Remembering Leeds United's last FA Cup semi-final: 'The Leeds fans are always passionate but it just took us aback'

Not only was Stiles in the last Whites team to reach an FA Cup semi-final – against Coventry City at Hillsborough in 1987 – he was on the Wembley terraces the only time Leeds have lifted the cup, in 1972, and for their last final, 12 months later.

So he knew full well what the club's fans were like. Even so, that day blew him away.

Stiles might be the son of Manchester United legend (and World Cup winner) Nobby, but his uncle is Leeds great Johnny Giles. The Peacocks, as they were known then, not the Red Devils, captured his heart.

"When my dad left Man United they didn't look after him, so we were all Leeds fans," he explains. "I'd been to Wembley in ’72 on my eighth birthday when they beat Arsenal, and my uncle took us across the pitch; I was there in ’73 when they got beaten (by Sunderland), and the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona in ’75.

"I was well aware of the size of Leeds but I'd never experienced an atmosphere like that semi-final.

"The closest I'd ever experienced was when we beat QPR in the fifth round. I think the turnstile had broken and loads more got in. I'd never heard noise like it.

"Nobody really understands the noise the Leeds fans can make unless you've been there and listened to them."

In 1987, Leeds had been a Second Division team for five years. Regulars under Don Revie, they had not reached an FA Cup semi-final for 10. But for Stiles, playing for the fallen giants was special.

"It was a dream come true," he says. "I remember at the first leg against Barcelona thinking, 'Could you imagine if one day I could play here?' Just to pull the shirt on and run out was fantastic.

"Although we got beaten, that semi-final was a great experience, never to be forgotten. It was the biggest game I ever played in.

"Probably the biggest before was the quarter-final (2-0 at Third Division Wigan Athletic, with Stiles scoring), but in terms of attendance, it was absolutely massive.

"Before the game we were all a bit quiet. A couple of hours before we went onto the pitch and to our amazement, the Leppings Lane end at the bottom was jam-packed.

"As we walked towards them there was just this incredible noise, it sort of went through you. The Leeds fans are always passionate, but it just took us aback, really.

"I remember thinking, ‘It's two hours before, it's packed already, how are they going to get them all in?’ It was that enclosure where the tragedy happened (two years later in a semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest)."

Like father like son, Stiles suffered from nerves before games.

"My dad was nervous but he was a good player," John points out. "I was nervous because I was a c*** player. I had every reason to be nervous! I got a lot of stick at Leeds I used to think was unfair, but I've watched the videos now and I think it was entirely justified!

"That day we said, ‘We're going to do it for them.’ It gave us great confidence."

Revie's captain in the 1972 and ’73 finals, Billy Bremner, was now Stiles' manager. He had his players believing they could do something special against a Coventry side mid-table in Division One.

"By the time he finished his teamtalk, you wanted to go and kill people,” says Stiles. “It was all about Leeds, it was all about supporters and he just had us all wound up.

“We were right to fancy our chances because in the first 30 minutes, we should have been two or three up. (Steve) Orgizovic made some fantastic saves.

"Mark Aizelwood was cup-tied so that's why I managed to get in. I strung a few decent performances together in the Cup.

"Billy used to play me on the right of the midfield three – Shez (John Sheridan), David Rennie and myself. Neil Aspin, the right-back, very rarely got exposed when I played on that side, so he said I want you on the left because they've got Dave Bennett and I want you to help Micky Adams.

"Micky said he could handle him. He said I know him, I've come from Coventry, but Bennett was on fire that season. In the second half, I tried to more or less maim him but I didn't quite catch him properly."

David Rennie's header put Leeds in front, a lead they held for 54 minutes.

"We had it under control and then Bennett robbed Brendan (Ormsby), put it across and Micky Gynn scored," says Stiles.

Keith Houchen put the Sky Blues in front and although Keith Edwards' 83rd-minute header took the game into extra-time, Bennett scored the winner.

"I look back not with sadness, just with a smile that we played well and we should have won until extra-time," reflects Stiles.

Man-of-the-match Bennett opened the scoring as Coventry beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final. Houchen's diving header was his fifth Cup goal in a seven-goal season. Again they won 3-2 in extra-time.

"We were on the coach to an away game but I did watch it back – it was a great final," says Stiles. "Coventry deserved the win.

"Sometimes in cup football your name's on the trophy. We should have beat them, really, but I think they had good fortune.

"They were a good side with some good players, but they certainly didn't outclass us. I just think it was written for them."

The stars were not aligned for Leeds in 1987. They reached the Football League's first play-offs and were heading to the semi-final second leg at Oldham Athletic as Bennett and Houchen wrote FA Cup final history. Stiles sat out the two-legged final against First Division Charlton Athletic – it was a different format then – but not the replay, won 2-1 by the Addicks to dodge relegation.

"Sadly none of it came to be, but it was a great season – my best by a mile," recalls Stiles. "It was all downhill after that."

Now United are back.

"When I was at those finals in the early ’70s you would have thought Leeds would have not reigned forever, but the team was that good and within six, seven years, it disappeared," says Stiles. "But Leeds is a massive club and Wembley finals and the Premier League are where they should be.

"I don't go to any games anymore, I watch on the telly, but I'm greatly encouraged. I think they're going to stay up and it's exciting football. The wide lads get forward, get crosses in early, and it's just great to watch.

"(Dominic) Calvert-Lewin's a handful. He holds it up very well. (Ethan) Ampadu and (Ao) Tanaka at Old Trafford... the energy and the accuracy of the passing. They looked a really well-organised, good team.

"It could be their year. They've had a bit of luck and now they're running into real form. I really fancy them against Chelsea.

"You'll have half of Wembley full with the fanatical Leeds fans. The noise will be incredible.

"When they hear that noise like we did in ’87 it will give them a real sense of belief that so many people are with them."