Its 39 years since we last played in a FA Cup semi-final and slightly longer since we last won one.

I was 15 when Leeds last played in an FA Cup semi-final. Unfortunately I was unable to go and had to watch both the excitement and disapointment on delayed, extended highlights courtesy of ITV.

(and yes the image is AI generated).

Having exited both the League and Full-Members cup's at the first stages, Billy Bremner's boys were handed an "away" tie at non-league Telford in round three on January 11th 1987. The Bucks Head ground was considered inadequate to host the tie and given United back then had a sonewhat boisterous element amongst their support, ironically The Hawthorns was chosen as a neutral venue, the same stage Leeds had exited the old First Division with such ignominy given the crowd disorder following the match that sealed our relegation. Fortunately the game passed off peacefully infront of a crowd of just over 6000 and an Ian Baird brace avoided a cup-upset, Leeds going through 2-1.

The fourth round saw another away tie and another lower-league opponent in Third Division Swindon Town on February 3rd. Another 2-1 win, Baird on the scoresheet again with a Jimmy Quinn OG to send the Whites through to a fifth round clash with First Division QPR managed by future Leeds boss Terry Venables.

Over 31,000 were inside Elland Road that day and Baird maintained his great goalscoring cup record by opening the scoring on 18 with a header from John Pearson's flick-on. A David Rennie OG on 64 levelled things and with a replay on the cards (remember them?) Brendan Ormsby grabbed an 85 minute winner headjng home another Pearson flick-on. The now disgraced former BBC Sport on Two pundit Stuart Hall declared: "The fur coats and Rolls Royces are back at Elland Road!".

The quarter-final draw sent The Whites over the Pennines to Springfield Park, Wigan then of the old Third Division. Two long range efforts from John Stiles and Micky Adams sent United to their first FA Cup semi final for a decade.

Like 10 years previously Hillsborough was the chosen neutral venue. Surprisingly Leeds were given the Leppings Lane end and many in attendance on that day complained of crushing which tragically would claim the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters just two years later. First Division strugglers Coventry City were our opponents

Billy Bremner's men came out all guns blazing and deservedly took the lead on 14 with a David Rennie header. After a few close shaves, Coventry equalieed on 67 minutes, a rare lapse of concentration and judgment from skipper Brendan Ormsby allowed Davis Bennett to cross for sub Micky Gynn to level. 11 minutes later, the Sky Blues wearing an unusual striped kit edged in front thanks to a fierce drive from Keith Houchen. Leeds werent done and thanks to the head of sub Keith Edwards extra-time was needed. Sadly Leeds sucumb to a Dave Bennett tapped in winner, the first taste of double hearbreak for Bremner's boys missing out on promotion too via the play-offs.

Infact you have to go back 53 years for Leeds last triumph in a FA Cup semi and Bremner the scorer in a 1-0 win over Wolves at Maine Road in 1973.

So the omens arent looking good! Even with Chelsea's recent woes but me and four of my sons shall be heading to Wembley on Sunday and we look forward to sharing our antics and adventures with you dear reader!

Photo: Action Images via Reuters