TOPICAL STUFF !!

Howard Kendall became the youngest player to appear in an F.A. Cup final when he took to the field for Preston North End in 1964, aged 17 years 345 days, beating the record held by Arsenal's Cliff Bastin since 1930.

He only got his chance to play because Ian Davidson was suspended by the club, having falsely claimed he was at a funeral when he should have been playing for Preston in a league match.

This record was broken again in 1980, when Paul Allen, aged 17 years 256 days played for West Ham when they defeated Arsenal.

Curtis Weston of Millwall came on as a substitute against Manchester United in the 2004 final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, aged 17 years 119 days and so becoming the youngest player to play in an F.A. Cup final.