20th February 1922
On Monday, 20th February 1922, Bill Poyntz of Leeds United experienced a day of personal and professional milestones. In the morning, Poyntz tied the knot, marking a significant personal event. Later that day, he showcased his footballing prowess by scoring a hat-trick in Leeds United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City at Elland Road in a Second Division match. This performance was particularly notable as it came just nine days after Poyntz became the first Leeds player to be sent off in a League fixture. The match against Leicester City was a testament to Poyntz’s resilience and skill, contributing significantly to his team’s success.
20th February 2017
Fast forward to 20th February 2017, when Sutton United faced Arsenal in the 5th Round of the FA Cup. Despite the match itself being a significant event for the non-league side, the main talking point emerged from an unexpected source. During the match, a photograph captured Sutton’s substitute goalkeeper, Wayne Shaw, eating a pie while sitting on the bench. The 46-year-old, weighing 23 stone, became the centre of attention, with the image quickly circulating in the media. However, the story took a serious turn when allegations surfaced that the incident was a publicity stunt orchestrated for a bookmaker, with bets placed on Shaw being photographed eating a pie during the match.
The Football Association (FA) launched an investigation into the matter, and Shaw resigned from Sutton United the day after the match. Despite the controversy, Shaw received an offer for a pie-tasting job from Morrison’s supermarket. Meanwhile, Sutton United put up a commendable performance against Arsenal, ultimately losing 2-0. Arsenal’s victory in this match was a step towards their eventual triumph in the FA Cup, which they won for a record 13th time.