PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor has some fantastic memories of FA Cup Finals, but probably his strongest, if not fondest, is the cup final appearance he was denied.
Cast your minds back, it’s 1975 and
Fulham are playing Gordon’s
Birmingham in the semi finals.
He recalls how a medium predicted that ‘Taylor’ would go on to score two goals in the final. And so it came to pass.
Unfortunately for Gordon, whose Birmingham side were beaten by Fulham, the Taylor concerned was Alan, who did indeed score two goals in the final as
West Ham beat the Cottagers, who were led by Bobby Moore.
“That was as close as I came to reaching a final and, of course, it was bitterly disappointing,” Gordon recollects. “The forecast was correct, apart from the first name.”
But despite that personal disappointment, FA Cup Finals hold nothing but fond memories for Gordon whose former club
Bolton hold the distinction of playing in, and winning, the first final to be held at Wembley Stadium back in 1923.
“FA Cup Finals are magnificent occasions and, as much as anything, they help you remember what you were doing in your life at the time.
“The FA Cup has this unique charm of giving every footballer in the country the chance of glory; of making heroes out of previously unknown players.”
Even with so many FA Cup finals to recall, Gordon has no hesitation in naming the best of the lot: “Without doubt it was the Matthews Cup Final of 1953.
“Sir Stan had waited so long for his magical moment and even though it came against my club, Bolton, no-one could have denied him that joy of collecting his winners’ medal.”
As for this year’s final, Gordon predicts a tight affair between
Chelsea and
Everton whose respective managers deserve immense credit for their contributions this season.
“Guus Hiddink has done a wonderful job in galvanising Chelsea, whilst David Moyes has again been voted as Manager of the Year by his peers. I’m looking forward to an exciting game and another wonderful Wembley occasion.”
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