On this day in 1964, Oxford United made history by becoming the first Fourth Division team to reach the 6th Round, or quarter-finals, of the FA Cup. In only their second season in the Football League, Oxford faced Second Division side Preston North End at their Manor Ground home. Despite a valiant effort, Oxford were narrowly defeated 2-1. Preston North End, enjoying their own successful FA Cup run during the 1963/64 season, advanced to the final. However, they were ultimately beaten 3-2 by West Ham United at Wembley.
29th February 1972
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The 29th of February 1972 was a day that highlighted the changing value of money in football. Arsenal hosted Derby County in an FA Cup tie at Highbury, where ticket touts capitalised on the demand by selling £1 seat tickets for an inflated price of £20. Meanwhile, Manchester United made headlines by signing Martin Buchan from Aberdeen for a club record fee of £125,000. Buchan would go on to become a future club captain. On the same evening, Fulham played Benfica in a match marking the official opening of the Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage. The construction of the stand cost £334,000, a sum that today might be spent on a conservatory for a London home.
29th February 2004
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Leap Year Day in 2004 marked a significant milestone for Middlesbrough as they secured their first major national trophy by winning the Carling Cup, also known as the League Cup. The final, held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, saw Middlesbrough take an early lead against Bolton Wanderers. Joseph-Désiré Job and Boudewijn Zenden scored within the first seven minutes, giving Middlesbrough a 2-0 advantage. Bolton’s Kevin Davies managed to pull one back, but Middlesbrough held on to claim a 2-1 victory, etching their name into the annals of English football history.