MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 11:24:55| >> :120:4872:4872:

On this day: West Ham stun Arsenal to win FA Cup

Trevor Brooking netted the winner.

On this day in 1980, second division West Ham stunned Arsenal to win the FA Cup at Wembley.

Trevor Brooking's early goal saw the Hammers lift the trophy for the third and last time, with that 1-0 triumph also the last time a team outside the top division has won the final.

Alongside the experienced players like Brooking, Billy Bonds and Frank Lampard in the West Ham starting line-up that day was teenager Paul Allen, who became the youngest man to play in an FA Cup final at Wembley aged 17 years and 256 days.

Paul Allen and Geoff Pike celebrate with the FA Cup as team-mate Ray Stewart makes do with the trophy lid
Paul Allen and Geoff Pike celebrate with the FA Cup as team-mate Ray Stewart makes do with the trophy lid (PA)

"Because of my age, the national newspapers had been building me up in the days running up to the final but I hadn't been picked for our last home league match of the season against Charlton Athletic and I hadn't known how to take that," Allen said.

"Then on the Friday lunchtime after training, John (Lyall) announced his starting XI for the following afternoon and, upon hearing my name, I selfishly switched off. I was so happy!

"Returning home, my dad – Ron – asked me for tomorrow's starting line-up but upon getting to myself at number seven, I couldn't tell him the last four names because I simply hadn't heard them."

Allen remains eternally grateful to the senior professionals that looked after him as he came through the ranks and an experience that he may have capped with an FA Cup final goal was it not for a cynical Willie Young challenge.

West Ham are congratulated by fans as they climb the steps to receive the FA Cup
West Ham are congratulated by fans as they climb the steps to receive the FA Cup (PA)

"With their 'keeper Pat Jennings just coming into sight, my brain was processing what to do, when I got scythed from behind," he told the West Ham website.

"Even today, 40 years on, it's still a big talking point for many people but, in reality, it didn't affect the outcome of an amazing, emotional day.

"We won 1-0, I've got my winners' medal and I'm thrilled that I'm part of Hammers history – I certainly don't wake up every morning thinking about that tackle!"

Allen went on to play in further FA Cup finals as a Tottenham player, losing to Coventry in 1987 before beating Nottingham Forest in 1991.

ID:398965: cacheID:398965:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5687:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool celebrate Divock Origi's winning goal against Barcelona in the Champions League on May 7, 2019.
Read Next:
Liverpool's 10 greatest comebacks of all time
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!