No. 64 – The 1971 FA Cup Final

July 20, 2009
Mark Broomy

Number 64 in the TIA Days We’ll Remember all our Lives countdown brings us back to the 1971 FA Cup Final, a day when tears were shed by bitter disappointment when Charlie George striked with only minutes remaining…. After ninety minutes and a level score, the 1971 FA Cup Final looked set to go in Liverpool’s favour as Heighway scored, however, it was Arsenal‘s day in the end but the battle was tough and thrilling.

Here TIA forum member Kenism brings us back to that day in Wembley….

“8th May, 1971 was a hot summer’s day and 100,000 fans looked on as a defensive battle took place in front of them. In the first ninety minutes neither side seemed willing to give an inch.

Chances were few and far between and when the ninety minutes were up nobody was surprised that the scoreline remained 0-0. Two minutes into extra time Steve Highway fired Liverpool into the lead after dancing past the Arsenal defence.

But the celebrations were short-lived as Eddie Kelly poked home a messy equaliser for the Gunners.

The stalemate continued into the second half of extra time until Charlie George let fly with a 20-yard shot which gave Clemence no chance. There was no stopping Arsenal now even though Liverpool battled bravely until the last minute but it was too late and the Arsenal jinx lived on.”

George’s goal secured the Double for Arsenal that season, with the league title having arrived five days earlier. Bill Shankly had built a second great Liverpool side with Ray Clemence, Chris Lawler, Alec Lindsay, Tommy Smith, Larry Lloyd, Emlyn Hughes, Ian Callaghan, Alun Evans, Steve Heighway, John Toshack and Brian Hall whose average age was just 21, but the image of Charlie George lying on his back with his arms outstretched is a celebration which unfortunately remains one of the FA Cup‘s most iconic images and an image that will never be forgotten around Merseyside.

Liverpools Team :

Ray Clemence, Chris Lawler, Alec Lindsay, Tommy Smith, Larry Lloyd, Emlyn Hughes, Ian Callaghan, Alun Evans, Steve Heighway, John Toshack, Brian Hall.