There’s something about the FA Cup that just brings out the drama. It’s not just the upsets or the underdog stories – it’s the absolute mayhem that can erupt when emotions spill over and thousands of fans suddenly forget there’s a barrier between the stands and the pitch.
Whether it’s a last-minute winner, a legendary comeback, or a spontaneous sprint from a guy in a three-piece suit, FA Cup pitch invasions are a genre of their own.
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Here are seven of the most unforgettable ones – ranging from pure joy to total chaos (with one feline icon thrown in for good measure).
1. Manchester City vs Tottenham, 1993 – The Consolation Goal That Sparked a Stampede
Usually when fans invade the pitch, it’s because their team has done something remarkable. Manchester City fans, though, decided to do it after their team was losing a quarter-final at home.
City were 4-1 down against Spurs. The dream was fading fast. And then Terry Phelan – their left-back of all people – picked up the ball deep in his own half and went on a Forrest Gump-style run through half the Tottenham team. He somehow ended up scoring a goal that didn’t really mean anything, but it was enough to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Fans charged onto the pitch in celebration. Or confusion. Or maybe protest. No one really knows. But next thing you know, the police horses are out, the stands are emptying, and it’s all spiraling into something that looked more like a civil uprising than a football match.
It was bizarre. It was brilliant. It was pure FA Cup.
2. Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest, 1974 – The Protest That Changed the Game
This one wasn’t a celebration. It was more of a “We’ve had enough of this nonsense” moment.
Newcastle were supposed to breeze past second-tier Forest in the quarter-finals. But when Forest went 3-1 up – thanks to a penalty that followed a controversial red card for Newcastle’s Pat Howard – things exploded.
Fans had already spilled down to the edge of the pitch because of overcrowding. But when that third goal went in, they fully stormed the field. Some ran straight at the away end. Policemen tried to stop them, but it looked like a playground game of British Bulldog gone horribly wrong.
Eventually the game resumed. And somehow, with ten men and an atmosphere more like a riot than a cup tie, Newcastle turned it around and won 4-3. The crowd was electric. Forest appealed. The FA voided the result. Two replays later, Newcastle finally went through.
But everyone remembers the first game – for the madness, the comeback, and the noise that shook St James’ Park like never before.
3. Aston Villa vs Manchester United, 2002 – A Comeback for the Ages
Back when Sir Alex Ferguson was threatening to retire (again), United were in one of their wobblier phases. They’d just had a run of five losses and a draw, their title hopes were toast, and now they were 2-0 down in the third round of the FA Cup at Villa Park.
But this was United. And if there’s one thing they specialised in under Fergie, it was turning disaster into drama.
In five ridiculous minutes, they scored three goals – Ruud van Nistelrooy bagging the winner. Fans didn’t wait for the final whistle. They ran on the pitch right after the goal. Some did it again at full-time. It wasn’t a cup final, it wasn’t a trophy – it was just relief and belief and the pure joy of sticking it to the doubters.
It was messy. It was glorious. It was very Manchester United.
4. Everton vs Dagenham & Redbridge, 2016 – A Star is Born (and it’s a Cat)
Not every pitch invasion is sparked by a goal. Sometimes, it’s a cat’s time to shine.
Everton were casually handling business in a third-round game when the real star of the show appeared – a cat. Not a small one either. A chunky, confident feline trotted out onto the turf and went straight for the goal.
Joel Robles, Everton’s keeper, didn’t know what to do. The cat zigged, zagged, and basically had more control and movement than most midfielders. No one could catch it.
After the match, Roberto Martinez praised the animal’s composure and flair. “I thought he had great style and movement,” he said. Honestly, same.
No goals, no drama – just one very cool cat stealing the show.
5. Everton vs Sheffield Wednesday, 1966 – The Suit-Clad Sprint into History
If you think modern pitch invaders are bold, meet Eddie Cavanagh.
It was the FA Cup final. Everton were 2-0 down but had just scored to level the game at 2-2. The tension was off the charts. That’s when Eddie decided he needed to be part of it.
Wearing a suit – yes, a full suit – he sprinted across the Wembley turf, throwing off his jacket like he was about to audition for a superhero role. A policeman chased after him, slipped, and hilariously lost his hat in the process.
Another officer, clearly fed up, tossed his own hat aside and full-on rugby tackled Eddie into the turf. The crowd roared. The players laughed. The cameras loved it.
Eddie walked off grinning, breathless, and probably a little bit sore. But he’d just become part of Cup final history. And oh, by the way, Everton went on to win 3-2.
6. Reading vs Bradford, 2015 – Flipping Out (Literally)
This one was part celebration, part Cirque du Soleil audition.
Reading were comfortably winning their fifth-round tie. Fans were ready to party. But one very eager supporter couldn’t wait for the final whistle.
He sprinted onto the pitch and went straight to the Bradford end. Then, for reasons known only to him, he started doing front flips. Not just one or two – he fully committed to a mini gymnastics floor routine.
The crowd went wild. Even stewards were probably thinking, “Let him finish, that was actually decent.”
The game wasn’t done, but the mood in the stadium said otherwise. Football and flips. Why not?
7. Hereford vs Newcastle, 1972 – The Original and the Greatest
This is the pitch invasion. The one you see in every old-school FA Cup montage.
Newcastle were away at non-league Hereford. Malcolm Macdonald had scored for the visitors. Order was being restored. And then came Ronnie Radford.
In conditions better suited to a tractor than a football, Radford took aim from about 30 yards and hit a thunderbolt that exploded into the top corner. The pitch, already looking like a swamp, became a dance floor.
Hundreds of fans in parkas, wellies, and woolly hats flooded the field in scenes of pure, muddy magic. And here’s the twist – that wasn’t even the winner. Ricky George scored that one in extra time.
But it didn’t matter. Ronnie’s rocket and the invasion that followed became the defining moment of FA Cup history. You don’t just remember the goal – you remember the faces, the coats, the joy. That, right there, is the Cup in all its glory.
Long Live the Chaos
These aren’t just football matches. They’re moments that captured the wild, ridiculous, beautiful spirit of the FA Cup.
Sometimes it’s a miracle goal. Sometimes it’s a fan in a suit. Sometimes it’s a cat. But every time, it reminds us why this competition still means so much.
Here’s to many more unforgettable invasions. Just maybe leave the gymnastics to the professionals.