Bradford City v Southampton

FA Cup Quarter Final

March 6th 1976

In 1976 City reached the quarter-finals, of the FA Cup. It was the first taste of success for an entire generation of fans and the first time City had reached that stage of the competition since 1920!

The previous season the club had considered going part-time, such was the pressure on finances. The average attendance had slumped to a mere 2,916, as City only just avoided the re-election places at the foot of Division Four.

However, manager Bobby Kennedy had put together a promising side, on a budget that would barely cover the weekly wage of one of today’s players.

Few of the 4,352 who saw Don Hutchins late header at the Bradford End overcome Chesterfield in the first round could have guessed the drama to come.

Check out the Parkas behind Joe Cooke

City travelled to Third Division Rotherham in the second round. The underdogs caused a minor upset, winning 3-0, Gerry Ingram with two goals and Joe Cooke the other. Don Hutchins said years later in a City Gent interview: ‘Of all the matches in the Cup run, that was the best we played. We were like Real Madrid. We murdered them.

Another Third Division side were the opposition in the third round. City were on their travels again, this time to Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury. Joe Cooke and Don Hutchins were the heroes of the hour, as City won 2-1

In round four City were drawn at home to Southern League Tooting and Mitcham. By now the Cup run was beginning to catch the imagination of the Bradford public and 21,152 packed Valley Parade. City won 3-1, with goals from Hutchins twice and John Middleton. Don Hutchins said: ‘I thought the game was tougher than Rotherham and Shrewsbury. Tooting put up a good fight. Time after time, people in Bradford had looked for good things happening, but were usually let down at the last minute, so it was nice to go through.’

Round five drew City at First Division Norwich City. The game was postponed twice due to a flu epidemic among the City squad. The Canaries' manager - John Bond - said City shouldn’t be in the League if they couldn’t put a team out. At Carrow Road he was made to eat his words.

Don shoots for goal,whilst David Hall imitates

Don Hutchins stunned the home fans with a cross-shot from out wide that put City one up. England striker Martin Peters equalised soon after and City found themselves under tremendous pressure. In the second half Norwich hit the woodwork three times in one agonising minute. However, in pushing forward, they left themselves vulnerable. Three minutes from time Billy McGinley intercepted a pass and he was clear. He should have squared the ball to Gerry Ingram, who had an open net at his mercy. But, McGinley shot; it hit a defender, rolled back to his feet. Second time he lashed the ball into the net and sent the huge travelling support into dreamland.

Joe Cooke and Billy McGinley mix it with Sotons defence

City were in the FA Cup quarter-finals. A stunning achievement for a Fourth Division side - let alone one penniless and rooted at the very foot of the English game.

The quarter final, at home to Southampton, was undoubtedly the high point of the decade. Once again Valley Parade was packed to the rafters. In a tight game City lost 1-0 to a controversial free kick. Late the first half, Peter Osgood flicked the ball up for Jim McCalliog to fire home on the volley. The goal was later proved to have been illegal, but nevertheless the Saints went onto to win the FA Cup.

Joe Cooke slides in

At Valley Parade the boost to morale was priceless. Proceeds from the Cup run allowed a rare foray into the transfer market, Terry Dolan and Peter Hardcastle were signed. The following season City gained promotion to Division Three.

Ces Podd tangles with Peter Osgood

John Middleton heads towards the Bradford end

Was it a legitimate goal? McCalliog strikes the winner

McCalliog turns in delight after the dubious goal

Billy McGinley takes on Hugh Fisher

A dejected Billy McGinley after full time whistle

All photgraphs courtesy of Roy Whyatt via the Eccleshill Unofficial Travel Club website (www.eutc.freeservers.com/)

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