The FA Cup with Budweiser Semi-Finals are fast approaching and Wembley Stadium welcomes Wigan Athletic, Arsenal, Hull City and Sheffield United this weekend.
And as FA Cup fever begins to build, we look back as some magic moments from Semi-Finals past...
Managers can become synonymous with their clubs – the cult of personality defining eras such as Brian Clough’s – at Derby and Nottingham Forest – Alex Ferguson’s 26 years at Manchester United, or latterly José Mourinho’s Chelsea tenure.
Malcolm Allison
For all the brilliance of third-tier Crystal Palace’s Cup run in 1976 – and the eye-catching performances of winger Peter Taylor in particular – it was their outspoken, cigar-chomping boss Malcolm Allison who hogged the headlines.
Away victories at Leeds United, Chelsea and Sunderland – all Cup winners within the previous six years, took Allison’s unfancied side to the last four for the first time. Sporting his trademark lucky Fedora hat – first aired during the Third Round victory over Scarborough – Allison hammed it up for the media, but this was a tactical animal.
Assistant to Joe Mercer’s title-winning Manchester City in 1968, he was schooled at the fabled West Ham academy – his adoption of the sweeper system with Palace much overlooked in favour of his outspoken public persona. Sadly for Palace, the Wembley dream ended when they met another team punching above their weight. Second Division Southampton, with goals from Phil Gilchrist and a David Peach spot-kick, made their return to Stamford Bridge a fruitless experience.
You can see more magic FA Cup moments here throughout the week, or read our special feature inside the official Semi-Final match programmes.
