WIMBLEDON

Wimbledon v Liverpool 1988 FA Cup Final

There have been some great shocks in FA Cup history, and this ranks amongst the greatest, as unfashionable Wimbledon marked their remarkable rise from non-league football to top-flight status to clinch the FA Cup for the first time in their history against three times winners Liverpool beneath the twin towers.

Liverpool were odds on favourites to complete the double having clinched the league title only a week earlier and Wimbledon who were still playing fourth division football 5 years earlier were simply written off by the pundits. But it proved to be a day for unlikely heroes, as Wimbledon’s two outstanding performers on the day made vital contributions to Wimbledon’s cause.

Dave Beasant, the Wimbledon goalkeeper, was responsible for two FA Cup ‘firsts’ as he became the first goalkeeper to receive the cup as well as save a penalty kick at Wembley. But it was Lawrie Sanchez who scored the all-important goal with a glancing header from a Dennis Wise free kick shortly before half time.

Liverpool still fashioned chances, but found Dave Beasant in fine form, and his crowning glory came on the hour when he guessed right and dived to the left to deny John Aldridge from the spot and etch himself into the record books.

Wimbledon stood strong and the unthinkable happened, as the cup headed to South London rather than Merseyside, and now relive this truly remarkable day all over again with the full 90 minutes and post match interviews from the day, which captures the true magic of the FA Cup and this historic day for the Dons.

Wimbledon Football Newspaper Book

Starting in 1962 with coverage of the FA cup 1st round 2-1 win over Colchester, this book charts a glorious history of great games and League and Cup matches through the decades of the 20th & 21st century.

Top stories include Wimbledon’s epic battle against Leeds in 1975 in the 4th round of the FA Cup, the start of life in the Football league at home to Halifax, promotion to Division 3 in 1979 after only 2 seasons, and to Division 2 in 1984 and Division 1 in 1986.

Coverage also includes the 2-0 win over Nottm Forest in the 1983 Milk Cup 2nd round, when Forest were at their height (and beating them again in the 1985 FA Cup 4th round).

Read about the fabulous FA Cup win over Liverpool in 1988, Vinny Jones return in 1992, and beating the best of the Premiership in the 1990s.

Newspaper coverage continues right up to the move to Milton Keynes in 2003 ending with coverage of the 1-0 win over Wigan in April 2004. A unique and wonderful gift and must have for all Wimbledon fans.