In more ways than one, the Cup Final represented a watershed in the history of Fulham FC, the last hurrah of the post-war boom years before they started on the long downward slide. As in the League, so in the Cup. In four of the next five seasons, the Cottagers went out at the first attempt, once humiliatingly (0-5) to Third Division Swindon with Best and Marsh in the line up. The only time the Cup run lasted longer than 90 minutes in these years was in 1978-9. A spirited 2-0 home win in Round Three over QPR from the top flight was followed by a narrow defeat 0-1 at Old Trafford after a draw at the Cottage. United went on to Wembley that season.
Over the next 10 years, the Cottagers played 17 Cup ties and only twice got as far as, and never once beyond, the Fourth Round. The highlights, such as they were, came between 1983 and 1985, when Fulham gave a creditable account of themselves against three higher level opponents, but were the losing side on each occasion. First it was Watford, who needed a replay and a spectacular John Barnes winner to see off the Second Division Cottagers.
Then it was Spurs, who used considerable physical intimidation to overcome a young Fulham side 2-0 at White Hart Lane. Sheffield Wednesday provided the club's last top-flight Cup opponents for over a decade when they visited the Cottage in 1985. The score, 2-3 to Wednesday, was the same as in the League Cup meeting between the two clubs earlier that season.
Since the Football League was extended to four divisions, Fulham have been spared the ignominy of going out to a non-League side. Wimbledon and Yeovil and Peterborough had both earned draws at the Cottage, in 1931 and 1932 respectively, but then lost heavily in the replays. Peterborough had done the same in 1959 whilst Macclesfield had given First Division Fulham a shock in 1968 by leading for a while before going under 2-4. As the 1990s dawned, however, and with Fulham in the draw for the earliest rounds, the likelihood of a Cup humiliation at the hands of a non-League club increased.
There was a reprieve in 1990, when Bath were beaten in a replay at the Cottage and again in 1991, when a late Gary Brazil penalty put Fulham through 2-1 at the expense of Farnborough. But there was no hiding place 12 months later, against Hayes of the Diadora League. Even with home advantage, Fulham were second best and the 2-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of a convincing win for Hayes.
As if to highlight the Cottagers' embarrassment, the tie was brought forward to the Friday evening and was the only game played that day. The result effectively cost manager Alan Dicks his job, but his successor, Don Mackay, had to endure a similar experience.
As Fulham slid towards the League basement in 1994, their decline was underlined by a second Cup defeat by a non-League club. It was third time lucky for Yeovil, who had lost to the Cottagers in 1932 and 1958. This tie was played on a Monday evening, under the full glare of Sky Television's cameras, and a goal in the last minute of extra time left Fulham to concentrate on the League. Within six weeks of this game, Mackay had gone the same way as his predecessor.
If Ian Branfoot felt any apprehension in November 1994, when Fulham were paired with Ashford, it was understandable. His mood probably worsened appreciably when the Cottagers went 0-2 in dreadful conditions and then needed two fortunate penalty awards, both converted by Micky Adams, to earn a draw. The replay went to extra time but Fulham finally came out on top, 5-3. Sky Television was also present for Fulham's tie at Margate in 1997, but the Wilkins-Keegan team were far too professional for the Dr Martens League side, winning more comfortably than 2-1 suggests.
Unlikely as it seemed, Third Division Fulham were to set a Cup record in 1995-6. Without a win for 12 matches, they welcomed Second Division Swansea, also struggling, for a First Round tie at the Cottage. From the first minutes, Fulham ran riot. Inspired by substitute winger Paul Brooker, they crushed the Swans 7-0, Conroy leading the charge with a hat-trick.
This is the largest winning margin in the Cup by a club over opponents from a higher division. In the next round, the Cottagers had the curious experience of going through without scoring. Both the meetings against Brighton, at the Cottage and at the Goldstone, finished goalless and for the first time in the Cup, Fulham were involved in a penalty shoot-out. They won 4-1, which also gave them a win over a side they had knocked out of the Coca Cola (League) three months earlier, the first time for this 'double'.
The balance sheet over the last 90 years probably shows that the number of upsets hand out is about the same as the number received. The problem is, however, that a disproportionate share of the shocks that have come Fulham's way have occurred in the last 20 years, whilst most of those that they have dispensed happened before most of today's supporters were following the club. Viewed over the long term, the Cottagers have made their mark on the competition, but the general verdict that Fulham are a modest little club with much to be modest about seems justified.