On this day in 1911, Grimsby Town faced Croydon Common in the First Round of the FA Cup. Grimsby, who were part of the Midland League after losing their Football League status the previous season, hosted the Southern League side Croydon Common. The match ended in a 3-0 victory for Grimsby. However, Croydon Common lodged a protest with the FA, citing two main grievances. Firstly, their players were left waiting in the cold for ten minutes before the second half while Grimsby players remained in their changing rooms. Secondly, a linesman handed his flag to a Grimsby official to catch a train. The FA upheld the protest, annulled the result, and ordered a replay. When the match was replayed on 26th January, Croydon Common suffered a heavier defeat, losing 8-1.
14th January 1933
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In one of the most remarkable upsets in FA Cup history, Walsall defeated Arsenal 2-0 in a Third Round tie on this day in 1933. Arsenal, the dominant force in English football at the time, having won five League titles and two FA Cups in the 1930s, were unexpectedly beaten by Walsall, a team from the Third Division. This match remains one of the most memorable giant-killings in the competition’s history.
14th January 1961
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On 14th January 1961, Cheung Chi Doy made history by becoming the first Chinese-born player to appear in the Football League. He was selected to play for Blackpool against Wolves at Bloomfield Road. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned after just nine minutes due to fog. Cheung Chi Doy officially debuted the following week and made one more first-team appearance, scoring a goal, before leaving Blackpool.
14th January 2018
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In an unusual incident in French Ligue 1 on this day in 2018, referee Tony Chapron was involved in a controversial moment during a match between Nantes and Paris St Germain. After an accidental collision with Nantes defender Diego Carlos, Chapron retaliated by kicking the player and subsequently issuing him a second yellow card, resulting in a sending-off. The incident led to Chapron receiving a six-month ban, with half of it suspended.