FA Cup Match: Huddersfield 1-0 Preston North End (FA Cup Final)
Date Played: May 1922

When Preston travelled south to Stamford Bridge in 1922 for the FA Cup final, they forgot to take with them the lucky black cat that lived at Deepdale. If the Preston players believed that it was an ill omen, they were proved correct when they lost to a highly dubious penalty against Huddersfield Town. In a bad tempered tie, the main incident came during the 67th minute when the Preston full back Hamilton brought down his opposing winger, Billy Smith, with a horrific foul. Despite the film later showing the incident occurred outside the penalty area, referee Fowler awarded a penalty. The Preston goalkeeper tried dancing about on his line in an attempt to put Smith off as he took the penalty kick, but all to no avail. After the game, the FA passed a resolution expressing their regret at the conduct of the players during the final.

Sheffield United 1-0 Cardiff City
Date Played – 25th April 1925 (FA Cup Final)
The hopes of the entire Wales rested on Cardiff City when they met Sheffield United in the 1925 FA Cup final. One year prior, the bluebirds had narrowly missed the championship as Huddersfield Town pipped them to it. Thousands of fans made the journey from Wales for the final and a crowd of 91,763 people watched this classic encounter. The blades were led out by their Irish inside forward, Billy Gillespie and ran out of the match as 1-0 winners. The match was fairly evenly played and Fred Tunstall grabbed the only goal of the match as they won the 1925 FA Cup final.

Cardiff City 1-0 Arsenal
Date played – FA Cup Final 1927

The 1927 FA cup final proved to be a triumph for Cardiff City FC. The crucial moment in the match came in the 75th minute as a throw in from Cardiff City captain, Fred Keenor gave the ball to Hugh Ferguson, who shot weakly along the ground from twenty yards out. Danny Lewis, in the Arsenal goal, went down on his knees and gathered the ball safely. However, as Lewis turned away to avoid Ferguson’s follow up, the ball slipped from his grasp. He spun round to retrieve it, however only succeeded in knocking it goal wards with his elbow. Time seemed to stand still as the ball trickled towards, and eventually over, the line. It was the only goal of the final.

Blackburn 3-1 Huddersfield Town
Date Played – May 1928 (FA Cup Final)

After reaching the semi finals three years prior, Blackburn enjoyed a great run during the 1929 FA Cup and reached the final, the only obstacle standing in their way of glory was to defeat Huddersfield Town. Blackburn already endured a decent campaign in the top flight finishing off in 12th position and in what proved to be their last FA Cup final for another 32 years, Blackburn comfortably defeated Huddersfield 3-1 to receive the FA Cup trophy.

FA Cup Match: Walsall 2-0 Arsenal (FA Cup Third Round)
Date Played: May 1933

Of all the amazing FA Cup shocks over the years, perhaps none has caused as much of a sensation on the scale of lowly Walsall’s defeat of the mighty Arsenal in the third round of the 1932-33 competition. The Gunners were in the mid stages of a run that witnessed them take four league titles in five years. Despite four of their first team players were unavailable for the match against Walsall, the other seven were internationals. Manager Herbert Chapman was delighted to give three of his reserves a debut. Unfortunately for Chapman, the newcomers didn’t grab their opportunity to impress. As the match progressed, Walsall’s confidence grew and, on the 30 minute mark, their top scorer Gilbert Also nodded them into the lead from a corner. Five minutes later, one of the Arsenal new boys, Tommy Black, conceded a penalty. Billy Shepherd tucked home the penalty kick and the roar of the home supporters could be heard two miles away.

West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Birmingham City
FA Cup Final – 1931
West Brom became the first side from the second division to win the FA cup at Wembley. In what proved to be the wettest final in living memory, they faced midlands rivals Birmingham City on the field. West Brom’s W.G Richardson proved no stick in the mud and scored both of West Brom’s goals, the winner straight from the restart as Birmingham City had snatched an equalizer.