The story of the FA cup
The FA Cup is the most famous domestic cup competition in the world. It is held annually and the entrants include all teams from the first 10 levels of English football. Over 750 teams enter the competition and the final is played at Wembley Stadium. The competition starts at the beginning of the season for the smallest clubs in the qualifying rounds and the Premiership clubs do not enter if until the 3rd round proper is played at the start of January. The competition has been running since the 1871-72 season which was 16 years before the Football League was created.
Ronnie Radford celebrating with Ricky George
Its huge history has resulted in the majority of English footballers dreaming of playing in FA cup final. Other country’s domestic cups simply do not have the same appeal as England’s premier cup competition. In recent years there has been a growing concern that due to the amount of money being put into the Premier League the clubs are not taking the FA cup as seriously as they used to. One of the magical attractions of the competition is that the draw can produce some fascinating fixtures. A side from the National League can win their way through to the 3rd round proper and find themselves drawn against the highest paid footballers in the country.
This has occurred on a number of occasions and there have been times when the big teams have become part of a “giant killing act”. The results of these games are remembered for years and makes household names out of part-time professional footballers who normally would not have the opportunity to make the headlines. One of the most famous 3rd round games was when Hereford United from the Southern league played First Division Newcastle United at Edgar Street in 1972. It was a replay after the none-league side had drawn 2-2 at Newcastle. Despite going 1-0 down Hereford then levelled and eventually won 2-1.
The quality of the equalizer from Ronnie Radford was spectacular and when substitute Ricky George scored the winner in extra time it sparked off wild celebrations from both players and supporters. There may have been 5 levels of football separating the two teams, but on this day the atmosphere of the FA cup had proved to be a great leveler. Another major shock had occurred the year before in 1971 when the top side in England, Leeds United visited Layer Road, the home of Fourth Division Colchester United, for a 4th round cup tie. Managed by Don Revie the Yorkshire side were dominating every competition throughout the land and were strong favorites win comfortably on their day trip to Essex.
Bob Stokoe thanking the Sunderland goalkeeper Jim Montgomery
Inspired by two goals from striker Ray Crawford Colchester found themselves surprisingly 3-0 in the lead. Despite a strong come-back from Leeds Colchester hung on to record an amazing 3-2 victory. The final that take place at Wembley in May, have become iconic events in the British sporting calendar that rank alongside Grand National Day and Derby Day. Even the finals have produced major surprises over the years.
Leeds recovered from the Colchester defeat by winning the FA Cup in 1972, and in the 1973 final they were faced by Sunderland from the division below them. The Sunderland side did not have one international player at the time, and for long periods of the game the only way they stopped Leeds from scoring was due to the brilliance of Jim Montgomery in the Sunderland goal.
However the manager Bob Stokoe had come to the final with a game plan and his ideas bore fruit in the 32nd minute when Ian Porterfield scored from a corner. The rest of the game saw the North-East team clinging on to their narrow lead and when the final whistle was eventually blown it produced wild celebrations as the Black Cats had become the first team since 1931, from outside of the First Division, to win the cup. These games are by no means the only giant killing acts that have occurred. Each year sides from the lower league are given the chance to humble their more illustrious opponents, and many take their opportunity.
The famous managers of English football – part 2
As well as England producing a number of managers that have been a success with the national team, it has also produced a number of ”larger than life” characters who have been successful in domestic football. Few managers have had films made about their career but this was certainly the case with Brian Clough who was the subject of the 2009 film “The Damned United”. (more…)
The famous managers of English football – part 1
The managers of English football have attracted as much attention from the fans and media as the players themselves. The manager is seen as the man who has the ultimate responsibility for the success of the side and the post has attracted some of the most unique characters that have been associated with the game. Although the teams are all English this does not necessarily mean that all the managers have to be English. (more…)
The famous stadiums in English Football – part 2
Over the years the Premier League has been the envy of other football nations around the world for the excitement of the games that are played. While England may not have the same international players as some other countries it has a league where the very best side can be beaten by the bottom sides. One factor that contributes to the excitement of the leagues is the stadiums that the games are played in. Throughout the country week after week stadiums are packed out. (more…)
The famous stadiums in English Football – part 1
The Football stadiums in English football are known around the world. The popularity of the club sides are closely linked to the name of their grounds and with the game being so well attended the clubs try and maximize the numbers of spectators that they can get through the turnstiles for each of their home games. A great number of the Stadiums were built at the start of the 20th century and many had the sole purpose of getting as many people into see the games as was possible. (more…)
The history of professional football in England
Professional football was first officially introduced in England in 1885. The rules of the game had only been confirmed in 1865 by the Football Association that had been created in 1863, and the first FA cup final was held in 1872. The situation between 1872 and 1885 was unusual as the game was supposed to be amateur yet many of the sides shamelessly ignored the rules and would pay their star players. (more…)