CITY 1 BOLTON WANDERERS 0
FA Cup Final played at Crystal Palace
23rd April 1904
attendance 61,374
Scorer Meredith
Ref A J Barker
City Hillman, McMahon, Burgess, Frost, Hynds, Ashworth, Meredith, Livingstone, Gillespie, Turnbull, Booth
City were clear favourites to beat Second Division Bolton. Billy Meredith led the team on to the Crystal Palace pitch, and winning the toss, chose to attack the South Stand where the City fans were congregated.
City were in command and before the half hour Livingstone slipped in a long ball to Meredith who left the Bolton defence for dead before stroking the ball home to put City 1-0 up.
The Bolton fans and players were sure the goal was offside, but it stood, and City led at half-time.
In the second half The Blues were content to sit back and defend their slim lead, and were successful.
After the final whistle Billy Meredith led the team up the steps of the stands to be presented with the FA Cup by Lord Alfred Lyttleton.
An Article from ATHLETIC NEWS as published in FOOTBALL WIZARD THE BILLY MEREDITH STORY By John Harding
As soon as they caught sight of the trophy trimmed with blue and white ribbons, which Meredith now and then raised above his head, they gave vent to prodigious cheering. Most of the windows of the upper stories were packed with people whose plaudits, added to the blowing of a bugle here and there, and the music of the band, made a deafening sound.
…To the accopaniment of incessant cheering, the procession made it’s way at walking pace down Dale Street where, what might be called the welcome of the middle-classes was exchanged for that of the proletariat. It came from rough working men and larrikins ad beshawled women and children in arms and hand, and was as hearty, if not heartier, than had gone before.
below is a two page picture story of the final as published in the Daily Graphic 25th April 1904
