No. 39 – The 1974 FA Cup Final

No. 39 – The 1974 FA Cup Final

Number 39 in the TIA Days We’ll Remember all our Lives countdown brings us back to the 1974 FA Cup Final – Liverpools fifth FA Cup Final. Newcastle were making a record eleventh appearance in an FA Cup final and the stage was set for a keenly’“awaited showdown.

Liverpool faced a tough oppossition with striker Malcolm MacDonald, Bobby Moncur, Ian McFaul, David Craig and Tommy Cassidy all lining up for the Magpies. Two player who would go on to become Kop idols, Alan Kennedy and Terry McDermott also lined up for the opposition.

Liverpool and Newcastle arrived at Wembley with over 100,000 spectators greeting them onto the pitch. After a first half of few chances, Liverpool finally took control of the game in style in the second half. Alec Lindsay opened the scoring – the best F.A. Cup goal that never was after the linesman had judged Lindsay offside much to the discontent of the travelling Liverpool supporters. Television replays showed that the return ball had actually reached him via a Newcastle boot and not Keegan’s.

Liverpool did open the scoring in the 58th minute when Kevin Keegan collected a Tommy Smith cross before thumping a fierce shot across McFaul and into the far corner of the net. Steve Heighway then made it 2-0 while Kevin Keegan scored his second of the game after a move of flowing football with only minutes remaining, it was a memorable goal with thirteen passes between Liverpool players creating the goal for Keegan. Liverpool won 3-0 bringing the FA Cup back to Liverpool for only the second time in the clubs history.

The images of Emlyn Hughes walking up the thirty nine steps to collect the Cup and the triumphant Bill Shankly heading to the Wembley tunnel with a red flag held above his head will never ever be forgotten.

While the celebrations were taking place, no Liverpool supporter could ever have predicted that Shanklys days at Anfield were quickly drawing to an end. Shankly stunned the world of football that Summer by announcing his retirement, after clinching his final piece of silverware.

Liverpools Team : Clemence, Smith, Lindsay, Thompson, Cormack, Hughes, Keegan, Hall, Heighway, Toshack, Callaghan

Liverpools Goals :
Kevin Keegan (57)
Steve Heighway (75)
Kevin Keegan (88)