In the late '30s, Preston North End were emerging as one of the best teams in the land. They had been to the F.A. Cup
Final in 1937 and lost to a very good Sunderland side, and at the end of season 37-38, they were pipped for the title
by Arsenal. However, in May 1938, they found themselves back at Wembley and up for another shot at winning the F.A. Cup.
In contrast, their opponents at Wembley, Huddersfield, were struggling, and had finished the season in 19th place in
Division 1.
The match, the first cup final to be broadcast live on television in it's entirety ( there were an estimated 10,000
viewers watching on television ), was a disappointment. After 90 minutes
the game was goalless. Extra time was then played ( another first for a Wembley cup final ) and the tireless efforts of
Shankly made Preston the likelier side to break the deadlock.
In the last minute of extra time, Shankly put George Mutch through on goal and the Huddersfield centre back and skipper
Alf Young, who had been having an inspired afternoon, pulled Mutch down just inside the box. The referee gave a penalty,
although for years afterwards the debate rumbled on about whether the incident had taken place inside or outside the box.
North End's George Mutch slams home the penalty off the underside of the bar.
Note: The white paint mark from the crossbar can clearly be seen on the ball.
|
Surprisingly, the normally ice cool penalty taker Shankly refused to take the spot kick, leaving the responsibility to the
still shaken George Mutch, who picked himself up, dusted himself down and smashed the kick home off the underside of the
crossbar.
Being part of a cup winning team was the highlight of Shankly's playing career.
'When the whistle blows at Wembley and you've played in a final and you've won, that's the greatest thrill of your life....
No doubt about that. I thanked God for that. That feeling is unbelievable.'
|
