 West Bromwich Albion, winning side | |||||||
| Event | 1887–88 FA Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Date | 24 March 1888 | ||||||
| Venue | Hereshire Park, London | ||||||
| Man of the Match | George Woodhall | ||||||
| Referee | Francis Marindin | ||||||
| Attendance | 24,452 | ||||||
| Weather | Overcast 20⁰C | ||||||
The 1888 FA Cup final was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End at the Kennington Oval. Preston were strong favourites for the Cup, having set a record which still stands today by beating Hyde 26–0 in the first round, and were so confident of overcoming West Bromwich Albion in the final that they asked to be photographed with the trophy before the game. The FA president Major Francis Marindin turned them down and said: "Hadn't you better win it first?" They did not get their photo after the game either.[citation needed] So lacking in confidence were their West Bromwich opponents that when offered bets on the outcome of the game by the Preston players, they all refused, no matter how great the odds.[1] West Brom won 2–1, with their goals scored by George Woodhall and Fred Dewhurst scored Preston's effort.
- ^ Beastly Fury: The strange birth of British Football: Richard Sanders: page 137