The ‘motivational’ pre-match team talk Manchester City players received in 1969 ahead of FA Cup clash

The ‘motivational’ pre-match team talk Manchester City players received in 1969 ahead of FA Cup clash
Manchester Citys players were buzzing. They were one game away from an appearance at Wembley and a place in the 1969 FA Cup final.Wins against Luton, Newcastle, Blackburn and Tottenham en route to the semi-final left them feeling unbeatable.Getty2

Under Joe Mercer, Manchester City won the league title in 1968 in what was a golden period for the club

We just felt confident and then our biggest hurdle was in facing Everton in the semi-final at Villa Park, Francis Lee told mancity.com.And in attempt to rouse his troops the club’s chairman decided to deliver a motivational pre-match speech to the players.It was pretty unusual, however.Albert Alexander our then chairman made a tear-jerking speech ahead of the game, Lee said. The dressing room was reeking of embrocation when Joe suddenly said: Quiet boys, the chairman would like a few words with you.Albert, bless him, came in and said: ‘Its a very good to be here. Good luck to everybody and if we win, we can get to Wembley. Then well get plenty of money and win in front of a big crowd and then we can buy some new better players!’You can imagine how well that went down!It certainly motivated them to perform as a Tommy Booth goal earned City a 1-0 win and a place against Leicester in the final.GETTY2

Man City won the FA Cup in 1969, a year after winning the league, while they were triumphant in the League Cup and Cup Winners Cup finals in 1970

On 26 April 1969, Joe Mercer guided City – wearing a striking black and white striped kit – to their fourth FA Cup triumph with another 1-0 win, this time the goal being scored by Neil Young leaving the thousands of City fans rocking.The FA Cup final is something so special and to be able to say you played in the final means so much, Mike Summerbee said.Find out if Pep Guardiola will lead them to a sixth FA Cup success when Man City take on Watford at Wembley live on talKSPORT on Satuday 18 May at 5pm.

---

Tottenham news: Graeme Souness gives brutal verdict on Spurs

---

Mauricio Pochettino has played down Tottenham's title chances ahead of the north London Derby against Arsenal on Saturday. Tottenham head into the derby in third place in the Premier League, nine
Tottenham news: Mauricio Pochettino plays down Premier League

---

Preston North End 0-0 Derby County: Rams rue missed opportunities at Deepdale, as Frank Lampard's side cling on for a point Written by: fpnews Posted on: February 2, 2019 Derby County missed the opportunity to climb to fifth in the Sky Bet Championship table, after scraping a 0-0 draw at Preston North End.
Rams rue missed opportunities at Deepdale, as Frank Lampard's

---

'Theresa May is the David Moyes of politics' - Simon Jordan's savage Brexit assessment 'Come play for us' Solskjaer told to approach Foden and Hudson-Odoi over Man United moves
Arsenal legend to return to Belgium coaching staff after

---

How Liverpool should line up vs Manchester United - Fabinho stays centre-back as James Milner starts. Our reporters pick their teams for the Premier League clash at Old Trafford
4-3-3: Liverpool predicted XI to face Man Utd - Red Rants

---

Celtic have beaten off competition to land Ivory Coast striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo on a four-year deal. The 21-year-old found himself in demand after netting 18 goals in 23 games for Slovakian side

---

LONDON (BBC) — Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not play in the Europa League final against Chelsea on May 29. It is understood the Armenian, 30, feared for his safety on the pitch in Baku, Azerbaijan. "Having considered all current options, we had to take the tough decision for me not

---

Nicolas Otamendi wants out of Manchester City (Pic: Getty) Wolves are expected to be busy this summer, strengthening once again following their successful debut season in the top flight. West Ham have also faired well this term but did bring in Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop in defence last summer.
Two Premier League clubs on alert as Nicolas Otamendi

---

Champions League draw: Man Utd draw Barcelona as Spurs face Man City in quarters while Liverpool land Porto tie TOTTENHAM take on Manchester City and Man United face Barcelona in re-run of the
Manchester United vs. Barcelona highlights Champions League

---

Jurgen Klopp once said that Jordan Henderson 'has the hardest job in football'.. The German explained how because the Liverpool midfielder replaced Steven Gerrard, who is viewed by many as Liverpool's greatest ever player, as club captain this makes it a tough act for Henderson to follow.
Liverpool's Henderson plays it too safe: Steven Gerrard

---

Arsenal are looking at rising Bundesliga star Kai Havertz as a potential replacement for Gunners outcast Mesut Ozil, reports claim. Ozil has been a bit-part player since the arrival of Unai Emery and does not appear to feature in the manager's long-term plans.
Arsenal transfer news: Gunners lining up Kai Havertz as

---