Golden days remembered

May 17 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

TO COINCIDE with FA cup final day, flashback this week looks back at the times when teams from the North East have reached the final of the premier domestic competition in England.

As Portsmouth and Cardiff go head to head at New Wembley today, fans of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough may be thinking back to the past glory days for their clubs.

Newcastle United have lifted the trophy six times and been runners-up a further seven. Only Arsenal and Manchester United have reached the final more times than the Magpies.

The club’s first ever final appearance was in 1905, a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa. The game was played at Crystal Palace in front of thousands of people.

Revenge was gained in 1924 as the same teams were involved in the second ever final to be played at Wembley, this time a 2-0 win to the black and whites.

In 1951 there was a festival atmosphere in the city when the Magpies won their fourth FA Cup after defeating Blackpool 2-0 in the final.

The bunting was put out and signs put up at Central Station to welcome the heroes home. Thousands lined the streets as the team was driven through the city in a coach.

There were further wins in 1910, 1932, 1952 and 1955. In 1974, there were incredible scenes on the streets of the city when tens of thousands of fans turned out to welcome their team home even though they had actually lost the final to Liverpool.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have reached the final four times and won twice, the last time in 1973. On that occasion, a shock 1-0 win against Leeds, the team paraded the trophy on an open topped bus, in front of streets packed with fans. The only other time Sunderland have lifted the trophy was in 1937, a 3-1 win over Preston. Sunderland last reached the final when they were defeated by Liverpool 2-0 in 1992.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough’s one and only Wembley appearance ended in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in 1997.