The '61 League Cup Final team

[CTMilller]

Keith Bambridge's death prompted me to take a look at who is still around from the campaign that led to us appearing in the 1961 League Cup Final. This is what I believe is the current situation:

The Cup Final team:

Roy Ironside 86
Peter Perry Died 2011
Lol Morgan 90
Roy Lambert 88
Peter Madden Died 2020
Ken Waterhouse Died 2016
Barry Webster 86
Don Weston Died 2007
Ken Houghton 81
Alan Kirkman Died 2011
Keith Bambridge Died 2021

Players appearing in the earlier rounds:

George Darwin Died 2019
Brian Jackson Died 1992
Keith Kettleborough Died 2009
Eddie O'Hara Died 2016
Brian Sawyer 83

(I'm indebted to Adrian Booth and his book "The First Finalists" (Irwell Press £9.95) for the information on names.)

Given that there are only five left from the eleven who played in both legs of the 1961 Final (and only six of six**** who played in the 1961 League Cup campaign) I think it's time for the club to honour them again in what is the 60th anniversary year of the first competition. They were given some recognition on the 50th anniversary and I helped with setting that up.

Before I started asking around, does anybody know if there is anything planned already to celebrate sixty years for this surviving group?

[avondalemiller]

Keith Bambridge's death prompted me to take a look at who is still around from the campaign that led to us appearing in the 1961 League Cup Final. This is what I believe is the current situation:

The Cup Final team:

Roy Ironside 86
Peter Perry Died 2011
Lol Morgan 90
Roy Lambert 88
Peter Madden Died 2020
Ken Waterhouse Died 2016
Barry Webster 86
Don Weston Died 2007
Ken Houghton 81
Alan Kirkman Died 2011
Keith Bambridge Died 2021

Players appearing in the earlier rounds:

George Darwin Died 2019
Brian Jackson Died 1992
Keith Kettleborough Died 2009
Eddie O'Hara Died 2016
Brian Sawyer 83

(I'm indebted to Adrian Booth and his book "The First Finalists" (Irwell Press £9.95) for the information on names.)

Given that there are only five left from the eleven who played in both legs of the 1961 Final (and only six of six**** who played in the 1961 League Cup campaign) I think it's time for the club to honour them again in what is the 60th anniversary year of the first competition. They were given some recognition on the 50th anniversary and I helped with setting that up.

Before I started asking around, does anybody know if there is anything planned already to celebrate sixty years for this surviving group?

What about trying to get Villa involved, they might be interested seeing that they won it......

[CTMilller]

What about trying to get Villa involved, they might be interested seeing that they won it......

Good idea, Avondalemiller. Thanks. I seem to remember suggesting this in 2011 but nothing came of it. Worth trying again. There’s probably a handful of their players still living and a reunion would be a nice approach.

[Nardendee]

Lovely thought this and a great concept but in retrospect this looks a far greater achievement now than it was at the time as, being a new competition 5 top clubs didn’t even compete. It was not even completed in the same season, the final (both legs)being held over to the beginning of the following season due to the lack of time. Nonetheless it is in the record books and should be celebrated.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/7500toh...ague-cup-final

[CTMilller]

It’s a fair point, Nardendee.

However it should be recognised that we defeated two First Division (Premiership) sides - Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers - AWAY to get to the Final. Leicester finished 6th that year and, of course, were FA Cup Finalists. Aston Villa who we lost narrowly to in the two leg final - 2-3 on aggregate, finished 9th.

In those days the top rank teams fielded their best players. We weren’t playing a second string.

Our getting to the Final was a very significant achievement in my view.

[jocksgloves]

In the semis, we beat Shrewsbury at home 3-2. Lost the first 90 mins away 0-1. We equalized to go through an aggregate. Some Shrews fans still bemoan the lack of away goals rule at that time.

[mygiddypant]

Good idea CT. Recognise their achievement while we can and show them they're still loved.

[CAMiller]

Keith Bambridge's death prompted me to take a look at who is still around from the campaign that led to us appearing in the 1961 League Cup Final. This is what I believe is the current situation:

The Cup Final team:

Roy Ironside 86
Peter Perry Died 2011
Lol Morgan 90
Roy Lambert 88
Peter Madden Died 2020
Ken Waterhouse Died 2016
Barry Webster 86
Don Weston Died 2007
Ken Houghton 81
Alan Kirkman Died 2011
Keith Bambridge Died 2021

Players appearing in the earlier rounds:

George Darwin Died 2019
Brian Jackson Died 1992
Keith Kettleborough Died 2009
Eddie O'Hara Died 2016
Brian Sawyer 83

(I'm indebted to Adrian Booth and his book "The First Finalists" (Irwell Press £9.95) for the information on names.)

Given that there are only five left from the eleven who played in both legs of the 1961 Final (and only six of six**** who played in the 1961 League Cup campaign) I think it's time for the club to honour them again in what is the 60th anniversary year of the first competition. They were given some recognition on the 50th anniversary and I helped with setting that up.

Before I started asking around, does anybody know if there is anything planned already to celebrate sixty years for this surviving group?

Thanks for that list CT. One of those 3 that was still with us in 2015 but didn't play in the final was at my Dad's funeral and came over to introduce himself but unfortunately I can't remember which one except it wasn't Brian Sawyer as I know him.

[CTMilller]

In the semis, we beat Shrewsbury at home 3-2. Lost the first 90 mins away 0-1. We equalized to go through an aggregate. Some Shrews fans still bemoan the lack of away goals rule at that time.

Interesting point that, jocksgloves. A different set of rules would have given the game to Shrewsbury at the end of normal time in the second leg.

I was at the home leg against Shrewsbury and would have made it to the game against Villa at Millmoor but for them rescheduling the game which then clashed with a family holiday. I’ve always regretted that.

[CTMilller]

Thanks for that list CT. One of those 3 that was still with us in 2015 but didn't play in the final was at my Dad's funeral and came over to introduce himself but unfortunately I can't remember which one except it wasn't Brian Sawyer as I know him.

Just checked Wiki and Eddie O’Hara moved to South Africa in the 60s and died there so unlikely to be him so George Darwin more likely. However he only had the one season with the Millers (60/61) appeared twice and was not a local man so also sounds a bit doubtful. I wonder if there were other players in the squad that season but didnt feature in the Cup campaign? Colin Smith could be a possibility. Played for us that season nine times but not in a Cup game, was from Doncaster and is still alive.