Were no strangers to fulfilling the role of the slain giant in the name of FA Cup spirit in front of a live TV audience. Skys decision to broadcast our fourth round replay against Luton at Kenilworth Road was almost kismet during a year in which the competition was permeated by the giant killing of several Premier League teams. Kevin Keegans expensively assembled Newcastle side were dumped out of the cup by a Division One Luton outfit containing a trim 18-year-old by the name of John Hartson who scored the opening goal put together for just £500,000 by David Pleat. Unsurprisingly the media revelled in our ignominy. 'Mighty Oakes fells Keegan' was the headline of choice for the Guardian the next day and immortilised Scott Oakes, scorer of the second Hatters goal in FA Cup history. Its not the first time weve endured the sobering agony of a lower-league uppercut. And it wont be the last time.
