THE DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES.

I am a day behind but considering I am in deepest North Wales that is not to be considered late. January 13th 1923 was the day when the famous amateurs, the Corinthians joined the FA Cup, playing their home games at the old Crystal Palace. They took Brighton to a second replay, drawing the first tie 1-1 and a year later beat Blackburn Rovers. In 1927 they played Newcastle United before 56,000 supporters and this was only the second match to be broadcast on BBC radio. In 1936 the Crystal Palace burned down and so they lost their "home ground". In 1939, they merged with the Casuals, another amateur team, and now play in the Isthmian League, holding their own with the best semi-pro teams in the London area.

Prior to this the Corinthians won the Sheriff of London's shield in 1900 beating Aston Villa, four years later they overwhelmed Manchester United 11-3 and beat the Cup holders, Bury 10-3 in "friendlies".

On January 14th 1933,  Walsall, lounging in Division 3 North, played Herbert Chapman's very successful Arsenal, complete with £10,000 transfer David Jack. To be fair, Manager Herbert Chapman did blood a few reserves and one of them Charlie Walsh had a nightmare, getting in the way of the top striker Jack, and never played again. Tommy Black was also responsible for giving away a penalty to contribute to the defeat, and he walked the plank too.