A trip down memory lane to New Writtle Street, 44-years-ago this week FA Cup – Third Round – Saturday, January 13 – 1973
Chelmsford City 1-3 Ipswich Town
‘CUP FEVER’ hit Chelmsford as the Clarets faced First Division Ipswich Town in an FA Cup third round tie at New Writtle Street, arguably the biggest match in the club’s history.
The game was watched by a crowd of 15,557, while Anglia Television shared the highlights to the nation via their regular Sunday lunchtime show ‘Match of the Week’ with Gerry Harrison providing the commentary.
Oddly, the TV highlights show the first half in colour and the second in black and white. Nevertheless, a fascinated audience saw Town race into a three-goal lead thanks to a Colin Harper thunderbolt and further strikes from David Johnson and Bryan Hamilton. Roy Woolcott’s late header was adjudged to have crossed the line by the referee, Mr I.P Jones, as the Clarets deservedly pulled one back, much to the delight of their enthusiastic support.
Had the Clarets progressed they would have faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round. The Blues beating City’s conquerors by two goals to nil, both scored by former Southend United frontman, Bill Garner.
Chelmsford City: Laurie Taylor, Tommy Coakley, Vic Gomersall, Paul Delea, Mick Loughton, Len Tomkins, Bernie Lewis, Terry Price, Roy Woolcott, Frank Peterson, Eddie Dilsworth Substitutes: Barry Thornley
Ipswich Town: David Best, Mick Mills, Colin Harper, Peter Morris, Allan Hunter, John Peddelty, Bryan Hamilton, Colin Viljoen, David Johnson, Trevor Whymark, Mick Lambert
Featured is the centrespread from the Clarets v Town official FA Cup souvenir Programme which on the day cost ten pence.
You can discover more about the history of Chelmsford City Football Club in the excellent magazine ‘The Chelmsford City Historian’ by David Selby (£2:50) Follow David on Twitter: @SelbyDavid
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