The FA Cup starts this weekend

The FA has put out a press release reminding readers that the FA Cup starts this weekend after a gap of just 97 days after last season's final. And, as it says, to put one in the mood they've talked to Ricky George about his experiences in the Cup.

Ricky George wrote himself in to FA Cup folklore when in 1972 he starred in arguably the greatest giant killing of all time.

On a quagmire of a pitch at Hereford United's Edgar Street ground, George popped up in injury time to knock home a sensational winner against the mighty Newcastle United in their third round replay.

No TV Cup preview would be complete without an outing for the now legendary footage of that cold February afternoon, scene of arguably the greatest long distance strike of all time from team mate Ronnie Radford.

"Every year I make the kids watch the video again," says George.

"It was a typical football day from that era - very muddy and very grey. The ground was absolutely brimmed full; there were people up the floodlight pylons, up trees, on the tops of buildings.

"There were three pitch invasions every time we scored and then at the end of the game."

Like many players form the lower leagues George still savours the magic of The Cup, where football's minnows get their chance against the biggest teams in the land.

George says: "I knew I'd never get to Wembley because I ended up in non-league football after starting at a higher level. So when the Third Round came round every year, if you'd got that far as a non-league side it was a great achievement and the prayer was that you'd draw a big club.

"You always looked for the obvious ones - Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal - and we drew Newcastle. So, from my point of view that was the next best thing. To beat them and score a goal was beyond my wildest dreams because I knew I'd never play in a Cup Final."

This season Hereford United's first game in the FA Cup will be on Saturday November 11th when the first round proper takes place.

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