March 25th 2005
Title:
Newcastle Utd Vs Manchester City 1955 FA Cup Final DVD
Producers:
ILC Sport (visit website: www.ilcsport.com)
Retail Price:
£12.99 (shop around I'm sure you'll find cheaper prices)
Verdict:
Just buy it!
Howaythetoon's Comment:
When I was presented with the opportunity to review this unique piece
of Toon history I almost wet my pants. The history of the club and
those that wrote it (the players and managers alike) has always fascinated
me to the point of obsession at times and as someone who is a student
of Newcastle United's glorious history if you like, I couldn't wait
to sit down and watch the likes of Bob Stokoe, Bobby Mitchell, Len
White, Vic Keeble and of course the legend that is Wor very own Jackie
Milburn in action. Plus, it's not every day you get to see your own
club lift a trophy, especially if you happen to follow the Toon.
So, with an empty hoose, the dog locked up in the cupboard (it's a
Staffie and snores it's heed off man), the curtains drawn and the
volume turned up, I placed the DVD into the player and sat back to
watch my club win the FA Cup, a feat not repeated since or after.
Having read about and watched numerous clips of these legends of our
past lots of thoughts ran through my head as the credits and opening
scenes rolled onto the screen; what if they don't live up to my expectations?
What if the quality is poor? What if it's boring? What if I don't
like it?
I needn't have worried. The Toon class of '55 exceeded all my execrations,
the quality was surprisingly superb (kudos to the ICL Sport fellas),
it was anything but boring and I loved it. In fact the quality of
football on display by both sides, especially United, is what I'd
call proper football. If the Toon class of '2005 were as good a footballing
side as we were back then we wouldn't be in 10th place at current
that's for sure. Today's footballers may be fitter, stronger and absurdly
richer but with a football at their feet, they are poor in comparison.
Every player was extremely comfortable with the ball at their feet
(both) and the way we passed the ball from back to front, on the deck
and to feet, was a joy to watch. The defence's distribution of the
ball was first-class and the inter-play and link up in midfield was
a real pleasure to see as was the movement of the forwards as well.
I didn't realise just how fine a player the late Bob Stokoe was and
he wasn't even a first-team regular. Think of Jonathan Woodgate's
calmness and assurance at the back and that was Stokoe. I didn't realise
Wor Jackie was such a great tackler of the ball either. Those long
legs of his won many a tackle. Vic Keeble for such a big man had great
feet and Len White worked his socks off. Ronnie Simpson for his height
was brave, commanding and a great shotstopper. Skipper Jimmy Scoular
- what a fine passer of the ball he was, a real anchorman who did
the simple things. Bobby Mitchell seemed to have the ball on a string
at times and terrorised the Man City full-back (on both flanks). Think
of David Ginola but with the work rate of a Lee Bowyer. George Hannah
a pocket sized dynamite with the energy of a Kieron Dyer. Tom Casey,
Ron Batty and Bobby Cowell - all fine players. Marvelous.
And what of Man City? They were a fine side as well with Don Revie,
legendary German 'keeper Bert Trautmann, Ken Barnes, Joe Hayes and
Fionan Fagan in particular impressing.
I could watch it over and over again and even the commentary was superb.
Renditions of the Blaydon Races and shouts of "howay Newcastle"
could be heard throughout too and the commentator seemed to enjoy
the delightful sound of thousands of Geordies singing our national
anthem as he couldn't stop mentioning it. We not only won the match
but the battle on the stands too.
There wasn't a bad tackle or any time wasting and cheating either
unlike there is today. Players got straight back up, the ref was hardly
involved and the whole feel of the match was one of respect from two
footballing sides out to play football and to win the greatest Cup
competition in the world - the FA Cup.
We did both and to see a United side climb the steps of the grande
old Wembley to receive the old Cup from the Queen brought a lump to
my throat and made me immensely proud of my club and even though this
was only a DVD, I now feel in someway connected to that era which
ICL Sports have brought to life and I as a football fan and a bit
of a Toon history buff, thank them for a wonderful piece of magic
that I will watch over and over again.
If you are a Geordie/Toon supporter - go out and buy it now. If you
are a Man City fan and happen to be reading this (not very likely),
go out and buy it. If you are a Sunderland fan, go out and buy it,
just to see Bob Stokoe in action. If you a football fan or an FA Cup
romantic, go out and buy it. For the price of 13 quid, it's a steal
and worth every single penny.
To the Toon class of '55 - legends to a man.
Phillip Craig's Comment:
I've just sat and watched a match I never thought I would see. A match
in which Newcastle broke an FA Cup record by visiting Wembley to participate
in the 1955 FA Cup Final for the 10th time. A match where there is
no diving, no arguing with the ref, no pretending to be injured, no
time wasting and respect for both sets of teams and the match officials.
A match where Newcastle score in an FA Cup Final after just 45 seconds
- a record which was kept right up until 1997 when Chelsea's Robert
Di Matteo scored after 43 seconds.
And best of all a match in which Newcastle United walked up to the
Royal Box, not to collect losers medals as was the case in '74, '98
and '99, but this time to lift the FA Cup for a record equaling 6th
time, a feat which back then only Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers
had matched.
This was something special for me and I'm sure for thousands of other
Newcastle United fans if they go out and buy the DVD or win a copy
in our competition.
How strange it is to see a team of 11 players (22 if you count the
Man City players) who have the skill to control the ball with both
feet whilst taking on player after player. The energy levels may not
be like those of today's players but their control of the ball and
passing would have many a team now struggling to compete.
Wor Jackie Milburn started the ball rolling after just 45 seconds.
A corner from the right was headed brilliantly past Bert Trautmann
to start off the fantastic day for the Geordie faithful.
Trautmann was in fantastic form however for this game and showed his
class, saving some fantastic shots. It was the confidence from the
'keeper that pushed Man City on and despite going down to 10 men after
18 minutes due to an injury to Jimmy Meadows (no subs back in those
days), City managed to claw one back on the stroke of half time with
a great header from Bobby Johnstone just inside the Newcastle box.
This DVD is not about extras and special features it is exactly what
it says it is - the Newcastle United Vs Manchester City 1955 FA Cup
Final, and that is special enough in itself. Most Newcastle fans of
today will only have heard of this match and even then many couldn't
name the manager of Newcastle or give the outcome of the match which
is why this DVD is so special. It's a chance for Newcastle fans to
look back to when we really were a great team, a team who were capable
of winning trophies.
I'll not go any further into the match, I'll leave that for you all
to watch after buying this fantastic DVD where you yourself can witness
when Newcastle really were the Kings of Wembley.
If you have a Newcastle United related product you would like reviewed
or like to give away as part of a promotion then please get
in touch for a prompt reply. |
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