Sunderland Disaster To Glory In Defeat at Old Trafford

By Russell Plummer

Illegal bonuses offered to players for the 1966-67 season fourth round FA Cup tie at Sunderland - a game in which Posh ironically receicved a 7-1 thrashing - were one of the irregularities for which Posh were fined and demoted from Division Three to Division Four at the end of the 1967-68 season. Despite already knowing their fate, Posh, with Norman Rigby newly installed as manager, again made it to round three of the cup but lost by the only goal against Portsmouth in a London Road tie notable for two glaring misses Stuart Brace, a forward who was never forgiven by Posh fans. The Posh side was: Tony Millington, Frank Noble, Ron Cooper, John Linnell, Frank Rankmore, Brian Wright, Stuart Brace, Ollie Conmy, John Fairbrother, Peter Thompson, Dave Metchick. Unused Sub: George Adams.

Cup interest continued into the New Year in the 1969-70 season when after first and second round wins over Falmouth Town and Plymouth Argyle, Jim Hall fired a third round winner for Jim Iley's side at Rotherham before Posh hit the road again in round four for a game at Gillingham where despite Peter Price opening the score, it all went wrong and Posh slumped to a 5-1 defeat. In action at Priestfield were: Mick Drewery, John Payne, Frank Noble, Ivan Hampton, John Wile, Brian Wright, Bobby Moss, Peter Price, Jim Hall, Jim Iley, Tommy Robson.

Ipswich Town, Posh giant-killing victims in former years, gained a measure of revenge in 1971-72 when coming to London Road for a third round tie and netting in either half to win 2-0. It was a disappointing day for Posh fans after the game generated a lot of interest and attracted the season's biggest London Road crowd of 16,970. The Posh team was: Mick Drewery, Jack Carmichael, Eric Brookes, Denis Oakes, Chris Turner, Brian Wright; Bobby Moss, Peter Price, Richie Barker, Ollie Conmy, Tommy Robson. Sub: Mick Darrell (for Moss).

Posh also reached round three in 1972-73 with Noel Cantwell arriving as manager just before a first round defeat of Northampton Town when Hall scored the goal that put out his former club. A replay was needed before Bishop's Stortford succumbed in round two and then came a January home tie against Brian Clough's reigning First Division champions Derby County. Predictably, Cantwell wound up his side to produce a spirited showing and after 90 enthralling minutes all that separated them was a solitary goal by County striker Roger Davies. Playing for Posh were: Mick Drewery, Keith Bradley, John Duncliffe, Denis Oakes, Chris Turner, Jack Carmichael, Don Heath, John Cozens, Jim Hall, Eric Young, Tommy Robson. Sub: Ray Smith (for Robson).

Although promotion was top of the 1973-74 season agenda, Cantwell's side still provided some FA Cup excitement with Colchester, Wycombe Wanderers and Southend overcome on the way to round four and a home meeting with Leeds United. With an all-ticket capacity crowd of 28,000 crowd at London Road, Leeds, managed by Don Revie, turned on the style to race into a 4-0 half time lead with two goals from Joe Jordan and one apiece by Terry Yorath (pictured left) and Peter Lorimer. Posh did better in the second period and Cozens netted to make the final score 4-1.

There was another FA Cup marathon in 1974-75 when Posh needed three meetings to oust Weymouth in round one. They were more convincing against Charlton Athletic, Tranmere Rovers and Stafford Rangers in subsequent ties and then received Middlesbrough in round five. Jon Nixon put Posh in front with Jack Charlton's side levelling after the break to take Posh back to Ayresome Park where Graeme Souness returned from suspension to tip the balance in Boro's favour and play a big part in a 2-0 win. The Posh side for both games was: Eric Steele, Keith Bradley, Jeff Lee, Freddie Hill, Chris Turner, Jack Carmichael, Bert Murray, David Gregory, Jon Nixon, David Price, Tommy Robson.

In the following season Posh retained an interest in the League Cup until early November and then switched straight into FA Cup mode to overcome non-league rivals Winsford and Coventry Sporting Club. New Year's Day 1976 brought a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground and Cantwell's side finished the job at London Road with 17,866 seeing Nixon's goal sink a highly rated side then managed by Brian Clough.

Manchester United at Old Trafford was the glittering fourth round prize, an occasion former United skipper Cantwell described as 'Our Wembley!' A crowd of 56,352 saw the tie start with a jittery Posh defence giving United a couple of soft goals, but composure returned with John Cozens netting for Posh who stayed in the hunt until Gordon Hill hit a third for the home side. The Posh side was: Eric Steele, Bert Murray, Jim Walker, Peter Eustace, Chris Turner, Jack Carmichael, Jon Nixon, David Gregory, John Cozens, Lyndon Hughes, Tommy Robson. Sub: Mick Jones (for Robson).

Posh Captain Chris Turner (right) at Old Trafford

In contrast, the 1976-77 campaign saw Posh knocked out by non-league Northwich Victoria but it was cup business as usual in 1977-78 with progress to round three via victories over Barnet (whose side included former England legend Jimmy Greaves), and Gillingham 2-0 in a London Road replay after a 1-1 draw at Priestfield. The third round brought Newcastle United to London Road and it ended all square with Gary Sargent levelling within a few minutes of the Magpies going in front.

At St.James's Park, the replay turned on a penalty given away by Jack Carmichael early in the second half and with Posh never really recovering, Newcastle added a second goal late on. In action for Posh were: Jim Barron, Lyndon Hughes, Jeff Lee, Bob Doyle, Chris Turner, Ian Ross, Alan Slough, Billy McEwan, Gary Sargent, Jack Carmichael, Tommy Robson.

After a couple of seasons with first round exits Peter Morris steered his side to round five in 1980-81. Posh started by beating Northampton Town, Barnet and Chesterfield (after a replay) before Robbie Cooke's second half effort beats Notts County at Meadow Lane. A fifth round pairing with Manchester City brought a capacity crowd of 27,780 to London Road for a tie in which Posh caused a lot of problems for their highly rated rivals before being beaten by a goal from Tommy Booth.

Posh: Keith Waugh, Dave McVay, Ian Phillips, Mick Gynn, Trevor Slack, Alan Slough, Trevor Quow, Billy Kellock, Robbie Cooke, Gordon Hodgson, Tommy Robson. Sub: Dave Syrett (for Phillips).

Third round exits came against Bristol City in 1981-82 and Luton Town a year later and it was 1985-86 before there was another lengthy run, the highlight coming with a third round home win over Leeds United when Greg Shepherd scored the only goal on 67 minutes. Posh then lost goalkeeper John Turner with a broken leg and held on through a frantic final spell with defender Martin Pike deputising between the posts.

A home win over Carlisle followed and Posh were drawn at home in round five to Brighton and Hove Albion, the game ending 2-2 to set-up a Goldstone Ground replay when the Seagulls were flying high after a 1-0 victory. In action for Posh in both Brighton games were: Mike Astbury, Alan Paris, Martin Pike, Francis Cassidy, John Wile, Trevor Slack, Andy Kowalski, Lil Fuccillo, Greg Shepherd, Errington Kelly, Gary Worrall.

It was 1990-91 before there was progress to round three once more and when Posh hit the FA Cup trail in November Dave Booth was caretaker manager following the departure of Mark Lawrenson. Hereford were beaten after a replay and then it needed two games to account for Wycombe Wanderers, skipper Mick Halsall and Paul Culpin netting to bring a 2-0 home replay win.

A tough away tie at Port Vale was the third round prize and it proved a step too far for Posh who lost 2-1 despite taking an early lead through Halsall. The team, was: Paul Bradshaw, Noel Luke, Phil Crosby, Mick Halsall, Gerry McElhinney, Gary Butterworth, Worrell Sterling, Mark Hine, David Riley, Paul Culpin. Dale Watkins. Sub: Steve Osborne (for Watkins).

Promotion to Division One meant Posh did not enter the FA Cup fray until round three in 1993-94 when they were drawn at home to Tottenham Hotspur and looked to be heading for an upset when grabbing the lead through Jason Brissett after just over an hour. Jason Dozzell saved Spurs' bacon with a late equaliser and it was just as tight in the replay at White Hart Lane.

Nick Barmby put Spurs in front, Ken Charlery levelled and with extra time producing no further goals it went to a penalty decider which Spurs won 5-4 after teenager Andy Furnell's effort was saved by Ian Walker. Posh: Fred Barber, Dave McDonald, Chris Greenman, John McGlashan, Lee Howarth, Steve Welsh, Tony Adcock, Detsi Kruszynski, Dominic Iorfa, Ken Charlery, Jason Brissett. Subs: Tony Spearing (for Greenman), Andy Furnell (for Iorfa).

By 1995-96 Posh were back in at round one and managed to put together a run to round four but failed to pull any glamour sides in the draw and it was the same story in 1996-97 when defeat at Wrexham spoiled Barry Fry's dream of taking Posh to Birmingham City in round five - and a trip to Wrexham was also the side's downfall in 1998-99. Barry's cup luck was no better in 1999-2000 with first round defeat by Brighton in a tie that went to a replay at Withdean after the Seagulls came back to 1-1 at London Road after Andy Clarke put Posh in front.

In season 2000/01 Posh needed replays to get past Mansfield Town and Oldham Athletic in the first and second rounds, the eventual victory at Oldham with Richard Forsyth on target, being notable for an out of this world goalkeeping display Mark Tyler. A third round visit to Chelsea whipped up tremendous interest and over 3,000 Posh fans were at Stamford Bridge in a 31,912 crowd to see the Premiership giants cruise to a 5-0 win, most of the damage being done in a blistering first half period.

The Posh squad at Stamford Bridge was: Mark Tyler, Matthew Gill, Gareth Jelleyman, Andy Edwards, Adam Drury, David Oldfield, David Farrell, Richard Forsyth, Francis Green, Leon McKenzie, Andy Clarke. Subs: Dean Hooper, Dan Connor, Tony Shields, Howard Forinton, Simon Rea.