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Your support makes all the difference.Q. Recently, the Third Division club Fulham demolished Swansea City, from the Second, 7-0 in the FA Cup first round. Is this a record victory for a club in a lower division over one placed higher? Can anyone claim a better upset?
A. A trawl through Mike Collett's Guinness Record of the FA Cup reveals that this result does create a new record margin for two clubs so placed. There have been two previous instances of clubs scoring seven goals against higher-placed opposition. In Chelsea's inaugural Football League season of 1905-06 they were beaten 7-1 by Crystal Palace of the Southern League in a preliminary round. A lifetime later in 1962-63, Crystal Palace, then a Third Division club, lost a second round replay 7-2 at Fourth Division Mansfield Town.
Fulham's recent achievement seems to have ended a Crystal Palace monopoly in such matters as the most clear-cut away victory occurred in 1922 when Second Division Palace beat First Division Everton 6-0 at Goodison Park. - George Thompson, London SE23
A. With reference to the Boston United 6-1 victory over Derby County in December 1955, there is a background story. Boston United had become a haven for former Derby County players under the player-manager and the former Derby goalkeeper Ray Middleton (aged 37). Six of the Boston side were former Derby players, so it was like a home fixture for them; two did not have to leave the town to reach the ground. The attendance of 23,757 was the fourth highest of the season. Many of those came to see the former Derby players especially Reg Harrison, one of the FA Cup-winning side in 1946.
The former Derby County players were: R Middleton, age 37, D Miller, 34, D Hazledine, 26, G Hazledine, 23 (brothers). R Harrison, 32, R Wilkins, 27.
Before joining Derby Middleton was Chesterfield's regular goalkeeper for 14 years and was in a line of illustrious goalkeepers with that club. Among those have been Lukic, Banks, and another who had a good career at Manchester City after Trautman. What was the reason for this "production- line"? - Michael S Pitt, Dunfermline
Q. Which non-league club, post-war, has gone the farthest in the FA Cup?
A. Yeovil Town equalled the Blyth Spartans record of reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup in the post-war period. This they achieved in 1948- 49, after defeating Sunderland, then in the First Division, 2-1 at home in the fourth round. - Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby
ANSWERS PLEASE
Q. What is the derivation of the term "dead-heat"? - R G Kingsmill, Norwich
Q. I note that this season in the Heineken Welsh rugby union table, bonus points are awarded for tries scored. Can anyone explain the basis upon which bonus points are awarded and also why the number of tries scored is also recorded in the table, as this would seem to indicate that the scoring of tries is recorded twice. - R W G Smith, Ringwood
Q. Which football ground contains the most fearsome support? - Keith Collins, Whitton
Q. In cricket fielding positions, why is their a "third man"? Which fielders were the first and second men? - Geoff Hayman, Lytham St Annes
If you know the answers to any of these questions or have a question of your own, write to: Q & A, Sports Desk, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL. Fax: 0171-293 2894
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