Bristol City and Manchester United are set to replay the 1909 FA Cup final on Friday, 24 April, on the centenary of the original match at Crystal Palace.

Manchester United won that match 1-0 to earn a first FA Cup win in their maiden final appearance.

United have won a further 10 FA Cups, while that game remains the only occasion City have reached the final.

The 2009 version will be played between the Bristol City Supporters Trust and the Manchester United Supporters Trust.

The teams had both won promotion to the top-flight in 1906, with City earning promotion as the Second Division champions.

The Robins finished First Division runners-up in 1907 behind Newcastle and were higher in the table than their rivals in the 1909 season.

"Bristol City were very much on a par with Manchester United as a force in English football and the FA Cup final marked the peak of that magical era," reflected BCST chairman Stuart Rogers.

However, two seasons after their FA Cup final appearance, City were to be relegated, while United finished the campaign as champions for the second time in four years.
Players line up for the modern day replay
United and City had to opt for change strips at Crystal Palace

Both sides traditionally wore red but were ordered by the Football Association to opt for their change strips, with City in blue and United in white with a red V across their shirts.

Inside-left Sandy Turnbull scored the winning goal in the first half, although he almost did not feature as he had been struggling with a knee injury throughout the season.

However, United club captain Charlie Roberts persuaded manager Ernest Mangnall to start Turnbull saying: "He might get a goal and if he does we can afford to carry him."

The great grandson of Roberts will be lining up for United, while other members of the skipper's family and those of Bristol City manager Harry Thickett will also be among the small number of authorised spectators.

"This was a special anniversary which MUST couldn't allow to go unmarked, not just because of the on-the-pitch achievement but the huge historic significance," said Duncan Drasdo, MUST chief executive.

"The United team contained the legendary Billy Meredith and Charlie Roberts, extraordinary individuals who played an instrumental role in the formation of the players union, the PFA."

FA chairman Lord Triesman added: "It is both heartening and reassuring to the FA to see that supporters still value the traditions of this wonderful competition."

BBC SPORT