Saddlers Memorable Matches

Walsall 3 Manchester United 2 AET
7 January 1975

Another FA Cup success against one of the best sides in the country. Now it has to be taken into account that at this time Man United were not the force they have been for the last 15 odd years but nevertheless this still stands out as another huge Saddlers result.

Having already played out a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, Walsall weren’t still huge underdogs going into the clash at Fellows Park. With Alan Buckley in your team however you couldn’t write us off.

Over 18,000 fans crammed into Fellows Park on a cold Tuesday evening and everyone revelled in a cracking game that was 1-1 after 90 minutes through a Bernie Wright strike for the Saddlers and a Gerry Daly penalty for United.

Extra time belonged to Alan Buckley. First he did what all good strikers do being in the right place at the right time to volley home after United keeper Alex Stepney had only parried a cross and when Walsall were awarded a penalty there was no doubt who would take it.

Buckley slammed the ball into the top left-hand corner and we were on our way to another FA Cup scalp. United did make the last few minutes of extra time nervy when Sammy Mcllroy got one back but it wasn’t enough.

Walsall goalkeeping legend Mick Kearns maintains to this day that this game was the ‘pinnacle of my career for Walsall’ and it’s hard to argue with that.

If you have any memories of the night we dumped United from the cup let us know on our forum.