For April 11th I'm going back 34 years to 1987 and the FA Cup Semi-Final between Spurs and Watford at Villa Park, Birmingham.
I've managed to attend 7 FA Cup Semi-Finals down the years and this was my second and my second and last at Villa Park. I make no apologies for choosing so many memorable matches from season 1986/87. Spurs played a sumptuous brand of exciting winning attacking football that year under David Pleat and were in contention for all the big prizes until very late in the season. It was a Spurs campaign that I've enjoyed more than any other albeit that the sheer technical ability and athleticism on show in the last half a dozen years is probably even better. Just not as exciting that's all.
These days, FA Cup Semi-Finals are all played at Wembley irrespective of the location of the participants concerned. There's an undeniable logic to it. The stadium can accommodate more spectators than any other and Semi-Finals have traditionally been played at a neutral venue, which Wembley is. Fans also get a day out at the national stadium which is a treat for most unless you happen to support one of those clubs that goes there regularly. Traditionalists complain that holding the Semi-Finals at Wembley diminishes the Final itself however and they have a point.
Spurs went into the game as strong favourites, not least because Watford had serious problems in the goalkeeping department. There were problems for both their first choice (Tony Coton) and his replacement (Steve Sherwood) and they needed cover. Step forward Gary Plumley. Gary's father, Eddie, happened to be Chief Executive at Watford and his son's name was suggested as a stop-gap measure to fill the goalkeeping substitute position despite Gary being retired, Amazingly, In the week before the match, Sherwood dislocated a finger and Plumley was suddenly in Watford's starting line-up for his one and only Watford appearance.
Before an attendance of 46,151 Spurs weren't ready to enable Plumley's fairy tale however and had blown Watford away with three goals in the first 35 minutes from Steve Hodge, Clive Allen and cousin Paul Allen. The game finished 4-1 and Hot Shot Tottenham were on their way to Wembley for their eighth FA Cup Final having won the previous seven. Coventry City overcame Leeds United 3-2 after extra time at Hillsborough the following day to reach their first ever Final.
Incidentally, Plumley did get paid for his efforts that day. Apparently he went straight out and bought a fridge with the money and it became known as "the Watford fridge" in his household. What became of it is unknown but don't let that bother you. Just chill.
CRB Match No. 500
Comments
Post a Comment