Sheffield United 0 Darlingfton , FA Cup First Round January 14, 1911.
The Northern Echo called it "the most staggering result of the first round," which was probably an understatement. In all likelihood, it was the greatest day in Darlington's 120-year history.
For 100 years, there was only one non-league team that had knocked out a First Division team in the world's most famous Cup competition - and that was Darlington.
"They fought like demons and made history for themselves," said the Echo. "There was no element of luck about this sensational day's happenings, and the North-Eastern Leaguers must be most heartily congratulated."
It was like Scarborough knocking out Chelsea.
Darlington had laboured to reach the first round. They'd taken two games to get past Hartlepools United, three to get past Wingate Albion, then had to beat Bishop Auckland, Shildon and Blackwell Colliery, before visitng Bramall Lane.
The goal came two minutes before half-time: "one of the neatest and finest goals ever scored by a Darlington player".
It was headed home by Fraser, and "the scene which followed was extraordinary," said the Echo. "Fraser was hugged amid frantic enthusiasm by his comrades."
The second half was all Sheffield. They scored direct from an indirect free kick and it was disallowed. They were unjustly awarded a penalty for handball which, after long protests, was smacked high over the crossbar.
"The Darlington players executed something like a war dance at the failure," said the Echo.
And they were unable to beat goalkeeper, RG Brebner, prompting the Echo to observe: "When the whistle piped for time the scene was extraordinary. The Darlington supporters, frantically waving the black and white colours, dashed on to the field and carried Brebner shoulder high to the dressing room."
The Quakers' cup run continued in sensational style, knocking out Bradford Park Avenue 2-1 at Feethams. In the third round, they were drawn at home to Swindon, and the crowd sang:
"Oh, my Yorkshire folks, cry,
"Sheffield and Bradford they cannot deny,
"Were met by their masters, the Quakers brigade,
"Who finally blunted the Sheffielders' blade."
Swindon won 3-0.
Brebner earned a place in goal for England's amateurs in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and a transfer to Leicester Fosse. But at the start of the 1913-14 season, he was so horribly hurt diving for the ball that he died of his injuries. He is buried in Darlington's West Cemetery.
Darlington: Brebner, Jackson, Taylor, Hanlon, Bannister, Hisbent, Donnelly, Fraser, Denham, Wilkinson, Dodds.
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