5 of the FA Cup's most inspirational figures

The FA Cup is hotting up with the quarterfinals having taking place over the weekend. Many have already made a name for themselves this tournament. Richie Allen scored a Messi-like goal for Salford, Peterborough held their own against Premier League side West Brom, and Northwich Victoria made it all the way to the Second Round before being cruelly ejected from the tournament in the dying moments.This weekend, however, it was all down to the elite. The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea all had the chance to secure a place at Wembley, and by the time the trophy is lifted on 21 May, a number of players will have written themselves into footballing folklore.It seems a cliche to say the FA Cup has that essence of magic, but it’s true. So many players have become heroes through this competition, forever to be remembered. One player will undoubtedly join the growing list this season, but who will he sit alongside? We take a look at five players who have gone down in history.

#1 Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard sits comfortably as one of the greatest British players of the modern era. He was talismanic for Liverpool, spurring them on to both European glory and FA Cup success. Most recently he grabbed the AFC Wimbledon tie by the scruff of the neck to help take the Reds all the way to the Semi-Final. It was 2006 however, where he’ll be most remembered.

Taking on West Ham in the last final at the Millennium Stadium, Gerrard was the catalyst behind Liverpool’s comeback, scoring a last minute equaliser to take them into extra time. However, it wasn’t just any equaliser, it was a real stunner and typical of the man who led from the front.

The game went to penalties and naturally Gerrard buried his to pick up his second FA Cup title and add more silverware to a very successful period under manager Rafael Benitez.

#2 Fabrice Muamba

Fabrice Muamba truly is one of a kind. On the football field, he was really starting to make a name for himself in the heart of the Bolton midfield. And England call-up was surely on the way.

Then, on that fateful day in 2012’s FA Cup quarterfinal between the Trotters and Tottenham Hotspur, his life was turned upside down. In fact, his life was taken from him for an incredible 78 minutes when he collapsed mid-game after a cardiac arrest.

Everyone involved that day was heroic, from Muamba himself – it’s a miracle he survived, to referee Howard Webb, to the fans who urged him to keep fighting, and the fantastic medical team including Andrew Deaner, a real unsung hero throughout the whole incident.

That day will never be forgotten, and with mixed emotions too. Muamba’s story makes your hairs stand on end, not just because he survived, but because he’s no made a difference too. He’s campaigned tirelessly to make more defibrillators available in football and has raised thousands of pounds for charities and hospitals which do an amazing job treating incidents like Fabrice’s.

#3 Albert Johanneson

Albert Johanneson was a fabulous footballer. His speed was electric, his dribbling almost unplayable. His captain at Leeds, Billy Bremner said of him, “When he joined Leeds the rest of the team stood open-mouthed, drooling over his trickery.”

If he was playing today he’d have all the confidence of a Messi, Ronaldo, or Hazard. Sadly, back then racism was rife and he was subject to a stream of abuse. He ploughed on though and became a key figure in the Leeds side, culminating in an FA Cup Final in 1965.

Johanneson became the first black player to star in the final, but by then all his confidence had gone. From there it was a slippery slope, aided by drink. During his retirement, he became a recluse and died of heart failure in 1995.

But whilst his confidence may have been knocked out of him by the dreadful abuse he received, it inspired many other black players to become part of the beautiful game, and today football in Britain has players from all over the world with all creeds and cultures represented. And this, in part, is down to this Leeds marvel.

#4 Dave Beasant

Nobody expected Wimbledon to lift the FA Cup in 1988. The Crazy Gang vs the Culture Club? It was no contest. Liverpool would walk all over them. Or at least, they should have. Liverpool were the champions of England and Wimbledon were a mid-table First Division side which nobody thought much of.

During the game, Liverpool pushed and pushed for victory but couldn’t get the ball past an imperious Dave Beasant. They threw everything at him. On the hour mark, it finally looked as though the Reds were going to get back on level terms following Lawrie Sanchez’s first half goal.

John Aldridge was brought down by Clive Goodyear, and up stepped the striker to inevitably take it to 1-1. Except Beasant saved it, becoming the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup Final.

He became a hero across the land. It was a win for the underdog and Beasant was the main man behind it. It was the only major trophy Beasant ever won, but he sure played his part in it.

#5 Tim Buzaglo

When a non-league side beats a professional club it always makes the headlines. When one player, whose day job was an estate agent, scores a hat-trick in that game well, it creates legends.

Tim Buzaglo lined up for Woking against West Brom in the Third Round back in 1991 and for a while, it was looking like a routine victory for the Baggies. Up 1-0 at half-time, Buzaglo netted a 15-minute hat-trick in the second half before a goal from Terry Worsfold made it 4-1, knocking the Midlands club out and producing one of the biggest upsets of all time.

But things got more incredible. When the full-time whistle blew at 4-2, West Brom fans stormed the pitch, not to remonstrate but to congratulate Buzaglo on a stunning performance. He was chaired shoulder high off the pitch to the chants of “Sign Him Up”. A real magic moment from what is the greatest cup competition on the planet.

Edited by Staff Editor