Jamie Hewitt reflects on FA Cup classic

Chesterfield favourite Jamie Hewitt reflects back on FA Cup classic with Middlesbrough. 

More than 500 appearances for Chesterfield and an FA Cup semi-finalist. 

Jamie Hewitt is a fans’ favourite after scoring a famous last minute extra-time equaliser against Middlesbrough in the 1997 encounter at Old Trafford.

Danny Hughes asked Hewitt, now aged 51, about his memories of that classic clash with Boro which ended 3-3.

"Looking back it’s a very proud time for all the players I’m sure,” Hewitt said.

Jamie Hewitt celebrates his last minute extra-time equaliser against Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup semi-final to make it 3-3.
Jamie Hewitt celebrates his last minute extra-time equaliser against Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup semi-final to make it 3-3.

“Memories of the day were the amazing support on the way to the ground and also inside Old Trafford.”

Boro went down to 10 men after Vladimir Kinder was shown two yellow cards in the first half and the Spireites took advantage with Andy Morris giving them the lead after the break before Sean Dyche slammed home a penalty on the hour.

The Premier League opposition levelled through Fabrizio Ravanelli and a penalty of their own from Craig Hignett sandwiched either side of Jonathan Howard’s ‘goal’ that was not given by referee David Elleray.

Gianluca Festa gave Boro the lead for the first time in extra-time before Hewitt’s dramatic late header forced a replay at Hillsborough.

Hewitt said: “As the game goes, being 2-0 up we were in dream land but the quality they had in their team they managed to get level.

“After the equaliser the main feeling was relief that we’d managed to get a draw.

“After watching the game again we should have really gone on to win the game.”

Hewitt was born in Chesterfield and is a lifelong Blues supporter so playing for his home town club meant everything to him.

“It was a dream come true,” he said. “I used to watch Chesterfield with my dad from the age of four so to play for Chesterfield was a great honour and I was very proud to do so.”

The former defender left the Spireites in 1992 for a brief spell at Doncaster Rovers before returning to Chesterfield after just one season.

Hewitt added: “That was not my decision at the time. I was not offered a contract by the club and I was disappointed at the time.”