The 1969 FA Cup Final
Manchester City 1–0 Leicester City: Neil Young's 24th-minute goal secures the 1969 FA Cup at Wembley.
The 1969 FA Cup final was the final match of the 1968–69 staging of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, better known as the FA Cup. The match was contested between Leicester City and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 26 April 1969. This was the first FA Cup final since 1951 to take place in the month of April. Three-time winners Manchester City were appearing in their seventh final, whereas Leicester City were seeking to win the competition for the first time, having lost three previous finals. The match finished 1–0 to Manchester City, with the goal scored by Neil Young in the 24th minute.
Quick Facts
- Opponent
- Manchester City
- Score
- Manchester City 1–0 Leicester City
- Manager
- Joe Mercer
- Notable scorer
- Neil Young (1 goal)
Lore & Background
Each team won five ties to reach the final. Leicester City's route included a replay against Barnsley, a 1–0 win at Millwall, a 1–0 win at Liverpool after a replay, a 1–0 win at Mansfield Town, and a 1–0 semi-final win over West Bromwich Albion. Manchester City's route included a 1–0 win over Luton Town, a replay win over Newcastle United after a 0–0 draw, a 4–1 win at Blackburn Rovers, a 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, and a 1–0 semi-final win over Everton. Leicester City were making their fourth cup final appearance, having lost in 1949, 1961 and 1963. Manchester City had won the cup three times previously (1904, 1934, 1956) and lost three finals (1926, 1933, 1955). The clubs had met in the FA Cup in each of the preceding three seasons.
Reader's Guide
The match was televised live by the BBC and ITV. Leicester City named a 14-man squad and trained at Bisham. Manchester City stayed in Weybridge. Leicester had fitness doubts over Dave Gibson, Len Glover and John Sjoberg; Sjoberg withdrew with a groin injury and was replaced by Alan Woollett. Manchester City manager Joe Mercer named his team days in advance; Glyn Pardoe, Tony Coleman and Alan Oakes were passed fit after a practice match. Each club received 16,000 tickets. Manchester City were strong favourites as reigning league champions, while Leicester were battling relegation. The pitch was criticised by Joe Mercer, who likened it to a cabbage patch.
Did You Know?
- Leicester City's David Nish, at 21, became the youngest ever captain of a cup finalist.
- Manchester City's Tony Book, at 35, became the third oldest captain of a cup finalist.
- Manchester City coach Malcolm Allison served a touchline ban and sat in the stand.
- A poll of journalists named Allan Clarke as man of the match.
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