A NEW chapter in Blues’ illustrious history will be written when the team takes to the Wembley pitch for the Carling cup final.
It’s 55 years since the club contested a major cup final at Wembley – the 1956 FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Yet memories of that epic showpiece, which Blues lost 3-1, remain as vivid as ever thanks to these archived pictures.
Stalwart goalkeeper Gil Merrick, who has a stand at St Andrew’s named in his honour, can be seen waving to a crowd of jubilant boys from Greenmore College where he led physical training classes and football games.
Merrick, who died last February, went on to make 485 appearances for Blues between 1939 and 1960 and is still regarded by fans as one of the finest keepers in the club’s history.
The players’ tunnel at Wembley may well have changed but the teams will be equally as nervous as they were back in 1956 as they prepared to grace the hallowed turf to a rousing reception.
One Blues player is pictured here bouncing a ball against a wall to help him stay relaxed while his teammates talk to the match officials.
After emerging onto the pitch Blues players were presented to the Duke of Edinburgh as part of a royal ceremony which still exists today.
Forward Noel Kinsey cancelled out Manchester City’s third-minute opener but it was the opposition who had the last laugh.
No comments:
Post a Comment