They reached the FA Cup semi-finals two seasons running in 1970–71 and in 1971–72 losing both controversially to Arsenal but the biggest achievement was guiding Stoke to their first major trophy, winning the 1972 League Cup beating Chelsea at Wembley. This saw Stoke able to attract some famous players to the club such as Alan Hudson, Geoff Hurst and Peter Shilton and by 1974–75 Stoke had become one of the best sides in the country playing an exciting brand of attacking football which saw them nearly win their first English league title.