91Èȱ¬

The Osborne Special

My cousin is Roger Osborne, so it was a special day for all of us even before the game.

Roger was able to arrange a bunch of tickets for the family, so a special bus was chartered from Soames of Otley. The Osbornes are old family friends, and lived opposite the bus depot.

Fifty family members including Roger's Dad Charlie, and most of his 11 brothers and sisters, along with various uncles, aunts, cousins, decorated the coach, complete with a huge "THE OSBORNE SPECIAL" banner, and set off for Wembley.

I was 14 at the time, so had to refrain from indulging in some of the 'refreshments' available. But I remember some of the party being of good cheer even before we arrived.

One abiding memory for me is of when we stopped at the public conveniences at Chelmsford on the way. I slipped over and slid down a muddy bank, covering my new trousers in mud!

I'll pass on the game itself, you know all that.

Afterwards, I remember the celebrations in the car park, as our "OSBORNE SPECIAL"Ìý became the focal point for all the Town fans.

The champagne flowed, and even a group of Arsenal fans came over to congratulate us!

The journey home was a memorable one, starting with the coach driver taking usÌý(I believe unintentionally) past Highbury, where we received a somewhat cool reception.

Paul Mariner and Malcolm Macdonald

We also passed a pub called The Goat in Boots, which elicited much comparison with Arsenal's star striker Malcolm Macdonald.

I remember all the way back down the A12, all the banners, flags etc on all the bridges were fantastic. It's great to be able to celebrate 30 years on, and relive what was one of the most memorable days of my life.

Also, to remember those family members who are no longer with us such as Uncle Charlie, my Dad Fred, and others. By the way, Roger's mum May didn't come with us that day, but they breed them tough in Suffolk, and she is still with us, now in her nineties!

Steve "Jess The Trucker" James

Corner flag seat

Once it was known that Ipswich Town had reached the FA Cup final, I made up my mind to do everything I could, as a season ticket holder, to get a ticket for the best possible seat at Wembley.

With the help of a couple of fellow season ticket holders, I duly obtained my ticket.

On the day of the match I decided, for some unknown reason, to wear a suit and also my Ipswich Town tie, which was supplemented by a cup final rosette upon reaching Wembley.

The view from the royal box

When I took up my seat, I was somewhat disappointed to find that instead of having one of the best seats in the stadium, I was seated against the barrier between those seated and those standing, with a better view of the corner flag than the centre circle!

My disappointment soon evaporated once the game started, and when I came to exit the stadium, at the end of the game, things began to move in ways I could never have expected.

The exit I had to use happened to come out on the walkway bordering the banqueting hall where the "great and the good" congregate on occasions such as this.

As I moved along the walkway I saw many famous faces including Sir Stanley Matthews, and I decided to get near to the entrance to try to see more.

No sooner had I arrived there then I was approached by a lady coming out of the hall who proceeded to give me a pass ticket (probably because I was wearing a suit) and told me to "go in there".

With a feeling of both surprise and intrepidation I showed the pass to the commissionaire, who waved me through the door.

No sooner had I arrived inside the hall a waitress directed me to a massive display of food and drink and told me to help myself.

Armed with a plate full of food I wandered amongst the many famous people from all walks of life trying to recognise as many as possible.ÌýSome time later, when I had completed my tour of the hall, I decided to make my way to the players' entrance.

I was lucky enough to be able to congratulate Mick Mills (who was showing his family his winner's medal), Johnny Wark (who was with his mum), Brian Talbot and Bobby Robson, whose hand I shook.

Later Bobby Robson, accompanied by coach Cyril Lea, came out to show the few of us there the cup.

Then we were able to see the victorious team leave the stadium in their team coach, with the FA Cup proudly displayed in the front window.

The result of the game and the events afterwards more than made up for my disappointment over my seat at the match.

The next day I was in for another surprise.

When I saw the re-run of the match on TV, I spotted a familiar face in the Royal Box.Ìý It was the lady who gave me the pass to the banqueting hall, Lady Blanche Cobbold!

John Cross

91Èȱ¬ alone

I remember when Ipswich won the FA cup on 6 May 1978, it was my 13th birthday.

I have never forgiven my dad and my brother. They went to Wembley to watch Ipswich win and left me at home.ÌýThey wouldn't take me.

I had to make do with watching it on the TV and going down to the Cornhill to see them bring the cup home. I still remind my brother of that to this day and tell him I have never forgiven them for not talking me!

Sonia Bennett

Mugging doesn't spoil the day

I went to Wembley in a blue and white suit made by my wife Ellen.

Alison with her winning banner

On my way home I was mugged at Liverpool St Station.ÌýNever-the-less I had a wonderful day.

My wife took our daughter Alison Cowie - now Bradley- to Christchurch Park for the banner competition which she won from several hundred entries.

She was on National TV (Noel Edmonds' Multi Coloured Swap Shop) for about 10 minutes.

She played the original electronic tennis game against the Arsenal winner and won that too.

Prizes included Brian Talbot's shirt and a signed book of the players.ÌýWe still have both of them, and the "Our Heroes" banner is still in the loft.Ìý

Derek Cowie

Small world

I was in London - staying in Islington - and travelled to Wembley on the underground via Kings Cross. Almost everyone on the train was an Arsenal fan.

After the match I was walking along Wembley Way and was given a lift by my next door neighbour, who was driving a coach party from the Leiston area. He dropped me off at the nearest tube station to the north circular.

I went straight to the Green Man (the pub just round the corner from where I was staying) and took great delight in seeing the Arsenal followers drowning their sorrows whilst enjoying my pint.ÌýWhat a day!

John Bardwell, Leiston

Best day of my life

My abiding memories of 1978 are mixed. I was 13 at the time of the win, and 12 when I became ill.

I was elated that Ipswich won the FA Cup, but also seriously ill in hospital (in Norwich of all places). I can remember the cup run easily.

I was just starting to feel the affects. My uncle used to do the engraving for the team when they had European matches. He got in touch with the team, and they used to send me items and autographs.

It certainly helped me recover a lot quicker. But when I was taken to hospital I got ribbed terribly being the only Ipswich supporter in the entire hospital.

But it was fairly good natured.

When it came to cup final day I was still in hospital. But thankfully got released in time to get home and watch the final. It was at the time the greatest day of my life.

The FA Cup Final will be etched in my memory forever, not just for the fact that Ipswich Town beat Arsenal to win the cup, but because of the events that unfolded on a personal level during this momentous day.

David Quinton

Cant get it out of my mind

The best banner on the day, not mine I hasten to add:

"HUNTER BITES YOUR LEGS, BEATTIE BITES YOUR ARSENAL!"

An absolutely great, never to be forgotten, day.

Brian Cant, not at Wembley

I've still got a beer mug somewhere that one of my mates brought back on our coach from a pub somewhere on the way back (I know not where). I claimed it as a souvenir.

I was standing near Brian Cant if you find him in a picture anywhere.

We have some good times since (although not that recently, even the play off final seems a lifetime ago), but this was the first big success since the Ramsey years.

It had been coming for a while, 1975 for instance, but the realisation of ITFC at the top of English football was established that day, and obviously remained for some while.

I'd like to think we could get back there, but even the funding from Marcus Evans is unlikely to be enough to get right to the top. Here's to hoping though.

Steve Butcher