I RECALL we reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1959, finally losing 2-0 to Sheffield United.

We had been exempt until the fourth qualifying round that season after making the first round in 1957/58.

That was the way in those days. An epic against Aldershot had gone to a second replay at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s watched by almost 23,000 people.

Brierley Hill were old advocates but were second best in City’s first FA Cup game of 1958/59 when Worcester won comfortably 3-0.

There was a long trip to Chelmsford, Essex, in round one with two special trains laid on from Worcester.

Foregate Street station was packed to overflowing. We watched a nail-biting 0-0 draw. The replay was won 3-1 watched by 5,789 fans.

The second round saw Third Division leaders Millwall at the Lane.

We slaughtered them 5-2 in one of the best games I ever saw at St George’s Lane.

There was no segregation in the 12,500 crowd and absolutely no trouble from the Millwall fans. They left Worcester in silence.

Then the match everyone talks about — Liverpool.

Played on a pitch devoid of grass, it had been thawed, after a postponement on the previous Saturday, by a liberal application of salt!

City fought their way to the famous 2-1 victory, led by the incomparable Roy Paul.

The fourth-round game against Sheffield United was an anti-climax, really.

They were always comfortably in control as I remember. But what a cup run!

The second game against them at Bramall Lane? Who knows? No-one expected a victory at the Ricoh Arena or a draw at Scunthorpe last season.

The team showed at Gateshead they can play football with confidence against higher league opposition.

Win, lose or draw, they will be a credit to us and further enhance the club’s profile.