On the 120th anniversary of Bury's first FA Cup success a tribute to the Shakers Legend Charlie Sagar, who also scored 3 on his Manchester United debut

Today is the 120th anniversary of Bury’s first FA Cup win when they walloped Southern League side Southampton 4-0 at the Crystal Palace to bring the famous trophy back to Lancashire for the first time since 1891 when Blackburn Rovers did so. Bury became the first side from the Manchester area to win the FA Cup, a feat they repeated in 1903 when they thrashed Derby County 6-0, a record scoreline that was finally equalled by Manchester City in 2019 against Watford.

Playing up front at inside left in both finals was Charlie Sagar, who in 1900 was 21 and stood 5’ 11” tall and weighed 11st 7 pounds. Charlie originated from Turton, where he played for St Anne’s FC before joining Turton FC, formed 1871, England’s eighteenth oldest Association football club. 

Sagar(back row, far left)  at St Anne's Fc

He initially struggled when he arrived at Gigg Lane but by April 1900 he had formed a great partnership with outside left John Plant. Described in many papers as tenacious he also a good eye for goal and he had scored twice in the semi-final replay at Bramall Lane against Nottingham Forest. Bury had arrived late in Sheffield on the day and they entered the arena just in time to kick off. They went two goals down in the first few minutes and it was not until 70 minutes had gone that Sagar reduced the arrears. Non stop pressure after that finally forced a last gasp equaliser through Jasper McLuckie and then in extra time, Sagar scored the winner by shooting home from just inside the penalty area. 

A truly great goal 

Bramall Lane in 1903 was also to be the scene of one of Sagar’s greatest goals when in absolutely shocking conditions he received the ball from George Ross, a Shakers legend with over 400 League and FA Cup appearances. Facing away from goal, Sagar, who twice represented his country, flicked the ball over the head of the on-rushing Peter Boyle. He then repeated the trick, with this time the Sheffield United Albert Lewis, the keeper, being the unfortunate victim, before the Bury man headed the ball firmly home. The goal, which was greeted with absolute delirium by the away fans took Bury into the FA Cup third round, equivalent today to the fifth round.

Sagar's great goal recreated 

 Sagar also netted in the 1903 semi-final against Aston Villa before a 50,000 Goodison Park crowd.  Bury won 3-0 and their second came from a powerful Sagar effort. He also scored Bury’s second in the final that year when dashing through he shoulder charged out of the way Derby keeper Jack Fryer, who should never have started the match as he was not full fit, before netting. Both men required treatment after the incident but whereas Sagar was able to return quickly Fryer needed replacing in goal. Blackburn Rovers had beaten Sheffield Wednesday 6-1 in 1891, Bury were to go on and top this and also by not conceding a goal throughout the tournament they also equalled Preston’s feat of 1889.  

Bury’s sixth goal against Derby was scored by Plant, who also netted in Gigg Lane’s most momentous occasion against Sheffield United in an FA Cup replay on 1 March 1900. The official crowd for the game is just over 20,000, which in itself is a remarkable attendance  considering it was a working day. In fact, the factories were closed, employers across many parts of Lancashire announcing a special holiday after news arrived late on 28 February 1900 that the siege of Ladysmith in South Africa had ended after 118 days of increasing privation amongst the inhabitants, the Boers having failed to breach the town’s defences. Thousands had volunteered to fight in South Africa, including many Bury men who became members of the East Lancashire Regiment.

Gigg Lane became the focus of the celebrating crowds and, at least, 40,000 crammed out the arena and cheered like mad as Billy Foulke’s side, the FA Cup holders, were beaten 2-0. 

Billy Foulke 

Sagar was to make 209 first team appearance for Bury and scored 89 goals, a record of over 2 in every five matches in England’s top flight. He headed Bury’s goalscoring lists in the years 1903-05 when he left in May 1905 to join Manchester United, then of Division Two and playing at Bank Street.

On the opening day of the 1905-06 season he scored a brilliant hat-trick in a 5-2 success against Bristol City. A crowd of 25,000 saw Billy Wedlock, a little man who could reach great heights to head the ball clear from his centre half position, make his debut for the Robins. Sagar made sure he never forgot the occasion! Wedlock went on to play on many occasions for England. 

Sagar followed up this three goals in the next match by netting the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Blackpool with his header capping a well worked effort. Manchester United were to win promotion at the end of the season but Sagar, troubled by a knee injury, played just 20 League matches. His injury was to deteriorate and he was let go by the Manchester club at the end of the 1906/07 season. His class was obvious even during these two injury ravaged seasons as he played 33 first team games and scored 24. His feat of scoring on his debut has only been equalled by one other United player in Wayne Rooney.  Sagar was a class act. 

Sagar was to die in 1918 at an early age, probably of tuberculosis. He is buried in the family grave not far from Turton FC’s ground. 

Many thanks to Carl Abbott for sending this photograph 

I have only got a handful of the Bury 1900-03 second edition left as sadly the publisher, David Wheeler, a good friend of mine, died soon after it was published. They are available at £10 post free. Email me if you are interested at mcmetcalf@icloud.com