The 1979-80 season was our second in the 2nd division and after finishing a disappointing 5th in 78-79 we also missed out this season mainly due to the cup run.
We had a great team at this point with class acts like Phil Parkes, Ray Stewart, Billy Bonds, Alan Devonshire and Sir Trevor Brooking. Backed up former Man U striker Stuart Pearson, journeyman striker Dave Cross, young Paul Allen in his first season, Alvin Martin, Geoff Pike, Patsy Holland and slim Frank Lampard.
We had beaten Aston Villa 1-0 in the 6th Round which meant a semi versus Everton at Villa park, luckily my number came up in the draw for tickets and meant a Sunday morning trip up to Upton park to get my ticket.
The game ended up 1-1 with our equaliser memorable due to Stuart Pearson lying injured and being ignored by the Everton defenders and suddenly getting off the floor and running on to a through ball to score.
Brian Kidd getting sent off after his punch up with Super Jock was another great moment.
The replay was hastily arranged for the following Wednesday which meant a quick trip up to Upton Park on the monday afternoon to get a ticket and and having to book a coach trip to Leeds and also pleading with the boss for a short notice day off.
An interesting day having to leave at mid day and getting to Leeds around 6pm, the game itself was only memorable in the first 90 minutes for the brilliant non stop singing of the Hammers fans, extra time was probably my greatest 30 minutes of football supporting as we kept plugging away at our higher rated opponents and were rewarded when Alan Devonshire beat the entire Everton defence to tuck in a superb goal, Latchford equalised and the scoreboard showed that a second replay was arranged for Highfield road Coventry on the following Monday meaning going through all those hassles getting tickets, transport and time off again :(
With seconds left Frank Lampard somehow got his head to a cross and we had won 2-1 ... amazing.
Didn't get home till 4.30am the next day and had to be up at 6.30 for work but it was worth it.
The final meant queueing up for hours at Upton park on a Sunday morning to get a ticket. £3.50 shows how times have changed :)
The day itself worked out brilliantly with us beating Arsenal 1-0 although the old Wembley stadium wasn't the greatest place to watch football, when Brooking scored we were at the other end and so far away we really couldn't tell if it was a goal for a few seconds until the wave of cheering spread around the ground.
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