As phones pinged, old photos were found and stories told, the WhatsApp group of former players agreed they had to get their hands on tickets.
Kidderminster Harriers, of the National League North, had been drawn against West Ham in the FA Cup, as they were 28 years ago, and the prospect of Saturday’s rematch has propelled this Worcestershire town, built upon its carpet industry, back in time.
‘The coincidences are amazing when you stop and think,’ says Graham Allner, former Harriers boss, as he took a framed picture montage from his wall and scanned the images.