My FA Cup memories began in 1981 with the final contested between Man City and Spurs. I can vividly remember huddling around our first colour TV watching Ricky Villa waltz his way through the City defence. From this moment on, I have been hooked on the magic of the FA Cup and longed for my beloved Red Devils to make their way to Wembley.
My dreams came true just two years later. I had been heartbroken earlier that year when the Reds had been beaten in the Milk Cup by our arch rivals from Merseyside. Seeing Ronnie Whelan curl an unstoppable shot high into our net helped to seal a life long hatred of Liverpool. I was heartbroken watching them celebrate round the wonderful Wembley stadium parading the trophy to their supporters.
After a relatively comfortable passage to the Semi Finals after victories against West Ham, Derby, Luton and Everton having not conceded a goal, we were drawn against Arsenal with the game to be played at Villa Park which has subsequently become a popular neutral Semi Final venue for the Reds over the years.
I remember marvelling at Norman Whiteside's volleyed winner which took us through to Wembley. The way he watched the ball bounce and then caught it perfectly with that magical left foot (which would be used to similar effect just two years later, curling a majestic shot past Neville Southall) was a joy to behold. As John Motson described that day it was "absolutely fantastic". Re-live the moment with the You Tube clip below. Love Arthur Albiston jumping on Jim McGregor and planting a huge smacker on his lips!
Our path to FA Cup glory was now blocked by the ultimate underdogs Brighton & Hove Albion who had overcome Sheffield Wednesday to reach Wembley in the same season that they had been relegated from Division One. Surely we could not fail to beat the boys from the South Coast who had their inspirational captain and talisman Steve Foster (remember the bright white head band and bushy beard?) suspended. Brighton did not read the script however and gave us an almighty fright and should have won it in the last minute when Gordon Smith went one on one with Gary Bailey leading to the now legendary commentary quote "and Smith must score" from Peter Jones on BBC Radio. Thankfully, our keeper smothered the shot and we made it to a replay a few days later. Our goals that day were scored by Stapleton and a rare beauty from Ray Wilkins.
The side selected by Ron Atkinson that day contained an FA Cup debutant in Alan Davies who was a right winger who only played for United seven times (due to a succession of injuries) but no Red will forget his performances both in the Final and the Replay. Tragically Davies committed suicide in 1992. The United defence contained the tried and tested Duxbury, McQueen, Moran and Albiston. Centre midfield was packed with the class of Robson and Wilkins complemented by the classy left footed genius that was Arnold Muhren (who I had seen many times at Portman Road, Ipswich) and the right winger Davies. Up front was Frank Stapleton and Norman Whiteside. Looking through the names just mentioned, that team looks awesomely strong and not one to take on in a battle. If Big Gordon and Kevin Moran didn't clatter you then waiting in the wings would be Captain Marvel and the likes of Whiteside and Stapleton. These were the days of just a single substitute and Ashley Grimes filled the role in both games.
A 4-0 replay victory duly followed with goals from Robson (2), Whiteside and a Muhren penalty. I loved the game so much that I can remember watching it back numerous times on our top loader VCR (complete with remote control on a long lead!) to such an extent that I could recite the majority of John Motson's commentary.
What are your memories of the 1983 FA Cup Final? Does the FA Cup still hold the same magic for you?
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