please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Today (March 4th) marks the 45th anniversary of our famous League Cup win at Wembley - here's a full match report from the day to bring the memories flooding back ... Queens Park Rangers 3, West Bromwich Albion 2 Saturday 4th March 1967 - League Cup Final (Played at Wembley Stadium) As pseudo-events go, it wasn't half-bad: a game dichotomised by the interval turning from a rout into a startling recovery; a game which produced a goal of genius, a remarkable triumph for the underdogs. At half time, who could have predicted it: yet the second half belonged almost entirely to Rangers and, long before the end, Albion were staggering on the ropes. Away from cramped, homely little Loftus Road, Rangers, for three-quarters of an hour, weren't remotely the same force. Bewildered on the great prairie of Wembley, they looked terribly slow and deliberate, their build up so sketchy that Marsh and Allen, the two strikers, perpetually found themselves alone, confronted by a massed defence. But half time was a magic watershed, after which they came out transformed, five yards quicker, to pound the Albion goal. The West Bromwich defence, in which Jones, at the last moment, dropped out for the inexperienced Clarke, were as unhappy, especially against Marsh and Lazarus, as Rangers' had been, in the first half. Then, with Kaye clever in mid-field, Astle a menace through the middle. Clark flying down the left, it was strange that Albion scored only twice. Later, with Keen moving forward more adventurously to abet the shrewd but rather static Sanderson, it was another story. Albion's first goal, after seven minutes, was not only scored by a former Rangers man, but suggested that the greater speed of First Division approach work round the box was more than Rangers could handle. The ball, worked down the left in a rapid shuttle of passes by Brown, Hope and Fraser, was finally slipped through an ominous gap by the left-half Clark to run on and score with room, time and facility. Sibley retorted with a shot well taken by Sheppard, but the cries of "Easy!" appeared to have some basis. Yet though Albion continued to be so much more rhythmic and co-ordinated, they did not strike hard again till the 25th minute. Then Clark came away down the left, Hunt lunged at thin air, and the winger ran on to cross perfectly to Astle. The shot was just as good but Springett turned it brilliantly round the post, while in mid-air. Rangers looked set for a spectacular equaliser when Lazarus, on the halfway line, in an inside-left position, dummied Collard and had a clear run for goal. But in full flight, his confidence left him and he tamely stopped, squaring the ball to a colleague. This was mere punctuation in the context of Albion's supremacy. Soon, Kaye caught Langley and Hunt culpably square, for Astle to wriggle between them; only to finish with a feeble shot. But another goal was inevitable and nine minutes from half time, it came. Very smoothly, again, Albion worked to ball across goal right to left, Fraser to Kaye to Brown to Clark - left quite clear, a second time, to score without hardship. Almost at once, Rangers found themselves, just as they had after the first goal, with a chance. A left wing corner dropped over the defence at Keen's feet, but he miskicked past the post. So to the transformation. The second half had barely begun when Rangers produced their first truly incisive move of the afternoon. Quick, clever passes by Morgan and Marsh put Allen through, but he wasn't quite quick enough to catch the ball. Then a lob from Keen ran off Clarke's back, into a vacant goalmouth - from which Kaye cleared. Next, as we wondered at the metamorphosis, Lazarus found Marsh in the area, but Marsh wheeling effortlessly round two men, shot over the top. Rangers, now, set up camp in Albion's half. Sheppard was forced into a marvellous catch from Lazarus (though the whistle had gone for a foul) then to a brave block from Morgan, by the near post. Flying through the air, he took Keen's powerful long shot, but after 63 minutes, Rangers were properly rewarded. Lazarus, all confidence now, beat Williams and was callously tripped. Ken floated the kick over the defence. Morgan headed it in. A glorious run by Clark, a centre across an open goal, was almost all West Bromwich gave us in this half. Rangers promptly continued their bombardment and 15 minutes from time they equalised superbly. Marsh got it; a dazzling individual goal, swaying like a palm tree in the wind, outside one man, inside another, all careless elegance, sweeping the ball in, at last, with his right foot, off the left hand post. No wonder he dance his triumph to the crowd. It was all white shirts now; we were waiting for the coup de grace. Allen took a corner on the right and Lazarus, meeting it first time, hit Sheppard's desperate legs. Then, with eight minutes left, an Albion defender miskicked, Hunt rushed in for the kill, Sheppard saved gallantly at his feet but lost the ball and, as he lay prostrate, Lazarus scored. Three minutes from time he was through again, swerving mazily past two defenders for a shot which chipped the post, but was worth a goal. It was a famous victory. QPR: Springett, Hazell, Langley, Keen, Hunt, Sibley, Lazarus, Sanderson, Allen, Marsh, R. Morgan. West Bromwich Albion: Sheppard, Cram, Williams, Collard, Clarke, Fraser, Brown, Astle, Kaye, Hope, Clark. http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2625925,00.html? This story def deserves a mention today. You R's! Last 15 minutes of the final: [video]http://player.vimeo.com/video/11712621?[/video] What about that fella to the right?! Don't think he would have come away with it in this day and age, JT anyone? please log in to view this image
Great post Norway, as the last line says 'It was a famous victory'. Just too young to have gone on my own but I remember watching it on TV that evening...
Video fixed now Sooper, should bring back the memories, check it out: http://player.vimeo.com/video/11712621?
Yep, great stuff. Two of our best wins ever against the Baggies, let's hope we get another when we visit them...
I knew this was around and nearly bought it a few years back but I recalled that video technology is different here (on the US system) and that I'd never get to watch it here. Thanks for posting it
Great memories all these years later - I was 13 and watched the game on TV with my dad. I remember the cup run, in particular the come from behind victory over Leicester City. Looking back on the road to Wembley it looks like we got the rub of the green with the home fixtures. Likely our current team would have bowed out against Aldershot. Round Opposition Score Venue 1st Colchester United 5–0 Loftus Road (h) 2nd Aldershot 1–1 Recreation Ground (a) 2nd (replay) Aldershot 2–0 Loftus Road (h) 3rd Swansea Town 2–1 Loftus Road (h) 4th Leicester City 4–2 Loftus Road (h) 5th Carlisle United 2–1 Loftus Road (h) Semi-final Birmingham City 4–1 St Andrew's (a) 3–1 Loftus Road (h)
I was there but sadly too young to recall anything. I still have the Evening Standard special cup edition front page framed in the loo
When you live with a family of Blades it's a constant battle. I've painted the inside garage walls in blue and white hoops.......when you live 150 miles away it's the little things that keep you going. Most home games I can be found in the old armchair at the back of the garage listening in on the wireless
I was there. I lived in Wembley, and my Dad got tickets from a mate and my dad took me to the match (we walked from our house) and on the way home bought me a poster of the team. From then on I never looked back. We were still living in Wembley in 1982 and 1986, not quite so happy times....but in 1987 I moved to all places Oxford. How I would one day like to go back to see the Rangers play there again (and win!)
What a great time that was went to all the games home and away.Queued all night in Ellerslie Road for tickets to the final and was playing football at about two in the morning in the road. Somebody had called the police who came and they joined in the game with us. Took a three foot copper hunting horn to Wembley with a QPR banner hanging from it,strange but true,don't think they would let you take one in to the ground now.Let's hope we can get back to Wembley soon.
Evening all, yep i was there as well, although only 6 at the time so don't remember too much about the day. Do recall going by coach from HQ and passing the walkers carrying the coffin with wba painted on it (not wubba you understand!!!) Still have the programme, not exactly in pristine condition and also the special souvenir programme from the semi 2nd leg, it was a proper progamme instead of the usual piece of paper folder to make 6 pages. Happy days
I was there with my dad. He was a baggies fan. First team he saw when he came to this country. Fantastic occasion. Couldn't believe it when he cheered when Clark scored. Twice. And then the second half. Maybe it was because we whacked everybody in those days or may be it was because I was so young and full of optimism but at half time I never had any doubts we would win. And so we did. Can we try to recreate that sort of support? Last few games at LR have been a bit too quiet for my liking.
