You may not have spotted it with other matters dominating the media, but today is the 32nd anniversary of Town’s 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Arsenal. To celebrate that great day, we thought we’d rerun the Paul Mariner interview from issue 92 of TWTD in which the Blues’ number nine remembered the cup run and that afternoon at Wembley.

Despite the cup run, 1977/78 was a difficult season, wasn’t it?

Yes, we were struggling down the bottom of the table. I don’t really know why, but it was probably because we didn’t really have a deep squad and I suppose injuries must have had their effect.

But when it came to the cup we were on fire. When you think about the team we had, it was a good side if you had the 11 out there. We worked hard for each other and when we had that team out we were fine.

It all started off with the trip to Cardiff City.

It was a bit ramshackle in those days. We got a nice victory down there, I scored twice, then we beat Hartlepool 4-1 at home, which was an easy enough game.

The Bristol Rovers game was the tricky one. It was snowing and there’s no chance that they would play that game now. In the old days they used to try and get the better teams on any surface that they could, ice, mud, you name it.

That ended 2-2 and we scored late on, Robin Turner scored twice. That was a bit of a squeaker but we got them back to our place and we beat them comfortably.

On paper, we’d had decent draws, we couldn’t really complain about the teams which we’d been drawn against as we’d been favourites to beat them.

And then it was Millwall. I remember that game really well. It was a daunting place to go to with very partisan supporters. By this stage we were in the quarter-finals of the cup and you start thinking at that back of your mind that maybe we’ve got a chance of getting there.

My old mate Johnny Wark was very nervous that day, I think he went to the bathroom many, many times!

Was it the football or the crowd he was worried about?

It was the football. He was only a young kid back then, remember. George Burley scored an absolute screamer to get us going, which settled us down. To win 6-1 was really remarkable, particularly with the break in between.

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Photo: Action Images

TractorRoyNo1 added 13:37 - May 6 when he hit the woodwork i feared it wasn't going to be our day
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ozzydog added 13:53 - May 6 THOSE WERE THE DAYS Bought back some good memories. BLUE ARMYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
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ITFC1985 added 14:45 - May 6 Now dont get me wrong, i love Ipswich Town Football club and everything we have achieved, but honestly celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the FA Cup win? would any other club do this?? Like i said im proud of what the club has done but i feel that its time to let go and for some people to stop comparing the now to the then, are we still going to be celebrating this when it his the 67th year???

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ozzydog added 15:10 - May 6 Ipswich Town is all about being a small Town Club that has achieved beond all expectations. I will glory in all our past achievments to the day I am cremated with my Town scarf and my ashes scattered over FPR. We are nothing without our history,that`s why naaaawich are nothing
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Lightningboy added 21:40 - May 6 Received a signed photo from Paul this morning..a true town legend.
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cjwinthesun added 04:05 - May 7 Well ITFC1985 had you been there as I was you would gladly celebrate it and remember. It was an amazing day. The sun was shining. Our crowd were there to support to the full. Kevin Beattie taking a large flag from a fan running on to the pitch with it as the team made the customary the pitch in their "Wembley suits". PM was fantastic that day . Yes the strike against the woodwork was a 'not our day' feeling. David Geddes provided the width / wing play me so want for our team now. My most defining memory is a banner that was so prominent at the Ipswich end. WHYMARK MARINER WHEN WOODS WILL WARK IT IN. Think about it guys. 32 years ago .... I remember it as if it was yesterday and will never forget.

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