Top 10 FA Cup Giantkillers

There have been some amazing results over the years where the supposed smaller team has turned over one of the ‘giants’ of the game.

On FA Cup Quarter final day I thought it would be a good time to review the most memorable.

1) Hereford United v Newcastle United 5th Feb 1972

This one is really painful so has to be my no 1!  I was at St James Park for the 3rd Round tie on the 24th of January.  The match was keenly awaited following 2 postponements and finished with an amazing 2-2 scoreline.  We had assumed that the then top tier team would easily see of the Southern League part timers but it was not to be.

The replay was 3 times postponed and eventually took place on 4th Round day on a Quagmire of a pitch.  I can’t bear to go into too much detail but Ronnie Redford’s superb goal is forever etched on my mind.

2) Yeovil Town v Sunderland 1949

Sorry, had to include this one to cheer myself up.  A fantastic 2-1 win after extra time. Yeovil went on to play Manchester United in the next round in front of 81,000 fans, they lost 8-0.

3) Sutton United v Coventry City 1989

Coventry were 6th in the top division and had won the cup 2 years before but were brought down to earth by non league Sutton by a 2-1 scoreline.  This was the last time that a top flight club has been knocked out of the cup by a non league team.

4) Stoke City v Blyth Spartans 1978

Stoke had recently been relegated but had quality players in their side such as Howard Kendall and Garth Crooks.  Blyth from the Northern League, won 2-1 and went on to lose to Wrexham in the 5th Round after a replay at St James Park, which was watched by more than 42,000.

5) Leeds United v Sunderland 1973

This wouldn’t be a giant killing these days but at that time Leeds were the dominant force in the English game while Sunderland were languishing in the second tier.  Sunderland had an amazing run to the final but were huge underdogs and it was a major surprise when they lifted the cup 1-0.  Memorable for the goal, Jim Montgomery’s wonder save and Bob Stokoe’s celebrations.

6 Bournemouth v Manchester United 1984

The first of 3 cup shocks for United engineered by Harry Redknapp, doesn’t. it feel like he has been around for ever?  Manchester may not have been quite the force they are now however they were FA Cup holders and Bournrmouth were in the 3rd tier at that time.  A fairly comprehensive 2-0 win to the minnows.

7) Barnsley v Chelsea 2008

Chelsea’s team had all their stars including Micheal Ballack and John Terry but Barnsley, fresh from their victory at Liverpool in the previous round, won 1-0 to move into the semi finals.

8) Wrexham v Arsenal 1992

The season prior to this Arsenal were champions and Wrexham were bottom of the entire league so who would have thought that the Welshmen would run out 2-1 winners?  A Mickey Thomas stunning free kick contributed to a great win which turned around Wrexhams fortunes.

9) Liverpool v Wimbledon 1988

‘The Wombles’ weren’t exactly the most fashionable of teams having risen up the leagues in spectacular fashion with an uncompromising style.  They were overwhelming underdogs against a strong Liverpool side but won 1-0 with a goal from Lawrie Sanchez.  The Crazy Gang were worthy winners soaking up a lot of pressure with a penalty save from Dave Beasant.

10) Walsall v Arsenal 1933

Division 3 South Walsall faced a hopeless situation when they drew first league leaders Arsenal for their 3^rd round FA Cup playoff. At the time, the professional Arsenal team was worth thousands of pounds, whereas little Walsall’s team cost only £70. However, Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman made one fatal error. Believing the result was a foregone conclusion, he rested three of his top players. Walsall took their chance and scored two unanswered goals, to hand Arsenal a humiliating defeat.