JANUARY 14th 1933, and Bill Slade's Walsall side were gearing up to take on a legendary Arsenal side, revered to as the greatest in the land, in the third round of the FA Cup.
Gilbert Alsop headed in from a corner early on in the second half to break the deadlock and shortly after, when Bill Sheppard was brought down in the area to earn and then convert from the spot to secure victory for The Saddlers.
Slade's men went into the game as the underdogs, languising in the lower reaches of the third division, yet they pulled off what has been referred to as one of the biggest shocks in the history of the famous old competition.
The FA Cup is all about shocks and the enticing meeting of teams who have not locked horns in years. This is why the term 'magic of the Cup' is associated with it so closely, because supporters everywhere know that anything and everything is possible.
Walsall's FA Cup performances have been something of a mixed bag in recent years. In 2002/03 we got knocked out by eventual semi-finalists, Sheffield United and the year after we made a hasty exit at the hands of eventual finalists, Millwall.
Last year's exit at the hands of Scunthorpe United was disappointing and prior to that, we were unlucky to succumb 2-1 at Millwall.
During recent seasons the likes of Barnsley, Cardiff City, West Bromwich Albion and Watford have all made it as far as the semi-finals. Why not Walsall? Surely we are due a change of fortune.
Getting to the latter stages of the competition would be something of a dream to all connected to the club.
One player who will undoubtedly be looking to re-create some of his own FA Cup magic is Sam Parkin, who has some unfinished business.
Back in 2003, Parkin was on loan at Wycombe Wanderers from Chelsea when he scored what many have regarded as one of the most important goals in the club's history as they beat Wolves in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Sadly for Parkin, his hopes of further progress ended as he was recalled by Chelsea and missed out as The Chairboys made it to the semi-finals.
I'm sure he would relish doing this with Walsall!
Coming up on Saturday we once more head for Griffin Park, this time with progress into the third round in our sights. It is the stage of the competition where the 'big boys' enter and an FA Cup run is vital for teams at this level.
Money is not the only incentive for us. It's the chance for the players, manager and fans alike to create some memories and create a buzz around the club and indeed the town.
In the past clubs like Southampton, Wimbledon, Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Portsmouth have shown that its not always the most fancied sides who go on and lift the Cup, so what can't this be the year that Walsall make their mark?
Let's get behind Chris Hutchings and the boys on Saturday and get one game closer to the dream.
ANNE-MARIE BOJAN
