The FA Cup Finalists 1946-1949 - Historical Football Kits

English FA Cup Finalists 1946 - 1949

leicester city 1949 fa cup final The outbreak of Word War Two led to the cancellation of both the Football League and FA Cup programmes for the duration. When the war ended, the FA reinstated the FA Cup. The Football League did not start up again until 1946 so, to satisfy the demand for fixtures, matches were played over two legs up to and including the sixth round. This experiment diluted the "sudden death" element that made the FA Cup so exciting and was not repeated. The post-war years were a boom time for the game and crowds at FA Cup finals regularly approached 100,000.

1945 - 1946

Derby County

Charlton Athletic

Derby County 4 Charlton Athletic 1 (Extra time played)

venue Wembley Stadium
date 27 April 1946

With ten minutes to go and the game scoreless, Bert Turner, Charlton's right-half, diverted the ball into his own net and then, less than a minute later, scored at the other end from a free-kick. Jack Stamps almost scored for Derby in the closing minutes but the ball burst when he struck a fierce shot towards Charlton's goal, and the 'keeper managed to keep it out. In extra time Derby ran riot, scoring three times to win comfortably.

1946 -1947

Charlton Athletic

Burnley

Charlton Athletic 1 Burnley 0 (Extra time played)

venue Wembley Stadium
date 26 April 1947

Charlton returned to Wembley for their second successive cup final where they defeated Burnley, then in the Second Division, in a dull game. There was no score after 90 minutes so half an hour's extra-time was played at more or less walking pace on an unseasonably hot day. By a bizarre coincidence the ball burst as it had during last year's final. Charlton's winner came after 114 minutes, a spectacular volley from near the penalty spot.

1947 - 1948

Manchester United

Blackpool

Manchester United 4 Blackpool 2

venue Wembley Stadium
date 24 April 1948

This all-Lancashire final has passed into history as one of the finest matches ever seen in the competition. Blackpool had the brilliant Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortenson in their side while United were full of rising stars. Blackpool led 2-1 at half-time. United drew level in the second half but might have conceded a third but for a fine save by Crompton in the 80th minute. United immediately counter-attacked and Pearson scored from 20 yards, a shot that went in off the post. Three minutes later United had a fourth.

1948 - 1949

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Leicester City

Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 Leicester City 1

venue Wembley Stadium
date 30 April 1949

Wolves were expected to dispatch their Midlands rivals, Leicester, without too much difficulty and for once the favourites did not disappoint. After the last two finals, this match was something of an anti-climax. Wolves went into the dressing rooms at half-time with a two goal lead but after the break, City threatened to turn the game round and pulled one back in the 47th minute. Leicester launched themselves into the attack and thought they had an equaliser but the goal was disallowed for offside. Wolves counter-attacked and scored a third when Sammy Smyth beat three defenders before rifling home a shot off his left foot.

The 1930s | FA Cup Finals | The 1950s