2nd March 1974

[Frank Lincoln]

Is it really 50 years since I watched Mike Bailey lift the League Cup at Wembley in a never to be forgotten day.

Wolves were the underdogs against a very good Manchester City team but goals from Kenny Hibbitt and John Richards saw the Wolves win the cup. I can still remember so many things about that day.

Wonderful memories of a wonderful team.

 

[caradon wolf]

Yes, the 80 pence for the match ticket was money well spent!

 

[Streathamwolf]

Still got the programme

 

[Shuttlewolf]

Still got the programme

Me too and the match ticket

 

[Streathamwolf]

A great day

 

[Severnup]

The highlight of my almost 60 years of watching this great team. Hope those of you who haven't witnessed Wolves lifting a Cup so far, get the same opportunity in your lifetime. Days like these are very special.

 

[crocos]

I remember watching that one at our Gran's place in Shrewsbury, on her little TV in the front room; the first Wolves game I can remember, aged 5.6 years.

The thrill of watching my team lift a cup etc.

Little did I know this would not be a frequent situation

 

[Netherton Wolf]

Seems like only yesterday, still got me scarf from that day to --- somewhere ,)

 

[Wednesbury Wolf]

Me and my dad were right at the top of the stand and there were 2 blokes with a couple of trestle tables full of little miniature plastic replica league cup trophies right behind us. Soon after the second half began they were busily attaching black and gold ribbons to them all as we were winning thanks to King Kenny. Colin Bell then equalised and after a few minutes they decided to swap all the Wolves ribbons for sky blue ones. We were 5 minutes from the end when Richards scored the winner which prompted the cup seller into a frenzy of swapping ribbons for the second time for Wolves ones, still got mine somewhere.

 

[oldgoldheart]

great day. I was born when we were still league champions and we won the FA Cup when I was a few minths old. the League Cup was one of only 3 wembley cup wins I can recall and the last one was 1988. i pray there is one more bfore I die. you never know, maybe this year we can finally win a semi after 5 failures......

 

[WickedWolfie]

The highlight of my almost 60 years of watching this great team. Hope those of you who haven't witnessed Wolves lifting a Cup so far, get the same opportunity in your lifetime. Days like these are very special.

Watched that one on the box but was there for Trees in 1980.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

So many great memories. One that sticks out in my mind is Bill McGarry running onto the pitch to embrace Gary Pierce. Those of my generation will know that Mr. McGarry was not one to show much emotion, but when the referee blew the full time whistle, he ran straight to Gary and gave him a big hug. Gary only played because Phil Parkes was injured, but put in a great performance.

 

[Streathamwolf]

Me and my dad were right at the top of the stand and there were 2 blokes with a couple of trestle tables full of little miniature plastic replica league cup trophies right behind us. Soon after the second half began they were busily attaching black and gold ribbons to them all as we were winning thanks to King Kenny. Colin Bell then equalised and after a few minutes they decided to swap all the Wolves ribbons for sky blue ones. We were 5 minutes from the end when Richards scored the winner which prompted the cup seller into a frenzy of swapping ribbons for the second time for Wolves ones, still got mine somewhere.

Hi Tech 70s style

 

[FJRWolf]

Probably the biggest regret I have supporting Wolves. A few of us wanted to go and our geography teacher said if we could get tickets and enough interest, he'd take us in the school minibus.....unfortunately none of that came off.
Still watch it on YouTube periodically, usually when we're on a poor run.

 

[Woburn Wolf]

Still got the programme

Me too

 

[Norman Bell]

For years I refused to accept that Kenny Hibbitt shinned the first goal that day. As far as I was concerned it was a flying volley !!!!

I recently got a copy of Mike Doyle ( Tommy's Grandfather ! ) book ' Blue Blood ' in it he slates Rodney Marsh for his behaviour at the final whistle when instead of staying to collect his runner up tankard and applaud the victorious Wolves side he flounced off like the spoiled brat he was. Mike Doyle says his antics that day were the final straw for him and many of his City team mates who had had a guts full of Marsh's big time " I am doing you a right favour signing for City " attitude. Compare his shenanigans with Denis Law who was the absolute opposite sportsmanship wise. Pretty sure The Lawman swapped jerseys with Frank Munro.

I remember vividly waiting for Thursday after school to arrive when the paperboy would deliver my Shoot ! comic. Within 24 hours any of the colour pictures showing that magnificent win at Wembley were on one wall of my bedroom which was a shrine / mural of Wolves player posters and photos !!!!

 

[Frank Lincoln]

For years I refused to accept that Kenny Hibbitt shinned the first goal that day. As far as I was concerned it was a flying volley !!!!

I recently got a copy of Mike Doyle ( Tommy's Grandfather ! ) book ' Blue Blood ' in it he slates Rodney Marsh for his behaviour at the final whistle when instead of staying to collect his runner up tankard and applaud the victorious Wolves side he flounced off like the spoiled brat he was. Mike Doyle says his antics that day were the final straw for him and many of his City team mates who had had a guts full of Marsh's big time " I am doing you a right favour signing for City " attitude. Compare his shenanigans with Denis Law who was the absolute opposite sportsmanship wise. Pretty sure The Lawman swapped jerseys with Frank Munro.

I remember vividly waiting for Thursday after school to arrive when the paperboy would deliver my Shoot ! comic. Within 24 hours any of the colour pictures showing that magnificent win at Wembley were on one wall of my bedroom which was a shrine / mural of Wolves player posters and photos !!!!

There is a team photograph of Frank wearing a Manchester City shirt. Great sportsmanship from Denis Law. As for Marsh, he had a mood on him because they couldn’t beat Wolves, and seeing him when he was on Sky Sports, I think he still doesn’t like us.

 

[JJ59]

Great great day just one drawback... queuing to get in I was right behind a very fat fan who dropped an evil fart. After the match climbing the steps at the end of my row I found myself right behind the same fan who dropped another evil much to his amusement and our annoyance.

 

[Wednesbury Wolf]

When it had the proper name of the Football League Cup it actually sounded like a proper competition.
We've had Worthington cup, Littlewoods Challenge cup, Milk cup, Carling cup, Capital one cup, Rumbelows cup, Coca Cola cup and the present day horrible Carabao cup, all meaningless to me.

 

[Mancwolf56]

When it had the proper name of the Football League Cup it actually sounded like a proper competition.
We've had Worthington cup, Littlewoods Challenge cup, Milk cup, Carling cup, Capital one cup, Rumbelows cup, Coca Cola cup and the present day horrible Carabao cup, all meaningless to me.

To be fair I think most of us still just call it the League Cup.

It was a great day and as many have already said I can’t believe it was 50 years ago.

 

[Frank Lincoln]

 

[Contrada Lupa]

People forget it was a full 100.000 crowd, mostly standing with big crushes inside and outside the ground.

And there wasn't going to be extra time; it would have been a replay if JR hadn't got the winner on 85 minutes. Marsh had a cob on because he deflected Alan Sunderland's cross with his heel to Richards.

Have still got that LP somewhere, probably Hugh Johns on comms.

 

[Spitfire]

People forget it was a full 100.000 crowd, mostly standing with big crushes inside and outside the ground.

And there wasn't going to be extra time; it would have been a replay if JR hadn't got the winner on 85 minutes. Marsh had a cob on because he deflected Alan Sunderland's cross with his heel to Richards.

Have still got that LP somewhere, probably Hugh Johns on comms.

It wasn’t Hugh Johns on commentary. Struggling to remember who it was, think it may have been Simon somebody?

 

[Big Saft Kid]

I was working in Kuwait for that final. The Beeb only covered the last 15 minutes of the match on the World Service. I listened in agony and remember dancing around my living room when JR's killer goal went in.

 

[MickHolmesFanClub]

A great day! I went with my Dad with a scarf my Nan had knitted for me.

The day was made special by my all-time Wolves hero (King John) scoring the winner but not many people give the ball played by Bailey in the build-up to the goal enough credit. Tremendous!

Given how many games are now shown live on TV it's worth noting that the game was not shown live on TV in those days and you had to wait for highlights the next day on ITV.

I believe that many of the surviving team will be introduced on the pitch next Saturday at half-time so I hope they get the reception they deserve.

 

[SuperGran]

I believe that many of the surviving team will be introduced on the pitch next Saturday at half-time so I hope they get the reception they deserve.

That’s great to know thanks

 

[Spitfire]

A great day! I went with my Dad with a scarf my Nan had knitted for me.

The day was made special by my all-time Wolves hero (King John) scoring the winner but not many people give the ball played by Bailey in the build-up to the goal enough credit. Tremendous!

Given how many games are now shown live on TV it's worth noting that the game was not shown live on TV in those days and you had to wait for highlights the next day on ITV.

I believe that many of the surviving team will be introduced on the pitch next Saturday at half-time so I hope they get the reception they deserve.

You’re right about that ball from Bailey. If De Bruyne played that ball now you would have the Sky pundits having an orgasm over it.

 

[the 15th Wanderer]

Went with my mom and two brothers on a coach which left from East park. My dad wasn't really into football. Great day.

 

[Big Saft Kid]

You’re right about that ball from Bailey. If De Bruyne played that ball now you would have the Sky pundits having an orgasm over it.

And here's that pass...

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=league+cup+final+1974

 

[Pengwern]

Had a great time afterwacrds in a big pub with 50/50 Wolves & City fans learning songs off each other. I’ve lived in Manchester ever since

 

[Big Saft Kid]

I was working in Kuwait for that final. The Beeb only covered the last 15 minutes of the match on the World Service. I listened in agony and remember dancing around my living room when JR's killer goal went in.

Got home on leave from Kuwait that summer and went straight to the E&S in Wolverhampton to buy their black and white photos of the final. I still have them: Kenny's goal, JR scoring the winner and Gary Pierce doing a back flip at the final whistle! Pierce played a blinder that day, standing in for the injured Phil Parkes.

 

[Zico]

Watched that one on the box but was there for Trees in 1980.

Pretty sure the 1974 final wasn't televised live, the League Cup wasn't then. I was too young but remember listening to it on the radio.

 

[WickedWolfie]

Pretty sure the 1974 final wasn't televised live, the League Cup wasn't then. I was too young but remember listening to it on the radio.

The highlights were the day after. My old man went to the game but was concerned that l was too young (l was 10). I was, like you, glued to a radio....

 

[Norman Bell]

Pretty sure the 1974 final wasn't televised live, the League Cup wasn't then. I was too young but remember listening to it on the radio.

My Mate and I were talking about when the League Cup Final was first shown live, he looked it up and apparently it was 1981 replay between Liverpool and West Ham at Villa Park.

 

[Himleywolf]

Still got the programme

I've still got a vinyl LP of the commentary.

 

[Tarcisio Mifsud]

It was a really good match and the performance of our Wolves players was brillian, which was the reason why we beat City in that final.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

I was 20 years old and travelled down from Norwich with my then girlfriend and stayed in London for the night.
She wasn’t best pleased when she had to pour me into bed after my ‘celebration’.
When you see us win cup finals when you’re only 20 you think it’s normal. I guess that’s the innocence of youth.

 

[waggys left foot]

I was a student and spent all I had buying a ticket from a tout about 10minutes before kick off

 

[Sammy Chungs Tracksuit]

People forget it was a full 100.000 crowd, mostly standing with big crushes inside and outside the ground.

And there wasn't going to be extra time; it would have been a replay if JR hadn't got the winner on 85 minutes. Marsh had a cob on because he deflected Alan Sunderland's cross with his heel to Richards.

Have still got that LP somewhere, probably Hugh Johns on comms.

It was actually very spacious inside Wembley in comparison to say Molineux when it had 40 plus thousand in. I was in the lower part of the upper half behind the goal where Richards banged in the winner. I was there in 80 and 88 too. Never saw us lose at Wembley til that fateful Watford semi.

 

[Big Saft Kid]

It was actually very spacious inside Wembley in comparison to say Molineux when it had 40 plus thousand in. I was in the lower part of the upper half behind the goal where Richards banged in the winner. I was there in 80 and 88 too. Never saw us lose at Wembley til that fateful Watford semi.

Been to Wembley many times for England games, but never to see us. 1960 (aged11) Dad couldn't get a tkt for me!1974 working in the Gulf!1980 honeymoon, 1st marriage! 1988 birth of 2nd child! I got a tkt for the Watford semi but couldn't go because of ill health, so sold it on to a Wolves fan in Pattingham. I am now 75, will I ever see us win at Wembley before I pop me clogs? Here's hoping...