ON THIS DAY JANUARY 7

1956

Although the Busby Babes went on to win the League Championship in 1955/56 Manchester United were brought firmly down to earth with a 3rd Round FA Cup defeat at Bristol Rovers that season. A 35,872 Eastville crowd saw Rovers win 4-0 and record one of their most memorable results in what was - amazingly to think of now - Manchester United's only cuptie that season. Only once since - in 1958/59 - have Manchester United played just one cup match in a season. One of Bristol Rovers scorers that day was Barrie Meyer who was also a talented cricketer, playing for Gloucestershire in the summer. In later life he went on to became a Test match umpire and so became the first player to score an FA Cup goal against Manchester United and umpire a Test match - how's that for an obscure sporting connection!