1953 FA Cup final
The 1953 FA Cup Final was a men's association football match contested on 2 May 1953 at Wembley Stadium in London between Blackpool F.C. and Bolton Wanderers F.C., the 72nd staging of England's oldest cup competition.[1][2] Blackpool secured their only FA Cup victory with a dramatic 4–3 comeback win from a 3–1 deficit, a result immortalized as the "Matthews Final" for the pivotal role played by 38-year-old winger Stanley Matthews in inspiring the late rally.[3][4] The game, attended by 100,000 spectators, was a landmark in British sports broadcasting as one of the earliest major live televised events, captivating millions across the nation and marking a milestone with an estimated audience of 10 million viewers.[5] Bolton Wanderers struck first through Nat Lofthouse after just two minutes, but Blackpool's Stan Mortensen equalized in the 35th minute before Willie Moir restored Bolton's lead four minutes later.[2] Eric Bell extended Bolton's advantage to 3–1 on 55 minutes, putting Blackpool on the brink of defeat in what would have been a third Final loss for Matthews after 1948 and 1951.[3][2] However, Mortensen sparked the revival with goals in the 68th and 89th minutes—his second a hat-trick, the only one ever scored in a Wembley FA Cup Final—before Bill Perry netted the stoppage-time winner (90+2') from a Matthews cross, sealing Blackpool's triumph and fulfilling the veteran's long-awaited medal dream.[4][2] The match's enduring legacy lies in its blend of individual brilliance and collective drama, with Matthews' relentless dribbling and crosses turning the tide despite his limited direct goal involvement, while Mortensen's treble often receives less acclaim than it deserves.[3][4] Refereed by Sandy Griffiths, the Final showcased post-war football's romanticism, drawing 10 million television viewers and cementing its status as one of the competition's most iconic encounters, even as Blackpool's tangerine-clad heroes lifted the trophy under captain Harry Johnston.[5][3]Background
Competition overview
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is the world's oldest national football competition, established in 1871 by the Football Association to provide a structured knockout tournament for clubs across England and Wales.[6] In the post-war period, it regained prominence as a symbol of national recovery and communal spirit, drawing massive crowds and fostering widespread enthusiasm amid the resumption of organized football after World War II.[7] The 1952–53 edition exemplified this enduring appeal, attracting approximately 700 entries from amateur and professional clubs, and culminating in a final that equalled the previous record for the highest-scoring decider with seven goals.[8] The tournament's structure followed the traditional format: multiple qualifying rounds for non-league entrants, starting from the extra preliminary round in August 1952, progressing through four qualifying rounds to select 30 teams for the first round proper.[9] There, the 92 Football League clubs joined, leading to six proper rounds of ties, semi-finals, and the final at Wembley Stadium on 2 May 1953. Draws were conducted randomly without seeding at the FA headquarters, typically on Mondays for weekend fixtures, ensuring unpredictability and opportunities for lower-tier sides to advance.[6] Key highlights included a high volume of replays—over 60 across all rounds due to drawn matches—reflecting the era's emphasis on home-and-away ties until resolution. Notable upsets featured non-league clubs overcoming Football League opponents, such as Bath City's victory over Second Division Southend United, marking their first such win in over two decades. These elements underscored the competition's democratic nature, setting the stage for First Division sides Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers to reach the final as the tournament's culmination.The finalists
Blackpool entered the 1953 FA Cup final under the management of Joe Smith, who had guided the club since 1935 and led them to previous appearances in the competition's showpiece event.[4] In the 1952–53 First Division season, Blackpool finished seventh with 47 points from 42 matches, securing a solid mid-table position that highlighted their competitive form heading into the cup decider.[10] The squad featured veteran winger Stanley Matthews, aged 38 and renowned as the "wizard of the dribble" for his exceptional ball control and pace, alongside prolific forward Stan Mortensen, who netted 18 goals across all competitions that season, including 15 in the league.[3][10] Bolton Wanderers, led by manager Bill Ridding since 1950, approached the final after a more modest league campaign, ending 14th in the First Division with 39 points.[10][1] Key to their lineup was England international Nat Lofthouse, a powerful centre-forward who scored 30 league goals that season to claim the First Division Golden Boot, and captain Willie Moir, a Scottish inside-forward whose leadership anchored the midfield.[11][1] Prior to 1953, Blackpool's deepest FA Cup runs had culminated in runners-up finishes in 1948 (losing 4–2 to Manchester United) and 1951 (falling 2–0 to Newcastle United), marking their closest brushes with major silverware.[3] Bolton, meanwhile, had not appeared in an FA Cup final since their 1–0 victory over Manchester City in 1926, their second triumph in the competition following the famous 1923 "White Horse Final."[12] Although the two clubs shared no longstanding intense rivalry, the matchup generated significant anticipation, particularly around Matthews' quest for his first major honour after two prior final defeats with Blackpool.[3]Road to Wembley
Blackpool's campaign
Blackpool entered the 1952–53 FA Cup in the third round, where they secured a 2–1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on 10 January 1953. The goals were scored by Jackie Mudie and Stan Mortensen, setting a positive tone for their cup run.[13][14] In the fourth round, Blackpool hosted Huddersfield Town at Bloomfield Road on 31 January 1953 and won 1–0, with Bill Perry scoring the decisive goal. This narrow triumph advanced them to the fifth round against Southampton.[15][14] The fifth round tie at Bloomfield Road on 14 February 1953 ended in a 1–1 draw, necessitating a replay at The Dell on 18 February. Blackpool prevailed 2–1 in the replay, thanks to goals from Ernie Taylor and Stan Mortensen, demonstrating their resilience in overcoming the setback.[15][14] Blackpool's sixth round match was a standout upset, as they defeated First Division leaders Arsenal 2–1 at Highbury on 28 February 1953. Stan Mortensen and Jackie Mudie scored the goals, with the victory highlighting Blackpool's attacking prowess against a strong opponent.[14][1] The semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur took place at Villa Park on 21 March 1953, where Blackpool won 2–1 after extra time. Bill Perry and Stan Mortensen netted the goals, with Mortensen's extra-time strike securing their place in the final.[15][14][16] Throughout their campaign, Blackpool relied on dynamic attacking football, with Stanley Matthews playing a pivotal role in the later stages by creating opportunities and drawing defenders. Their success in navigating a replay and upsetting higher-placed teams underscored their determination en route to Wembley.[1][8]Bolton Wanderers' campaign
Bolton Wanderers' path to the 1953 FA Cup final was marked by resilient defending and opportunistic scoring, culminating in a thrilling semi-final victory. As a First Division side finishing 14th in the league that season, the team relied heavily on striker Nat Lofthouse, who netted in every round en route to Wembley. Their campaign kicked off in the third round with a comfortable home win against Fulham on 14 January 1953 at Burnden Park, securing a 3–1 victory through two goals from Lofthouse and one from Willie Moir, showcasing early attacking intent against Second Division opposition.[17] The fourth round proved more testing, as Bolton drew 1–1 with Notts County at Burnden Park on 31 January 1953, leading to a replay at Meadow Lane on 5 February where a 2–2 draw forced a second replay. On 9 February 1953, back at Burnden Park, Bolton edged a 1–0 win with a goal from Nat Lofthouse, highlighting their defensive solidity amid the grueling schedule of three matches in nine days.[17][18][19] Advancing to the fifth round, Bolton traveled to Kenilworth Road on 14 February 1953 and defeated Luton Town 1–0 away, with Lofthouse again proving decisive by scoring the lone goal in a tightly contested match against another Second Division side.[20][21] In the sixth round, Bolton maintained their momentum with a narrow 1–0 triumph over Third Division Gateshead at Redheugh Park on 28 February 1953, where Lofthouse's goal sealed progression and demonstrated the team's ability to grind out results on the road.[17][22][23] The semi-final against Everton at Maine Road on 21 March 1953 delivered high drama, as Bolton prevailed 4–3 in a seven-goal thriller. Lofthouse scored twice, with additional strikes from Eric Bell and Harold Hassall, underscoring the side's attacking prowess and composure under pressure to book their place at Wembley.[24][25][26]| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Score | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third | 14 January 1953 | Fulham | Burnden Park | 3–1 | Lofthouse (2), Moir |
| Fourth | 31 January 1953 | Notts County | Burnden Park | 1–1 | - |
| Fourth Replay | 5 February 1953 | Notts County | Meadow Lane | 2–2 | - |
| Fourth Second Replay | 9 February 1953 | Notts County | Burnden Park | 1–0 | Lofthouse |
| Fifth | 14 February 1953 | Luton Town | Kenilworth Road | 0–1 | Lofthouse |
| Sixth | 28 February 1953 | Gateshead | Redheugh Park | 0–1 | Lofthouse |
| Semi-final | 21 March 1953 | Everton | Maine Road | 4–3 | Lofthouse (2), Bell, Hassall |