Let messrs Mills, Wark and Osborne talk you through the greatest day in Town's history
Fri 9 May 08 by podcast
Blues legends Mick Mills, John Wark and Roger Osborne got together at the Crown Hotel in Framlingham yesterday for a very special myfootballwriter.com podcast to talk about what many argue was the greatest day in Ipswich Town's history.
The famous trio were joined by freelance journalist and author Mel Henderson, who lived and breathed the club at the time thanks to his role as public relations officer at Portman Road, and myfootballwriter.com's chief reporter Mark Armstrong, to reflect on the Suffolk side's first, and so far only, success in the world's oldest knockout competition.
From the cup run itself to the celebrations afterwards, the podcast reveals what went on behind the scenes of their cup success while pinpointing exactly where the final against Arsenal was won and lost.
The shackling of Liam Brady was considered a major factor as Osborne hounded the Gunners' star man out of the match before going on to net the winner himself.
Osborne had carved himself a reputation as one of the best man markers in the business and while the man himself was modest about his role in containing Brady, his skipper was not about downplay Osborne's contribution.
Mills said: ?I think Liam had contacted Johan Cruyff before the game to find out a little bit about you and from that conversation he didn't fancy it!
?It's a thankless task being a man marker. Basically the manager would say 'go out, mark him and if it becomes a 10 v 10 game then I'm happy'.
?In other words if I don't see you and I don't see him then I'm happy.?
By the end of 90 minutes manager Bobby Robson was a very happy man but it didn't always look like it was going to end that way as a combination of the woodwork and Pat Jennings kept Town at bay.
Wark hit the post twice and while he was delighted to pick up a winners medal he admitted his family have never quite forgiven him for not getting the first goal.
?I came out after the game to see all my family that had come down to watch ? there were about 24 of them I think ? and I come out to see they're all miserable.
?I said 'what's the matter with you all?' and they said 'we had a pound on you to score at 20-1'. Typical jocks!?
The podcast is split into two parts so download the first part now and come back to the site on Monday for the second instalment.
If you want to find out more about the club's cup exploits in 1978 take a look at Mel Henderson's new book out ? Ipswich Town: The 1978 FA Cup Story. RRP: ?16.99
Through a series of fascinating interviews, the players and manager Sir Bobby Robson take readers behind the dressing room door to reveal the inside story on their triumph.
