1968 winning side

By Jemma Tappenden
April 4 2008

Past statistics might mean nothing as far as Tony Mowbray and Harry Redknapp are concerned, but nonetheless we quite like them here on Astle Central! So buckle your seat belts and prepare for a statistical ride that might just knock your socks off! Ok, so I exaggerated a tad, but the ties between Pompey and Albion suggest FA Cup glory for one of these sides might be written in the stars.

West Brom have a fantastic opportunity to create a first ever piece of FA Cup history, knocking out Portsmouth would guarantee a first all ever Championship final.  In addition this is also the first time in 100 years that only one top flight club has qualified for the semi finals.

But if we delve a little deeper the history between West Brom and Portsmouth in the FA Cup seems to suggest that the winner of this might just go on to complete the journey.

Sixty nine years ago Pompey knocked out West Brom and then went on to win the trophy.  The sole time they have lifted the FA Cup.  West Brom on the other hand have won this trophy a total of five times, and coincidentally knocked out Portsmouth on two of the occasions they went on to win it in 1931 and 1968.

1931 was a double celebration for the Baggies – they became the only side to have ever won the cup and been promoted in the same season.  Albion were also the first side to win the trophy with a team made up entirely of English born players, something which seems almost nonsensical in today’s footballing world.

Tomorrow Harry Redknapp’s Pompey side look to secure a 4^th place in the FA Cup final, with what is their sixth semi final appearance.  Albion have a somewhat more boast worthy history in the cup.  Tomorrow will be their 20^th semi final appearance, only Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton can boast more semi final appearances than that.

A win for the Baggies would see them make an incredible 11^th FA Cup final appearance.  Albion last lifted this trophy in 1968, the legendary Jeff Astle scoring in every round of the competition.

Is it written in the stars for Albion & Pompey?

Discussion started by West Brom (IP Logged), 04/04/2008 10:52

West Brom
04/04/2008 10:52

Is it written in the stars for Albion & Pompey?

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King Kenny Hibbitt
04/04/2008 13:28

Fans try to dig up anything they can for "good omens" purposes. Sorry, but that's all codswallop.

Face facts: when you try digging up facts & figures to convince yerself that you're gonna win, it's a sure sign the nerves are getting a grip.

There again, just imagine how devastated you'll undoubtedly feel -sorry, may feel- when...I mean 'if' you lose tomorrow. God, two successive beatings will...sorry, MAY...be hard to take.

My advice? Accept the inevitable and stop looking for good luck charms because it's all complete bollux.

I just go to every game open minded....

There again, I aint the one facing national humiliation where crying fans on TV are concerned. YET AGAIN.



COME ON YOU WOLVES....GERRIN' TO UM, AND F*CK 'EM OFF!

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Lifes Little Jem
04/04/2008 16:08

Actually that was written by moi, Wolves fan, looking for something a bit more interesting to put on the front page.

www.wbabaggies.co.uk

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.Say Hello Wave Goodbye.
04/04/2008 20:22

You mean like "the you let us down" lad KKH. And wasn't you preaching the history of we always beat Burnley the other week. like you say no matter what happened in the past its on the day that counts.



The Lords My Shepherd.
The future is bright. The future is Stripes.


www.wbabaggies.co.uk

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.boing boinger
04/04/2008 20:27

kkh please refrain from using the colourful language please

"bollux" is not allowed on this board

i thank you for your time



3 more months of freedom

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