28 March 2006
VIDEO: FA Cup 'Team of Heroes'

We bring you a video of some of the magical moments from The FA Cup to help you choose your 'Team of Heroes'.

7 January 1989
VIDEO: Matt Hanlan goal v Coventry

Watch Matt Hanlan's volley which sent Coventry crashing out of The FA Cup.


It's the 125th season of The FA Cup, the world's greatest domestic cup competition, and our search for the All-Time FA Cup Team of Heroes is gathering pace.

We continue our detailed look into the contenders to help you decide just who you want in your team - remember the decision about who makes the team is down to you, the fans. You can choose your team by clicking here.

Matt Hanlan was nominated by Sutton United. Hanlan was the player who scored the winning goal when Conference outfit Sutton beat First Division visitors Coventry City in the FA Cup Third Round in 1989. 

That was a great win against Coventry wasn’t it? 

Oh yeah, tremendous! It is still very vivid in the memory and I am still dining out on it now! We were well and truly the underdogs against Coventry and the shock that took place was well off the cards. It was definitely a turn up for the books on the day.

Obviously playing at home was our ace up the sleeve. We held our own for a fair while in the game. Then the last 20 minutes was like the Alamo and how we kept them out from scoring was a bit of a miracle. But it was a great day and I have fond memories of it.

You scored the winning goal so what do you remember about that?

We won a corner on the right hand side. Phil Dawson played a short one to Micky Stephens on the edge of the box. He then floated a cross over which bisected the six yard line.

There was a big melee of players which the ball popped through. I was lucky enough to be standing behind and I volleyed it in. It was definitely the highlight of my playing career, without a doubt.

Who are your personal FA Cup heroes? 

I was a Manchester United fan as a kid so I have got very fond memories of Norman Whiteside in the 1985 FA Cup Final against Everton. That was the first ever Cup Final that I actually went to.

I was in the Sutton youth side at the time. I went to Wembley with my dad and we were in the Man United end. Kevin Moran got sent off and it didn’t look likely that we were going to get a result. But ‘Big Norm’ popped up with a left foot strike to win the Cup.

We were right behind the goal and I watched it go into the corner of the net. I also remember Liam Brady in the Arsenal versus Manchester United Final in 1979. Brady was superb that day and he weaved a bit of magic to set up the move for Alan Sunderland’s last minute winning goal. I recall that one as a United fan from the other side of my emotions!

What other favourite FA Cup memories do you have? 

A very good childhood memory is Non-League Wimbledon taking the famous Leeds United side to a replay. Dickie Guy saved a penalty from Peter Lorimer at Elland Road. For me as a kid living in the local area, that heightened the excitement of the FA Cup and what you could achieve. I just remember all the headlines and the fact that Dickie became a bit of a local celebrity. 

How does it feel to be nominated for the FA Cup Team of Heroes? 

I am made up! It is nice to see my name in there with Trevor Roffey, Tony Rains and Barrie Williams, who were all from Sutton United. We have been nominated together with some of the real all-team football greats that you would never have dreamt of seeing your name alongside. 

What are you up to these days? 

I packed up playing a few years ago. I just limit myself to the odd evening in the gym, a couple of runs and a kick-about down in the park now and then. I still keep an eye on Sutton United and I stay in contact with some of the players. Work-wise, I am a director of a building company.