In this instalment we continue the look back at the League Cup Semi-Final against Arsenal of the 1967/1968 season

Coming from our feature writer David A Wood

As you do at the turn of the year dates are transferred from old to new diary, birthdays, anniversaries are all recorded for the next 12 months. All Town fans first diary entries of 1968 were 17 January marked Arsenal Cup semi-final 1st Leg Away, 6 February 2nd leg at home.

Sadly our league form, without detracting from the Semi-final was worrying. After beating Fulham four days later brought the home reverse against Bristol City followed 2 days before the festivities with a thumping at St Andrews.

Boxing Day brought good cheer, Hull City beaten 2-0 with the reverse fixture at Boothferry Park ending the year with a one all score line. That victory over the Tigers was to be our last until the 16th March when Derby would be beaten 3-1 at Leeds Road. Goal scoring became a problem with eight fixtures prior to the Rams in '68 realising just 5 goals and two of those came in a 4-2 defeat down at the Valley.

But nothing was going to spoil the Cup party for us and we journeyed down to north London for the first leg in fine spirits fully expecting a good performance from our lads and to be leaving Highbury with a real chance in the second leg at home.

We were not to be let down.

Given the crowd problems of the 60's and ticket allocations for big matches, especially Cup semi-finals, surely it was impossible to be on the Terrace we found ourselves at the Gunners Headquarters. But when Town opened the scoring in the first half through if memory serves me right, Colin Dobson, Town fans erupted, around 50 or 60 of us found ourselves surrounded by a Police circle some two to three officers deep.

We were on the North Bank. I can see us now. One nil up at Highbury, singing, dancing, shouting, total ecstasy.

Though movement wasn't that free given that body of Bobbies. I think we were perhaps fortunate to have their attendance! Despite a courageous performance we went into the last quarter of the game 1-3 down but such was our quality that another goal back and we were right in it for Leeds Road. Did that goal come, it sure did.

With time ticking away I believe it was home grown Trevor Cherry that got a Town second, setting up the 2nd Leg perfectly and sent all Town fans into seventh heaven. That's how it remained a 2-3 loss, but it felt like a victory.

To come down to the mighty Arsenal score twice and be just one goal behind for the home leg, could we have hoped for more (well yes) but boy were we satisfied to be in with a real chance when the 6th February appeared on the calendar.

The nearer the Leeds Road Cup semi-final came the talk was the same. Yes, you can guess. What we need is an early goal, was on every ones lips. An early goal, puts us one up brings the scores level and then we'll see what they are made off, we can really go for it.

The script was written and so it took place, and Leeds Road took-off as the home side opened the scoring early in the game. Memory says Tony Leighton or was it another David Shaw goal, whatever we were in front, the aggregate score all level at 3-3 and it was all happening on our patch in Yorkshire.

We had chances, we played well, at points very well and with a little bit of luck who knows. But this was Arsenal and just like at Highbury they replied with three, unlike in North London we could not come back and the aggregate score finished at 3-6.

The dream was over and there was sadness.

Despite worthy opponents we felt we had a great opportunity to reach those twin towers. We wanted to go to Wembley, heck it was 1938 since we were last there and today a further 38 years on and we still have not returned for a major Cup final. But they really showed they meant business when going down to the early goal in the second leg and to be truthful were very commanding in their play, we had pushed them, at times all the way, but in the end they were too good for us.

So near yet so far.

On the Highbury steps after the 1st leg looking into the marble hall and seeing the bust of Herbert Chapman (yes we did get off the North Bank safe & sound, indeed I don't remember any problems), I remember a Arsenal fan coming up and saying how well my team had played, adding something like. 'But that's the best you'll get we'll go up there and win'. Nothing malicious just what he felt his team was capable of and he was to be proved correct.

The dream was over but the holy grail of First Division status went on. Had we not proved in the cup run against Wolves, West Ham & Fulham we could handle the loftier perch, what we had to do was prove good enough to get out of the second division and our form was not good, our league position slipping.

We hope you have enjoyed our "Those Were The Days" articles, and find them an interesting look at some special memories of Town through the years. Memories that will not, and can not be forgotten - and memories only our beloved Town could have created