West Ham United 1975 FA Cup Final Retro Shirt

In 1923 Second Division West Ham United played in the White Horse Final, the first FA Cup Final ever staged at The Empire Stadium Wembley. 1964 saw The Hammers win the FA Cup for the first time beating Second Division Preston North End 3-2 under the Twin Towers. In 1975 The Irons were back for their third FA Cup Final appearance, and in a developing West Ham United FA Cup Final theme, it was a Second Division team, Fulham who were the opposition, and Fulham's No6 just happened to be the greatest footballer ever to wear the Claret and Blue. The greatest footballer ever to captain the Three Lions. Bobby Moore.

West Ham began their Road to Wembley '75 away at Southampton where Frank Lampard and Bobby Gould scored in the 1-2 win. Billy Jennings scored in the 1-1 Fourth Round draw at Upton Park versus Swindon Town before Trevor Brooking and Pat Holland notched in the 1-2 Replay win four days later at The County Ground. Over 39,000 were in The Boleyn Ground see The Hammers fight back from a goal down to overcome QPR in the Fifth Round. Pat Holland's equaliser, off the back of a classy 'give and go' with Trevor Brooking, looked a training ground move of beauty on the Upton Park mud. Keith Robson headed the winner past the QPR, and future Hammers goalkeeper Phil Parkes, and if ever there was a West Ham United replica move, and a deftly headed finish reminiscent of Ronnie Boyce scoring the winner at Wembley in the '64 FA Cup Final this might be it? Chadwell Heath and Cassetari's anyone?

With Pat Holland injured for the Sixth Round tie at Highbury Alan Taylor was brought into the starting line-up, and 'Sparra' grabbed a brace, with the opener in front of The Highbury North Bank and and the second in front of a Claret and Blue Clock End to see West Ham run out 0-2 winners against The Arsenal. For the semi-final against Ipswich Town Keith Robson was unavailable and Bobby Gould came back into the side to partner Alan Taylor upfront, and after a goalless draw at Villa Park, it was Alan Taylor who grabbed another brace in the 2-1 Replay victory at Stamford Bridge. 

In the FA Cup Final on Saturday 3 May John Lyall's Hammers were eventually too strong for Fulham although it took West Ham an hour to break down a Fulham defence immaculately marshalled by No6 Bobby Moore. Four minutes later it was 2-0. Both goals scored by Alan Taylor. West Ham United had won their second FA Cup and to this day are the last all-English side to lift the trophy. Eight of the team played in every FA Cup tie:- Captain and 1975 Hammer of the Year Billy Bonds; Goalkeeper and 1975 PFA Young Player of the Year Mervyn Day; John McDowell; Frank Lampard; Kevin Lock; Trevor Brooking; Graham Paddon and Billy Jennings. Tommy Taylor; Pat Holland, Alan Taylor and non-playing substitute Bobby Gould completed West Ham's all-English 1975 FA Cup Final winning team, and Keith Coleman, the magnificent Clyde Best and, of course Keith Robson all played important part on The Road to Wembley '75.

As important too, was the West Ham Way? In his first season as First Team Coach/Manager, John Lyall could draw upon the light touch advice and knowledge of West Ham's new General Manager Ron Greenwood, who was instrumental in the scouting and signing of Billy Jennings from Watford, Keith Robson from Newcastle United, and most famously of all, Alan Taylor from Rochdale. Was Ron Greenwood a General Manager or the very first Director of Football? In 1975 West Ham were ahead of the football times, and in 1975 West Ham won The FA Cup.

Score Draw Official Retro Shirt Match:

West Ham United 2 v 0 Fulham.

Saturday 3 May 1975.

FA Cup Final. 

Wembley Stadium. 

Attendance 100,000.

West Ham United: 1.Mervyn Day. 2.John McDowell. 3.Frank Lampard. 4.Billy Bonds. 5.Tommy Taylor. 6.Kevin Lock. 7.Billy Jennings. 8.Graham Paddon. 9.Alan Taylor. 10.Trevor Brooking. 11.Pat Holland. 12.Bobby Gould.