Formidable ball from the (in)famous cup tie.
The weekend of the third round of the FA Cup has always been one of the highlights of the football fan's calendar. For many it can be the biggest game of the season, if your team draws a big club. It can see small provincial grounds packed out or set the scene for away trips to famous stadiums, excursions that attain a legendary status over the years.
What most will remember though is the upsets, the exploits of the Giantkillers.
I recommend this site to anyone interested in this romantic aspect of the game, the occasions on which the glamorous world of the international superstar has collided with that of the part time journeyman.
Third Division North side Walsall scored a famous victory over Arsenal in January 1933. Arsenal fielded 7 internationals and gave debuts to 4 reserve team players. Walsall's 2-0 victory signaled the end of the Arsenal careers of 3 of those debutants. Incensed by a combination of ineptitude and foul play, Herbert Chapman actually told Tommy Black, who had conceded a penalty , that he was banned from Highbury and from training as soon as the game was over. Chapman was true to his word.
Walsall
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Arsenal
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Joey Cunningham
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GK
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Frank Moss*
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Jack Bennett
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RB
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George Male*
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Sid Bird
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LB
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Tommy Black
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Jack Reed
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RH
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Frank Hill**
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George Leslie
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CH
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Herbie Roberts*
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Harry Salt
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LH
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Norman Sidley
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Billy Coward
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OR
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William Warnes
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Chris Ball
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IR
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David Jack*
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Gilbert Alsop
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CF
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Charlie Walsh
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Bill Sheppard
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IL
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Alex James**
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Freddie Lee
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OL
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Cliff Bastin*
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* England international
** Scotland international
In the next round Walsall traveled to Manchester City and lost 2-0.
