The Football League Cup, or the Carling Cup as it is currently known, was introduced when the advent of floodlights allowed clubs to consider playing midweek matches. Aston Villa won the inaugural tournament in 1960-61, and for the first six seasons the final was a two-legged, midweek affair. Then it became another weekend Wembley showpiece.

At first the bigger clubs were reluctant to take part, thinking that three domestic competitions was a crowd. That meant that some unlikely ...

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