by Tim Carter

Created on: August 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

A clash of the titans, David versus Goliath and derby day comes to Wembley. Three cliches but entirely appropriate for the cup finals in question. The three games were all memorable for dramatic football and have become my favourites for personal reasons too.

The 1970 cup final was the first one I can remember watching and because it inspired me to take football seriously including playing has to be included as a favourite. As it turned out it was also an exciting game and replay. Chelsea and Leeds were two of the top teams having finished second and third in the league that year. In addition the contrasting styles and personalities of the two teams made for an intriguing match up. The first game was played in appalling conditions as constant rain churned up a pitch that had amazingly been used for the Horse of the Year show the week before! Leeds were considered favourites to win as tough players such as Charlton,Hunter and Bremner were expected to dominate in these adverse circumstances. Leeds were the better team on the day, but their man of the match ironically was a skilful little player called Eddie Gray who ran rings round the Chelsea defence as the ball seemed to be stuck to his foot. Chelsea,however,equalised twice with their first goal being a weak shot that somehow crept under the body of the Leeds goalkeeper, Sprake.I am sure that goal still haunts him today. Two goals in the last four minutes of the game sent it to a replay which Chelsea won 2-1 after extra time.

My next choice was the first and currently only time I have been to a cup final.I was also a steward at the match which was particularly special as the match featured Brighton who were my local club.I had also managed to see almost all their cup run live, including their semi final. The score stood at one all when I had a fantastic view of the ball curling into the top corner of the goal..unfortunately the scorer was Ray Wilkins for Manchester United. Brighton equalised five minutes from time and also took this game to extra time. With one minute remaining the ball fell to Gordon Smith,a Brighton player,unmarked and central to the goal. The tv commentator shrieked,"..and Smith must score!". He didn`t, a Brighton fanzine was later to be named after the commentator`s confident prediction and Manchester United won the replay 4-0.

The 1989 cup final featured my own favourite team, Liverpool, play Everton in a Merseyside derby.It was set against the horrific background of the Hillsborough disaster when 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives through crush injuries when fences collapsed at the start of their semi final. Merseyside united and it appeared Liverpool would complete a routine victory as they led 1-0 with one minute to go. Although Liverpool were famed for scoring late goals this time it was Everton`s substitute, Stuart McCall, who tied things up at 1-1. This late equaliser also almost led to me losing my job as I had to go to work before extra time started. Fortunately,as I worked in a leisure centre,there was a television showing the game and I made regular visits to get updates on the score and watch some of the action. Liverpool`s own substitute, icon Ian Rush, put them 2-1 up only for McCall to hammer home a spectacular, second equaliser. Ian Rush,Liverpool and respect for absent friends from Hillsborough were not to be denied though as Rush headed in to make the final score 3-2.

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