On This Day in Football: 12th April

12th April 1924

On 12th April 1924, Wembley Stadium hosted its first ever international football match. The historic encounter saw England face off against Scotland. Despite the significance of the occasion, the match attracted a surprisingly low attendance, with only 37,250 spectators present to witness the event. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, marking a notable moment in the history of English football as Wembley began its journey as a key venue for international fixtures.

12th April 1987

Fast forward to 12th April 1987, Hillsborough Stadium was the venue for the FA Cup semi-final clash between Coventry City and Leeds United. This match was particularly significant for Coventry City, as it marked their first appearance in the last four of the FA Cup. The day was not without its personal dramas; Leeds United defender Neil Aspin had to postpone his wedding, originally scheduled for that Sunday, due to the unexpected scheduling of the semi-final. The match had not been anticipated when the wedding date was set, as Leeds did not have a fixture planned for that day.

Coventry City emerged victorious from the semi-final, securing their place in the FA Cup final. They went on to face Tottenham Hotspur in the final, where they achieved a memorable victory. Meanwhile, Neil Aspin eventually tied the knot a couple of weeks later, after the footballing commitments were fulfilled.