Smith: Scoring at Wembley was every boy's dream

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Striker reflects on FA Cup final 40 years on.

BHAFC

2023-05-21T06:00:00Z

Michael Robinson runs over to Gordon Smith.

Gordon Smith has mixed emotions when reflecting on our 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the FA Cup final in 1983.

Sunday marks 40 years since our trip to the old Wembley, when the Scotland striker put us in front, before having the chance to win it late on, only to be denied by United keeper Gary Bailey.

“To score at Wembley in a cup final, well it’s every boy’s dream and here I was living the dream,” recalled Smith. “I remember getting a good connection and then the ball hitting the back of the net. I don’t think the enormity sinks in when you’re actual living the moment.

“I remember walking off at half-time at Wembley and looking up at the old scoreboard, it read Brighton 1 Manchester United 0, with my name underneath as the game’s only goalscorer.

“I thought, ‘No matter what happens, I’ve made my mark — no one can ever take that away from me.”

Gordon Smith headed in emphatically to put Albion in front against Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

A lot was made of Smith failing to find the back of the net in the final minutes of the game, with BBC Radio commentator Peter Jones announcing “And Smith must score!” only fuelling the assumption that he missed a tap in.

The game was heading fast towards a replay but then Case chipped a through ball for Michael Robinson to chase. The hardworking centre-forward shrugged off Kevin Moran and then held the ball back to beat Gordon McQueen. Inside the box, he squared to the unmarked Smith, ten yards from goal.

Alas, the effort struck the legs of Gary Bailey and the grateful keeper dived on the ball to prevent the Scot getting the rebound.

“It was a decent connection,” is Smith’s take on the miss. “It was low, on target, and I put it close to Gary Bailey’s body, which keeper’s find hardest to get down to.

“It looked like the ball was going through his legs but then it clipped one of his knees. I tried my best to get to the rebound but Gary beat me to it.

Gordon Smith is mobbed by his teammates after putting Albion in the lead.

“I’ll always remember Jimmy Case saying that of all the players he had played with in his long and illustrious career, he would still have liked the ball to fall to me.

“That was a real compliment considering he played with the likes of Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish. It was so nice of him but even that made me feel bad because I should have finished.

“Many years later, I was on the radio with Gary [Bailey] and he said it still rankled with him that he never got any credit for the save.

“I said, Gary, I really did wish you got the credit because all people ever talk about is my miss!’”