We’ve been here before!
Shaun71 tells us about another quarter final nightmare
The abject feelings all Boro fans are feeling right now after the miserable Cardiff defeat isn’t a new phenomenon. Even Redcar knocked us out of the Quarter Final stage way back in 1886! It took us till 1997 to get to that elusive semi final, and then we tried our best to lose it to Chesterfield.
The following is a match report, as described in the Gazette of the day, with a few embellishments. Its not Man Utd 70, Birmingham 75, Liverpool 77, Orient 78 (Billy Ashcroft, what were you thinking of?), Wolves 81 or Man Utd 07. It was a game we played v Division 2 opposition in Burnley in the 1946/47 season.
After struggling past Division 3 side QPR (in a replay), Chesterfield, Nottingham Forest we found ourselves drawn at home to Burnley. Plucky Burnley, who should have been no match to the might of Middlesbrough. A team packed with internationals such as Wilf Mannion, George Hardwick and Micky Fenton. A team that was then placed 3rd in Division 1, and hotly tipped to win the title for the 1st ever time.
1st March 1947
Britain was in the midst of a harsh winter and the game at Ayresome Park was to go ahead with 2 inches of snow on the playing surface. Cup fever gripped Teesside as 53,205 came to roar βThe Borough’ on. Half an hour before kick off the gates were closed, with an estimated 5000 still locked outside.
Top scorer Micky Fenton kicked off the game as Boro attacked the Holgate End. After a few early skirmishes Division 2 side Burnley started to take control of the match. They even had the temerity to put the ball in the Boro net but to the relief of the large crowd it was ruled out for offside. Then 2 minutes before half time left winger Geoff Walker pounced to make the half time score 1-0 to the home side.
Boro started the 2nd half strongly are were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Fentons superb striker curled into the top corner but Johnny Spuhlers impetuosity caused the βgoal’ to be ruled out for offside. Surely that would have been curtains for the Turf Moor side.
As it was a Norman Robinson slip allowed Burnley striker Morris to equalise.
Before the replay could take place the draw for the semi final had taken place. Boro or Burnley were drawn against Liverpool, while Newcastle were pitted against Charlton Athletic.
Again the game was in doubt right up till kick off with the pitch covered in frozen snow. Boro resplendent in white jerseys repelled the Lancashire teams attacks to take the game into extra time. However disaster struck in the 1st minute of extra time with a hugely controversial goal. The ball was swung over and Boro keeper Dave Cumming was knocked unconscious by an accidental boot to the face from incoming striker Harrison. If that wasn’t bad enough the prostrate Burnley striker clearly scooped the ball across the area with his hand to fellow striker Morris, who made no mistake.
Referee Arthur Ellis (late of It’s a Knockout fame), initially didn’t let the goal stand until he consulted the linesman. Once he let the goal stood, there was a barrage of protests led by skipper George Hardwick.
Soon enough it was all over and FAC heartbreak all over again. Little did we know but it would be 50 full years before we got to that elusive semi final.
Boro team: Dave Cumming, Dicky Robinson, George Hardwick (capt), Harry Bell, Norman Robinson (Jimmy McCabe for replay), Jimmy Gordon, Johnny Spuhler, Wilf Mannion, Micky Fenton, George Dews, Geoff Walker (Alec Linwood for replay).
