MX23RW : Friday, November 8 06:51:50| >> :60:1470:1470:

On this day: Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang' stun Liverpool in FA Cup final

On this day: Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang' stun Liverpool in FA Cup final
© Reuters
Lawrie Sanchez headed the winner when Wimbledon won the FA Cup.

On this day in 1988 Wimbledon completed one of the greatest FA Cup shocks when they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Wembley.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the Crazy Gang's finest moment.

The Cup runs

Portsmouth v Liverpool – Barclays League Division One – Fratton Park
Liverpool's John Aldridge scored twice in the Reds' FA Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest. (PA)

Wimbledon had just completed their second season in the First Division and had only been in the Football League for 11 years.

They beat West Brom, Mansfield, Newcastle, Watford and Luton to reach the final.

Liverpool saw off Stoke – after a replay – Aston Villa, Everton, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.

The build up

Dave Beasant
Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant made history in spectacular style (PA)

Liverpool had just wrapped up their 17th league title while Wimbledon had finished a very respectable seventh, although 33 points behind the Reds.

They had been playing in the Southern Football League in the 1970s and were 17-1 to win the trophy.

The game

Wimbledon v Liverpool
Sanchez celebrates his goal against Liverpool. (PA)

Lawrie Sanchez gave Wimbledon the lead in the 37th minute when he glanced in Dennis Wise's free kick.

Liverpool had a goal disallowed when Peter Beardsley's effort was ruled out before they were awarded a penalty after an hour when Clive Goodyear fouled John Aldridge.

Dave Beasant became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in the FA Cup final when he palmed away Aldridge's effort.

At the final whistle BBC commentator John Motson exclaimed: "The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club."

The legacy

On This Day in 2006: Liverpool leave it late against West Ham in FA Cup final
Liverpool have not won the FA Cup since 2006. (Nick Potts/PA)

Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes in 2002 – eventually changing names to MK Dons – with AFC Wimbledon founded that summer and rising through the leagues until they reached the Football League in 2011.

They have both been battling relegation from Sky Bet League One this season.

Liverpool have won the FA Cup just three times since, in 1992, 2001 and 2006.

ID:399344: cacheID:399344:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8158:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger watches on during a Premier League clash with Huddersfield Town on May 13, 2018
Read Next:
Arsene Wenger's all-time Arsenal XI
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!