Match programme: York City v Liverpool (16 February 1985)

About this match programme

By Richard Snowball

After beating Arsenal with a last minute penalty in the fourth round of the 1984-85 F.A. Cup, York City were again drawn at home in the fifth round against Liverpool.

The match took place on February 16, 1985, at Bootham Crescent and attracted an all-ticket crowd of 13,485.

Liverpool's team was full of top players including goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson in defence and Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush in attack.

The York players were not fazed and gave as good as they got on a difficult pitch, which had been covered in straw before the game to protect it from frost, and they forced their more illustrious opponents to a replay with a 1-1 draw.

York's equalising goal was scored by Ricky Sbragia.

The replay at Anfield four days later did not go York City's way and they lost 7-0 with Liverpool's John Wark scoring four of the goals.

This score remains York's biggest defeat in a F.A. Cup match.

Acknowledgement

This facsimile of the match programme was created by the publisher of There’s Only One Arthur Bottom, the daily email newsletter for fans of York City FC, and TOOAB contributors Richard Snowball, Terry Espiner and Paul Bowser.

www.tooab.com