As yet another F.A. Cup campaign gets underway I had a look at the database to see how many times Chelsea have played in the competition on this date, 11th January since they first entered the F.A. Cup in 1906.
During the Bygone era Chelsea have played in the F.A. Cup five times on 11th January, the first occasion being in 1908 when they faced Worksop Town in a 1st Round Tie. Chelsea were actually drawn out as the away side, but Worksop agreed to move the game to Stamford Bridge as a larger gate would bring them a bigger share of the gate receipts.
18,995 spectators turned up for what was a rather chastening experience for Worksop as they were soundly beaten 9-1. George Hilsdon excelled himself by scoring six of the goals with Jimmy Windridge finding the net twice and William Bridgeman scoring the other.
The sole contribution for Worksop was a goal from G Richardson plus their share from the £600 in gate receipts.
The next occasion that Chelsea played on 11th January in the F.A. Cup was in 1913, another 1st Round Tie at Stamford Bridge against Southend United. A smaller gate of 14,569 was at this game which saw Chelsea canter to a 5-2 win. Bob Whittingham found the net four times with Vivian Woodward also scoring. Alfred Frost accounted for both Southend goals.
Chelsea then had to wait until 1930 for another Tie on 11th January. At the time Chelsea were pushing for promotion from Division 2, something they would achieve after several near misses, but on this occasion the F.A. Cup took them to Highbury to face Arsenal in a 3rd Round Tie. The home side won 2-0 in front of a huge gate of 55,579.
Six years later, 11th January 1936, Chelsea headed to Carrow Road where they faced Norwich City in a 3rd Round Tie. A bumper crowd of 32,398 saw Chelsea struggle to overcome feisty opponents and despite taking a 75th minute lead through Billy Mitchell, Frank Manders levelled for Norwich minutes later to force a replay at Stamford Bridge which Chelsea won comfortably four days later.
The last occasion when Chelsea played in the F.A. Cup on 11th January was in 1947 when Arsenal were the visitors to Stamford Bridge in another 3rd Round Tie. 70,257 spectators packed the ground to witness a close and competitive encounter. Ian McPherson scored for Arsenal a minute before the break, but just after the re-start Tommy Walker equalised for Chelsea. Neither side found a winner, which is what happened four days later in the replay as that also ended 1-1. The third instalment took place at White Hart Lane on 20th January 1947 when 59,590 spectators watched Chelsea win 2-0.
By Paul Waterhouse of Bygone Chelsea
コメント