1909 FA Cup Final
Encyclopedia
The 1909 FA Cup Final was the final match
of the 1908–09 FA Cup, the 38th season of England's premier club football cup competition. The match was played on 24 April 1909 at Crystal Palace
, and was contested by Manchester United
and Bristol City
, both of the First Division
. Manchester United won by a single goal, scored by Sandy Turnbull
midway through the first half. This was the first of United's record eleven FA Cup
titles to date.
Both teams usually wore red shirts, so, prior to the final, the FA issued them with orders to change their kit for the match. Manchester United's players sported white shirts with a red V-stripe and a red rose of Lancashire on the left breast, while Bristol City chose to wear blue shirts. United made an event of the presentation of their new kits, hiring contemporary music hall
star George Robey
to present the uniforms to the players.
Manchester United inside left
Sandy Turnbull
had been struggling with a knee injury in recent times, but, on the morning of the match, he convinced his manager, Ernest Mangnall, that he could play. Turnbull's claim was endorsed by club captain Charlie Roberts
, who told Mangnall "[Turnbull] might get a goal and if he does we can afford to carry him."
The star of the Bristol City team was Billy Wedlock
, an England
international centre half
, but he failed to take control of the game and was nullified by United's half back trio of Dick Duckworth, Charlie Roberts
and Alex Bell
. United outside right
Billy Meredith
also played an important part in the match, his contribution to his team's attacking opportunities earning him the man of the match award.
The only goal of the game came mid-way through the first half, with Charlie Roberts' earlier comments to his manager proving prophetic. As a result of a United attack, a shot from Harold Halse
hit the crossbar and the ball fell to Sandy Turnbull, who fired the ball past goalkeeper Harry Clay and into the back of the net. Bristol City's closest opportunity came after a fine passing move left inside right Bob Hardy unmarked in front of goal, only to have his shot turned round the post by a diving Harry Moger
.
During the match, Manchester United left back Vince Hayes
was injured and had to be removed from the field. As substitutes were not used in those days, it meant that United were down to 10 men. Mangnall reshuffled his team to retain their numbers in defence, and, after treatment, Hayes returned to the field as a forward. Despite his injury, Hayes lasted to the end of the game, and the match finished 1–0 to United. Charlie Roberts went up to receive the trophy, becoming the first Manchester United player to lift the FA Cup.
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MANCHESTER UNITED:
GK
1
Harry Moger
RB
2
George Stacey
LB
3
Vince Hayes
RH
4
Dick Duckworth
CH
5
Charlie Roberts
(c)
LH
6
Alex Bell
OR
7
Billy Meredith
IR
8
Harold Halse
CF
9
Jimmy Turnbull
IL
10
Sandy Turnbull
OL
11
George Wall
Manager:
Ernest Mangnall
Round 2: Bristol City 2–2 Bury
Round 3: Bristol City 2–0 Norwich City
Round 4: Glossop North End
0–0 Bristol City
Semi-final: Bristol City 1–1 Derby County
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Round 2: Manchester United 1–0 Everton
Round 3: Manchester United 6–1 Blackburn Rovers
Round 4: Burnley
2–3 Manchester United
Semi-final: Manchester United 1–0 Newcastle United
|}
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
of the 1908–09 FA Cup, the 38th season of England's premier club football cup competition. The match was played on 24 April 1909 at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in south London, England is a large sports centre and athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, close to the site of the former Crystal Palace, in the former parkland and also usurping part of the former grand prix circuit.It was...
, and was contested by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, both of the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. Manchester United won by a single goal, scored by Sandy Turnbull
Sandy Turnbull
Alexander "Sandy" Turnbull was a Scottish football player who played as a forward for both Manchester City and Manchester United in the early 20th century....
midway through the first half. This was the first of United's record eleven FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
titles to date.
Match summary
It was the first time that either team had played in an FA Cup Final, but Manchester United went into the match as favourites, having been league champions the previous season. Despite having lost 1–0 to Bristol City at Bank Street just two weeks earlier, United held a one-point advantage over their opposition with two matches still to play.Both teams usually wore red shirts, so, prior to the final, the FA issued them with orders to change their kit for the match. Manchester United's players sported white shirts with a red V-stripe and a red rose of Lancashire on the left breast, while Bristol City chose to wear blue shirts. United made an event of the presentation of their new kits, hiring contemporary music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
star George Robey
George Robey
Sir George Edward Wade , better known by his stage name, George Robey, was an English music hall comedian and star. He was marketed as the "Prime Minister of Mirth".-Early life:...
to present the uniforms to the players.
Manchester United inside left
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
Sandy Turnbull
Sandy Turnbull
Alexander "Sandy" Turnbull was a Scottish football player who played as a forward for both Manchester City and Manchester United in the early 20th century....
had been struggling with a knee injury in recent times, but, on the morning of the match, he convinced his manager, Ernest Mangnall, that he could play. Turnbull's claim was endorsed by club captain Charlie Roberts
Charlie Roberts
Charles "Charlie" Roberts was an English footballer.-Playing career:Born in Darlington, Roberts started his football career with Bishop Auckland, but soon moved to Grimsby Town....
, who told Mangnall "[Turnbull] might get a goal and if he does we can afford to carry him."
The star of the Bristol City team was Billy Wedlock
Billy Wedlock
William John "Billy" Wedlock , also known as "Fatty" or the "India Rubber Man", was a footballer who played for Bristol City in 1900–01 and from 1905 until his retirement in 1921. He was a centre-half whose his short and stout stature belied his natural talent...
, an England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
international centre half
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, but he failed to take control of the game and was nullified by United's half back trio of Dick Duckworth, Charlie Roberts
Charlie Roberts
Charles "Charlie" Roberts was an English footballer.-Playing career:Born in Darlington, Roberts started his football career with Bishop Auckland, but soon moved to Grimsby Town....
and Alex Bell
Alex Bell
Alexander "Alex" Bell , also known as Sandy Bell, was a South African-born Scottish footballer who played at half-back.-Club career:...
. United outside right
Outside forward
Outside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants...
Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
also played an important part in the match, his contribution to his team's attacking opportunities earning him the man of the match award.
The only goal of the game came mid-way through the first half, with Charlie Roberts' earlier comments to his manager proving prophetic. As a result of a United attack, a shot from Harold Halse
Harold Halse
Harold James Halse was an English football forward, who played most of his career for Manchester United and then for Chelsea...
hit the crossbar and the ball fell to Sandy Turnbull, who fired the ball past goalkeeper Harry Clay and into the back of the net. Bristol City's closest opportunity came after a fine passing move left inside right Bob Hardy unmarked in front of goal, only to have his shot turned round the post by a diving Harry Moger
Harry Moger
Henry Herbert "Harry" Moger was an English football goalkeeper.-Playing career:...
.
During the match, Manchester United left back Vince Hayes
Vince Hayes
James Vincent "Vince" Hayes , also known as Vic Hayes, was an English footballer who played at right-back. Born in Miles Platting, Manchester, he was trained in boilermaking in his early years. He joined Newton Heath in February 1901. At Newton Heath, which was renamed Manchester United in 1902, he...
was injured and had to be removed from the field. As substitutes were not used in those days, it meant that United were down to 10 men. Mangnall reshuffled his team to retain their numbers in defence, and, after treatment, Hayes returned to the field as a forward. Despite his injury, Hayes lasted to the end of the game, and the match finished 1–0 to United. Charlie Roberts went up to receive the trophy, becoming the first Manchester United player to lift the FA Cup.
Match details
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> | BRISTOL CITY: | ||
| GK | 1 | Harry Clay |
|
| RB | 2 | Archie Annan |
|
| LB | 3 | Joe Cottle Joe Cottle Joseph Richard Cottle was an English international footballer, who played as a left back.-Career:Born in Bedminster, Cottle played professionally for Bristol City, and earned one cap for England in 1909.... |
|
| RH | 4 | Pat Hanlin |
|
| CH | 5 | Billy Wedlock Billy Wedlock William John "Billy" Wedlock , also known as "Fatty" or the "India Rubber Man", was a footballer who played for Bristol City in 1900–01 and from 1905 until his retirement in 1921. He was a centre-half whose his short and stout stature belied his natural talent... |
|
| LH | 6 | Arthur Spear |
|
| OR | 7 | Fred Staniforth |
|
| IR | 8 | Bob Hardy |
|
| CF | 9 | Sam Gilligan Sam Gilligan Samuel Anderson "Sam" Gilligan was a Scottish professional association football player in the years prior to the First World War. He made over 200 appearances in The Football League.-Career:... |
|
| IL | 10 | Andy Burton |
|
| OL | 11 | Frank Hilton |
|
| Manager: | |||
| Harry Thickett Harry Thickett Henry Thickett was a professional footballer who won the 1902 FA Cup final with Sheffield United and made two appearances for England in 1899. He was also in the United team which suffered arguably the biggest F A cup upset of the nineteenth century when losing to Burslem Port Vale in 1898... |
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Harry MogerHarry Moger
Henry Herbert "Harry" Moger was an English football goalkeeper.-Playing career:...
George StaceyGeorge Stacey
George William Stacey was an English footballer who played at left back for several English football clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Manchester United, with whom he won two First Division titles and one FA Cup....
Vince HayesVince Hayes
James Vincent "Vince" Hayes , also known as Vic Hayes, was an English footballer who played at right-back. Born in Miles Platting, Manchester, he was trained in boilermaking in his early years. He joined Newton Heath in February 1901. At Newton Heath, which was renamed Manchester United in 1902, he...
Dick Duckworth Charlie RobertsCharlie Roberts
Charles "Charlie" Roberts was an English footballer.-Playing career:Born in Darlington, Roberts started his football career with Bishop Auckland, but soon moved to Grimsby Town....
(c)
Alex BellAlex Bell
Alexander "Alex" Bell , also known as Sandy Bell, was a South African-born Scottish footballer who played at half-back.-Club career:...
Billy MeredithBilly Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
Harold HalseHarold Halse
Harold James Halse was an English football forward, who played most of his career for Manchester United and then for Chelsea...
Jimmy TurnbullJimmy Turnbull
Jimmy Turnbull was a Scottish football player. Jimmy started his career with Dundee F.C., Falkirk F.C., Rangers, Preston North End, before coming to Manchester United in 1907...
Sandy TurnbullSandy Turnbull
Alexander "Sandy" Turnbull was a Scottish football player who played as a forward for both Manchester City and Manchester United in the early 20th century....
George WallGeorge Wall
George Wall was an English football player.Born in Boldon Colliery, County Durham, Wall started his career with Boldon Royal Rovers, and played for Whitburn and Jarrow before joining Barnsley in 1903. In almost three years with Barnsley, Wall scored 24 league goals at a rate of almost one goal in...
Ernest MangnallMATCH OFFICIALS
|
MATCH RULES
|
Bristol City
Round 1: Bristol City 1–1 SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- Replay: Southampton 0–2 Bristol City
Round 2: Bristol City 2–2 Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
Round 3: Bristol City 2–0 Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
Round 4: Glossop North End
Glossop North End A.F.C.
Glossop North End A.F.C. are an English football club based in Glossop, Derbyshire. Former members of the Football League, they are currently in the North West Counties League and are members of the Derbyshire County Football Association. They play their home matches at Surrey Street, which has a...
0–0 Bristol City
- Replay: Bristol City 1–0 Glossop North End
Semi-final: Bristol City 1–1 Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
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Manchester United
Round 1: Manchester United 1–0 Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
Round 2: Manchester United 1–0 Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
Round 3: Manchester United 6–1 Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
Round 4: Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
2–3 Manchester United
Semi-final: Manchester United 1–0 Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
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