CITY 1 STOKE CITY 0
FA Cup 6th Round
3rd March 1934
attendance 84,569
Scorer Brook(15)
Ref J H Whittle
City Swift, Barnett, Dale, Busby, Cowan, Bray, Toseland, Marshall, Tilson, Herd, Brook
Stoke John, McGrory, Spencer, Tutin, Turner, Sellars, Matthews, Liddle, Sale, Davies, Johnson
This was probably the most historic Cup-tie ever staged at Maine Road, not because it was a classic in the football sense but for other notable reasons. Most people remember the game for the size of the crowd rather than the result. The gates were closed long before the kick-off with a record 84,569 jammed inside. It is still a record attendance for any game in England outside London, and with today’s crowd restrictions it could remain in the record books for all time.
The Blues scored the vital winner in the 15th minute with an element of luck about it. Alex Herd sent Eric Brook away down the left wing with a perfect pass. Brook raced towards the corner flag and crossed a speculative centre. Stoke ‘keeper Roy John misjudged the flight of the ball and it passed over his head into the net. It was not until an exultant roar from the Platt Lane end that many of the fans realised that it was a goal.
That was the second stroke of luck for the Blues, they should. have been a goal behind. ln the first minute a cross from Johnson beat Frank Swift and flashed across the goal. The target loomed large with Swift off his line and both Matthews and Sale miskicked. A minute later Davies grazed the City crossbar.
City’s wingers, Brook and Ernie Toseland, were in tremendous form thanks to the admirable prompting of wing-halfs Jackie Bray and Matt Busby.
Bob McGrory was a tireless worker for Stoke but he was at the veteran stage and unable to cope with the pace of City’s lively attack, particularly the impish Freddie Tilson. The expected threat from the famed Stoke wing pair of Matthews and Liddle was mastered by the solid defensive play of Bray and Billy Dale.
Gate receipts for the game were £5,426
AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 26TH DECEMBER 1979
My Grandfather was Stoke’s Billy Spencer who played at Fullback alongside Bob McGrory and according to family legend he made such an impression on Manchester City that they offered him an open cheque to sign for them. Needless to say he didn’t but remained with Stoke for another year before seeing out his playing career with Crewe Alexandra.
As a small boy of 13 (I am now 97) my uncle,a Man City supporter took me to this match.
I suppose for safety reasons being such a huge crowd my uncle put me on the other side
Of the little wall that ran round the perimeter of the pitch.Had a great view of the players.
On leaving the ground it was so scary.My uncle had to hold me by my coat collar to stop me
from being knocked over. Still, it was a thrilling occasion and moreso because it turned out
to be a record crowd.
My mother Vera – now nearly 104 years and is still a City season ticket holder was there with her eldest brother standing on popular side. Amazingly she remembered the goal which came from by the corner flag.
Hi Danny, saw your mum today being interviewed for the 125th anniversary, what a wonderful lady
Could anyone help me as I think my grandfather was the referee for this game
His name is Laurie Brown of Barnes SW London – He was a very well respected referee of that era and I seem to remember him telling me that he was
Hi Andy, this prompted me to have a good check as I didn’t have the referee’s details either. Having checked back in various historical newspapers I can see that The Manchester Eveing News and several other newspapers reported the referee was a Mr J H Whittle.
Thanks for your question