1968 FA Cup Final - Background

Background

Both clubs were members of the First Division, Everton having finished fifth during the 1967–68 league season and West Bromwich Albion eighth. Everton were victorious in both league matches between the two sides, winning 2–1 at Goodison Park and 6–2 at The Hawthorns. The teams had met on four previous occasions in the FA Cup. Everton had won three of those ties, including the 1906–07 semi-final, while Albion's sole victory was in the semi-final of 1930–31. Both teams were renowned for their attacking styles at the time so an exciting match was expected. Instead a tense rather drab affair ensued before Astle struck in extra time. This gave Astle, known as 'The King' to Albion fans, virtual hero worship from Albion supporters for the rest of his life. Despite taking part in what was then a record 10th final Albion have failed since to win the competition or indeed reach the final.

Albion's journey to the final began at lower league Colchester in Round 3. Albion sneaked a replay thanks to an equalising Tony Brown penalty though they were second best for large periods. They had no problem in the replay however, winning 4–0 in front of near 40,000 at home. Round 4 saw Albion draw at home against Southampton before prevailing in a replay 3–2 at the Dell. Next came second Division Portsmouth in Round 5 at a packed Fratton Park. Albion triumphed thanks to goals from Astle and Clark though a Portsmouth goal made for a tense finish. Albion were then drawn at home against Bill Shankly's great Liverpool side in the Quarter Final. Demand for the game was huge with eager fans queuing for hours on end. However, despite being roared on by a crowd of 53,052, Albion's largest for six years, the Baggies could only manage a goalless draw meaning a replay at Anfield. Few expected victory at a ground where Albion had been beaten 4–1 earlier in the League season, even more so when Albion went behind, but a superb Astle header took the game to yet another replay. The venue selected was Maine Road, much to the irritation of Albion fans as after all Manchester is far closer to Liverpool than Birmingham. Still despite it being a wet midweek night 20,000 Albion fans journeyed north for the game and despite being outnumbered in crowd of over 56,000 certainly made themselves heard that night. Despite being underdogs Albion triumphed deservedly 2–1 with goals from Clark and that man again, Astle.

The semi-final saw Albion drawn against local rivals Birmingham City, who were chasing promotion from the second division at the time. The clubs had met in a final back in 1931, which Albion had won, and the match was staged at the neutral venue of Villa Park. In front of a crowd of over 60,000 goals from Brown and Astle saw Albion through to a record tenth final. The result was harsh on Birmingham, who battled valiantly, but it was Albion who prevailed, sending their supporters packed into the Holte End of the ground in to utter delirium. It was Wembley for the Baggies, and Astle's strike wrote him, already a hero amongst the fans, forever into Albion folklore.