West Ham United’s journey towards the Club’s first FA Cup triumph continued with victory at Swindon Town on this day 60 years ago.
Ron Greenwood was able to name the same starting XI for the fourth FA Cup tie in succession as West Ham produced an ‘elegant’ and ‘inventive’ performance to see off the challenge of Second Division Swindon.
Greenwood’s side had defeated Charlton Athletic 3-0 and got past local rivals Leyton Orient in a replay by the same scoreline, having drawn 1-1 at Brisbane Road, to set up a trip down the newly opened M4 – which back then only ran as far as Maidenhead – and A4 to the West Country.
There, the Hammers advanced to the quarter-finals courtesy of an encouraging display at the County Ground where, as they had done in the previous round against Leyton Orient, Geoff Hurst scored twice and Johnny Byrne once to secure victory.
West Ham went in front against their hosts on 15 minutes with a fine team goal. According to a report in The Times, ‘the Swindon defender was sliced like a rasher of Wiltshire bacon’ by John Sissons, Bobby Moore and Byrne before Hurst applied the finishing touch past Robins goalkeeper Mike Turner.
To Swindon’s credit, they battled gamely in front of a record 28,582-strong crowd and went in level at half-time through Ian McPherson’s headed equaliser on 34 minutes.
However, the second half was ultimately all about Greenwood’s side, who were roared on by 7,120 travelling supporters who had also made the journey.
It was the West Ham show as Byrne first hit the crossbar before the same player converted Peter Brabrook’s cross to put the Londoners in front for a second time.
Five minutes later, winger Brabrook centred again, and this time Hurst scored past Turner to make the tie safe and ensure the Irons’ progress to the sixth round.
The Times purred over West Ham’s performance: “Old memories come flooding back. But the West Ham of today are concerned only with the present. They have much to live for and, in the living of it, they are at present bringing great pleasure to those who care to watch. They are an inventive, creative side.”
Elsewhere on 15 February 1964, Liverpool won 1-0 at Arsenal, Manchester United 4-0 at Barnsley, while Burnley, Oxford United, Preston North End and Sunderland scored home wins, and Stoke City drew 2-2 with Swansea Town. All eight ties were played on the Saturday afternoon.
West Ham would be drawn at home to Burnley in the quarter-finals two weeks later, on 29 February, as 1964, like 2024, was a leap year.
