The 1973 FA Charity Shield was the 51st FA Charity Shield, an annual English association football match. The game took place on 18 August 1973 at Maine Road in Manchester, and was played between Manchester City, reigning holders of the shield, and Football League Second Division champions Burnley. It was the third consecutive year neither the Football League First Division winners nor the FA Cup champions chose to compete; the Football Association (FA) invited City and Burnley instead. This was City's seventh Charity Shield appearance to Burnley's third. Watched by a crowd of 23,988, the match ended in a 1–0 victory for Burnley.
In an entertaining game, the first half ended goalless, although City dominated and hit the Burnley crossbar through Alan Oakes. Burnley began to dominate the game from the 60th minute. In the 66th minute, they scored via a free-kick routine: Doug Collins dummied to take the free-kick, left it for Frank Casper whose cross was headed powerfully in by defender Colin Waldron. Burnley held on to their 1–0 lead to win their second Charity Shield, following a shared title in 1960. Martin Dobson, the Burnley captain, received the trophy from Andrew Stephen, the chairman of the FA. , Burnley have not played in a Charity Shield match since 1973. City's next appearance in the competition—renamed FA Community Shield in 2002—was in 2011.
Pre-match
The FA Charity Shield was founded in 1908 as a successor to the Sheriff of London Charity Shield. It was a contest between the respective champions of the Football League and Southern League, and then by 1913 teams of amateur and professional players. In 1921, it was played by the Football League champions and FA Cup winners for the first time. In 1971, double winners Arsenal withdrew from the competition due to previously arranged pre-season friendlies. The following year Football League champions Derby County and FA Cup winners Leeds United both declined to play in the Charity Shield.
1973 was the third consecutive year neither the Football League First Division winners (Liverpool) nor the FA Cup champions (Sunderland) chose to compete. Bill Shankly, the Liverpool manager, explained that his preparation was geared to have his squad ready for the first league match, not for the Charity Shield held the week before. Shankly also feared possible injuries to his players. On 25 May 1973, the Football Association (FA) announced that next season's FA Charity Shield game would take place on 18 August at 3 pm, contested by Manchester City, reigning holders of the shield, and Football League Second Division champions Burnley. The venue was Maine Road, home ground of Manchester City.
Manchester City finished the 1972–73 First Division in 11th place and reached the fifth round of the FA Cup; they won the 1972 FA Charity Shield after defeating Aston Villa by one goal to nil. Burnley won the 1972–73 Second Division title, losing only four times in 42 matches. They won the championship in the last match of the season, away at local rivals Preston North End. Burnley drew 1–1 with a goal from Colin Waldron.
This was Manchester City's seventh Charity Shield appearance; before the game they had won three shields (1937, 1968 and 1972) and lost three (1934, 1956 and 1969). Burnley were appearing in their third Charity Shield match. They lost in 1921 and shared the 1960 FA Charity Shield after a draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Previewing the match, Burnley manager Jimmy Adamson stated: "We are treating this as part of our pre-season build up, but there is no doubt that we want to win". Adamson added: "We shall be the underdogs, but I think we could surprise them". Denis Law returned to Manchester City having left the club in 1961; he was named in City's starting lineup. Burnley fielded the same team which had won the Second Division title the previous season.
Match
Summary
The match kicked off in sunny conditions at Maine Road in front of a crowd of 23,988 and was refereed by Gordon Hill of Leicester. Manchester City were in charge early on in the match and had two corners and a free-kick before Burnley cleared the ball. Shortly afterwards a timely tackle from Mick Docherty prevented City from taking the lead when Law had a goalscoring chance at close range. City kept up the pressure and almost went in front when a powerful shot from Alan Oakes hit the Burnley crossbar. Shortly afterwards Mike Doyle shot wide with the Burnley goal at his mercy. During the opening 30 minutes Burnley regularly lost possession and found it difficult to adapt to the high tempo of the match; towards the end of the first half the pace slowed and Burnley grew into the game. The first half ended goalless.