What winning the FA Youth Cup meant to City's previous victors | OneFootball

The FA Youth Cup is one of the most highly regarded competitions in youth football.

Most players only get two chances to try and lift the prestigious trophy and for some of this season's Under-18s cohort, they will be looking to lift it for a second occasion.

For the new cohort who made the step up to Oliver Reiss’ squad in the summer, they are just hoping to follow in the footsteps of the four City teams who won the FA Youth Cup prior to this season.

Ahead of Monday’s final, which will see City take on Aston Villa at 15:00 (UK) at Villa Park, we spoke with a player from each of our previous FA Youth Cup winning sides, hearing their memories of the competition and advice for our current squad…

PAUL MOULDEN – CLASS OF 1986

The season after scoring just shy of 300 goals at grassroots level, Paul Moulden took centre stage in City’s first-ever FA Youth Cup triumph.

After the heartbreak of exiting the competition the year prior to eventual winners Newcastle United, Moulden expressed a deep desire and steadfast belief that City would take the crown when the curtain fell on the 1985/86 season.

“We put pressure on ourselves because we knew we were going to win it,” began Moulden.

“After losing in the manner that we did to Newcastle the season before, we came back that pre-season determined to win it. That was the only goal: win the FA Youth Cup.

“We owed it to ourselves and also for the lads like Earl Barrett and John Beresford who hadn’t had the chance to lift it the year before.”

WATCH: Aston Villa v City | The FA Youth Cup final awaits...

Moulden scored eight goals in our journey to the final. And in a dream for lifelong City fan Moulden, we faced Manchester United in the showpiece.

39 years ago, the final consisted of two legs. The first, played at Old Trafford, made for a cinematic match-up. Aidan Murphy gave the hosts the lead before Paul Lake converted from the penalty spot in an eventful 1-1 draw which also saw both teams reduced to 10 players.

In the reverse fixture at Maine Road, David Boyd needed just two minutes to fire our Under-18s ahead. Despite City dominating in front of a spectacular crowd of almost 20,000, it wasn’t until an 86th-minute strike from Moulden that confirmed victory for City.

“I think Scotty [Ian Scott] had the initial shot and Gary Walsh spilt it,” began Moulden when asked what he remembers from his goal.

“I’d followed the shot in, as I always did, and it became a footrace between me and Walsh. I was amazed he’d spilt it to be honest.

“My legs felt like they were sinking into sand and I remember thinking ‘I’m not going to get here’ because I was that tired.

“But I managed to get there first and score, I remember it very clearly.

“The trophy lift, and the whole day, was unbelievable.

“We couldn’t believe how many fans turned up. There weren’t enough gates open so fans were still coming in at half-time!”

Moulden would go on to make his first-team debut, and played a key role in City’s return to the First Division in 1988/89 and enjoyed stints at Bournemouth, Birmingham and more before retiring and opening his own fish and chip shop.

Now 57 years old, Moulden reflected on his time at City’s Academy with a big smile and also offered some words of wisdom for the current cohort.

WATCH: We’re expecting a great game against Villa, says Braithwaite

“Winning the FA Youth Cup is right up there for me,” said Moulden. “I’ve played for England youth teams and made my senior debut for City but winning the FA Youth Cup is up there as one of the best [achievements]. To do what we did was fantastic.

“I’m proud to have been the top scorer in a promotion season for the Club and to have been a part of the first City side to win the FA Youth Cup, no-one can take that away from you, it’s in the history books.

“To those playing in the final, just work hard and enjoy it. That’s the one thing you can control. You’ve got to go out there and put in the effort and your abilities will shine through.”

BEN MEE – CLASS OF 2008

For 2008 FA Youth Cup winner Ben Mee, lifting the FA Youth Cup on City’s second occasion helped forge his fledgling career.

He captained the side to a triumph over Chelsea in a moment he still regards to be one of his career highlights.

“It’s crazy when I look back on my career, I definitely see that as one of the best moments even though it was so early on, certainly a highlight,” he recalled.

In 2008 the final was still played across two legs with the first tie at Stamford Bridge ending 1-1.

At the Etihad 13 days later, Mee scored the equaliser to make it 1-1 before City went on to win 3-1 (4-2 on aggregate).

“I have really fond memories of both legs,” Mee continued.

“Going to Stamford Bridge, playing in the stadium and knowing we had the chance to win the trophy. It was the first time I got a feel of how it would be in the first team, going to hotels and things.

“And, of course, I have really fond memories of the final, 20,000 people come to watch you, the adrenaline!

“It was an amazing experience and one I talk about a lot.”

(Quotes taken from May 2024)

CJ EGAN-RILEY – CLASS OF 2020

The stature of the FA Youth Cup was illustrated by 2020 winner CJ Egan-Riley when he decided to continue playing in the final despite clattering into City’s woodwork when he attempted to keep out Chelsea’s opening goal.

City’s showpiece against the London outfit was delayed due to COVID-19, with the semi-final and final played in front of no fans at St. George’s Park. And like a lot of finals, it included plenty of twists and turns.

Marcel Lewis gave Chelsea the lead just before the half-hour mark and it was in that moment Egan-Riley picked up a knock.

“It was a tough game,” began Egan-Riley. “I remember their first goal, I tried to clear it off the line and I slid into the post.

“It really hurt! In a normal game, I might’ve come off, but because it was the Youth Cup final, I just got on with it. Their formation with wing backs and a box midfield made it hard, but we managed it.

“It was funny because we always played Chelsea in finals growing up, pretty much every year from Under-11s to  Under-18s. We were familiar with their players, some of us had played together in England camps too.

“Sometimes when we played then in years before they’d beat us when we felt we were the better team. But in the Youth Cup final, I think we deserved to win.”

James McAtee drew City level before the break before Morgan Rogers fired us ahead. However, a Taylor Harwood-Bellis own goal on the hour-mark left the score level as we entered the final 10 minutes.

City dominated the match but just couldn’t quite find a way through until Cole Palmer’s decisive strike seven minutes before time earned City a third FA Youth Cup title.

And it’s fair to say Egan-Riley still remembers the celebrations like they were yesterday.

“When Cold scored it was a great moment, but we knew it wasn’t over, we had to switch on quickly and defend the lead which we managed to do,” said the defender.

“In the changing room afterwards, we were throwing water everywhere and we drenched the coach [Carlos Vicens] with the icebox. Then we went out and took pictures and lifted the trophy, it was a really great moment.”

Since joining Burnley in 2022, the now 22-year-old has become a mainstay in Scott Parker’s side who have earned automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

And whilst Egan-Riley is adding new accolades to his honours list, the FA Youth Cup triumph is still one of his favourite career moments and helped shape his journey in senior football.

“It’s definitely in my top five,” said Egan-Riley. “It was the thing I wanted to win in Academy football. We also won the PL2 two years in a row but the FA Youth Cup is so special.

“Football is about winning trophies, promotions. Playing in finals at a young age, learning to stay switched on for 90 minutes, all those experiences help and definitely prepare you for senior football.

“For those playing in the final now, just enjoy it,” Egan-Riley continued.

“It really is the pinnacle of youth football. It’s a special moment and be confident, you’re in a final for a reason.”

WATCH: Watch our U18s lift the FA Youth Cup!

JAHMAI SIMPSON-PUSEY – CLASS OF 2024

Our most recent FA Youth Cup triumph was led by Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

The captain for our 4-0 win over Leeds United at the Etihad in May 2024, the 19-year-old has already gone on to captain the Elite Development Squad to a PL2 title win, UEFA Youth League quarter-final and made his senior debut.

At Under-18s level, it’s the first taste of competitive football for the Academy. And the FA Youth Cup undoubtedly has an extra level of magic.

“The FA Youth Cup is special,” said Simpson-Pusey.

“Because you know if you’re losing, you’re out so you have got to go for it in the game. I like a challenge and I’m sure the whole team does and that’s why the FA Youth Cup has a different feel to other competitions.”

Second half goals from Justin Oboavwoduo, Jaden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Matty Warhurst secured City’s fourth FA Youth Cup title. And despite the final being a career highlight for Simpson-Pusey, he highlighted a moment en route to the final that sticks out for him.

“The Tottenham game we was losing 1-0 and then we got to 1-1. Jacob’s [Wright] free-kick and then Luca [Fletcher] came on and scored,” said Simpson-Pusey.

“It was good and it was a close game. I like when the games are close and we end up winning, it means a lot more.”

And in terms of advice for the current cohort, some of who he played alongside in last year’s final, Simpson-Pusey offered these words of wisdom.

“Just go and show yourself,” he said. “And be confident going into the game. Enjoy it is probably the main thing and don’t come off the pitch thinking that you could have given more. Play like it’s the final, because it is the final!”