It is April, snow has fallen again today, the end of the football season is closing in on us and cricketers have to wear several layers to keep warm. At this time of the year the anniversaries of two Cup Finals stand out in history for very different reasons.
On April 23rd 1927 the FA Cup left England and went to Wales. Herbert Chapman's Arsenal machine was a firm favourite to beat lower table Cardiff City. West Bromwich Albion were bottom of the First Division that year by the way and were relegated. South Shields and Clapton Orient played in the Second Division. Cardiff had lost the final two years previously losing to Sheffield United.
The Cardiff boys relaxed before the final at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club and on their way round were followed by a black cat. Convinced this was an omen, the players persuaded the owner of the cat to let them have it for a day or two, in exchange for a cup final ticket. The cat was christened Trixie.
For the first time community singing was introduced to the pre-match entertainment and despite concerns that the 91,206 crowd would not join in, it was a great success. The first stadium conductor was T.P.Ratcliff, known as "the man in white". The tradition died out in the 1970s as crowds sang their own songs but "Abide with me" still remains a favourite.
In a dull game, by the 73rd minute, not much had happened which suited underdogs (cats?). As Cardiff attacked a low shot went in from Ferguson and Arsenal's Welsh goalkeeper, Dan Lewis, dived and appeared to fumble the ball. It went through his grasp and under his body, apparently slipping on his new cup final jersey that had hardly been tested. Into the net went the ball.
On St George's day the saints were not with Arsenal. The Cardiff boys claimed Trixie was the clue to success but the Arsenal crew said it was the new slippy jersey and through superstition did not wash the goalkeeping jersey before a game.
Cardiff's captain, Fred Keenor, was described as a hard tackling, strong running, big voiced and chain smoking wing half. He put his fag out before he received the cup.
Two great snippets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpftcY-7OwU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5A5CNx9M2s
The other great Cup Final moment was in 1930, but you will have to wait until tomorrow.
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