* It was a funny sort of season for the Blues, we were very inconsistent but on our day could hold our own with the best of them. We were also due a good run in the cup; the nearest I had been previously had been the 4-3 defeat by Bolton in the 1953 semi final. But I had a feeling (don't ask me why) that it could be our year and on the day of our 3rd round game at home to Sunderland I said to my in-laws (we all went and sat together in the Gwladys Street) that I fancied us.

So much so that I went into the bookies in Upper Warwick St (Ballards for those old enough to remember) and put a pound (a lot of money in those days) on Everton to win the cup. The odds? - 25/1 My in-laws didn't share my belief and as each round went by and the odds shortened they kept coming out with "Should have done that". Other than a real scare from an up and coming Man City - managed by the late great Joe Mercer - Champions just 2 yrs later, but in the 2nd Div when we played them - we got to the final without conceding a goal (I don't know if this record still stands)

A week before the 5th round game with Coventry City we played the media darlings of the day, Chelsea (sound familiar?), and beat them 2-1. After the game we were driving along Shaw Street and pulled up at the lights by London Road alongside the Chelsea team coach. One of our crowd (Bobby) wound the window down and caught the attention of Peter Osgood to have a bit of banter with him.

Osgood said "We'll see you at Wembley" to which Bob replied, "Yes you'll be watching us!" Funnily enough we were talking about it just before the semi-final as Chelsea were to play Sheffield Wednesday and we were up against everyone's "favourite" team Manchester United.

For all of you younger fans it was a carbon copy of what happened in 1995, all the media wanted a Chelsea v Man U final, and when we got through to face Sheffield Wednesday they called it "The final that nobody wanted". Yeah, try telling that to Everton and Wednesday fans. In fact the media acknowledged later that it was one of the greatest post war finals.

Two things stand out from the semi-final, it was an awful game and the pitch at Burnden Park was dreadful. Colin Harvey's goal seemed to take for ever to trickle in - yes, we sucked the ball into the net even in them days. Secondly, Denis Law missed an absolute sitter right at the end; a great player chose the biggest occasion to cock up.

Well, on to the final itself, and what a special day. We got the train from Lime Street and were booked on the diner train for £5.50 return to Wembley. When we were getting on the train at Lime Street, obviously in high spirits, one of our lot, Peter, went round the side of a crash barrier to avoid the crush. This led one of the policmen to ask "Where do you think you're going?"

Now Peter worked on the docks and was always ready with a smart answer - added to the fact he was decked out in blue and white and had a rosette the size of a dartboard - he replied "Where the friggin' hell do you think I'm going?" So the game itself and we all know what happened; the funny thing was even at 2-0 down I didn't feel worried. Bobby and Peter were having kittens and saying "Your bet's down the pan now."

I told them I thought we were unlucky to be behind and wasn't worried...yet. The funny thing was I felt the complete opposite two years later against West Brom and we had a much better side then. Once we equalised only one team was going to win and although it was a mistake by Gerry Young, Temple took his goal superbly. He then took off and none of the other players could catch him! We then had Jimmy Gabriel playing keep ball with the corner flag to kill a few seconds and finally it was all over.

When I was 10 I listened to the 1933 Cup Final on the radio now I was here seeing it myself just 3 years after the championship. Special mention must go to Wednesday, they played some great football and became the first losers to get a much deserved lap of honour.

Well we got back on the train and pulled into Edge Hill at 8:30 pm after much singing and a few more drinks to ease our sore throats. From there we jumped into a taxi in Tunnel Rd and were in The Napier (corner of Windsor Street and Hill Sreet) for quarter to nine. Some of you older blues may remember this pub (sadly no more) it was always known locally as Harry Bensons.

Harry knew we were all mad Blues and deliberately made one of his barman a guy name Tommy Harper (a red) serve us all night. Suffice to say in the grand tradition of Blues we sang all the old favourites and had great night.

The best was yet to come though, as one of the women I used to work with was also a fanatical blue and did a lot of work for the Supporters Club, and not long after there was a special night held to celebrate the cup win.

Once again we had a great night and as you can see from the photos we mingled with the players. I had a good chat with Fred Pickering who was obviously a bit down, and also with Derek Temple who was one of the nicest fellers you could wish to meet. The only trouble is I couldn't get near Trebilcock - my wife and sister-in-law were all over him!

This posted on WSAG 2001. This is my father's account of the 1966 FA Cup run and final. John Black. (06/08/04)