SOUTH WEST FA CUP FINALISTS 1960’s
1963 Maurice Setters (Manchester United)
Honiton born Maurice Setters started his professional career with Exeter City in 1952 before moving onto West Bromwich Albion in 1955. A move to Old Trafford followed five years later as Sir Matt Busby continued his rebuilding programme of Manchester United following the Munich Air Crash in 1958. Their cup win over Leicester City in the 1963 final, over Leicester City, saw the Red Devils lift their first trophy since the disaster.
Maurice later appeared for Stoke City, Coventry City and Charlton Athletic before entering coaching. He was Jack Charlton’s right hand man at Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and Maurice also assisted Charlton during his reign as manager of the Republic of Ireland.
1964 John Bond and Ken Brown (West Ham United)
John Bond and Ken Brown had both spent their entire playing careers with West Ham United when they lined up for the 1964 FA Cup final, which saw the Hammers take on Preston North End. West Ham won the game 3-2 with a side that featured future World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst.
After leaving Upton Park, both Bond and Brown were persuaded by their former Hammers’ team-mate Frank O’Farrell to join Torquay United. John Bond arrived at Plainmoor midway through the 1965-66 season and helped Torquay to win promotion from the ‘old Division Four, in a year that saw his former colleagues Moore and Hurst enjoy World Cup glory with England.
After retiring from playing, Bond embarked on a managerial career that saw him take charge of Bournemouth, Norwich City, Manchester City, who he guided to the 1981 FA Cup final, Burnley and Swansea City.
A year later, by which time Torquay had established themselves in the third division, he was joined by Brown who had added a European Cup Winners’ Cup medal to his collection of honours in 1965 after the Hammers defeated Bayern Munich at Wembley. After finishing his league career at Plainmoor in 1969, Brown later returned to the South West in 1987 to manage Plymouth Argyle in a managerial career that also saw him manage Norwich City, who he led to Milk Cup glory in 1985.
1966 Mike Trebilcock (Everton)
After being given his Plymouth Argyle by Malcolm Allison in the 1962-63 campaign, Mike Trebilcock was transferred to Everton in December 1965 for £23,000.
Toffees’ boss Harry Catterick caused a stir before that season’s cup final against Sheffield Wednesday when he selected Mike, who was still a relative unknown at the time, ahead of the experienced Fred Pickering.
However, Mike netted twice in a 3-2 win for Everton and became a hero overnight. He would to South West later in his career when he signed for Torquay United in 1971 and spent one season at Plainmoor.
1967 Cyril Knowles (Tottenham Hotspur)
After joining Tottenham Hotspur from Middlesbrough in 1964, Cyril became a cult hero at White Hart Lane and he even had a song written about him: ‘Nice one Cyril.’
Cyril was part of the Spurs’ side that won the first all London FA Cup final in 1967 which Tottenham defeat Chelsea.
He achieved further success with Spurs as he won the 1971 League Cup and helped them to win the UEFA Cup a year later.
As a manager, he guided Darlington to promotion from Division Four in 1985 before he arrived at Plainmoor in 1987 and masterminded a League Cup win over Spurs courtesy of a Derek Dawkins’ strike before leading the Gulls to the Fourth Division Play-Offs where they were beaten by Swansea City over two legs. During his first season, Cyril also oversaw the development of a young Lee Sharpe who he sold on to Manchester United for £185,000.
A year later, he guided Torquay to their debut Wembley appearance in the Sherpa Van Trophy where the Gulls were beaten 4-1 by Bolton Wanderers after memorably beating Wolves over two legs in their Southern Area Final.
After leaving Plainmoor early in the 1989-90 season, Cyril later took charge of Hartlepool United before his death from a brain tumour in 1991 at the age of 47.
1968 Alan Ball (Everton)
After winning the World Cup in 1966, Alan Ball moved to Everton from Blackpool looking to win further honours. Unfortunately, his 1968 appearance at Wembley didn’t turn out to be as memorable as the one he made in the summer of 1966 as West Bromwich Albion defeated the Toffees’ 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jeff Astle.
Alan would later win a League Championship medal with Everton in 1970 before moving to Arsenal who he helped to win the double in the 1970-71 season.
He found his way to the South West in 1991 when he was appointed as manager of Exeter City. His spell at St James’ Park saw the Grecians flirt with relegation from Division Two, but under his tenure they did win a league double over Plymouth Argyle in the 1992-93 and, in the same season, they reached the Southern Area final of the Autoglass Trophy where they were beaten by Port Vale.
1969 Malcolm Allison and Tony Book (Manchester City) & Frank O’Farrell and Peter Shilton (Leicester City)
The 1969 cup final saw two old friends go face to face with each other, Manchester City assistant manager lined up against his friend and former team-mate Leicester City manager Frank O’Farrell.
Both men had been part of the original West Ham Academy, which spawned a generation of future managers including David Sexton, Noel Cantwell and Malcolm Musgrove.
After being forced to retire from playing due to a bout of tuberculosis, Allison had started his managerial with Bath City before moving onto Plymouth Argyle in 1964. He remained at Home Park for one season before he was appointed as assistant to Joe Mercer in 1965.
Like Allison, O’Farrell had started his managerial career in non-league football and took charge of Weymouth Town before he became manager of Torquay United in 1965. Whilst at Plainmoor, O’Farrell guided the Gulls to promotion in his first season in charge and remained with Torquay until 1968 when he was appointed as manager of the Foxes. O’Farrell would later go on to manager Manchester United, Cardiff City and the Iranian national side before returning for a second spell in charge at Plainmoor in 1981.
On the pitch, Manchester City were captained Tony Book in their side who had become an integral part of their side after playing under Allison at both Bath City and Plymouth Argyle. He led Manchester City to cup glory as they defeated Leicester 1-0 on the day. He was also named as the joint winner of the Football of the Year award with Dave Mackay for 1969.
Playing in goal for Leicester that day was future Plymouth Argyle manager Peter Shilton who won a record 125 caps for England before taking charge of the Pilgrims in an eventful three year spell between 1992 and 1995.