I know there are posters on here who, like myself, remember playing Wrexham at home in the 6th round of the FA Cup almost 51 years ago to the day. We won courtesy of a goal scored by Frank Casper in the 2nd half.
Two questions about it. Why did both teams play in their change strips that day and secondly prior to the fixture there was a lot of noise coming from North Wales about wanting the Welsh national anthem played before the kick off. Did it actually get played? I genuinely can't remember but nothing new for me in my advancing years. Thanks for any help.

I've no idea why the strips were both changed and as far as I remember there was no Welsh national anthem (Crikey Bob Lord would have had the band slung in jail!) The pre match controversy which was massive in the media revolved around Lord refusing to let TV cameras in so highlights could be aired later (absolutely no live games in those days barring the cup final itself) Television had a deal with the FA to film games and Lord refused to honour it and it kicked off royally, but he stuck to his guns and it wasn't (officially) filmed. The match was dour and awful, especially considering the supposed huge gulf in class, but Wrexham had beaten Southampton away (also top flight) in an earlier round, so were clearly a decent outfit. Casper's goal was a wicked deflection, but they all count as they say and the Longside was absolute bedlam!!

A great day. Don't remember the Welsh national anthem, but I think it was a rule of the FA Cup that the home side changed shirts if there was a clash. Have just looked up the crowd, and it was 35,500. Pretty sure that there can't have been a higher attendance since then. The home game against Leeds earlier in the season had a crowd of 40,087.

Remember the goal scored down at the Beehile End.
Think it was the week before that Wrexham's whole squad were at Turf Moor to 'spy' on us in a league game. Their main player was called David Smallman. Did he go on to play for Everton?

sandy richardson wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:15 pm

A great day. Don't remember the Welsh national anthem, but I think it was a rule of the FA Cup that the home side changed shirts if there was a clash. Have just looked up the crowd, and it was 35,500. Pretty sure that there can't have been a higher attendance since then. The home game against Leeds earlier in the season had a crowd of 40,087.

If there was a rule about the home side changing why would Wrexham also wear their away?

I think the rule in the FACup was that, if there was a clash of shirts, both teams had to change.

https://youtu.be/aERQFiAm91A?feature=shared

Found a video of it

It looks like Wrexham were wearing red at the start, then changed to white

It does unless they were tracksuit tops.

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:03 pm

It does unless they were tracksuit tops.

I thought that but it looked like there were numbers on the back (33secs)

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:40 pm

I know there are posters on here who, like myself, remember playing Wrexham at home in the 6th round of the FA Cup almost 51 years ago to the day. We won courtesy of a goal scored by Frank Casper in the 2nd half.
Two questions about it. Why did both teams play in their change strips that day and secondly prior to the fixture there was a lot of noise coming from North Wales about wanting the Welsh national anthem played before the kick off. Did it actually get played? I genuinely can't remember but nothing new for me in my advancing years. Thanks for any help.

Not the Welsh national anthem but they wanted some Welsh music played. Bob Lord, and not in a polite way, told them no.

The rules in the FA Cup were that both teams should change if there were a clash of colours unless they could come to an agreement. Wrexham wouldn't so we played in blue. The one other occasion I can recall that happening was against Everton in the fifth round in 61/62 when we wore white and they played in yellow.

35,500 and only three sides of the ground open, the BL stand wasn't finished.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:04 pm

35,500 and only three sides of the ground open, the BL stand wasn't finished.

The Bob Lord Stand had been opened for the previous round against Villa

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:47 pm

Not the Welsh national anthem but they wanted some Welsh music played. Bob Lord, and not in a polite way, told them no.

Good on him. Ask a silly question, deserve a silly answer.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:04 pm

35,500 and only three sides of the ground open, the BL stand wasn't finished.

Strange, because I was sat in it the previous round against villa

51 years ago.
I was in the Longside. Wonderfully chaotic mayhem when we scored.
We made hard work of it, though.
Always been impressed with their following, that day.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:04 pm

35,500 and only three sides of the ground open, the BL stand wasn't finished.

I was in the BL Stand with my dad for both the Villa and Wrexham ties - not sure why as we usually stood on the Longside but have a feeling a relative who worked for the newspaper got us comps

Buxtonclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:50 pm

51 years ago.
I was in the Longside. Wonderfully chaotic mayhem when we scored.
We made hard work of it, though.
Always been impressed with their following, that day.

A reported 15000 came with many of them locked out.I got talking to a Wrexham fan a few years ago while on holiday he attended the game he told me there was a massive steel works where he worked and all the talk was of the Burnley game and when setting off the morning it was just miles of coaches and you couldn't see the end of the line.He went on to tell me their main striker was out injured I'm not sure if it was Dixie McNeil but the replacement missed a great chance and was certain if it was the main striker he would have scored.It may be on the footage that has been posted .I remember walking off with my Dad and as a 9 year old felt a bit frightened with Wrexham fans everywhere

Buxtonclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:50 pm

51 years ago.
I was in the Longside. Wonderfully chaotic mayhem when we scored.
We made hard work of it, though.
Always been impressed with their following, that day.

A classic case of up for't cup. Those were great times for an underdog playing away. Pay on the gate as well. Where has it all gone wrong?

Went to the Wrexham game but missed the Villa game.The wife wouldnt let me go.Mind you we only got married at 12.00 that day.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:13 pm

The Bob Lord Stand had been opened for the previous round against Villa

First thing to go as you get older..

Ptangyangkipperbang wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:20 pm

A reported 15000 came with many of them locked out.I got talking to a Wrexham fan a few years ago while on holiday he attended the game he told me there was a massive steel works where he worked and all the talk was of the Burnley game and when setting off the morning it was just miles of coaches and you couldn't see the end of the line.He went on to tell me their main striker was out injured I'm not sure if it was Dixie McNeil but the replacement missed a great chance and was certain if it was the main striker he would have scored.It may be on the footage that has been posted .I remember walking off with my Dad and as a 9 year old felt a bit frightened with Wrexham fans everywhere

In about 2009, I met a Wreexham fan who went to the match as a teenager with his father. He said that he was terrified after the match because of Burnley's fans.

Didn't Wrexham used to play 'Men of Harlech' as they came on to the pitch when we played them a few times( 1990's?).Perhaps that is the sort of thing they were hoping to hear in 1974.

I remember it well , those chaps were rather gruff bordering on uncouth if I may say so .

Scrappy game and a scrappy goal. The Wrexham fans were amazing on the day.

The following semi final one of my worst days following Burnley.

Ptangyangkipperbang wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:20 pm

A reported 15000 came with many of them locked out.I got talking to a Wrexham fan a few years ago while on holiday he attended the game he told me there was a massive steel works where he worked and all the talk was of the Burnley game and when setting off the morning it was just miles of coaches and you couldn't see the end of the line.He went on to tell me their main striker was out injured I'm not sure if it was Dixie McNeil but the replacement missed a great chance and was certain if it was the main striker he would have scored.It may be on the footage that has been posted .I remember walking off with my Dad and as a 9 year old felt a bit frightened with Wrexham fans everywhere

That's DLesque.

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:33 pm

A classic case of up for't cup. Pay on the gate as well. Where has it all gone wrong?

Only talking to an old friend recently, if i couldn't watch Burnley/Buxton & he couldn't watch Sunderland, about how we used to look at the fixture list, Friday night, & decided where we'd go to watch a game.
I miss that. Just going, paying your money & watch the match!

The league game at Leeds with Frank Casper getting crocked by Hunter killed our chances v Newcastle in the semis.Newcastle played Liverpool in the final loosing in one of the most one sides finals ever.

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 07, 2025 12:25 pm

The league game at Leeds with Frank Casper getting crocked by Hunter killed our chances v Newcastle in the semis.Newcastle played Liverpool in the final loosing in one of the most one sides finals ever.

That of course being the same Newcastle who should have been thrown out of the competition after the 6th round when their crowd invaded the pitch at 3-1 down and basically staged a riot. A riot which they ultimately benefitted from!! I was so glad they were utter garbage in the final.

And two more replays neither of them played at the City Ground. Scandalous scenes at the original game after a penalty ( was it Duncan McKenzie) put Forest 1-3 up. Players kicked, tripped, threatened as they made their way off the pitch. If you manage to see the winning goal for Newcastle it's so far offside it isn't worth arguing about.

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:17 pm

Remember the goal scored down at the Beehile End.
Think it was the week before that Wrexham's whole squad were at Turf Moor to 'spy' on us in a league game. Their main player was called David Smallman. Did he go on to play for Everton?

Yes and yes. Excellent inside forward, loads of skill

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:47 pm

Not the Welsh national anthem but they wanted some Welsh music played. Bob Lord, and not in a polite way, told them no.

Not like Mr Lord to not be polite!

I've found the final word from Lord on the potential playing of a song called 'Music for Wales'.

He said: “Supposing every time we played a Scottish, Irish or Welsh team and the opponents wanted to put on some songs regarding their nationality. It’s just not on. We can’t upset our way of life just because Wrexham are coming. Who do they think they are?”

Ptangyangkipperbang wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:20 pm

A reported 15000 came with many of them locked out.I got talking to a Wrexham fan a few years ago while on holiday he attended the game he told me there was a massive steel works where he worked and all the talk was of the Burnley game and when setting off the morning it was just miles of coaches and you couldn't see the end of the line.He went on to tell me their main striker was out injured I'm not sure if it was Dixie McNeil but the replacement missed a great chance and was certain if it was the main striker he would have scored.It may be on the footage that has been posted .I remember walking off with my Dad and as a 9 year old felt a bit frightened with Wrexham fans everywhere

Dixie McNeil only joined Wrexham in 1977. Their main striker was Geoff Davies who was a major doubt for the game but in the end he played. I can still see him robbing Jim Thomson to set up a chance for David Smallman who thankfully missed. The only other things I recall are Casper's goal and how cold it was on the day.

sjb wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 20, 2025 12:20 pm

Dixie McNeil only joined Wrexham in 1977. Their main striker was Geoff Davies who was a major doubt for the game but in the end he played. I can still see him robbing Jim Thomson to set up a chance for David Smallman who thankfully missed. The only other things I recall are Casper's goal and how cold it was on the day.

Cheers for that one thing I certainly can't remember is it being a cold day

Jimscho wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:35 pm

Went to the Wrexham game but missed the Villa game.The wife wouldnt let me go.Mind you we only got married at 12.00 that day.

Stupid day to get married! A life of regrets!

Nice one Bob Lord

A game where I had a **** where I stood. Never been as crammed in on the Longside.

The teams for the cup tie against Wrexham were:

Burnley (4-3-3): Alan Stevenson, Billy Ingham, Colin Waldron, Jim Thomson, Keith Newton, Martin Dobson, Geoff Nulty, Doug Collins, Paul Fletcher, Frank Casper, Leighton James. Sub not used: Ray Hankin.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Brian Lloyd, Joey Jones, Eddie May, Mick Evans, Dave Fogg, Graham Whittle, Mel Sutton, Arfon Griffiths, Brian Tinnion (Micky Thomas 60), Geoff Davies, David Smallman.

sjb wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 20, 2025 12:20 pm

and how cold it was on the day.

I also don't recall it being cold but Probably the reason why my Dad & I were in the middle of the longside as opposed to being on the Bee-Hole. Good old dad keeping his 10 year old lad as warm as possible.

Did we play Oldham in this Cup run? I seem to remember going to Boundary Park?

Guller Bull wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 21, 2025 2:46 pm

Did we play Oldham in this Cup run? I seem to remember going to Boundary Park?

Fourth round and won 4-1

Just looking at the Wrexham team and recognising Joey Jones and Mickey Thomas straightaway. Is Graham Whittle the one who played in Everton's youth team against us when we won the Youth Cup?

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 21, 2025 3:48 pm

Just looking at the Wrexham team and recognising Joey Jones and Mickey Thomas straightaway. Is Graham Whittle the one who played in Everton's youth team against us when we won the Youth Cup?

That was Alan Whittle.

claretfern wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 22, 2025 7:13 am

That was Alan Whittle.

It was Alan Whittle - he was sent off in the 2nd leg of the semi final on the Turf when we won 3-2 after a 0-0 at Goodison. Whittle threw the ball at Mick Docherty then swore at the ref who was going to book him, causing him to be dismissed.

Watching Wrexham v Stockport at the moment, big game in L1 apparently.....Not sure that Jay Rod has notched for the Welsh men yet... he's just scored from a missed pen that he took as I type !