Birmingham v Altrincham (1986)
Non-league heavyweights Altrincham just love the Cup.
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Having already held Everton and Tottenham to draws in the 1970s, they fancied their chances against a Birmingham side struggling in the top flight when they met in early 1986.
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With a young David Seaman in goal, Birmingham were stunned when Ronnie Ellis put the non-league side in front. Robert Hopkins quickly equalised but Altrincham fought back and scored the winner when Hopkins' misplaced pass went beyond Seaman and into his own goal, sealing the shock.
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Ronnie Ellis scores for Altrincham
"What has happened here tonight has been coming for the last two years," Birmingham boss Ron Saunders said after the game. "I hope this result shakes things up and I can get some money from the board."
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Altrincham manager John King retorted: "I haven't any sympathy for Saunders. In fact, I'd swap places with him. Hasn't he got a contract worth £150,000?"
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At the final whistle Atrincham and their 1,200 travelling fans were able to take in the fact that they were only the second Non League side since the creation of the third tier of the Football League over sixty years earlier, to knock out a top flight club on their own patch. It would be over a quarter of a century before it would happen again.
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Birmingham reacted by sacking Saunders!
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Having largely missed the limelight at the time, Altrincham have been keen to rekindle the memory of their glory days and held 20th and 25th anniversary dinners to celebrate the game.
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The Birmingham players and manager were invited as well but declined their invitation although 'winning' goal scorer, Hopkins remarked wryly, when asked of his invite...
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"Cheeky B*******. At least I suppose it means they have a sense of humour."
Source: wikipedia.com - www.thegiantkillers.co.uk/1986altrincham.htm - www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30466552
Images: Believed to be in the Public Domain or used with permission
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