The 1971 Watney Cup was the second edition of the Watney Mann Invitation Cup, a short-lived invitational association football tournament.
It was won by Colchester United, who beat West Bromwich Albion in the final at The Hawthorns.
Background The Watney Cup was introduced in 1970 to help increase the competitiveness of pre-season fixtures. Its name was a result of a sponsorship from brewing company Watney Combe & Reid. The tournament featured eight invited teams, with two selected from each division of the Football League. Those chosen to participate were the top two highest scoring teams from each division who had not gained promotion nor earned a place in a European competition the previous season.
Format The competition was a straight knockout tournament, with games that ended level going straight to penalties. This was a change from the inaugural Watney Cup, which had seen an additional 30 minutes of extra time take place to determine a winner prior to a penalty shoot-out.
Teams
First Division Manchester United West Bromwich Albion
Second Division Carlisle United Luton Town
Third Division Halifax Town Wrexham
Fourth Division Colchester United Crewe Alexandra
Tournament Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
The 1971 Watney Cup final was held at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich on 7 August 1971 and had an attendance of 18,487. It was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Colchester United. Colchester won the match 4–3 on penalties, following a 4–4 draw.
Match details
GK 1 Jim Cumbes RB 2 Lyndon Hughes CB 5 John Wile (c) CB 6 John Kaye LB 3 Ray Wilson RM 7 Colin Suggett CM 4 Len Cantello CM 8 Tony Brown LM 11 Asa Hartford CF 10 Bobby Hope CF 9 Jeff AstleManager: Don Howe
GK 1 Graham Smith RB 2 Bobby Cram (c) CB 5 Brian Garvey CB 6 Eric Burgess LB 3 John Gilchrist RM 7 Brian Owen CM 4 Phil Bloss CM 8 Brian Lewis LM 11 Mick Mahon CF 9 Dave Simmons CF 10 Brian GibbsManager: Dick Graham
MATCH RULES 90 minutes. Penalty shoot-out if scores still level. Maximum of two substitutions.
Goalscorers RankPlayerClubGoals 1 Brian Lewis Colchester United 3 Colin Suggett West Bromwich Albion 2 Jeff Astle West Bromwich Albion 2 Tony Brown West Bromwich Albion Bob Hatton Carlisle United Mick Mahon West Bromwich Albion 3 9 players Various 1
References
External links Watney Cup history Colchester's route to the final West Brom's route to the final