Glorious 1911 - The Replay

The replay took place on Wednesday 26th April at the virtually brand new Old Trafford ground. Over 14,000 City fans made the trip to Manchester. Many never saw the game as tens of thousands were locked out. In the first half Newcastle played with the strong wind at their backs. Early play was all in City's half and only determined defending kept the Magpies at bay.
However, it was City who broke the deadlock. A mix-up in the Newcastle defence saw Jimmy Speirs and Frank O'Rourke racing into the Magpies' box. Speirs headed goalwards; the Newcastle keeper, with perhaps one eye on the formidable figure of O'Rourke, let the ball fly over his shoulder and City were ahead 'amid scenes of frantic enthusiasm'.
Newcastle pressed City back in a desperate attempt to equalise before the break. Robert Torrance was heroic in the City defence; the auburn haired Scotsman was everywhere, time and again denying the Magpies much vaunted forward line. In the second half City had the lion's share of the play and should have extended their lead. But, Speirs' goal proved enough and at the whistle thousands of City fans poured onto the pitch in celebration.
The team arrived back in Bradford at 9pm to be greeted by huge crowds outside the Exchange Station. Captain and goalscorer Jimmy Speirs held the Cup aloft to deafening cheers. The players struggled to cross town to a celebration dinner at the Midland Hotel. This truly was Bradford City's finest hour.