On This Day – 14th May
Wimbledon won the FA Cup for the first and only time in their history on this day back in 1988.
The Dons beat Liverpool, who were red-hot favourites to win the Cup, thanks to a first-half goal from Lawrie Sanchez.
Wimbledon had only been in the First Division for two years and had finished the season in 7th place. Liverpool had already won the league championship and were on course to win their second Double in three years. As the old cliché goes, it was a real David against Goliath match up.
The game started with Wimbledon’s Vinnie Jones going in hard on Liverpool’s tough man Steve McMahon. The intention was to subdue the Liverpool midfielder and show him that Jones meant business. It did the trick.
Wimbledon won a free-kick out by the corner flag on the left wing 37 minutes into the game. Dennis Wise whipped the ball in and Lawrie Sanchez flicked the ball into the far corner of the net with a glancing header.
Liverpool were awarded a penalty after an hour after a rather dubious decision from referee Brian Hill.
Clive Goodyear brought John Aldridge down in the Wimbledon penalty area, but it looked as if he had got a touch on the ball.
One of the most vocal protesters was Wimbledon goalkeeper and captain Dave Beasant. After it became apparent that Hill was sticking to his decision, Beasant went back to his goal to face a penalty from Aldridge.
The Liverpool striker must have fancied his chances as no one had ever never missed a penalty in the FA Cup Final. Beasant saved the penalty however, and Wimbledon held on for an historic win. More can be read about the save in the first ever Iconic Moments in Football here.
Wimbledon missed out on a place in the European Cup Winners Cup the following season due to a ban on all English clubs in Europe. In a cruel twist of fate, this ban came into place because of the actions of Liverpool fans at the European Cup Final three years prior.
Wimbledon went out of the competition at the Quarter Final stage the following season, losing 1-0 at Goodison Park to Everton.
Liverpool won the FA Cup, beating Everton 3-2 after extra time. The success was overshadowed by the Hillsborough Disaster, where 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives at the Semi-Final against Nottingham Forest.
Wimbledon dissolved in 2004 a year after relocating to Milton Keynes. The FA Cup success of 1988 was the greatest moment in their 115 year history.
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