A football historian watched his 400th FA Cup game at the weekend after watching his first more than 50 years ago at Selhurst Park.

Purley-born David Barber began his love affair with football in 1960 when he watched Crystal Palace against Hitchin Town in the first round of the knockout competition.

Part of a 22,000-person crowd, David watched on as Palace won 6-2, kindling a passion for football and the FA Cup which has lasted for 400 matches.

The FA historian hit the milestone this weekend watching the third round match between Fulham and Charlton at Craven Cottage.

David said: “I became interested in going to a game after watching it on the television - I had watched the FA Cup final the year before.

“I went with my dad who took me to an FA Cup game instead of Division Four, which is where Palace was in those days.

“I just fell in love with the cup.

“Everyone seems to be more up for the games as there are not many of them.

“And I love giant killings.

“I had to wait 12 years to see a Cup ‘giant-killing’, Isthmians Walton & Hersham edging Exeter City 2-1 in the First Round at Stompond Lane in 1972.

“Matches between non-League clubs and top-flight sides are always special and I particularly remember Sutton vs Leeds and Yeading vs Newcastle.”

The 60-year-old said he still had the programme from his first match, priced four old pence.

He has been to at least one match in every round of the FA Cup for the past 52 years, making a note of the date and result in notebooks.

Wembley has become a second home, having watched 39 finals, including replays, with his favourite being Sunderland vs Leeds in the ’73 Cup.

In total, he has attended 6,174 games of football but despite seeing the evolution of the game he feels it has not changed much in essence.

He said: “I look for two teams trying to win.

“If they win everyone is happy and if they lose everyone is sad and that has always been the case.”