1954 FA Cup Final
Encyclopedia
The 1954 FA Cup Final was a football match between West Bromwich Albion
and Preston North End
, played on 1 May 1954 at the original Wembley Stadium in London. It was the final match of the 1953–54 staging of English football
's primary cup competition
, the Football Association Challenge Cup (better known as the FA Cup
). The match was the 73rd FA Cup Final
and the 26th to be played at Wembley.
West Bromwich Albion were appearing in their ninth final, having won the cup on three previous occasions, while Preston had won the competition twice and were playing in the final for the sixth time. The two clubs had met in one final before in 1888, with Albion win 2-1.Albion won the match 3–2. Ronnie Allen
opened the scoring but Preston soon equalised through Angus Morrison
. Preston then took the lead through Charlie Wayman
although the goal was probably offside. Allen equalised from the penalty spot before a late goal from Frank Griffin
secured the cup for Albion for the fourth time. This capped off the club's greatest ever season as they also finished second in the table, agonisingly losing out on 'the double' to Black Country rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Both clubs were members of the First Division
, West Bromwich Albion
having finished as runners-up during the 1953–54 league season and Preston North End
11th. Albion were victorious in both league matches between the two sides, winning 2–0 at Deepdale
and 3–2 at The Hawthorns
. The teams had met on six previous occasions in the FA Cup. Albion had won four of those ties, including the 1886–87 semi-final and 1888 final
, while Preston were victorious in the semi-finals of 1888–89 and 1936–37.
As a First Division club, West Bromwich Albion entered the FA Cup at the third round stage. They began their 61st FA Cup campaign at home against Chelsea
, whom they beat 1–0 thanks to an own goal by Ron Greenwood. Their next cup match saw Albion defeat Rotherham United
4–0, in what was the first ever meeting between the two sides in any competition. Johnny Nicholls
scored two of the goals and Ronnie Allen
and Reg Ryan
one each. A hat-trick from Ronnie Allen gave Albion a 3–2 win against Newcastle United
in round five in a thrilling match. The game was played in front of 61,088 spectators, the highest attendance at The Hawthorns
for 16 years. An estimated 20,000 more were locked out. Albion were then drawn at home for the fourth round in succession; this time Tottenham Hotspur
were the visitors as the competition reached the quarter-final stage. A free-kick by Ray Barlow
and two goals from Johnny Nicholls resulted in a 3–0 West Bromwich Albion victory.
Staffordshire
rivals and Third Division North leaders Port Vale
were the opposition in the semi-final, which was played at the neutral venue of Villa Park in front of a near 70,000 crowd. Vale's Albert Leake opened the scoring before the break, but Albion equalised just after the hour when Jimmy Dudley
's cross evaded the Vale goalkeeper Ray King and ended up in the net. Ronnie Allen, playing against his former team, scored the winning goal for Albion from a penalty kick
, following a foul on George Lee
. leading to scenes of wild celebration from the Albion supporters.
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align=center>
PRESTON NORTH END:
|
GK
1
George Thompson
RB
2
Willie Cunningham
LB
3
Joe Walton
RH
4
Tommy Docherty
CH
5
Joe Marston
LH
6
Willie Forbes
OR
7
Tom Finney
IR
8
Bobby Foster
CF
9
Charlie Wayman
IL
10
Jimmy Baxter
OL
11
Angus Morrison
Manager:
Scot Symon
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
and Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, played on 1 May 1954 at the original Wembley Stadium in London. It was the final match of the 1953–54 staging of English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
's primary cup competition
Single-elimination tournament
A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match or bracket is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event...
, the Football Association Challenge Cup (better known as the 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...
). The match was the 73rd FA Cup Final
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...
and the 26th to be played at Wembley.
West Bromwich Albion were appearing in their ninth final, having won the cup on three previous occasions, while Preston had won the competition twice and were playing in the final for the sixth time. The two clubs had met in one final before in 1888, with Albion win 2-1.Albion won the match 3–2. Ronnie Allen
Ronnie Allen
Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team...
opened the scoring but Preston soon equalised through Angus Morrison
Angus Morrison (footballer)
Angus Cameron Morrison , was a Scottish footballer who played as an outside left in the Football League.-External links:*...
. Preston then took the lead through Charlie Wayman
Charlie Wayman
Charles Wayman was an English footballer.Wayman, who was born in Chilton, Bishop Auckland, was a prolific centre-forward in the first decade after the Second World War. Newcastle United signed him from Spennymoor United in September 1941, while he was working as a miner at Chilton Colliery...
although the goal was probably offside. Allen equalised from the penalty spot before a late goal from Frank Griffin
Frank Griffin
Frank Albert Griffin was a professional football player. He played as a winger and his most notable achievement was scoring the winning goal in the 1954 FA Cup Final.-Football career:...
secured the cup for Albion for the fourth time. This capped off the club's greatest ever season as they also finished second in the table, agonisingly losing out on 'the double' to Black Country rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Background
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....
, West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
having finished as runners-up during the 1953–54 league season and Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
11th. Albion were victorious in both league matches between the two sides, winning 2–0 at Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
and 3–2 at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
. The teams had met on six previous occasions in the FA Cup. Albion had won four of those ties, including the 1886–87 semi-final and 1888 final
1888 FA Cup Final
The 1888 FA Cup Final was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End at the Kennington Oval. Preston were strong favourites for the Cup, having set a record which still stands today by beating Hyde 26-0 in the first round, and were so confident of overcoming West Bromwich Albion in the...
, while Preston were victorious in the semi-finals of 1888–89 and 1936–37.
West Bromwich Albion
| Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... (h) |
1–0 |
| 4th | Rotherham United Rotherham United F.C. Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history... (h) |
4–0 |
| 5th | 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... (h) |
3–2 |
| 6th | Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... (h) |
3–0 |
| Semi-final | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... (n) |
2–1 |
As a First Division club, West Bromwich Albion entered the FA Cup at the third round stage. They began their 61st FA Cup campaign at home against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, whom they beat 1–0 thanks to an own goal by Ron Greenwood. Their next cup match saw Albion defeat Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
4–0, in what was the first ever meeting between the two sides in any competition. Johnny Nicholls
Johnny Nicholls
John Nicholls , better known as Johnny Nicholls or sometimes Jack Nicholls, was an English footballer who played as a forward. During his professional career he represented West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Exeter City.- Biography :Nicholls was born in Wolverhampton...
scored two of the goals and Ronnie Allen
Ronnie Allen
Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team...
and Reg Ryan
Reg Ryan
Reginald Alphonso Ryan , also referred to as Paddy Ryan, is a former Irish footballer who played for West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Coventry City. Ryan was also a dual international, playing for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI. He was the last player to represent both teams...
one each. A hat-trick from Ronnie Allen gave Albion a 3–2 win against 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...
in round five in a thrilling match. The game was played in front of 61,088 spectators, the highest attendance at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
for 16 years. An estimated 20,000 more were locked out. Albion were then drawn at home for the fourth round in succession; this time Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
were the visitors as the competition reached the quarter-final stage. A free-kick by Ray Barlow
Ray Barlow
Raymond John Barlow is an English former professional footballer. He joined West Bromwich Albion in 1944 and was part of the 1954 FA Cup winning team. Barlow joined Albion's neighbours Birmingham City in 1960...
and two goals from Johnny Nicholls resulted in a 3–0 West Bromwich Albion victory.
Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
rivals and Third Division North leaders Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
were the opposition in the semi-final, which was played at the neutral venue of Villa Park in front of a near 70,000 crowd. Vale's Albert Leake opened the scoring before the break, but Albion equalised just after the hour when Jimmy Dudley
Jimmy Dudley (footballer)
James George "Jimmy" Dudley was a Scottish footballer. He was a member of West Bromwich Albion's 1954 FA Cup winning side and scored the equalising goal against Port Vale in the semi-final at Villa Park...
's cross evaded the Vale goalkeeper Ray King and ended up in the net. Ronnie Allen, playing against his former team, scored the winning goal for Albion from a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
, following a foul on George Lee
George Lee
George Lee may refer to:* Sir George Lee , English politician* George Lee , Yorkshire cricketer* George B...
. leading to scenes of wild celebration from the Albion supporters.
Match details
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> | WEST BROMWICH ALBION: | ||
| GK | 1 | Jim Sanders Jim Sanders Jim Sanders may also refer to:* Jimmy Sanders, an English footballer* Jim Sanders , New Zealand internationalLt. Col... |
|
| RB | 2 | Joe Kennedy Joe Kennedy (footballer) Joseph Peter "Joe" Kennedy was an English professional footballer who played at centre-half for the majority of his career.-Club career:... |
|
| LB | 3 | Len Millard Len Millard Leonard Millard , better known as Len Millard, was an English footballer who played the majority of his career at left back.- Biography :Millard was born in Coseley and joined West Bromwich Albion as an amateur in May 1937... (c) |
|
| RH | 4 | Jimmy Dudley Jimmy Dudley (footballer) James George "Jimmy" Dudley was a Scottish footballer. He was a member of West Bromwich Albion's 1954 FA Cup winning side and scored the equalising goal against Port Vale in the semi-final at Villa Park... |
|
| CH | 5 | Jimmy Dugdale Jimmy Dugdale James Robert "Jimmy" Dugdale was a former English professional footballer best known for his career with Aston Villa, with whom he won a F.A. Cup winner's medal in 1957, 2nd Division Championship 1960, Inaugural League Cup Winner 1961. His playing position was Centre-Half James Robert "Jimmy"... |
|
| LH | 6 | Ray Barlow Ray Barlow Raymond John Barlow is an English former professional footballer. He joined West Bromwich Albion in 1944 and was part of the 1954 FA Cup winning team. Barlow joined Albion's neighbours Birmingham City in 1960... |
|
| OR | 7 | Frank Griffin Frank Griffin Frank Albert Griffin was a professional football player. He played as a winger and his most notable achievement was scoring the winning goal in the 1954 FA Cup Final.-Football career:... |
|
| IR | 8 | Reg Ryan Reg Ryan Reginald Alphonso Ryan , also referred to as Paddy Ryan, is a former Irish footballer who played for West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Coventry City. Ryan was also a dual international, playing for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI. He was the last player to represent both teams... |
|
| CF | 9 | Ronnie Allen Ronnie Allen Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team... |
|
| IL | 10 | Johnny Nicholls Johnny Nicholls John Nicholls , better known as Johnny Nicholls or sometimes Jack Nicholls, was an English footballer who played as a forward. During his professional career he represented West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Exeter City.- Biography :Nicholls was born in Wolverhampton... |
|
| OL | 11 | George Lee George Lee (footballer) George Lee was an English footballer who played left wing for York City, Nottingham Forest And West Bromwich Albion. After retiring from playing he became coach at West Bromwich Albion and later Norwich City.- Biography :... |
|
| Manager: | |||
| Vic Buckingham Vic Buckingham Victor Frederick Buckingham was an English footballer whose approach as a manager was a precursor of the Total Football philosophy.... |
|||
George Thompson Willie Cunningham Joe WaltonJoe Walton (footballer)
For the fooballer of the same name see Joe Walton Joseph Walton was an English professional footballer....
Tommy DochertyTommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
Joe MarstonJoe Marston
Joe Marston MBE was the first Australian to appear in a FA Cup Final when he turned out for Preston North End in their 1954 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.-Preston North End:...
Willie ForbesWillie Forbes
Willie Forbes was a former professional footballer who played for Dunfermline Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Preston North End and Carlisle United.-References:*...
Tom FinneyTom Finney
Sir Thomas Finney, OBE is a former English footballer, famous for his loyalty to his league club, Preston North End, and for his performances in the English national side....
Bobby Foster Charlie WaymanCharlie Wayman
Charles Wayman was an English footballer.Wayman, who was born in Chilton, Bishop Auckland, was a prolific centre-forward in the first decade after the Second World War. Newcastle United signed him from Spennymoor United in September 1941, while he was working as a miner at Chilton Colliery...
Jimmy BaxterJimmy Baxter
Jimmy Baxter is an American professional basketball player who previously played for Ilisiakos B.C. in Greece and now plays for KK Krka in Slovenia.- References :...
Angus MorrisonAngus Morrison (footballer)
Angus Cameron Morrison , was a Scottish footballer who played as an outside left in the Football League.-External links:*...
Scot Symon