Cult Heroes – FA Cup Special

The FA Cup. Most romantic competition in the world or unwelcome distraction from the league campaign? Ask any fan from any club who compete and their dream is that big day out at Wembley, their captain climbing the mountain of steps, with weary legs, their body pushed to the limit, all for the chance to lift the gleaming cup and share in a moment of jubilation.

Players from across the world seem to share the same view. It is the one they all want to win. Seasoned campaigners with La Liga, Copa Libertadores and Serie A winners’ medals in their cabinets speak highly of the oldest club cup competition in the world.

Managers of top clubs and even relegation threatened teams have put out weakened sides in recent seasons, leading some to think that the FA Cup is being devalued.

Whilst this is a very erstwhile subject, and one that will be covered in further posts, today we celebrate those who have lit up the past 4 decades of Cup competition and proved likely (and unlikely) heroes.

1970’s

RONNIE RADFORD

There can only be one winner for moment of the 70’s when discussing cult hero moments. On February 5^th 1972, Radford sealed his place in FA Cup folklore by scoring that goal against Newcastle. Probably the most famous goal scored, the long range strike sparked a pitch invasion and left a young John Motson shouting. Years later the clip is still played prior to any potential giant killing. What a goal! What a goal indeed.

1980’s

DAVE BEASANT

Liverpool went into the final of the Cup in 1988 as odds on favourites to win the famous trophy. They didn’t gamble on being upstaged by Wimbledon, the upstarts from London known simply as “The Crazy Gang”. Having already secured the Division 1 title (ah halcyon days!), Liverpool might as well have had their name inscribed before kick-off. They didn’t reckon with a resolute goalkeeping performance from Dave Beasant. In what would turn out to be his final performance for the Don’s, Beasant became the first goalkeeper to captain an FA Cup winning side but most importantly was the first person to save a penalty in the showpiece.

1990’s

PAUL RIDEOUT

Halftimebovril has a special place in its insulated cup for an unfashionable Everton striker called Paul Rideout. The year was 1995. The opponents, a Manchester United team featuring Schmeichel, Keane, Sharpe, Hughes and a much younger Giggs and Scholes. After 30 minutes of play, Rideout secured his legacy in the hearts of Toffee fans by heading in the rebound from a Graham Stuart shot that crashed against the crossbar. That goal provided Everton with their only cup success between winning the Championship in 86/87 and now in 2011 when another potentially trophy less campaign beckons.

2000’s

STEVEN GERRARD

For a specific moment to gain a player cup cult hero status in what was arguably the greatest FA Cup Final of all time it must have been pretty special. Believe me, it was. In 2006, the sun was beating down on Cardiff, and the Millennium Stadium, hosting its last final rocked to the chanting, celebration and jubilation of Hammers Fans watching their team closing in on a first FA Cup for 26 years. Liverpool fans sat in the bar with me were crying into their beer. Then the unthinkable happened. Injury time, the score 3-2 to West Ham, a clearance from a Liverpool cross fell to Gerrard a full 30 yards from goal, and first time, on the volley he fired in an unstoppable shot into the bottom left hand corner, leaving half a stadium (and half a city) jumping for joy.

So now you know what makes halftimebovril feel warm inside when reading about how the cup “has lost its magic”. Who would you pick as your cult hero in the most famous competition in the world? Debate, provoke or just reminisce below.