I AM sure the many York City supporters who witnessed the epic FA Cup run of 'The Happy Wanderers' 50 years ago, will wish to join me in congratulating Dave Flett on his research on his series of excellent articles, climaxing in the semi-final matches with Newcastle United.
Woven into his narratives have been the thoughts of the remaining City heroes, whose efforts brought so much credit, standing, and sheer pleasure, during those never to be forgotten moments in York's history.
Gordon Brown's vivid recall of his contribution epitomised the incredible team spirit among a group of individuals, who were also blessed with footballing skills which many times belied their lowly league status.
They were undoubtedly the team for the big occasion, and but for the untimely injury to schemer Storey, the general view, echoed by Brown, was that the Magpies' scalp would have been added to their collection.
This was a key ingredient to the successful run - an undisturbed line-up.
The packed grounds which followed York from the fourth round onwards, with little segregation, caused no problems for the minimal police presence.
The team's mascot also could be paraded round the touch line - in City's case, a large decorative red and white Robin, and then placed on the centre spot.
As the cup run progressed, so did the length of the queue for tickets at the ground. It extended, up to six deep, down Burton Stone Lane winding into the terraced streets behind Bootham Crescent.
At Archbishop Holgate's GS, my school, then steeped in a strong rugby union tradition, the headmaster A B Hodgson was quite blunt in his Monday assembly address to the boys. Any absence on Wednesday (semi-final replay day) would be regarded as a punishable offence. But he must have bowed to some authority to allow the whole school to assemble to listen to the radio broadcast in the afternoon.
Sadly a national newspaper strike robbed York City of coverage of both semi-final games.
City were watched by almost 250,000 spectators and their performance throughout was such that an impartial observer could be forgiven for mistaking the team from Division Three North.
David Taylor,
The Close,
York.
Updated: 09:09 Saturday, April 02, 2005
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