The Citizens first reached the final back in 1970, where they met West Bromwich Albion at Wembley. Jeff Astle rose highest in just the fifth minute to put the Baggies in front. It appeared that a combination of wayward finishing and good goalkeeping from John Osborne was going to seal the victory for West Brom, but Mike Doyle forced extra time with a goal from close range. Then, it was over to Glyn Pardoe, who neatly lifted the ball over Osborne to win the trophy for City.

Ron Saunders took City back to Wembley four years later, but they would return to Manchester as beaten finalists on this occasion. Wolverhampton Wanderers were the opponents and they broke the deadlock through Kenny Hibbitt one minute before the break. However, in the 59th minute an unmarked Colin Bell drew City level with a strike from close range. Then, with extra time looming, John Richards drove the ball into the bottom corner of the City net to seal a 2-1 win for Wolves.

City would make it three final appearances in six years in 1976 and took an early lead when teenager Peter Barnes volleyed in against Newcastle United. The Magpies responded, though, in the 35th minute as Alan Gowling slid in to convert from close range. From that point onwards it was all about City's Newcastle-born forward Dennis Tueart, who showed smart acrobatics one minute after the restart to score the winning goal via an overhead kick.

Sunderland

The 1985 final was one to forget for Sunderland trio David Corner, Gordon Chisholm and Clive Walker, as Norwich won through 1-0. The only goal of the game arrived in the 46th minute as Corner attempted to guide the ball out of play. However, he was robbed of possession by John Deehan, who saw his pass into the area eventually fall to Asa Hartford. His shot was lacking in power, but the ball diverted into the net off Sunderland's Chisholm. As the match wore on, Sunderland had the perfect chance to draw level, but Walker missed from the penalty spot after Dennis van Wijk had been penalised for handball.