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A new book, Football's Giantkillers written by Derek Watts, is being published later this month. The book looks at 50 great cup upsets and, perhaps inevitably, contains a chapter on perhaps the most famous of them, Hereford United defeating Newcastle United in 1972.
Watts grow up supporting Hastings United and his introduction to giantkilling came back in December 1953 when Swindon Town were the visitors to the Pilot Field. He had been going to games with his dad and older brother and had grown to love the 'atmosphere, banter and jargon'.
In front of 9,917 Hastings won the game 4-1. Of course a win wasn't expected and the media was full of praise for the Sussex club.
"All honour to Hastings for producing a soccer showpiece," said the People and the Times awarded Hastings 'the honour for the best win of the round'.
So started Watts' addiction to a drug, for which as he says there is - fortunately - no cure.
There are the details of 49 other giantkillings in the book. But it is not the actual game which is the highlight of the book for me, it is the information and history about the clubs and some of individuals involved.
Of course Hereford United supporters will know all about the Newcastle game but other readers might not remember that the great John Charles had been instrumental in putting the squad together. He was present at the game and also at the following round tie against West Ham.
As players Ronnie Radford and Billy Meadows arrived at Edgar Street 'there was Charlo, camelhair coat, steely grey hair, permanent suntan and wearing that broad grin. He was resting against the bonnet of his car and showed us an envelope.
It read "Mr John Charles, two tickets, £2 to pay."'
Both Radford and Meadows stared at him in disbelief as, in a demonstration of the humility of the truly great, Charles said, 'I wouldn't mind, but I've only got 30 bob on me.'
Many of Hereford United's near neighbour giantkillings are included in the book. Even Shrewsbury Town gets a chapter for their 2003 win over Everton.
But it is storys like the antics of Wrexham's Mickey Thomas that help make the book so enjoyable.
Wrexham beat Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup back in 1992. Thomas was back at the Racecourse after 20 years at playing at clubs such as Manchester United, Everton and West Brom.
Thomas, then aged 37, had a philosophy - forget about tomorrow and concentrate on enjoying today. However his plans to make money on the side landed him in prison. He started 'flogging bent tenners to trainage trainees' but the Judge didn't take kindly to the scam and sent him down for 18 months.
"Playing football with a team of lifers was an experience", said Thomas later. "Every time the ball went over the fence they all wanted to go and get it back.
"Wayne Rooney's on a hundred grand a week. Mind you, so was I until police found my printing machine."
Back to the game and Thomas wanted revenge on Arsenal as he had been on the losing side in the FA Cup final of 1979 when the Gunners defeated Manchester United 3-2.
Arsenal went one up and it wasn't until late in the second half that Wrexham's 'Dads Army' replied. A free kick had been awared to the home team which Arsenal boss George Graham described as 'mysterious'.
Thomas, who according to Graham had 'frolicked through the game like some up-and-coming youngster' unleased a drive that flew straight past David Seaman.
Two minutes later Steve Watkin, who had a spell at Hereford, scored the winner.
Wrexham forced a replay at West Ham in the next round. The Hammers supporters knew all about Thomas and we seen to be waving £20 notes at him.
"We all make mistakes," said Thomas afterwards."Mine was making my £20 notes an inch too long!"
Football's Giantkillers is written by Derek Watts and published by Book Guide Publishing. It is due to go on sale later this month.
