Today's Semi-Final with Southampton kicks off in just over 3 hours, and I keep harking back to the Semi at Hillsborough in 1963 when we reached the Final, beating Liverpool by a Mike Stringfellow goal on a rainy Saturday (27th April to be precise). Being an old geriatric these days I thought I'd share my memories of that day and wonder if there are any other supporters old enough to remember?
Having managed to get a ticket for the match, I travelled up to Sheffield together with many other supporters on the train. One of the "Football Specials" that were laid on in those days.
On the way were were all talking about the upcoming match and we started comparing our tickets to see where we would be standing - Couldn't afford a seat! Suddenly one of the lads frantically searched all his pockets and it dawned on him he'd left his behind on the kitchen table. Cue great consternation, but then he consoled himself that he'd probably be able to buy one off a tout at the ground - no matter what it cost.
As for the game, it was hard fought and Gordon Banks excelled in keeping the Reds at bay to keep a clean sheet and "Stringys" goal took us to Wembley (only to lose to then relegation-threatened Man. U.
My abiding memory of the day wasn't the game itself but what the rain caused. Standing on the open Penistone Road end behind the goal no-one could do anything when the heavens opened - just grin and bear it! The aftermath led to all sorts of rumours of lots of bad fights among both sets of supporters on leaving the ground. Back at the railway station people were talking about seeing loads of people with blood streaming down their faces. What had actually happened was that a daily paper had been handing out paper hats to the fans going in, and with the Liverpool hats printed in bright red, the ink had run due to the rain and given their wearers a blood-soaked appearance.
Appearances can be misleading!
Semi-Final 1963 - Were you there?
posted on 18/4/21
My brother and I were both at this game, probably the same end as Albert. No segregation, of course - all standing together. I remember having a newspaper over my head for most of the second half. And no aggravation whatsoever from Liverpool fans. After the Stringfellow goal it was basically attack v defence.
Wonderful experience.
Also remember the queue round the Filbert Street ground to get the tickets! Huge.
posted on 18/4/21
I wondered when someone might mention we are playing a FA Cup semi-final today.
Hats off to you both for being there in 63.
I was too young then but made the 74 and 82 games. Remember standing behind the goal at Old Trafford when Keegan hit the post with a screamer, think Shilton got a touch as it came back out. Saw them lose the replay and the 82 game, both at Villa Park, so have never seen us win a FA Cup semi although I still have the Sports Mercury picture of Alan Clarke holding his goal scoring boot in the 69 win over WBA.
Would love us to win the cup but guess it doesn't mean as much as it used to to a lot of fans.
posted on 18/4/21
There are some great memories here. All I can say is thank God for dad’s radiogram for 69. I was also holding a transistor radio close for the 74 and 82 semi-finals and that’s the best I could do.
It was just about this time 52 years ago I was frantically phoning local football clubs in my quest for a Wembley ticket (many of whom held a small allocation I was told).