STOURBRIDGE Football Club is set to celebrate a milestone anniversary this weekend.
It’s been 50 years since the club made it all the way to the final of the Welsh FA Cup on April 24, 1974.
After beating Swansea City away from home, Worcester City at home and Wrexham away, the Glassboys met Cardiff City in the final - held at Amblecote’s War Memorial Ground.
It was one of the club’s biggest games in its history, attracting 5,726 supporters through the turnstiles.
Sadly, Stourbridge missed out on victory – losing both legs 1-0.
But it was a momentous occasion for the club.
Stourbridge FC president Hugh Clark recalls: “It was a very big match for us.
“It was the first year we’d entered the Welsh FA Cup.
“We were invited by the Welsh FA to take part and it coincided with one of our very best seasons.
“We’d won our league championship that year (73-74) to be promoted to the premier division of the Southern League the following year.”
The line-up on the big day comprised: Archie Richards, John Chambers, Graham Saint, Michael Moore, Paul Pridgeon, Bryan Booth, Chic Bates John Davies, Pat McGrath, Geoff Green (captain), Ray Haywood and Bob Taylor.
Attracting national news coverage, the final put Stourbridge on the map and Mr Clark, who was club treasurer at the time, recalls: “It was amazing.”
To mark the anniversary of the historic occasion, the club has invited the original team members back to the ground for the last home match of the season which will see Stourbridge take on Hertfordshire based Royston Town from 3pm on Saturday April 20.
Sadly, some of the players from the original 12-strong squad have passed away or are not well enough to attend the commemoration but Mr Clark said he’s hoping for a good turnout.
He said: “Unfortunately after 50 years some have passed away. It won’t be a full team, but we’ve invited them and I’m sure a lot of supporters would love to be there.”
The club, which plays in the Southern League, is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026.
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