A former Shrewsbury Town footballer who went on to score the winning goal in the 1954 FA Cup Final has died.
Frank Griffin died yesterday at the age of 79 after a glittering career that saw him score the vital goal in the cup final at Wembley for West Bromwich Albion.
He turned professional with Shrewsbury during the 1950/51 season, before moving on to the Black Country side in April 1951.
He made 37 appearances and scored five goals while in blue and amber, but it was with the Baggies that Mr Griffin etched his name into the history books by bringing the FA Cup back to the Midlands.
The old-school winger scored a late winner for West Bromwich Albion against Preston North End at Wembley. His goal secured some silverware for his team which had dominated the old First Division throughout the 1953/54 season
Before his death Mr Griffin recounted his memories of what was his most important goal.
He said: “I was resigned to extra time. I cut in without really knowing whether I would shoot or centre. As I passed full-back Joe Walton and got into stride I saw an opening.
“Immediately, I slammed in a scoring shot and turned to see my colleagues tearing towards me with beaming smiles. I had won the cup in the last seconds. Could there be a greater moment in a player’s life?”
Mr Griffin played 275 first team games for Albion and scored 52 goals before he left for Northampton Town and then non-league football.
One Comment
another Shropshire Star mistake…..Frank played in Blue and White for Shrewsbury Town, and not blue and amber
his biggest claim to STFC fame was scoring the first goal for Shrewsbury in the Football League against Wrexham in 1950