After winning the First Division title in 1968 the big target for Joe Mercer's marvellous Manchester City side was the FA Cup. At the peak of their powers, they triumphed over Leicester City at Wembley in 1969. City had a wonderful team at the time with greats like Francis Lee, Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee comprising a golden generation.
Leicester had a sorry record in FA Cup finals – played three, lost three. The weight of expectation from their fans to finally end the drought was huge. With Leicester suffering relegation to the Second Division the same season, City were heavy favourites and in the opening half-hour of the game they showed why. A fabulous display of enterprising, attacking football was crowned with a fabulous goal from Neil Young. Summerbee skipped round his man on the right and carried the ball along the byline before squaring the ball into Young's path. The striker lashed the ball high into Peter Shilton's net.
Rather than roll over, Leicester were inspired by their opponents' quick start and fought back strongly with Allan Clarke in particular shining. Chances were plenty for both sides but the score stayed 1-0. A gallant City side applauded their worthy opponents up the famous Wembley stairs to collect their losers' medals. The moment was particularly special for City boss Joe Mercer who became the first man to ever win both the league title and the FA Cup as a player and a manager.
On their way to the final City had overcome Luton, Newcastle, Blackburn, Tottenham and Everton. The semi-final against the Toffees had been a tense affair, only settled at the very last by 19-year-old centre-half Tommy Booth. For long-suffering City fans that result would have held a special significance as it was Everton who beat City in the 1933 final by three goals to nil.
It was the club's fourth FA Cup win in seven final appearances and the first since the remarkable 1956 triumph inspired by Bert Trautmann. It was also fitting that Mercer's remarkable team claimed the famous old trophy in their pomp. City have not had a team to compare to them since and Mark Hughes will doubtless be hoping to emulate Mercer's achievements with his current crop of megastars.
The Winning Team:
1 Dowd
2 Book (c)
3 Pardoe
4 Doyle
5 Booth
6 Oakes
7 Summerbee
8 Bell
9 Lee
10 Young
11 Coleman
Substitute: 12 Connor
Manager: Joe Mercer