Today marks the latest game between City and Orient. They first met in 1909 when Orient won 3-2 on 18 September. The first FA Cup tie between the clubs came on 10 January 1920 when City defeated Orient 4-1 with goals from Ernie Goodwin (2), Horace Barnes and Billy ‘Spud’ Murphy (see report). The most recent match between the teams came on 7 May 1966 when a Second Division game ended 2-2 (City scorers were Colin Bell and an own goal from Sorrell).
City had guaranteed promotion three days earlier at Rotherham.