Links With The Past: 1961 FA Cup Final Special Edition Radio Times

The 1961 final between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur was arguably the biggest event in the British sporting calendar, rated in contemporary reports as being above the European Cup and the World Cup showpieces. 

BBC radio and television coverage dominated the schedules on cup final day, which is why the Leicester captain Jimmy Walsh and the Tottenham skipper Danny Blanchflower were featured on the cover of this Radio Times edition, issued on 6 May, 1961, the day of the final.  

The content inside this edition details the Grandstand coverage, planned to start at 11:15am with David Coleman opening the programme from Wembley Stadium.

This was to be followed by a film review of the teams’ matches on the way to Wembley, a film about personalities from past finals, the highlights of the 1960 final, a behind-the-scenes film about the two teams and interviews with the players.

It also gave the timings of the community singing, the presentation of the teams to the Duchess of Kent and the match itself, including a half-time marching display by the massed bands of the Brigade of Guards.

The Grandstand schedule was to be completed with the presentation of the cup and medals, followed by interviews with the players. 

The TV commentator was Kenneth Wolstenholme, who famously reported on the 1966 World Cup Final five years later.

At the same time, the radio commentary on the old Light Programme was provided by the famous sports commentator, Raymond Glendenning.

This Radio Times is on display in the reception area of King Power Stadium together with Jimmy Walsh’s shirt, tracksuit top and runners-up medal from the day.