It was 78 years ago that the First FA Cup Final was televised in its entirety by the BBC ... and it thrust Huddersfield Town into the limelight.
King George VI was there on April 30th to shake the hands of every player at the 1938 cup final – including one who was to achieve managerial fame at Town before going on to become a legend.
That was Preston player Bill Shankly who set up a dynasty at Liverpool that went on to achieve European glory.
Preston had lost the previous year but went on to defeat Town by a single goal ... right at the death.
After 29 minutes of extra time it was still 0–0 and BBC commentator Thomas Woodrooffe said “if there’s a goal scored now, I’ll eat my hat”. Seconds later, Preston were awarded a penalty, from which George Mutch scored the winning goal.
Apparently Woodrooffe kept his promise.
Three of the players who participated in the final – Andy Beattie and Bill Shankly of Preston and Eddie Boot of Huddersfield – would all manage Huddersfield within 20 years of this final.
Shankly then led Liverpool to the Second Division Championship to gain promotion to the top-flight First Division in 1962 before going on to win three First Division Championships, two FA Cups, four Charity Shields and one UEFA Cup.
* Do you have any memories of the final. If so please contact the newsdesk at editorial@examiner.co.uk or phone 01484 437712.
