17. In 1972, Hereford United shocked the football world, when as a non league side playing in the Southern Football League, they beat top flight opposition in the FA Cup. Who were their opponents on that memorable day?
From Quiz Herefordshire Happiness
Answer:
Newcastle United
Of the choices, only Newcastle were a division one side in 1972, with Sunderland being in the second division and both Aston Villa and Blackburn languishing in the third division. In the FA Cup of that year, Hereford needed a replay in both the first and second rounds to see off Kings Lynn and Northampton Town respectively, before they were drawn against the might of Newcastle in the third round. Amazingly, little Hereford held Newcastle to a draw at Newcastle's ground, meaning yet another replay, this time at Hereford and if what happened in the first game was unexpected, the replay was out of this world. Newcastle eventually took the lead in the 82nd minute and only three minutes later Hereford equalised, with the scores staying level up to the 90th minute, meaning the match went to extra time. In the 103rd minute, substitute Ricky George fired a blistering shot into the net and Hereford held on for the remaining 17 minutes for a historic victory. Incredibly, Hereford's fourth round match against West Ham United also went to a replay, but this time they lost 3-1. The cup was lifted on 6th May by Billy Bremner as Leeds United beat Arsenal 1-0 in the final.