{"id":3361,"date":"2021-05-14T06:50:47","date_gmt":"2021-05-14T05:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3361"},"modified":"2021-05-16T18:13:33","modified_gmt":"2021-05-16T17:13:33","slug":"personal-memories-of-the-road-to-the-71-fa-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3361","title":{"rendered":"Personal Memories of the Road to the \u201971 FA Cup Final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>This is a wonderful piece courtesy of our own Goonersince54.  Clive, thank you for sharing such an evocative and memorable piece of your, and the Arsenal&#8217;s, history.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:594px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/79660386\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:75.252525% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/79660386?et=YkIw6WxpS2BED36x8cMhLg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=TmsSFWZR6FoIBAlm75Lf55_REt2mTmAVmHoukcjZiKc=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\" width=\"594\" height=\"447\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Arsenal\u2019s first match in the 1970-71 FA Cup was a 3<sup>rd<\/sup>&nbsp;Round tie away to Yeovil.&nbsp;&nbsp;This game was sandwiched between the Boxing Day 0-0 draw at home to Southampton and the 2-0 win at home against the Hammers on the 9th Jan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was working in retail at the time and as Saturday was always the busiest shopping day of the week, I couldn\u2019t attend the game. Moreover, it being the January sales, I wouldn\u2019t have had time to scratch myself, so I wouldn\u2019t have known the result&nbsp;until after closing time. We won 3-0 with a goal from Ray Kennedy and two goals from John Radford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 4th Round tie away to Portsmouth on Jan 23rd was a big test as we were coming off the back of a shock 2-0 loss in the league away to Huddersfield. This game was a real nail biter with a 40,000 crowd, packed into Fratton Park in pouring rain. We were ahead 1-0 at halftime from a Peter Storey penalty, and just when it looked as if we were going to see out the game for a hard-earned win, Pompey salvaged a draw with a last-minute goal to earn a replay at Highbury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was working again that day, it being a Saturday, but was sneaking off to keep up with the game on a radio I had brought into work. To say I was gutted by the very late equaliser would be an understatement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The replay was another fraught night, coming just 48hrs after another damaging league defeat away to Liverpool 2-0. Like the first game, it was played in pouring rain, and we were like drowned rats standing in our usual position near the dugout. I was at the game with Dad, and our hearts sank when Pompey scored very early, but Charlie George soon equalised, and \u2018Simmo\u2019 scored with a great header to give us the lead. Credit to Pompey though, they never gave up and when they equalised for a 2nd time, I remember saying to Dad that I thought we were headed for extra time. Then&nbsp;big Raddy got taken out in the penalty area, and \u2018Mr Cool\u2019 stepped up to score from the spot and seal the 3-2 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was quite a spiteful match with Pompey trying to unsettle us by getting really stuck in and I think they had a player sent off near the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, we were through to the 5th round though the knowledge that we had to play Man City away at Maine Road did not fill me with any great confidence. The tie should have been played on Saturday 13th February but for the life of me I cannot remember why it wasn\u2019t. Maybe it was inclement weather? Can you remember?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyway, it was played the following Wednesday, the 17th, and Charlie George who had missed a large chunk of the season with injury, scored 2 crackers and the team surprised most supporters including me, by coming away with a 2 \u20131 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 6th Round away tie against Second Division high flyers Leicester on Saturday 6th March, came on the back of a good 3-0 league win over Wolves at Highbury, but again, I was reduced to trying to follow the game on the radio while working, making for a very fraught afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We were totally outplayed on a typical early spring heavy pitch and, but for some outstanding defensive work and top goalkeeping by Bob, we would have lost and history would never have been made. The game ended 0-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dad and I were at the Highbury replay which had to be deferred for 10 days to Monday 15<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;as we were still in the Fairs Cup and had a home game against Cologne&nbsp;on Wednesday the 9<sup>th<\/sup>. The replay was almost as fraught as the first game, a very nervy\/tight\/tense game with so much at stake for both clubs. Dad was like a cat on a hot tin roof which inevitably transferred itself to me! We were packed in like sardines and you couldn\u2019t have fallen over if you tried. We were all, to a man, devastated when it looked as if Leicester had taken the lead in the first half and at the time, we had absolutely no idea why the goal was eventually disallowed. We later found out that it was chalked off for a push on Pat Rice, spotted by the linesman. That saved our bacon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then just before the interval, we got the breakthrough via a pinpoint Geordie Armstrong corner that Charlie rose up in the night sky to just beat the Leicester keeper Peter Shilton to it, and head us into the lead. I spent most of the 2nd half looking at the clock, willing it to go faster, as it seemed to take an age to tick round to 9.15pm and the final whistle. Cue absolute joy among the fans, hugging everyone within reach at the prospect of a semi-final appearance and one more game to get through for a potential Wembley final. It\u2019s worth pointing out that Leicester were a very good side and they were unlucky to lose. Their consolation was winning the Second Division title and promotion to the First Division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the semi-final against Stoke on Saturday March 27<sup>th<\/sup>, the omens weren\u2019t good. We were coming off a very dispiriting 1- 0 loss away to Cologne in midweek which knocked us out of the Fairs Cup on the away goals rule and to say we started off looking very heavy-legged and low on confidence, was an understatement. Stoke just blew us away, and in truth, could have scored 3 or 4 with a bit more luck. Of course, I was working as usual and here I have to make a confession. I had my radio out the back in the stockroom off the sales floor and kept nipping out to check the progress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After going 0-2 down, we had pulled one back through Peter Storey very early in the 2nd half to make it 2-1, but try as we might we just couldn\u2019t create much and the clock wound down to the 90 minutes. With about a minute to go, I grumpily turned the radio off, convinced that we were out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was working at the Wimbledon Woolworth store as Assistant manager at the time and to say it was an Arsenal fan free zone would be putting it mildly. So, I was oblivious to the fact that we had scored in the last minute through a Peter Storey penalty to take the game to a replay. I only found out on the train going home after work that night when I saw the back page of the evening paper that a man sitting opposite me was reading!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the replay, Dad somehow managed to get 2 tickets through an Arsenal mate for the game at Villa Park on the following Wednesday.&nbsp;He knocked off work early and I got the nod from the Store Manager to do the same and we went up on a train full of hopeful and optimistic Gooners. It was a fantastic night with a hard fought 2-0 victory through goals from George Graham and Ray Kennedy. We returned on the train full of the same, this time very happy, singing, and heavily inebriated supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That night, along with the Final itself, were the two best times Dad and I had together during the Cup run, given the adversity we had to overcome to finally get our hands on the trophy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll no doubt have read about the Final already. If you haven&#8217;t, check the &#8216;Fan Memories&#8217; post from 10th May or hear Bob and Pat&#8217;s recollections on the video to which there is a link below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>THE CONVERSATION:  EPISODE TWO<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>And again&#8230;the second part of the conversation, and the second part of our Double Celebration<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">GHF.com are pleased to release this, especially considering the Arsenal events of these past couple weeks.  <strong>Lift your spirits<\/strong> by watching the second episode of two video conversations with Bob Wilson and Pat Rice about Arsenal&#8217;s 1970-71 Double year, on the 50th Anniversary of our FA Cup win over Liverpool at Wembley.  Remember to donate to <a href=\"https:\/\/willowfoundation.enthuse.com\/pf\/goonerholicsforeverforwillow-24136-5ca24\">Willow<\/a>, or bid on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?page_id=2492\">GHF.com Auction<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Click on the image below (or on the Youtube link below that) to watch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong> &#8220;Episode Two: Double Glory &#8212; The 1971 FA Cup Run&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video oncontextmenu=\"return false;\" controls=\"\" controlslist=\"nodownload\" preload=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/ghf_ep2_fa_cup_double.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, watch here:  <strong>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/tXKX_cJKyow\"><strong>Episode Two: Double Glory &#8212; The 1971 FA Cup Run<\/strong><\/a>&#8220;<\/strong> (on Youtube).  This is especially helpful if you&#8217;re having any loading issues with the link to the one the site is serving above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us know what you think in the &#8220;drinks&#8221; section below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>THE AUCTION<\/strong>:  NOW ACCEPTING BIDS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/auctionitems-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2891\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We are also pleased to remind you that our auction of signed 1970-71 Double memorabilia <strong>is open for bids through 23 May!<\/strong>  For full information, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?page_id=2492\">The Double\/Willow Auction<\/a> tab above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just a taste&#8230;the lots offered are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 1<\/span><\/strong>: A 1971 Cup Final replica shirt signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 2<\/span><\/strong>: A 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 3<\/span><\/strong>: A second 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 4<\/span><\/strong>: Bob Wilson&#8217;s autobiography, &#8216;Behind the Network&#8217; signed by Bob Wilson &amp; Ars\u00e8ne Wenger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All proceeds from the auction go to the Willow Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"534\" height=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image.jpeg 534w, https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-300x87.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-75x22.jpeg 75w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a wonderful piece courtesy of our own Goonersince54. Clive, thank you for sharing such an evocative and memorable piece of your, and the Arsenal&#8217;s, history. Embed from Getty Images The Arsenal\u2019s first match in the 1970-71 FA Cup was a 3rd&nbsp;Round tie away to Yeovil.&nbsp;&nbsp;This game was sandwiched between the Boxing Day 0-0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15,17,16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3361"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3361"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3381,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3361\/revisions\/3381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}