The FA Cup
Semi-Final
Sunderland v Millwall
04 April 2004
Old Trafford, 1.00pm

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Sunderland and Millwall have only met once previously in The FA Cup – and that was also an FA Cup Semi-Final, way back in 1937!

That match saw the Lions become the first ever Third Division side to progress so far in The Cup. Their run was impressive, especially the 2-0 win over a strong Manchester City in the Sixth Round.

City eventually won the League championship that season, scoring 107 goals in the process but Millwall managed to contain them and Dave Mangnall’s brace saw them through to the semi’s to meet Sunderland.

The Wearsiders’ knocked out Southampton, Luton Town and Swansea City but needed three attempts to get past Wolves in the Sixth Round.

After a 1-1 draw at Molineux and a 2-2 draw at Roker Park, Sunderland eventually beat their First Division rivals 4-0.

In sharp contrast to 2004’s Millwall Player/Manager, the Lions’ 1937 boss was trained accountant Charles Hewitt who (like Sunderland’s Bob Stokoe in 1972-73 who changed the colour of the club's shorts from white to traditional black in his first match in charge) changed Millwall’s kit from navy to royal blue and like Dennis Wise had an immediate impact on the Londoners.

Millwall only received 10,000 of the tickets for the semi final and drew 20,000 to The Den that same afternoon where score updates were relayed. Such was the appeal of the semi that one Millwall fan actually cycled all the way up to Huddersfield to watch the match – one hopes he got a ticket…

Millwall took a tenth minute lead when veteran Dave Mangnall turned in Forsyth’s cross to beat Sunderland’s teenage ‘keeper John Mapson. It was Mangnall’s tenth FA Cup goal of the season and a shock seemed on the cards.

Sunderland though came back and equalised on the half hour when Bobby Gurney followed up Raich Carter’s shot which ‘keeper Yuill spilled. On the Monday before the final, Gurney would be Best Man at Carter’s wedding.

In the second-half, the gulf between the two sides started to show as Millwall’s defence had to cope with an almost endless stream of Sunderland attacks.

Eventually the pressure told and with 22 minutes left, Patsy Gallacher headed the winner.

Sunderland went on to win The Cup beating Preston 3-1 at Wembley with Millwall building on their Cup run by winning promotion a year later.

Team Details

Millwall: Yuill, Smith E., Inns, Brolly, Wallbanks, Forsyth, Thomas, Mangnall, Burditt, McCartney, Smith J.R.

Sunderland: Mapson, Gorman, Hall, Thomson, Johnston, Hastings, Duns, Carter, Gurney, Gallacher, Burbanks.