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Mariner: Win Was Never in Doubt - Ipswich Town News

Legendary Town striker Paul Mariner says he never had any doubt that the Blues would win the 1978 FA Cup final, despite hitting the bar himself and John Wark striking the post on two occasions. Mariner was speaking to TWTD for issue 92 of the fanzine, a 1978 special.

Mariner told TWTD in an extensive exclusive interview: "During the game we never thought about them scoring, it didn't seem possible that they were going to score.

"I know from speaking to supporters and family members that they thought it was one of those games where we'd do all the pressing and they'd nick it late on with a goal from either Malcolm MacDonald or Frank Stapleton.

"But to be fair, Allan Hunter and the Beat shut those two down and the supply wasn't there because our midfield guys did such a good job shutting it down.

"On the other hand, the supply to us up front was great. It could have been a rout. I was stretching in the first half when I hit the bar, it came to me too fast. Maybe I could have done a bit better, but it came on to me too quickly. Then Johnny hit the post twice. It was good stuff. For a final, it was a decent game.”

Mariner is one of two Town stars from that side featured in this issue with former Blues boss George Burley also giving his view of one of the greatest days in the club's history.

As well as those of the players, TWTD 92 includes fans' memories of the game and the cup run, as well as revealing some interesting ways people managed to get tickets and stories of supporters travelling across large areas of the globe to be at Wembley.

The fanzine will be available from our (hopefully) sun-burnt sellers around the ground prior to Sunday's kick-off or online, via either a six-issue subscription or single issue, here.

TWTD's Sgt Pepper poster released to mark the 20th anniversary of the cup win a decade ago has been made available again and can be purchased here.

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