CHARLTON'S POST-WAR FINALS

COLIN ALLAN RECALLS HOW THE ADDICKS PUT THE PAIN OF LOSING IN THE 1946 SHOWPIECE BEHIND THEM TO TRIUMPH THE FOLLOWING YEAR

- COLIN ALLAN

AN FA Cup final that featured a team which had actually lost a cup-tie, a player scoring for both teams within a minute and a burst ball is quite remarkable.

All three unusual features occurred in the first post-war final played on April 27, 1946 between Charlton Athletic and Derby County.

It was indeed a day to be savoured by football fans after the long years of war, despite the many wartime home internationals and unofficial regional cup finals matches arranged to help boost morale.

This was the return of true cup competition involving all the clubs. The occasion was even more poignant as some of the players had only recently been demobbed and others were still awaiting their release papers.

In fact, following the country's survival and eventual victory, there was a sense of national unity in the crowd as King George VI was introduced to the two teams.

For a while, the spectators and those listening to the radio commentary could forget the deprivations of post-war austerity Britain and enjoy a feast of football.

A finalist who had been beaten in an earlier round occurred because for the first postwar FA Cup competition, matches were held over a home and away two-leg basis up to the semi-finals, probably to give more fans the chance of witnessing the ties.

Charlton had played Fulham in the third round. The Addicks won their home tie 3-1 but lost 2-1 at Fulham, so progressed on aggregate score.