!
Having worked at the old stadium for 12 seasons, and having been part of the match day management team at the new stadium for the first 5 events i can't wait for the doors of the players tunnel to open at 14.50 on the 19th May 2007 and just listen to the ROAR that greets the two teams at the best football stadium in the world.
Everyone who is there will have a memory that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Can't wait.
I would also like to say that for a stadium that has only been open for 5 ramp up events to stage the FA Cup Final with a crowd of 90,000 is a credit to all those involved in the management and running of the stadium
My Dad,a lifelong Man.City fan, took me to my first FA Cup Final when I was 14. It was 26 April 1969 and I'd been to my first match when I was 10. I remember the thrill of walking up Wembley Way towards those magnificent Twin Towers with all the other fans. The atmosphere inside the ground was like nothing I'd experienced before. I was so excited.
To my shame and embarrassment, I fainted and missed the only goal! I remember the City fans cheering Mike Summerbee on, who was battling with the ball against Leicester players. A superb pass, and then ....... I passed out, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground, surrounded by fans celebrating Neil Young's goal.
Luckily, I got home in time to see the goal on Match of the Day.
Having worked at the old stadium for 12 seasons, and having been part of the match day management team at the new stadium for the first 5 events i can't wait for the doors of the players tunnel to open at 14.50 on the 19th May 2007 and just listen to the ROAR that greets the two teams at the best football stadium in the world.
Everyone who is there will have a memory that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Can't wait.
I would also like to say that for a stadium that has only been open for 5 ramp up events to stage the FA Cup Final with a crowd of 90,000 is a credit to all those involved in the management and running of the stadium
The 1993 FA Cup Final replay wasn't a particularly memorable one, but i'll never forget Andy Linighan's last minute goal which won the cup for my side, Arsenal. It had been pouring with rain all day, and after the drab initial final, we all returned once again to Wembley hoping for a better spectacle. Unfortunately, the game was still pretty dull, and as extra-time loomed, I just remember everyone around me saying "this has got penalties writeen all over it". Now, I don't really know why this happened, but as a 12 year old, the whole occasion along with the thought that we could lose this final suddenly got to me - it was the only domestic trophy I'd never seen Arsenal win, and I couldn't take the Spurs fans at school and in my family ridiculing me over the fact that my side threw it away. I think I spent the last 2 minutes of extra time in tears. And then suddenly it happened with literally the last move of the match - Linighan's head meets Merson's corner, Woods can't hold on, and we've won the cup and become the first side to win the FA & League Cup's in the same season. Brilliant!
hi lampard how are you
Hello my name is Mubeen and I am a Chelsea fan.
FA CUP finals are always a nervous occasion especially if your team is involved it, they keep you on the edge of your seat because you don't know what is going to happen next.
The 1965 European Cup Winners Cup West Ham United vs Munich 1860.Although an Arsenal fan I went with Pete my only known Hammers fan to the game.I was in awe of the 100,000 fans singing.. I'm forever blowing bubbles .It sent shivers up my spine.Good game as WestHam won 2-0.
The last time Man Utd played Chelsea in the FA Cup Final in 1994 I was on a boat being evacuated from Yemen during the civil war. It took us 5 days to sail round the Gulf to Dubai, but we didn't miss the broadcast of the match on a mate's shortwave radio. 4-0 to Man Utd that day, nice if that score could be repeated on Saturday.
The first Final I remember watching was the 3-2 win to Arsenal in 1978, with the amazing 3 goals in 2 minutes.
The Matthews Final in 1953. I had just left the training ship HMS Conway and was on my first trip as a young apprentice officer in the merchant navy. We were anchored off Liverpool awaiting a berth. We had the radio on for the game. When Blackpool went 3-0 down I couldn't bear it anymore. I left the cabin and went on deck where I paced up and down feeling very low and sad. One of my fellow apprentices came out to tell me that Blackpool had finally equalised and I returned to the cabin and heard the final part of the commentary. When that fourth goal went in the clouds which had hung around the Mersey and me all afternoon evaporated. What a game.
Saskatoon, Canada
Villa beating United at Wembley in 1994 League Cup Final... underdogs we were, worthy winners we finished... Deano and Dalian the scorers, everyone wearing claret and blue the heroes... especially to deny the mighty Man United the domestic treble that year...
Hopefully our next visit to wembley will be sooner rather than later, and the memories of 2000 will be put right.
AVFC
'Proud History, Bright Future'
My only visit to Wembley.....the 1974 FA Trophy Final Morecambe 2 Dartford 1.
Travelled on a double decker bus from Lancaster and it took 8 hours each way!
Morecambe have not been back to Wembley since. But in 5 days time that will change when Morecambe play Exeter City in the Conference Play ff Final.
C'mon you Shrimps
My memory of an FA Cup Final is not a happy one......1994, Chelsea v Man Utd. My Dad was given a ticket but decided to let me have it, so I travelled up to Wembley on my own. Sat in an uncovered seat, it chucked it down all game and we got beat 4-0! Could have all been very different if Gavin Peacock had not hit the bar in the first half. They got 2 penalties, very debatable and trounced us in the end. I am man enough to admit that I did shed a tear especially as I watched Messrs Ince, Cantona and Hugehs celebrate with the trophy! On the way home I called my Dad to see if he fancied a few beers to drown our sorrows and he practically hung up on me - he was more gutted than me!
Lets hope this year brings a different result!
For Mayesey, Potts and the old man.....Come on Chels!!!!
I was at Old Trafford when Chelsea beat Leeds 2-1 after extra time. I'd paid £7 for a black-market ticket to see the Wembley game (2-2), but got my replay ticket at face value. Twelve shilings and sixpence. I hitch-hiked up from London Airport after my early shift as an Immigration Officer in what was then the brand new Terminal 3, was still on the M6 at 6.30 when a guy stopped and got me to the stadium just in time.
I suffered exactly the same sick feeling when we went a goal behind as I'd felt at Wembley when we were 1-2 down with minutes to go. Indescribably awful. We really, really hated Leeds - and feared them. Then the equaliser, right down below me at the Stretford End. Cooke to Osgood and there was the net bulging. The late Peter Osgood always said that that was when the team finally believed they could do it, because they saw the Leeds heads go down. As it went to extra time the tension was the worst I have ever experienced. Now, nobody ever believes this but I will go to my grave convinced that I was the one who started that Chelsea-Chelsea-Chelsea-Chelsea chant that was still going strong when the late great Ian Hutchinson wound himself up for a trade-mark long throw on the left. It was ficked on by John Dempsey and bundled in at the far post by David Webb. Unbelievable feeling. I somehow got on a train to Euston, arrived at 3 o'clock and shared a taxi to Kingston with some fellow Blues. God knows who they were. Stumbled into the house at 0400h and woke the wife to tell her "Ee aye addio, we won the Cup." 29th April -an anniversary I never forget. I still use 29.4.70 as a safe combination or password (whoops - what a giveaway.)
In 1993 Arsenal played Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup Final and the FA Cup Final; I was lucky enough to be at both matches. Arsenal won the League Cup, and in the celebrations, Tony Adams picked up Steve Morrow and tipped him over his shoulder. Unfortunately, Steve Morrow fell and broke his collarbone, and was stretchered off - he was not able to collect his winners medal.
So before the FA Cup final (in which he wasn't playing), it was great to see him walk up to the Royal Box to belatedly collect his medal. It's only a little thing, but I thought it was a nice touch.
my Fav Moment was When Man U beat Roma 7-1 it was a good match
1974 Liverpool-v- Newcastle......... I was a Boy Scout showing people to their seats,just on the Liverpool side of the half-way line. The atmosphere from both sets of fans was electric.
The match was too one-sided to be a spectacle from a neutrals point of view.
The highlight of the day for me was watching Brendon Foster win "The Wembley Mile" race before the game wearing a Black and white striped vest and celebrating to the strains of Blaydon Races and chants of "Brendon is a Geordie"
In May 1959 I went with my Dad to see Forest play Luton in the Final. I got my ticket from the City Ground and my Dad won his in the lottery! Forest played some breath-taking soccer and went 2-0 up (from Tommy Wilson and Roy Dwight) before Roy Dwight sadly broke his leg in a tackle. Forest had 10 men and Luton scored a goal by John Pacey but Forest held on to the slender lead through all the 2nd half until the final whistle. A great day in a lovely stadium.
It was the 1986 Merseyside final and as I life long Red I was over the moon to get a ticket. One snag the cup final date 12th May, was the same as the day we expected our first child to be born. What a dilemna but of course there could only be one outcome.... and so off to Wembley I went. We had moved from Liverpool to Portsmouth so it was a shorter journey than usual to watch Kenny and the boys! I met up with my brother Dave my mate Steve and his Dad and Steve's mate Terry ('Tel - I'm starvin - Crumby' legend of the Purton Red House nr Swindon) in the bar in Paddington Station. There were no mobile phones and so it was eyes skinned for pay phones in all the pubs and phone boxes outside. 'I'll ring at regular intervals' I told my very understanding wife Gill. The lads were great - "I'll mind yer pint while you go and ring again" (hmmn). Well we had a great day. Liverpool won and our beautiful daughter Lucy was very considerate and arrived almost 2 weeks later on 23rd May. There is not a year goes by when FA Cup Final day fails to prompt tales of that anxious but happy time. And guess what - Lucy will be 21 this year - on the same day that Liverpool play in the Champions League Final. Sadly I'm one of the many who lost out in the ballot so this is one final I'll be missing.
I was fortunate enough to be behind the goal at last year's final when Stevie G thumped in his unbelievable equalizer in stoppage time against West Ham. It was my 1st cup final and it couldn't have been a better day. I was one of the unlucky fans whose tickets got stolen by that idiot in Liverpool and it didn't seem like I was gonna be there but thankfully a mate sorted me out with a ticket (Cheers Andy!) and I got to see the greatest ever FA Cup Final in person. Priceless memories.
Trevor Brookings header against the Arsenal in 1980.
Nuff said.
Like no. 13, the best memory is the 1966 final featuring the greatest FA Cup final comeback. Everton two nil down with half an hour to go against Wednesday won 3-2. the memorable moment though was the pitch invasion following the equaliser. Normally one would not condone this sort of thing, but it proved to be a highlight. I believe his name was Eddie Kavanagh who, as the myth goes organised acoach trip to Wembley with 50 ticketless fans, and got them all admitted somehow. None who witnessed this will forget the middle aged, portly, balding Eddie running with gay abandon to celebrate with his heroes, evading the despairing lunge of the first policemans attempt to collar him by divesting himself of his jacket, leaving the embarassed lawman sprawling on the Wembley turf.
1971 for me and Steve heighway's goal against Arsenal. Even though Liverpool lost the goal was brilliant because he chose the difficult route to goal which was at the defended side by the goalkeeper with a seemingly imposible gap to thread the ball through.
I am only 15 so i have only been able to go to 1 F.A cup final in my very short time on this planet, but i doubt i could have ever gone to a more thrilling one.
Liverpool 3-3 West Ham at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium a year and two days ago.
Being a West Ham fan and season tickit holder for 6 years i was a bit pesimistic about our chances but when it got to h-t and we were 2-1 up i was believing more than ever that we would win.
The heartbreak at the end brought tears to my eyes but i was consoled by the sound of 30,000 Hammers fans singing Bubbles, drowning out the cheering and jubilation of the Scousers. It will live with me forever, the sight of the Reds turning and clapping in unison the West Ham fans for this, and also i hope it was because we were the better team on the day and deserved to win!!!
I was 11 years old it was 1971 it was a boiling hot day it was Arsenal v Liverpool extra time was needed and of course Charlie George scored the winner and I can remember yelling out Charlie George has scored.
I can remember going outside and letting everyone know that Arsenal had won the double having beating Tottenham a few days before to secure the old 1st division championship.
That really made my week that year beating Spurs on their own turf.
Amanda Cerasale.
My best Wembley memory as a Forest fan was beating a pretty good Ipswich side 5 - 0 in the Charity Shield. My two worst times were losing to Spurs in 1991 (how could Roger Milford not send Gascoigne off ?)and losing to Man Utd in the League Cup. They hadn't won anything for a while and their fans were the most unfriendly bunch I've encountered there.
But whatever the game there was a magic about the place.
I went to my first FA cup final in 1977 at the age of 9.
Manchester United v Liverpool, somehow my Dad a huge Man U supporter had managed to get 2 tickets, we parked in someones drive nearby and walked to Wembley, I can't begin to describe how excited I was.
Dad was offered £50 for the tickets just outside the ground - It was touch and go, no way, I knew he wouldn't sell.
Inside the ground walking up and out to the stands the atmosphere was electric, this was Man U v Liverpool this was Wembley and the biggest cup final in the world.
As luck would have it our tickets were in the Liverpool end. I sat next to a Liverpool fan who wore a gorilla mask all the way through the match and even though United won 2-1 he stayed to watch the cup lifted and had me sit on his shoulders to watch.
My scarf was hung out of the car window all the way home, it was full of holes and rips afterwards and still is today, I wear it to every game.
1974 - Liverpool were at Wembley and a so called friend promised me he could use his contacts at Old Traffic to get me a priceless ticket. He let me down! A young vicar lodging with us went for a walk by the local canal and heard an awful racket when an angler had caught a duck on his line and was having trouble releasing it! The young vicar assisted and began talking to angler who worked in the ticket office at Manchester City. He rewarded 'St Francis' with a cup final ticket for me! My inlaws lived in St Albans so I parked at the station and waited for the train. I was horrified when four black and white scarves appeared on two lads and two Geordie girls! I needed have been we chatted, travelled together and discovered our tickets were in the same section of the crowd! Coincidence or what! Liverpool dominated and were 3-0 winners! Fond memories of a day when sets of fans of two of the 'big clubs' enjoyed the match the company and football - although my smile was the biggest on the way back to St Albans!
I also remember the '58 final, I watched it in a pub in Germany where I was doing my National Service.Everyone else was shouting for "Busby's Babes" but I was thrilled to see the Wanderers come out on top after seeing them lose in "the Mathews final in 53.
I remember as a 12 year old glued to the TV watching Arsenal against Manchester United in 1979. All the talk was of it being United's cup if Jimmy Greenhoff was fit. His goal in the semi final repay aginst liverpool will stay with me for ever, one of those moments where time just stood still. The final was a time of extreme emotions, 2-0 to the Arsenal with 7 mins to go and Mcqueen scores. up to then i had become resigned to defeat, but when Mclroy scored which i would consider to be one of the best goals at wembley ever i just couldn't control myself. yet before i got a grip of myself... dear me i can still see alan sunderlands face. i watched the goal recently on You Tube and i still expected gary bailey to stay on his line. why gary why.............?
It was the Worthington Cup final, Spurs vs Leicester and I used to be a spurs member, ages around 12, uncle and grandad took me to watch the final as they are spurs supporters themselves, and 0-0 looked like extra time was closing in and RIGHT at the last minute, Stephen Iversen scored a very sweet diving power header right into the back of the net to secure a 1-0 victory and lift the cup in glory.
Memories that stand out for me at Wembley, meeting Matt Busby and getting on the train with Robson, Bailey and the FA cup after the 1984 Brighton replay, I took the day off sick but was seen on Breakfast TV the following morning celebrating with the players. Most of the Wembley experience was uncomfortable, the crush, the crowd surges, the pickpockets, drunks urinating on you, Grobbelaar clattering McQeen, Stevie Coppell copping it from the Hungarian, the Millwall mob at work during the 1980 Argentina game,Alan Sunderlands' winner in '79, the first time I heard the crowd silent, for all of a second. But there were magic moments that made it all worthwhile, Pat Jennings v Lineker, Sparky v Oldham, the young Marradonna hitting the post after dribbling like no-one since George Best,Cantona doing nothing till finding impossible space against liverpool and on Telly, Jim Montgommery, Charlie George, Ricky Villa. The singing by United and England but the best moment of all was climbing those concrete stairs after walking through the stinking concourse and viewing that impossibly shining green pitch for the first time, the stuff that schoolboy dreams are made of....
1996. One of the most hyped up cup finals I can remember. The Liverpool boys in their white suits v Man Utd.
the match never really lived up to its pre match hype, until the last 5 minutes when Monsieur Cantona swung his magic right boot and Liverpool were defeated, the bad memeory of 1995 were banished, ooh aah Erice Cantona
the fa cup final i remeber was when millwall lost to man utd .me being a millwall fan it wasnt a good day but how first final we lost 3-0
1983 Man U v Brighton.
The sheer elation when Smith missed what should have been Brighton's greatest moment! I was immediately adjacent to the penalty area and saw it in slow motion, subsequently hitting my head on a girder as I jumped with with the joy of relief!
The elation was short lived as we never got to see the cup paraded and I couldn't make the replay.
Still, always consoled by the fact that had we seen the cup that day, it would and should have had blue ribbons on it!
The Spurs vs Manchester City replay in 1982 was the best final I have attended. I left my two year old daughter dressed in her Spurs kit at home with her Mum and went to Wembley with two team mates from our football club. The emotions of being behind and eventually winning with that wonder goal from Ricky Villa will stay with me till I die. I still watch the video when I need cheering up. The game has changed much since then (not for the better in my opinion), lets hope that Manchester United and Chelsea play some great stuff on Saturday.
I was behind the goal with the Arsenal fans when Charlie George scored the winner against Liverpool. That was my second trip to the old stadium as I had been lucky enough to be at the 1968 European Final when Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1. My only other visit was around that time when England played their usual boring draw (1-1) against Bulgaria. If I remember correctly Jackie Charlton got England's goal.
1991 Rumbelows Cup Final. A Sheffield wednesday fan liveing in Hendon, I walked to Wembley Stadium, with no ticket, but to soak up the atmosphere. I found I could not get a ticket from a tout for the £50 I had. I caught a Bus Home and watched as John Sheridan let fly past Les Sealey, for one of the best goals seen at Wembley. I went two years Later, 3 times all against Arsenal. Missed the Steel City Derby win, as nobody at work would swap shifts. If I had have phoned in sick, bosses would have known why, and I would have been sacked. Arsenal won both cups that season, in what were poor games. I managed to get a ticket through the Sunday League side I played for. When Waddle scored in the replay, I just thought it was going to be our night. Roland Nilsson who had by now played 2 games within 48 hours, one for Sweden. played his heart out. Linighan scored in the last minute of extra time. Whilst Chris Woods dropped the ball. Graham Hyde did try to keep it out. The only consolation was, that I only had to travel 4 miles home to Stanmore that night. Fond memories.
Everton V Sheff Wed late 60s. At the final whistle a fan on the pitch being chased by a policeman who grabs the fans coat while in high speed pursuit only for the fan to slip his coat and the Pc to fall flat on his face in full view of 100,000 thats my non-football memory of Wembley
FA Cup final - 1979 Arsenal 3 Man U 2. Even though I am a life long Man U fan, and my memories of Man U are many including seeing them at the Maracana stadium in Rio against Vasco da Gama, I will never forget this particular FA Cup Final. First because I was there, my only one, and second because of the emotion that it generated, especially the last 10 minutes of the game.
Arsenal ahd scored 2 goals and were coasting it, Liam Brady was commanding the game. From a corner our Scottish centre half Gorden Mc Queen managed to stick a leg out to poke the ball home - 2-1. Very soon after Sammy McIlroy was in front of goal and after taking a deflection his attempt at goal seemed to take a life time to go in. Deliriously 2-2, and we were still celebrating when Liam Brady had crossed the ball to an unmarked Alan Sunderland who smashed the ball in from about the edge of the goalmouth - we just could not believe our eyes.
It is not often that one revers in one's team's loss, but that game, even though losing in that way hurts and it really does, all the Man U fans were full of solidarity, saying we will be back next year and stuff like that. How true that was.
Come on you reds from a Man U fan living in a small town in Minas gerais in Brazil.
Many people wont remember this final but being a big fan of non-league football it was my one and only experience of the old wembley. It was a day i will never forget. The final was the 1999 FA Trophy cup final between the mighty yellows of Southport FC and Cheltenham who at that time where a non-league club. I remember having to leave Southport to catch the many coaches being provided at something around 6am with most of the town doing exactly the same. Once arriving at wembley everywhere you looked you recognised people from back at home it was a fantastic day, although we ended up losing 1-0!
fao Derek Tough. The Chelsea-Leeds final was 1970 not 1971.
My abiding memory is my Dad saying to me "there'll be an early goal in this one" and me dismissing him only for Roberto Di Matteo to thump in a 25 yards scramer inside the first 20 seconds.
And Cantona's iconic winner against Liverpool made me smile....
My first memeory of Wembley was as a 7 year old boy when my dad took me to see the World Cup Qualifier between England and Moldova. With Alan Shearer suspended, my hero David Seaman was captain for the night. It couldn't have got much better from there but it did. The atmosphere was electric, seeing the twin towers as we approached the stadium was unforgettable. The programme, the scarf and England cap my dad bought me from outside the ground, the hot dog - it was all unforgettable. England won 4-0 with Gazza scoring his last ever goal at Wembley. As an Arsenal fan, it was great to see Ian Wright get two as well! I joined in with all the chants as we all celebrated going ahead of Italy in the qualification group, bringing a tear to my dad's eye. He later revealed to my mum it was the happiest moment of his life, and it's one of mine too! What a way to experience your first match! It's times like that which make Wembley the home of football - and rightly so!
The first final I remember was Arsenal v West Ham, but was too young to really take in details other than Brookings header, and Willie Young making Paul Allen cry!
I grew up a United fan, so 1983 was thrilling. Ray Wilkins curler seemed to have settled it, but Brighton hit back through Gary Stevens to put us through the mill. Blind panic set in when the famous "and Smith must score" moment came in late on in extra time, but thankfully Gary Bailey made a decent save to force a replay. The replay was a procession.
My first final in attendance was 1990 v Crystal Palace, and once again United contrived to almost throw it away against so called inferior opposition. Ian Wright made Gary Pallister look like a giraffe and I thought upset was on the cards. I'm from Wrexham, so was delighted that the legend Sparky popped up to save our bacon. Lee Martin of all people sent us home delerious after Fergie ruthlessly dropped Jim Leighton in the replay.
It has to be the 1988 Cup Final. Whilst many saw this as a dark day for english football what you have to remember is that I was watching the likes of Dave Beasant and Alan Cork play Halifax and Hartlepool just 3 years earlier. To then be at a scorching Wembley, 100,000 people there with 'Youll Never Walk Alone' booming above the anthem of 'Abide with Me' and Princess Diana being introduced to the teams, well it just defied belief. The result was almost immaterial and whilst I remember the goal and of course the penalty save that meant the Crazy Gang had beaten the Culture Club it was that moment at about 2.50pm on Saturday May 14th that will always stay with me.
The first final I remember was Arsenal v West Ham, but was too young to really take in details other than Brookings header, and Willie Young making Paul Allen cry!
I grew up a United fan, so 1983 was thrilling. Ray Wilkins curler seemed to have settled it, but Brighton hit back through Gary Stevens to put us through the mill. Blind panic set in when the famous "and Smith must score" moment came in late on in extra time, but thankfully Gary Bailey made a decent save to force a replay. The replay was a procession.
My first final in attendance was 1990 v Crystal Palace, and once again United contrived to almost throw it away against so called inferior opposition. Ian Wright made Gary Pallister look like a giraffe and I thought upset was on the cards. I'm from Wrexham, so was delighted that the legend Sparky popped up to save our bacon. Lee Martin of all people sent us home delerious after Fergie ruthlessly dropped Jim Leighton in the replay.
My first memory of Wembley and the FA Cup final is in 1975 West Ham v Fulham. I was 12. My dad had managed to get tickets from a colleague from work but unbeknown to me, decked out in claret and blue, we were in the Fulham end. Can any Fulham supporters remember a 12 year old girl shouting and screaming for her team completely oblivious of the situation she was in? I still only remember the great atmosphere and not once any hostility.
West Ham won and when they were celebrating I keep asking my dad why they weren't coming down this end. The naivity of youth!
2nd memory of the FA Cup was 1980 West Ham v Arsenal. I have a huge claret and blue teddy called Billy Bonds. Then 17, I asked my dad for a teddy before the match and he told me that if West Ham won he would buy it for me. I think he thought his money was safe as West Ham were the underdogs.
3rd memory was last year at Cardiff and as Joe Southerland wrote it must go down as the game of the century.
Re 1979 Cup final Man Utd v Arsenal a group of 20 Man Utd fans my self included hired a self drive van for this game.I was 19 at the time and on the journey down we were planning our day.Most of the lads were talking about a few drinks before the game, I told them i was going to get my hair cut incase we were on television!.
They thought this was a wind up but as soon as we got to Wembley i found a hairdressers had a cut and blow. I left the salon feeling suitably refreshed and walked down Wembley Way
after a few hundred yards I was stopped with another group and was interviewed by the Legend Desmond Lyman for BBC!.
My mates who were in a nearby pub and just could not believe it!.
1970-71 and I, a long-suffering Arsenal fan was at Wembley to see my team take on Liverpool. We'd won the championship so it was "We are the champions" even if I had little real hope that we'd win the FA Cup too. We'd gone down to a soft goal, a goalkeeping error but had equalised with another soft one from Eddie Kelly although we'd hailed George Graham as the scorer (it was scored at the other end and it was George who appeared to have steered the ball home). Then Charlie George collects the ball and wham. I was standing behind the goal and looked on, unbelieving as Clemence dived but it had already paseed him, the back of the net bulged. Charlie's gone down, flat on his back as we've gone up, arms aloft to herald a classic cup final winner and it really didn't matter that I lost all my shirt buttons in the crush !
As a devoted Liverpool fan (even though I am an OOT'er)I sat down for the 1989 final with mixed emotions...obviously elated that the team were in the final (and against Everton no less), but still reeling from the tragedy of Hillsborough.
In terms of drama, this game had it all, the high of John Aldridge slotting the ball into the top right corner early in the game, the tension as we held out for the win, only to experience the crushing blow of the last gasp equaliser.
Enter the moustachioed hitman back from Italy with a point to prove, a deft finish and we were back on course.
Stuart McCall's determination to spoil the party was only matched by Rushie's determination to be the life and soul of it and another euqliser was cancelled out by the deftest of headers and everyone in red went wild.
It was a day for Scousers to be proud (both red and blue) and was a fitting memorial for those who had lost their lives.
JFT 96
I'm a scouser and Everton fan. In 1989 i was at Wembley as a uniformed police officer and throughout the second period of the second half i was stood just behind the team benches watching the game. When Everton equalised at the end of normal time i forgot were I was and my police helmet was thrown in the air as I danced a merry jig just behind Kenny Dalglish. My Sergeant dragged me back but I manged to worm my way forward again and at the end of the game I walked up to Dalglish and shook his hand. I was then in the row of police at the bottom of the steps leading up to were the players collect the trophy/medals and I won't forget the state of them as they walked off, they were swaying around like drunks and were completley exhausted due to the extreme heat... What a day.
To number 59, it was alan nielsen who scored the diving header to win the worthington cup for spurs, not steffan iversen!
1953....No, not the Matthews final, but the Amateur Cup Final between Pegasus and Harwich & Parkstone. I was nine years old, and my father had had got a couple of seats high, high up in the stand among the crowd of 100,000. Pegasus were an interesting - some might say unique - side, comprising totally of students from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. As far as I recall, they weren't members of any league but just played friendlies, yet this was their second cup final in three years. They were sensational, and my one abiding memory is of their fleet-footed, silver-haired outside right, called Tony Pawson (later a respected football writer for The Observer) racing up and down the wing, speedy and graceful as a greyhound, tormenting the Harwich defence all afternoon. Pegasus won 6-0.
I lost my virginity in one of the toilets after the 1995 League Cup final. My team, Liverpool, won the match too. It was a great day.
The 1979 FA Cup Final. I was 11 at the time and my father took me to Wembley. He had taken me the previous the year when my team Arsenal, lost to Ipswich. It was a fabulous feeling that with only 4 minutes remaining Arsenal were 2-0 up and coasting....until Gordon McQueen scored for Man Utd and then Sammy McIlroy equalised! My bottom lip quivered and I started to cry just like I had done the previous the year, was I destined not to see my team win the FA Cup? I turned to my Dad for comfort, I could hardly see him through him the tears. I then heard the words I wanted to hear from my father "don't worry, we will score again". The thing is, as you know we did!...Alan Sunderland popped up at the fast post to score one of the most memorable goals I have ever witnessed. My father (and of course Alan Sunderland) was my hero that day, how on earth did he know we would score!? Tears of desperation and worry instantly turned to even more tears of total jubilation. i treasure the memory of that day.
Our first and only F.A cup final appereance v Chelsea, which we were near enough beat in the first minute!!!!
we lost the game but to see my so called ''little town club in yorkshire'' strutting there stuff on the hollowed turf in the greatest cup competition final in the world was special.
one day hopefully we will get there and beat this wembley jinx, and be up there up with other great teams.
Come on Boro,
Two years stand out for me. 1965 when I got a ticket 3 days before the FA Cup Final to see Liverpool win for the first time ever and then back home to be part of the quarter of a million to see them on the Town hall Balcony with the cup.
1966 - I got a ticket for the World Cup Final but didn't have enough money to get there from Liverpool. I managed to get to the M6/East Lancs road before giving up and returning home to watch it on TV thinking that I would see England win it again in my lifetime!!!!
So there wasn't 100,000 at the World Cup Final. You can deduct one from that total
Frank McBride
Imagine what its like when your bitterest rivals win a European Cup, Premiership and FA Cup treble, whilst you are in the third flight of English football and haven't won anything for 23 years. Well, that’s what life was like for me when my team (Man City) had to put up with Man Utd winning everything in sight in 1998/9 season. My one consolation was that Man City had made it to Wembley for the first time in 18 years, and having never seen them achieve anything I was desperate to go. We were playing Gillingham in the 1999 Second Division play off final. I woke up the morning after tickets went on sale to a knock at the door from a family friend and season ticket holder, who had lined up through the night and managed to get me and my dad tickets-legend!
The day before we went to Wembley I was frenzied. I checked the oil, water and petrol on our car (a 7 seater) and then 7 of use went to Wembley the following day. It was great passing decorated cars on the way down, and when we got to Wembley, I can honestly say my jaw dropped as I saw the stadium and a crowded Wembley way for the first time. The Man City fans were there for about two hours before a load of Gillingham fans showed up, and it has to be said they were a fun crowd, and there was a genuinely good atmosphere between the two sets of fans (at least as far as I saw). All the Man City fans seemed to by carrying inflatable aliens, and all the Gillingham fans seemed to be wearing jester hats with bells. By luck, the coaches with the players were passing through the gate at our end, and the Gillingham team arrived first to a chorus of boos and two finger "greetings" from our fans, although the Gillingham players were laughing there heads off (I was stood on the wall near the coach entrance and had a good view into the coach). A little later our team coach showed up, and there were cheers and chants of "Wea-ver! Wea-ver!": Weaver was our goalie who had broken our clean sheet record, only 19 years old at the time (I was 17 at the time) and he would later play a big part in the game.
We went into the bar at Wembley after a generous body search, then bought some beer. I was desperate to see the team coming out, so hurried the guys we were with along, and then we went to take our seat.
The game itself was pretty boring, and it was a wet, dull grey day. Then with just 5 minutes to go, Gillingham scored, then almost straight away scored again. So picture this: our most bitter rivals have won the treble, and here we are, 5 minutes from time and 0-2 down, facing another season in the third flight of English football. Agh! However, fate was on our side, as in the 89th minute, Kevin Horlock scored a sweet goal, and then with seconds left in injury time, Dickov scores an amazing goal to level it at 2-2...I can honestly say the loudest sound I have ever heard was our fans roaring when the ball hit the net, although I didn't get a full view of the goal (I only saw the net ruffle).
We dominated extra time, but it went to penalties. They took the penalties at our end, and every Gillingham player had to contend with a chorus of boos. Weaver saved two penalties and they put one wide, and we won on penalties, at Wembley, having been 0-2 with 5 minutes left. We all left the stadium, singing and cheering, though I will always remember seeing an old man with two teenage lads in Gillingham shirts crying their eyes out as they walked through a mass of our fans leaving the stadium. On the way back we stopped at motorway service stations full of our fans still singing.
What a day!
what great memories they all are.
been from ireland i never got to visit the old wembley but i'll be determined to get there for a cup final and see the reds of manchester lift a trophy there. i just hope the new stadium captures some of the romance and memories of the old one. sathurday is going to go down in football history as one of the best cup finals and a fitting way to open the new wembley
My one and only visit to Wembley was when I was lucky enough (as it turned out!) to be given a ticket to see the Manchester United v Chelsea FA Cup Final in 1994.
The run up to the game was a kaleidoscope of fun and bravado, with the drink flowing, and the banter between fans often drowned by the chants and songs. We took our seats with time to spare, so that we could soak up the buzz in the stadium. We were at the United end, right behind the goal for the first half, hoping that the net would stay intact for just the first of the halves!
The game started, and a tight hard fought first half ensued, with Chelsea edging the game. Gavin peacock rattled the bar, and nerves already started to fry. The game remained tense, and as the first half ended, the stress on people faces was plain to see.
The second half began as the first end, no one looking as though they would make a breakthrough. Then, in a myriad of elation, 10 minutes of goals galore stopped the contest dead. Were they penalties? …. Well, in my honest opinion, probably not….. But I am afraid that was the last thing on my mind at the time! In that 10 minutes, I proceeded to shout with such vigour that I lost my voice for a week!
Chelsea were deflated, and although they tried, their valour had been worth nothing. McClair came on in the last five minutes, and rubbed salt into the wound a little more, 4-0…. A trouncing on paper, but I would say anything but in real terms of the match.
We cheered and sang as the trophy was held aloft, congratulating ourselves for getting such a player in Cantona (like we had something to do with it!). We walked from the ground elated in our team, and also for our mate, who had a tenner at 33-1 that United would win 4-0…. Lucky git!
And my final memory? Five of us stood at the platform on one side, hundreds of Chelsea fans on the other….. Did we say anything?? Well, I am still here, so what do you think!!
The 1953 Blackpool v Bolton Final.
I remember a very full house in Northampton where my father worked. We had come down from Blackpool when he changed his job. As a very small boy I was perched on a chair on the dining table so I could watch the black & white TV. There was a large 'Blackpool for the Cup and Happy Holidays' banner in the front window though the curtain was drawn so we could see the picture clearly.
I can remember every goal, including Stan Mortensen's hat-trick for Blackpool and Eric Bell, hobbling with a serious leg injury, scoring with a header for Bolton to put them 3-1 ahead but especially when Stanley Matthews pulled the ball back from the by-line for Bill Perry to score the winner. It is as clear in my mind as ever.
I have always been a follower of Blackpool but being born in Manchester am a lifelong United supporter and remember equally the emotion of the 3-1 Cup Final win over Leicester City - United's first trophy since the Munich Air Disaster.
Tickets were like gold dust for the first Merseyside FA Cup Final in 1986. Two weeks before the final, both Liverpool and Everton were in with a pretty equal should of winning the league (with both West ham and Chelsea in with a shout too). Both sets of fans were praying that the other team never won the double, and if someone had offered me the league with Everton taking the Cup, I would have snapped their hand off. Once Everton lost to Oxford, and Liverpool beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the league was secured. That was when the attitude changed. Please God can they not win the Cup.
The atmosphere at Wembley was fantastic with Reds and Blues stood side by side with pride. After the terrible events of Heysel 12 months earlier, we at last had some pride back and the sound of 'Merseyside' echoed around the ground.
Our greatest hero, Kenny Dalglish had picked himself for the run-in, which is probably why we won the league and was in the Cup Final team too. Everton were not without their stars either, with Lineker, Reid, Stevens and Ratcliffe all ready for the battle.
It was the Blues who drew first blood after a mix up in the centre and Lineker was through on goal. 1-0 Everton.
Half time was unbearable as my dreams wee being tossed and blown. The Golden sky appeared in the second half though as Molby danced around the field displaying skills equal to any that have been displayed on the famous Wembley pitch. Ian Rush equalised to send the Red half into ecstasy, and then Craig Johnstone and Rush again put Liverpool 3-1 up. The Kop was in one voice singing 'We Shall Not Be Moved' and 'Running Round Wembley With The Cup', and then 'You'll Never Walk Alone' just before final whistle.
Liverpool had won the double, and of the 50+ games I have seen at Wembley, this was by far the best and the sweetest.
Footnote: Will we do the same to Chelsea as in 1994? Well, maybe I will have a tenner on a 4-0 win myself.... Well you never do know!... And yes, it will be on United!
19900 Palace v Man Utd. Not my first memory of Wembley but the most overiding one is of tears streaming down my face as Abide With Me was sung. As a Palace fan, I doubt whether I will ever hear it in that arena again but that memory will stay with me forever.
My outstanding memory of Wembley came back in 1987 when my team, Coventry City, graced the hallowed turf and walked away with the F.A. Cup.
My parents had warned me about the danger of pick-pockets so when I arrived at Wembley that day I had all my money, tickets, keys etc in a money belt around my waste.
Around 10 minutes into the game Dave Bennett equalised for the sky blues and, understandably, the coventry crowd almost went into orbit. A minute or so later, as I was calming down, a rather threatening looking skinhead tapped me on the shoulder and, pointing at the floor in front of me, said "is that yours?". There at my feet were; my money, keys etc.
Just goes to show:
a) money belts should be sufficiently tightened to withstand football goal celebrations
b) the atmosphere at an F.A. cup final is so positive that it outweighs all negative thoughts or deeds.
My father went to watch the England v Poland game with a friend (back in the 70's - 1972 I think). On the way home he got lost driving his gold Jaguar and asked a motorbike cop for directions. The policeman had a look at a map hopped onto his bike and said 'follow me'. He switched on his lights and siren and gave my Father an escort all the way home.
My Father was very chuffed!
(Foolishly) trying to impress a young Chelsea supporter in my team at work, I reminisced about the FA Cup Final of 1970 including the replay. He listened politely and then put me in my place by saying 'Oh yes - that was the year before I was born!!'
Arsenal vs Leeds 1972.
Cup final day started with breakfast whilst watching early morning television. Reporters in the team hotel, followed by celebrity "It's a Knockout", "Road to Wembley" action, On the team buses, quick rendition of the teams Cup Final Songs, awkward looking photo ops with team in Blazers and Ties. Big decision as to whether to watch the BBC or ITV coverage (always the Beeb) and then the main event.
What a team - Harvey, Madeley, Reaney, Bremner, Charlton, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke, Jones, Giles and Gray. Team numbers from 1 to 11 on their shirts AND sock ties.
Leeds win 1-0 with a typical goal from "Sniffer". Mick Jones with broken/dislocated arm being helped up the Wembley steps for his medal.
Fantastic.
In the late 60s and early 70s, I was a Leeds United fan living in London and so usually had five matches a season to go to. Sometimes I took a girlfriend, and so it came to pass that my future wife, Sue, came with me to watch QPR -v- Leeds in 1972.
She said that would be fun because she had never been to a football match before.
It was one-nil to Leeds, I think, a poor game anyway, then there was a mini pitch invasion.
"Oh" said Sue, watching this. "I remember now. I have been to a football match before. The World Cup Final at Wembley."
I went to the 1971 cup final and then to the replay at old trafford,on a coach with ny brother in law,I remember after the match seeing all the Leeds fans in tears sitting in their coach seats, but I had little sympathy,we had just one the first trophy I had ever seen won,and nothing was going to spoli that,even though I felt sorry for them
My first ever Wembley Cup Final all the way from Japan was that Queen's Silver Jubilee year in 1977. Manchester United had defeated then the treble chasing Liverpool 2-1.I was in the thick middle of United end terrace opposed to players tunnel.
I felt my knees began to shake when United scored their second goal. However,it was actually not my knees,but it was teenage boy's standing next to me. Both hands on his chest,his trembling was never stopped untill we all hear the final whistle and the roar afterwards. I was very touched with it and glad the win for him more than anything. It's been 30 years now and to me here in Japan,new Wembley is millions miles away.I only wish I can feel that trembling again when I watch the Cup Final on TV this weekend. Come on you,Reds!
I was there in 1981 when Ricky Villa, having been sadly substituted in the first game, take the FA Cup by one hand and scored probably the greatest FA Cup Final goals ever. Tottenham Hotspur 3 Manchester City 2 what a night, what a game and what a goal. Weaving between three defenders and then passing the ball into the net past the City goalkeeper.
As Scotsman I have never had the opportunity to attend Wembley for a cup final, however it was still a dream of most Scots footie fans to visit Wembley. I spent 6 wonderful years living and working in England and was privileged to go there a number of times for both Rugby and football.
While most of the games were England against a foreign side, my abiding memory of the stadium is the 1999 Euro 2000 play off second leg between England and Scotland. Leading 2-0 from the first leg, and overwhelming favourites, it was England’s tie to lose. I was sitting in one of those horrible bucket seats looking along the 18yd line amongst the England supporters and a mere stones throw from the marauding Scots. I sang with them under my breath trying not to antagonise my gracious hosts, but could contain my self no longer when big Don headed in the first goal. I was on my feet, cheering and dancing until a sudden dawning realisation hit me that I was in fact the only card carrying member of the Tartan Army in this section and I was deep behind enemy lines with no escape route. The torrent of abuse hit me hard and I bit my lip and sat down sheepishly, continuing my singing in more hushed tones.
We never did get another goal and England went through thanks to 2 superb Paul Scoles strikes at Hampden, but I will never forget the feelings of hope and anticipation for the remainder of that game.
Horrible old stadium but many memories for everyone who has visited Scots included!
Sunday April 29th 1990 and Oldham Athletic are at Wembley.I'll repeat that - Oldham Athletic are at Wembley!
30,000 have made the trip to see us play Cloughie's Forest in the League Cup Final.
Wembley Way is a sea of blue and white and watching our Dad walk up the steps to the turnstyles reduces my brothers and I to tears.
Inside,the beer is over-priced dishwater but it doesn't matter because watching Big Joe lead the team out makes up for everything.
The game is a non-event.Forest sit back,soak up the pressure and hit us on the break.
We sing our hearts out but it's not to be.
Who cares - Oldham Athletic are at Wembley!!!
After taking my 7 year old son Patrick to watch the Wednesday night reply of Man Utd v Crystal Palace when Lee Martin scored the winner, we travlled home in the most awful train ever, we were tired but happy after a succesful win but what made my sons first ever trip to Wembley so special was meeting Sir Matt Busby on the Platfrom a Piccadilly railway station and getting his match programme signed, what a lovely lovely man. A true day to remember.
During the 60s through to early 80s I went to many Cup Finals at Wembley including the World Cup and European Cup Finals. Living nearby in West London and later in Wembley it was always a challenge to get into the finals with or without a ticket. One of the best memories was in 1964. At the time my brother was a photographer and his mate was the official photographer at the FA in Lancaster Gate responsible for sending out the Press Passes. That year he issued two extra passes and arm bands to us. I was the Yorkshire Post and my brother was the Liverpool Echo. We got into the Stadium through the Press Entrance without any problems and onto the hollowed turf complete with our camera gear. It was awe inspiring with the ranks of Leeds and Liverpool supporters all around. I duly sat by the goal with all the other photographers. The only problem was that I had forgotten to take a stool. It poured with rain and I had to crouch for all the match and extra time getting absolutely soaked. The consulation was that I got some great photos particularly of Liverpool with the Cup which I still cherish and got to shake hands with Bill Shankly still carrying his lucky raincoat over his arm (not sure he even wore it). Next day I woke up and my knees were absolutely killing me and I could hardly walk. The following year we were back again for Everton and Sheffield Wednesday and Trebilcock crashed into the photographers of which I was one. A small price to pay. For the 1966 World Cup Finals they tightened security for the Press so I had to buy the tickets (£7.10s.0d for all the Wembley matches including the Final). Happy days.
Back in 1981 I was gutted to have missed out on getting ticket for the FA Cup Final against Man City but as luck would have it Hutchinson scored an own goal to take it to a replay and after begging my dad to part with the £4.00 required, a ticket for the replay was acquired.
Being just 15 at the time, school was kind of skipped that day (my old school is right behind White Hart Lane). It later turned out that half the class was missing so luckily the punishment was on the lenient side!
Me and my mate Terry met up had an amazing night, the emotions were up and down as the lead changed hands during the game but were lucky enough to be right behind the goal when Ricky Villa popped up with the greatest FA Cup winning goal of all time (despite everyone screaming for him to pass to the unmarked Steve Archibald!)
By the time we got back to Tottenham the High Road was buzzing. I can still picture all the pubs partying like mad and the cars driving up and down, flags and scarves waving and horns being sounded. Pure emotion and glory days for sure!
I first started watching Southampton in the 1975-6 season as a spotty 15 year old, and at the end of it I was at Wembley watching an FA Cup Final. I thought that this must happen every year - little did I know that I would be a middle aged father of 3 by the time I got my next opportunity.
The game was pretty forgettable - a nervous start by Saints and hearts in mouths when United hit the bar in the second half. The goal, when it came, was a classic and never offside. The euphoria of that moment and the noise are things that I will never forget.
As usual at Wembley the queues on the N Circular were huge. One magic moment occurred when the team bus pulled up alongside ours. Lawrie Mac was in the front with the cup and the players were towards the back, getting well lagered up I should imagine.
The scenes the next day in Southampton were unbelievable. Not that I got to see any of them as we decided to view the drive by in the suburbs. We stood for three hours on the Winchester Road only to see the bus drive past at 30 mph. Heady days!!
20 years ago today. It still seems like yesterday. I don't think that anyone in Coventry could believe that we were actually going to Wembley. Until then it had been an end of season party that we had no chance of being invited to. We were going down on the train and had to queue for hours (we were used to it by then as we had to buy a season ticket for the next season to guarantee a ticket) We were on one of the last trains but were held up by the train in front of us breaking down. Not for us the milling around Wembley Way taking in the atmosphere. We were legging it up the steps just as they were singing Abide with Me. No seats in those days so we just squeezed ourselves into the crowd where we could see some of the pitch (think Japanese Trains). Just before kick off another train load arrived and three hundred people pushed into the enlosure. I lost my footing and found mysef being dragged underneath the crowd. Just before I hit the ground a very large Policeman reached over and hoisted me out of the throng probably saving my life.
He insisted that I be checked out in the first aid room so it was there surrounded by Spurs fans who worked at the stadium that I heard Tottenham score the first goal. Wild horses couldn't keep me there by then, but we were told that there was no way we were going back to the same place. A security guard very kindly let us watch from the steps of the very expensive seats right on the half way line. Can you imagine that happening now? The rest of the afternoon and weekend come to think of it was amazing. Although I might never forgive Brian Kilcline for lifting up the cup like it was a woman the whole team were heroes and it is a day I will never forget.
We didn't get to play in Europe and the return trip for the Charity Shield was a bit disappointing (no atmosphere) but at least I can say I was there and saw with my own eyes !!
Kate Wood
Coventry
Through a friend I used to get Cup Final tickets every year. I am a lifelong Man U fanatic (yes i cried when we won the Championship for the first time in 26 years) so I always sold the tickets (at face value) to friends who supported the teams playing that year, on the odd occasion Man U were not there (LOL).
I remember the highs and incredible lows of the 1979 final against Arsenal and even when I see it today I still should "will someone please break Brady's legs!"
I was there for the double in 1994, a miserble rainy day, United did not turn up for the first half but then everything changed. United got a penalty. I was sat oposite the 6yd box where all the goals were scored. Cantona stepped up; I was standing, looking up through the roof and prayed out loud, "Lord I know I have done a lot of bad things in my life but, if you let this go in I promise to be good from now on and never to ask you for another thing". Cantona scored! 2 mins later I was praying again "Lord, I know what i just said but please let this one go in as well". A fantasic day, United not only won the cup but the double as well. Today I hope and pray for the same scorline on Saturday. I now live in the USA but, have no fear, I have already booked and paid for my seat in front of the TV! God bless Pay Per View television!
Best thing I saw at Wembley, World Speedway Final in 1985. 85000 speedway fans and fantastic racing. I still remember the race between Kenny Carter and Bruce Penhall. The role of speedway at Wembley is often forgotten. Of course it used to be the home of the Wembley Lions, one of the all time great speedway teams.
1976 man utd v southampton
I can remember this one being in the bag for united,I'd never seen my team play in an F A cup final, european final at wembley..yes,back in'68
The problem was that southampton didn't read the script..!!
We had pre-booked tickets for an elton john concert in manchester for the same date some months earlier,not expecting the lads to make the final..oops!!,couldn,t miss this one could we..not with a pushover like the saints,we might never get another chance to see our team in a cup final again!!
So my brother and myself made the game after traveling down with a few mates..all was going ok!! then Bobby Stokes made a great run in the 83rd..and the rest,as they say,is history..now we had to get back for the concert!! so on leaving the stadium early, my most memorable recallections of that day was the mad rush to heathrow via bus and tube to make a 6'o'clock flight back to manchester..we did make the concert..and elton put on a brilliant show..which is more than can be said for the lads earlier..!! ha ha..!!
Since then I was fortunate enough to see my team win the cup on 4 occasions at the old wembley.. but '76 is the one that will always bring memories of the old stadium flooding back..!!
My main cup final memory is the 1974 final between Newcastle and Liverpool. Although I was only 12 years old at the time I was already a die hard Newcastle fan and I regularly attended games with my dad. Imagine my delight when we managed to get tickets for the final - the build up was exciting with Supermac's pre-match predictions, the atmosphere was electric but friendly with two of the most passionate sets of supporters packed into the ground. My amazement was compounded when boxing legend John Conteh who was world champion at the time came to sit in the row in front of us, accompanied by his larger than life minders.
Here I was in Wembley Stadium about to witness my beloved team on the brink of winning their first domestic sliverware for since 1955. A dream come true for the Geordie nation. Then the match started and we were totally outplayed by Liverpool with a future Geordie hero Kevin Keegan at the heart of their victory. The team let the magnificent fans down with an inept performance and I was hurting inside. I managed to keep my emotions in check but at the final whistle a middle aged Liverpool supporter behind me ruffled my hair and said 'never mind young 'un, your day will come', at which stage I burst into tears. Well here we are 33 years later and my day hasn't yet come but I'm still hoping. Come on Big Sam, please, please make it happen and help me wipe away those tears.
Queuing to get off the underground platform, then herded like sheep into a tunnel under the road that was ankle deep in urine. The high cost of programmes, drinks & snacks, the crumbling interior steps, and the complete lack of leg room in any of the seats ( even the VIP area around the royal box ) I have been to the old Wembley so many times and sat & stood in many parts of the ground. I would have willingly swung the wrecking ball on the old place.
But when the whistle blew on the FA Cup final the atmosphere was always electric. The visual effect of the dog track around pitch was astonishing, every time I went there, it would take my breath away, and nearly let me forgive the items mentioned above.
I was lucky enough to go to the old Wembley three times.
The first time was with my Dad and brother in 1989 for an England schoolboys match against Germany. Although we lost 3-1, I can say I saw Ryan Giggs playing for England! (He played schoolboy internationals for us).
Next time was 1994 and we did the tour and I got to climb the steps and hold up a cup with the rest of the tour. The Cup was presented by my Mum who played the part of dignitary!
Lastly February 2000 for an emotional friendly as England drew 0-0 with Argentina on the evening that Sir Stanley Matthews had died. I hadn't heard the news until we got there, and there was a well-respected minutes's silence for the great man.
David, from Newcastle, living in Sydney, Australia.
My memory of Wembley is from 1987, but not from a cup final. In August of that year I queued for six hours from midday to get in, and saw some poor soul with a forged touted ticket refused entry (it wasn't even the right colour). It was to see the then reformed Pink Floyd, with Rick Wright again but sans Roger Waters, on the their world tour promoting the new album 'Momentary Lapse of Reason'. Pigs and beds flew, lasers lit up the night sky and it was a spectacle not to be forgotten. Standing amongst 60,000 + fans and within 30ft of the stage, I'll remember that gig amongst the old twin towers for as long time.
I remember my sister and I at the Leeds Rugby League Final It was ages before we found out why people seemes to be staring at her,we had'nt noticed her suit till till someone said "did you have that made specially" It was a large Blue and yellow check she never wore it again.She is dead now but I often think of that day.
Not exactly a cup final.
Last time I ever saw a "soccer" match was at Wembley, playoffs between Stockport County and Burnley, early 90's.
About 25-30,000 at the game. I hated every minute of it.
Atmosphere outside the ground aggressive, laddish, boorish & tribal.
Wembley was good.
Give me Hurling Munster Final any day with the fans, thousands of them, gathered in the main square in Thurles, Co Tipperary. Fans in both sets of colours, flags, friendly banter, families with children, old men and women, local police having a laugh, plenty of craic.
Will never go and see a football match again except at my local park.
My first FA cup final was the replay between Spurs and Man City 1981 I think. Spurs won 3-2. Great game - very exciting, I was ten at the time.
Me and my dad got up at some ungodly hour after the original draw and queued for 7 hours around the whole Wembley complex. To this day, that's still the longest queue of people I have ever seen.
Chaos broke at one point when rumours of a second ticket office caused a huge section of the queue to break out and sprint to another part of the ground...
Brilliant!
I was also at the Floyd gig in post 115 above - that was pretty cool as well.
All these memories are of great matches, not the stadium itself. I went to Wembley about five times in the 80's 90's and it was a crumbling waste of space. Terrible facilities, spoilt views just plain awful. Long live the new Wembley!!
May 17th 1997, what a day! It was my birthday, so to see your team on your birthday and then go on to lift the Cup....not much can beat that! Di Matteo's goal after a staggering 43 seconds, hardly gave us time to sit in our seats and soak up the atmosphere.
After a miserable 1994 Cup Final losing to Man U 4-0 it is time for revenge! I admit I cried that day, and had not cried after a Cup Final since losing to Stoke City 2-1 in the League Cup Final in 1972....however, I was 10 then.
Although only attended one FA Final, my first Wembley attendance in 1961, Wigan v St.Helens, scorching day, no roof back then, and 94,600 people.
I suffered as Wigan lost but still refused an ice lolly from the enemy, a St Helens supporter.
Funniest memory was Everton V Liverpool when many ticketless fans were risking life by scaling the walls to get in.
On BBC ,guest Stan Boardman said, they are doing anything to get in: the police have even stopped the band as 2 had guitars and one had a mouth organ ! A classic !
When I was a young lad I saw the cup final on TV in the Netherlands.... The first match I saw was the 1981 classic final. From that moment on I was into Englisch football. The spirit, the passion and the friendly way of playing the game: a lot of energy,tackling but always fair.
The last 15 years it's a fiesta when it's cup final time. With friends we watch the game, with pints of lager. The last 7 years we travel to enland and watch the game in a pub.
Cup fever.....is on again now.
The only cup final I attended was with my Palace supporting Dad in 1990 against United; perhaps unforgiveably for a Wimbledon fan, I had a soft spot for Palace and wanted them to win, especially after their semi-final against Liverpool, probably the best game I've ever seen. The final was a cracker, too, and Palace were only seven minutes from glory in extra time, mostly thanks to Ian Wright who came off the bench, having recovered from a broken leg, and scored a lovely goal with his first touch of the ball. But Mark Hughes scuffed shot took the game to a replay where Palace sadly lost both the plot and a dreadful, dirty game 1-0. It was effectively the start of Fergie's great reign at United.
To my eternal regret I couldn't get to Wembley two years earlier, on 14th May 1988 - the greatest day in human history; Liverpool, second only to the Tory Party in having cold brutishness uncritically adored by a sycophantic media - against beautiful little Wimbledon; hated by all, but only we enlightened few knew what made them so special.
Watching it on television was one of the most nerve-racking experiences ever; with 15 minutes left I couldn't stand it any longer and walked up the road to the shops, only to see it on in the shop where my sister worked, and to hear that the minutes were ticking by like hours, but Wimbledon were holding on. I had the filthiest cold, but when the final whistle blew I could have jumped a hundred feet into the air; a whole life is worth living just for one moment like that.
What I realise now is that the FA Cup will never recover those days - when it defined the weekend, and the coverage - players at the hotel on Saturday morning, slaughtering the putting-green and the boating lake - was effortlessly magical. Now it's just another big game, and a side-issue for the bigger clubs. Like snooker, it's still there, the quality is better, the presentation is glossier, the media tries to sustain the traditions, but something's just missing.
I was at an England v West Germany international on 13th October 1982. As was customary before an England game, my chums and I visited the closest Indian restaurant to the stadium for a pre-match curry. At the table next to us there were 14 guys down from Manchester for the game - they placed their order for 14 (fourteen) poppadoms with the waiter. A few moments later he reappeared nervously and cautiously through the double doors from the kitchen with 40 - FORTY! - poppadoms balanced on a silver platter. The waiter was peering around the wobbling stack of food which eventually fell onto the Manchester guys' table, much to their (and everyone else's amusement)!! The incident turned out to be rather more memorable than the game!
In the 1976 Manchester United v Southampton final I was super confident that United would win the game so I decided to record the tie on C120 (2 hours) cassette tape. Unfortunately, things did not quite go to plan and United lost 1-0. I was so dejected and distraught I tied one end of the tape to a lamppost, jumped on my mate’s Honda 50cc and roared a quarter of a mile up the road with the tape unravelling in my slipstream! It was a sight to behold and although it did not change the result - boy did I feel better!
I have been lucky enough to visit Wembley three times with my beloved Sunderland A.F.C, The first two times (including the 1992 FA Cup final versus Liverpool) we were beaten comfortably without scoring a goal, my 3rd time for the 1998 play-off final versus Charlton, i said to my friends walking down Wembley way i'd be happy today just to see us score.. We scored ten & still lost, it finished 4-4 & we were beaten 7-6 on penalties... It's surely one of the greatest games the grand old stadium hosted though. "Welcome back Wembley"
My first F.A. Cup final at Wembley was in 1985 for the MAN UTD v Everton.I managed to obtain a ticket the night before the game,courtesy of what Brian Barwick calls the football family! I.E. It was a complimentary ticket that the F.A. Like to distribute to anyone other than fans of the participating teams!So for the price of £6 Iwas on my way with my friends to the Final.On arrival at the stadium I was disappointed to discover that my ticket was at the Everton end of the stadium.Decked out in red ,white &black I entered the ground along with thousands of scouscers who gave me a few unpleasant looks and the occassional comment of a derogatory nature. Once inside I stood on the terrace with my United flag ,feeling increasingly uncomfortable!I asked a steward if I could be transfered to the United end,no ,was the response,I asked a Policeman if he believd in segregation,he woud not help.So,I climbed over the fence,walked down the side of the pitch,waving my flag ,Ireceived a wonderful reception from the United fans and was helped over the fence to be with my friends.To comlete a great day,United won 1-0.
Hi, Its 1987 Coventry beat spurs in extra time, what a day. As we were in the upper tier behind the goal, we used one of the famous twin towers, how impressed with the cleanliness. After halftime I went to find the loo, and I did, it was in the tower, as the toilets were on the ground floor, it’s been more convenient to use the stairs. By the end of the game IT was cascading down, what a mess. Whenever I see the twin towers I think vertical toilet. So much for the old, good luck to the new. But what a game a classic.
I was born and grew up in Wembley but never managed to see a Cup Final - went to many other events in the Stadium including some of the 1948 Olympics. My earliest Cup Final memory is of being taken to see the King and Queen leave the Stadium after the Final. This was King George V and Queen Mary! In those days few people ever saw the Royal family and to actually see them gave great bragging rights! Because I was a little girl I was put at the front of the crowd and when the car approached the crowd surged forward and I was pushed towards the car and ended up on the running board (it was like a step that ran the lenght of the car). I don't know who was more surprised- Queen Mary or me! I hope to be able to see the new stadium and perhaps see a match there one day.
In 1990 my Grandfather died. Most of the family were there at the hospital when he passed away. Naturally there were alot of tears, but I remember thinking to myself; he's in his 80's, he's had a good innings, we all have to go at some point. On that day I remember thinking that after going to see Forest every week with my Gran and Grandad from the age of five, we had always talked about going to see them in the FA cup final but had never got the chance. Ofcourse the following year they made the final, and I got hold of a couple of tickets. My Mum drove us down to Wembley because Gran was not too good on her pins, and as we sat in the car outside the stadium mum reached in to the glove box and took out the scarf that my Gran had knitted from the 1959 final. "You don't have to wear it" she said "we just thought it should be here".
"Oh I'm going to wear it" said Gran, getting out of the car and marching off down Wembley Way. She soon started to tire however and I remember a Tottenham fan coming over and taking her arm to help me get her up the last flight of steps and in to our seats. Everyone else watching that day in the Stadium and at home saw Forest lose in the 'Gazza' cup final. For me though after the initial dissapointment the result beacme irrelevent, it was 'Gran's' cup final, and still one of the proudest days of my life.
I was 6 years old when I watched the '79 cup final between Arsenal and Man United on tv. I was so excited when United scored 2 goals in the last 10 minutes to equalise, that I ran down the garden to tell my Dad, and ask him to come in and watch the end of the game with me. By the time we got back in the house the game was over. Alan Sunderland had scored a last minute winner for Arsenal. I was devastated and ran to my bedroom, refusing to come out for the rest of the weekend. I've been a die-hard Man U fan ever since.
1977. As a 16yr old guardsman in training I was a member of the arena party for the Wembly Musical Pagent. The highlight of my duties was, in full ceremonial uniform (red tunic etc), marching all the way around the dog track past the Royal box carrying a brush shovel and bin bag, much to the curiosity of the crowd.
All was revealed when my partner and I ran on and picked up the horses**t left by the houshold cavalry mounted bands.
We then had march all the way back to a standing ovation from the crowd
Leyland Daf Final 1991 Birmingham v Tranmere.
Yeah ok not a "big game" but tell that to the nearly 55 thousand who went. (14 thousand more than the England game the previous week).
I said I always wanted to see the Blues play at Wembley. I remember when we beat Brentford in the area final to get through I was going!!
I got 2 tickets and went with a mate, (a Villa fan called Dave!) I remember walking up wembley way all you could hear was Keep Right On the club anthemn. I felt quite emotional.
In the ground the Blues fans occupied from the left of the steps all the way round the non tunnel end, (where I was), right up the other side. It was like a home game. Apparently there was some 40 thousand Blues fans.
The game was a really good game too we went 2-0 in the first half. Tranmere fought back in the second half to bring the game back to 2-2.
We got a free kick with 5 or so minutes to go, it was swung in and headed on and John Gayle produced an amazing over-head kick to score the winner. I was right behind that goal and I went so ballistic - I fell forward 3 rows!!
Happy memories. I hope that we will achieve another visit, the next time for one of the major competitions.
as a Rams fan and 22, i have never been to a FA cup final but i did go the Derby v Cremonese Anglo-Italian Cup Final in March 1993. wasn't the greatest of games and looking back the greatest competition (dont think its about nowadays)lost 3-1 that day but great experience all the same and can at least say i went to the old wembley.
a year later we got to wembley again with a greater prize instore with promotion to the top league in england. Derby v Leicester City. we took the lead through Tommy Johnson before leicester scored the equalising goal just before half time. if the second half the goal that sent leicester up and will always remember the picture of Martin Taylor being fouled just before Walsh headed in the winner. Gutted!!
be going to the new wembley on the 28th May v WBA hoping that we can mix it with the big boys once again. come on you Rams.
1986 the first ever merseyside final and my first trip to wembley. I was an 11 year old boy and had been to Anfield several times since 84 and my first ever game v Spurs when Garth Crooks scored the winner. Not bad as I was born and bred In Bristol. Dad had managed to get two tickets although in the Everton end it was still the friendly final! Standing at the time we were in the ground early and next to the old wembley tunnel. calling out to all the players as they came and went during the pre match walk on the pitch, even john motson passed us by. Dressed in Red from top to toe and cluthing my LFC flag the game began and the atmosphere was something i'll never forget. Lineker scored and we were 1-0 down. I could hardly see the game at all and as I was telling dad I couldnt see I was hoisted into the air and on to the shoulders of a bluenose from where I watched the game as we came from behind and won 3-1. Rushie my hero scoring twice! an unforgetable day, for me not the bluenose whos shoulders I was on im sure..seeing the traveling KOP at the other end awash with scarves and flags was a sight like no other we stayed in the ground right till the last and savoured the lap of honour but not before we said goodbye and thanks to the Evertonion whos name I never knew but who I'll never forget!
As a true Salford Red I've been fortunate to attend quite a few Wembley finals and experienced the ups (Chelski 4-0 in '94 for the double, Liverpool 1-0 in '96 to achieve another double, Palace '90 twice, Brighton '83 twice, Everton '85) and the downs (Everton '95 as well as defeats to Liverpool, Villa, Sheff Weds in the League Cup) but the 3-2 Arsenal defeat in '79 stands out purely because it was my first visit. As a 14 year old, going to Wembley was the dream, THE experience. London was another world away! 100,000. Standing on those huge concrete steps behind the goal that, even being a short-ar$e, you had a great view. Everyone seemed to be waving a flag and I still have my '79 flag to this day!! Still a season ticket ticker holder but won't be there this time due to the 'Wembley Family' I never knew I had :-(
my memory is simple we were already relegated and conceded the fastest ever fa cup final goal on record against chelsea however we did have a festa goal ruled out when he was well 0n side
My only time at the old Wembley was to see Wigan and Hunslet in the 1965 Rugby Challenge Cup Final as a 9 year old in 1965 with my brother Michael and father. Needless to say in the stands I could n't see a thing so was perched on an entry gate pillar where the view was fantastic. We left near the end for a quick get away. At Wembley undergroud station the train doors cut me off from my Dad and brother leaving me on the platform amongst the crowds, as the train moved off. Luckily a station assistant saw my position and gestured to my Dad to get off at the next station. The guard did the honours and proudly handed me over to my Dad safely at the next station. Whoever and wherever he is, a big thank you from a proud (now 51!)son and father. Trevor Hughes, Southend on Sea, Essex.
The biggest cheer on Sat will be for Norman Whiteside - a real Utd legend.
I was almost directly behind him in '85 when he hit that stunning curl beyond Neville Southall.
With Moran already off (another Cup Final first), Utd took on the might of Everton, who were the best team in country at the time.
That game also made a man of the awesome Paul McGrath. Without doubt the best central defender I've seen in my lifetime.
Can't wait for the cheer that Norm, the mighty scousebuster, will receive!!!
6th may 1972
i travelled down to london with my mates on the wallace arnold midnight to midnight coach from leeds corn exchange.this was my 1st visit to wembley with my beloved leeds united. after a quick scout round a few of londons tourist spots we were approached by a film crew who were filming a documentary on the centuray cup final from its beginings up and till the present day.we had a great time they took us all over the place we felt like real movie stars. then the final itself against the current holders arsenal the game was a very hard fought, then that magic moment came when allan clarke sailed through the air to head a fantastic goal of which won the day for leeds. on our return home we were invited to the film that we had taken part in CUP GLORY we met all the leeds team and don revie what great memories of a once great great club.
I was lucky enough to win 2 tickets to the 1995 Cup Final, Man Utd vs Everton. I took my 8 year old son. We were neutrals and were in with the Everton supporters. The atmosphere was wonderful. We arrived early and had our packed lunch sitting in our seats to soak up the sites and sounds. I cant remember too much about the game it was half time that sticks in my mind. We both went to the loo - big mistake. I was wearing sandals and once I'd survived the queue to the ladies and did what I had to do I had to wade back to the place I'd agreed to meet my son through inches of urine. Real blokes dont queue they pee up against any wall they can find. Then a worse trauma. I couldnt find Pete. The stewards were brilliant calming me down. He'll be back in his seat they assured me. But I couldnt be convinced. It was so crowded and we were chatting as we left our seats and I was sure he wouldnt remember where our seats were.Of course he was there but for the 5 minutes it took me to look around and then get to our seats I thought I'd lost him.
My first FA Cup Final was very recent. Me and my dad traveled to the Millennium Stadium in 2005 to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United. I had high hopes that the Gunners were going to beat Manchester United, but that all changed when the game kicked off. I was hanging off the edge of my seat as me and the other Gooners had to endure 120 minutes of Manchester United pressure. Then came the dreaded penalty shoot out. Watching our FA Cup hero Jens Lehmann save a penalty from one of the players i hate most Paul Scholes was the icing on the cake as Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in Cardiff.
The 1980 Cup Final - West Ham of Div 2 v Arsenal of Div 1. We walked down Wembley Way singing "He's only a porr little sparra" etc etc. We were sitting just along from David Essex. The chap behind us was late as he'd been in a fight and was sent to hospital with concussion. He missed Brooking's goal! When the final whistle blew my husband turned round to hug everyone and succeeded in clumping said chap round his head! He looked a little dazed but survived. I had the binoculars ready for when Billy Bonds lifted the cup but was so excited I ended up looking through the wrong end! We met a chap who'd bet £1 on West Ham winning the cup at the beginning of the season and stood to win £225 (a lot of money in those days!) We went straight from there to a wedding reception. Are you still married Simon?