The Odd Couple: Frank Stapleton and Sammy McIlroy

FA Cup Final 2005 Manchester United v Arsenal

The Ranter

Frank Stapleton is tired. A long day? "No, no we just came down today."
Still, he looks good for his 48 years: trim and bronzed. McIlroy seems older, but is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm.

Clearly different characters but now best of friends when once they were enemies, the odd couple, Super Sammy McIlroy and Big Frank Stapleton together again mulling over old times as if it were yesterday.

Twenty five years may have aged the faces but the memories are as fresh as ever. The glint in the eye when the FA Cup is brought out; the genuine excitement in recalling past glories.

They seem a natural pair although their careers have taken different paths but for a short stint together in the Manchester United dressing room in the early eighties. A shared experience, however, has prompted this reunion. On the eve of this year's FA Cup Final, a re-run of the 1979 game in which they played on opposite sides, Sammy and Frank spoke to Soccerphile.com about the day...

Sammy McIlroy, a forward-cum-midfielder, was with United from 1971-1982, making his debut against Manchester City at Maine Road as a 17 year old. He was a technically gifted player with superb ball control and went on to win the Second Division in 1974 and FA Cup in 1977 with United. He later played for City as well as Northern Ireland in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

As a manager he made his name at Macclesfield before taking over the national team in 2000. He recently left Stockport after a short spell at Edgerley Park.

Frank Stapleton joined Arsenal as a junior, making his debut in 1975. He was a fans' favourite striker at Arsenal before he became Ron Atkinson's first major buy in 1981.

His £900,000 signing was one of the most controversial of the decade. Stapleton was great with his head and as well as the '79 Final he also won two medals with United in 1983 and 1985. During a long playing career he was also captain of Ireland. After United he moved on to Ajax in Holland and then Nantes in France. He had spells as manager with Bradford and with the New England Revolution in the Major Soccer League. He currently works with Sky and Talksport.

The 1979 FA Cup Final is remembered for its dramatic finish. For so long Manchester United were behind to a superior Arsenal side only for the game to burst into life in the final few moments - the 'five minute final' they called it. Arsenal had stormed into a 2-0 lead, an inspired left-wing performance by Liam Brady setting up goals for Brian Talbot and a 23-year-old Frank Stapleton.

Despite United's possession it always looked like Arsenal would win. They did but not without some drama. First Gordon McQueen bundled home what many thought would be just a consolation goal with five minutes to go then 'Super' Sammy McIlroy scored the equaliser within a minute. The Northern Irishman's mazy run created the chance and the ball eventually dribbled past Pat Jennings and over the line. Cue wild celebrations from 40,000 United fans.

It wasn't to last long however. Moments later Brady's cross allowed Alan Sunderland to slide in for the winner... the celebrating fans from Manchester went from ecstasy to agony in an instant.

What of the odd couple and their memories of the day? "We", says Stapleton revealing his allegiances for the day at least," were winning 2-0 - the game was nothing spectacular really. We were dominating the game." His brogue is dented little by the years in on the mainland. "It only came to life in the last five minutes. Sammy beat two men before scoring to make it 2-2. We all thought we might lose again. It meant United had the momentum."

McIlroy, for once, isn't in agreement. "I thought that we had a lot of the ball on the day, we just couldn't create any chances. But it became known as the five minute final... when I scored I thought there would be extra time and that we would win. Arsenal were on their knees." Super Mac bubbles with enthusiasm as always. "I received the ball from Steve Coppell, managed to get a shot in, and just poked it past big Pat Jennings. It took ages for the ball to go in, absolutely ages. I think we were all still celebrating when Arsenal scored. The United fans were. I thought the ref would rule it out, it just wasn't in the script."

For Stapleton the emotions are still fresh, almost tangible you feel. "I was preparing myself for extra time before Sunderland scored. It was dejection to euphoria inside a minute. A change in emotions so quickly. I can't describe it. I don't think there has ever been another cup final like it... well maybe United in the European Cup in 99." Indeed.

The conversation moves quickly on to this year's final. Are Arsenal favourites, can United repeat their three victories over the Londoners already this season? "United have had the edge all season. It's because they can mix it up. Arsenal play the best football in the Premier League but they can't be physical, they can't change the nature of the game.

All top teams have a plan B, Arsenal don't have a plan B," says McIlroy. He's particularly insistent on that point. "Arsenal don't have a centre forward who can link play. We all want to see the ball on the ground but if it's not working you need to change it," adds Stapleton, but he insists that Arsenal are favourties. "They're probably playing the best football in the country. United have been really patchy but they've been better against their main rivals. They seem to get their edge back in the big matches."

Of the two teams Stapleton thinks United have more problems. - Money needs spending. There are some weaknesses. I'd say a central midfielder and perhaps a goalkeeper are needed. But there are many players to admire; Ruud van Nistelrooy, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Roy Keane - they're all top players."

United of course have beaten Arsenal twice in the league this season. The first overshadowed by the infamous 'Pizzagate' tunnel food-fight and Arsene Wenger's criticism of United's physical style of play. However, it would seem that United have the measure of Arsenal tactically. What will the game be like on Saturday?

"I'd put money on the game being physical," Franks adds. "A lot depends on the referee, they'll definitely be yellow cards. What we don't want to see is a Red. I played in the 1985 Cup Final when Kevin (Moran) was sent off. You don't want to see that."

This final will see both working as pundits; each is more heavily involved in the media these days. Indeed, Stapleton has been out of coaching work for some time; McIlroy since he was fired by Stockport earlier this year. Did they want to get back into management? Sammy's looking for work. "Yeah, if it's the right job. I'm doing some media work right now. It wasn't right at Stockport. I definitely don't want to go through that again." Stapleton seems less sure, less confident perhaps. The game is awash with out-of-work manager's after all.

Did they see anything of the current generation of players in themselves? "I suppose I played a bit like van Nistelrooy. Not the goals, I never scored the amount of goals. My style was similar, back to goal, bringing people into play," says Frank. Many Reds will remember that he was pretty good in the air too. McIlroy says he'd like to have played with United's captain. "Keane still does the job. Starts attacks, breaks them up, scores goals... more when he was younger. He's still a key man."

"I'd like to have played with Lauren," pipes up Frank. A short pause is followed by a raucous laugh. "No, no I'd love to have played with Henry. But I'm not so sure that 25 years ago Henry wouldn't have got kicked to fucking bits! Football is a lot easier for forwards today. Defenders can't tackle you. They used to take you, the ball, everything." With Roy Keane in the United side some might say that Henry's injury is more than fortunate.

Did either of them wish they'd stayed longer at United - Stapleton left aged just 30, McIlroy in his prime at 27?

Indeed Stapleton had incurred the wrath of Arsenal supporters by demanding a £900,000 transfer to United in 1981. "It was controversial because, obviously, Arsenal weren't happy that I wanted to leave. But fees don't mean anything to players - we don't decide that. It couldn't happen these days. But when I left Manchester United it was the right time. A new manager, Sir Alex, came in October," Stapleton is always respectful and deferential. "A new manager always wants to make changes. To be fair I was on a week to week contract and the club didn't want to sort anything else out. It was the right time."

And Sammy? Too late he's off, hyperactive to the last. Before heading for the exit both playes pose for photos with the cup. It's something they're both comfortable with. Pehaps in a way only an old ex pro could be. Sammy adds, perhaps nervously, "I just hope that any demonstrations don't affect the game. The players and manager will be concentrating on the game. Let's leave the Glazer thing to sort itself out."
Time will tell.

Images Courtesy of Actionimages PLC

Fact File

Sammy McIlroy

390 appearances for Manchester United, 1971-1982, 70 Goals
Played for Manchester United, Manchester City, Northern Ireland.
Manager at Macclesfield, Northern Ireland and Stockport County.
Scored in the 1979 FA Cup Final.

Frank Stapleton

365 appearances for Manchester United, 1981-1986, 78 goals
300 appearances for Arsenal, 1975-1981, 108 goals
£900k signing by Ron Atkinson
Scored in the 1979 and 1983 Cup Finals
Played for Arsenal, United, Ajax, Nantes.
Won the FA Cup with United in 1983, 1985
Manager at Bradford, New England Revolution.

The Ranter

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