Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Just came across this in David Kynaston's book "A World To Build" about post war austerity 1945-1948:-
"The FA Cup took place in 1945-6 on a two leg basis. Less than glamorous Accrington Stanley found themselves pitted in the third round against Manchester United, with the first leg at Peel Park. Two down at half time, Stanley then, "in as plucky a come-back I have ever seen" (in the words of local reporter "Jason"), drew level with two minutes to go to the accompaniment of an almost hysterical roar of triumph from the crowd". Predictably, United won the return 5-1 -but "the game might have taken on a different aspect if two cruel pieces of ill-fortune had not come Stanley's way". Three rounds later there was a disaster at Bolton's Burnden Park when 33 spectators were crushed to death."

I wonder what the 2 pieces of ill-fortune were. Any octogenarians out there with good memories?

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

only guessing Mick, but we had two players that day, Mauchline and Lythgoe, who had played in previous games leading up to the United ties, Mauchline never played for us again and Lythgoe didn't play again for a few weeks. Maybe injury scuppered us?

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Only thing I can find is that 1st goal was an OG.

About Man Utd | Manchester United vs Accrington Stanley - 9 Jan 1946

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Why was it played at Maine Rd-was Old Trafford bombed?

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

If not, it shoulda been.:D

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

It was, they didn't start playing back at Old Trafford until 1949.

You've been associating with jaysay too much. It was some dozy German heading for Deadwood, pressed his bomb release button too early.

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Don't worry, Cashy. It was hit twice in one night:
About Man Utd | The Old Trafford story

I don't suppose it was Bert Trautmann, though.

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

During that period after the war Stanley had a lot of guest players so the team only consisted of players that were available. My husband remembers Eddie Mauchline but seems to think he was a guest player. the team that played together most around that time was Holdcroft Reeday, Wilson, Molloy Briggs(capt) Malcolm, Conroy Rothwell, Mercer Keeley and Clarke

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

tick tock the clocks ticking;)

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Walter Keeley was playing when I first saw t'Stanley c 1950

I suggest a visit to the library to look at the old Observers - they will reveal what the tragedies were.

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Be difficult Bob, shes in Perth.:D

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Irene does, but Redraine lives in Clayton.

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

I know but as yeh quoted Irene n me not being a mind reader.:D

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

OK. I try to avoid going into Accy these days because of all the empty shops, but will have a look and report back.

Re: Stanley in post war FA cup
 

Mystery solved. After a session on the microfiche records of old Accy Observers, I can reveal that WHALLEY(!) is to blame for the cruel bad luck. After holding their own for most of the first half and equalising to make it 1-1, Stanley took a "magnificent" corner which all in the ground bar the ref and liner saw that the afore-mentioned defender clearly handled in the area. After consulting the linesman the ref gave a corner from which United gained possession and sped upfield. The winger put in a high cross which looked like it was going out of play, but our goalie tried to grab it and only succeeded in gifting it to a United forward who slammed it into the net. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose!
I make that only 1 and a half pieces of cruel misfortune, not 2 as reported.
Interestingly enough Stanley played Barrow at Holker Street the following Saturday and came away winners by 0-5!
I also see that Newport beat Aston Villa 5-2 last Sunday! Villa only played a "development squad", but still.........