FGR glory day anniversary (From Stroud News and Journal)

FGR glory day anniversary

TODAY (May 8) is the 20th anniversary of Forest Green Rovers' FA Vase victory against Rainworth Miners Welfare at Wembley.

This was the first time that Rovers had got to a final at Wembley and two goals from striker Andy Leitch (who scored 10 goals in the cup run) and skipper Kenny Norman gave the then Hellenic League champions a deserved 3-0 victory.

The triumphant Forest Green manager when they won the Vase was Bob Mursell and he was assisted by Roy Hillman.

Rovers progressed to the final after winning through every round, including the preliminary against Worrall Hill 5-1.

A 2-1 victory against Ledbury Town followed in the first round and Chippenham Town were defeated 4-1 in the second round.

Rovers were next paired against Almondsbury Greenway and the Nailsworth side won 2-1 after extra-time.

A 3-1 win against Old Down in the fourth round meant that Rovers had to face rivals Shortwood United, but a Steve Doughty strike put Rovers into the sixth round. An extra-time 2-1 away win at Willenhall Town put Forest Green in the semi-finals against Blue Star.

Rovers won the first-leg 4-1 with goals coming from Leitch, Doughty, Mike Burns and Peter Higgins (pen).

Blue Star came back to win the second-leg 1-0 at The Lawn but Rovers progressed 4-2 on aggregate.

1982 FGR team v Rainworth Miners Welfare: David Moss; Kenny Norman; Peter Higgins; Graham Day; John Turner; Mike Burns; Brendan Guest; Steve Doughty; Andy Leitch; Steve Millard; Jimmy Jenkins. Sub: David Dangerfield. Manager: Bob Mursell.