Cup Glories

1970s

The decade began with a thrilling FA Cup tie against Spurs. In front of BBC's 'Match of the Day' cameras, City fought back from a two goal deficit to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw. Sadly, in the replay at White Hart Lane, City were hammered 5-0.

City v Spurs, Valley Parade, January 1970

A young player named Ces Podd made his first appearance for City in 1970. Ces was one of the first black players to establish himself in the English game, occasionally he suffered racial abuse from opposition fans, nevertheless he went on to become one of the most popular players in the club's history, making a record 502 League appearances.

City were back in Division Four following relegation in 1972. In 1973-74 erstwhile rivals Avenue spent one melancholy season as tenants at Valley Parade following the sale of their Park Avenue ground. Supporters of both sides fought proposals to merge the two clubs and form a new club entitled - the club colours were even mooted as chocolate and cream as featured on the municipal dustbin wagons! The idea was quickly dropped and Avenue went into liquidation in the summer of 1974.

Once again the FA Cup brought cheer to Valley Parade. The fourth round was reached on two successive seasons, with memorable ties against teams as diverse as Arsenal and Alverchurch - the latter being City's first ever Sunday game, attracting a bumper 13,062 to Valley Parade.

It was but a taster. In 1976 City reached the quarter finals, beating Chesterfield, Rotherham, Shrewsbury, Tooting & Mitcham and Norwich en route. The latter was the most satisfying, as the Canaries' manager - John Bond - had questioned City's right to be in the fifth round. At Carrow Road he was made to eat his words when City won 2-1.

The quarter final, at home to Southampton, was undoubtedly the high point of the decade. Though City lost 1-0, to a controversial free kick, the boost in morale was priceless. The following season City gained promotion to Division Three under the guidance of young manager Bobby Kennedy.

Celebrating promotion, 1977

It was a false dawn. Relegation was immediate and the decade ended with a heartbreaking defeat at that cost promotion on the final day of the season.

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