As the oldest football competition in the world, the Football Association( FA) Cup has produced a number of classic moments in the history of football. While the competition’s importance has waned somewhat due to the emergence of more prominent competitions such as the English Premier League and the Champions League, the FA Cup is still held in high esteem in both English and world football circles.
History
The inaugural FA Cup was held in November 1871, after FA Secretary C. W. Alcock proposed to the FA committee that a Challenge Cup be held in which all clubs belonging to the Association would be invited to compete.
Timeline
- After 13 games, Wanderers were crowned the winners in the final held on 16 March 1872 and retained the trophy the following year.
- The modern cup that players compete for was established by the 1888–89 season, with qualifying rounds introduced.
- The 1914–15 edition was suspended due to World War 1 and only resumed in 1919–20.
- The first FA Cup final played at the newly opened Wembley Stadium ( known then as the Empire Stadium) occurred in 1932.
- World War 2 prevented any FA Cup action between 1938 and 1946.
- In 2000, the modern practice of ensuring that the semi-final and final matches are completed on the same day was introduced. Previously, drawn matches were settled by a replay.
- The 2001 to 2006 finals were played outside of England for the first time, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
- On 1 March 2023, Grimsby Town became the first team in FA Cup history to beat five teams from higher divisions following a 2–1 win at Southampton to advance to the quarter-finals.
Eligibility
One of the factors that make the FA Cup so unique is that it is the only English football competition that is open to all clubs from all the different leagues. Clubs in the top 4 levels (Premier League and the 3 divisions of the English Football League) are automatically eligible to play in the tournament. Clubs that play in non-league football (level 5 to 9) are eligible provided they play in either the FA Vase or FA Trophy competitions. All participants must have a suitable stadium available, and The Association has the discretion to reject clubs’ participation.
Notable events:
Ipswich vs Arsenal – 1978 Final
Unfancied Ipswich won their first and only FA Cup in 1978, as Roger Osborne shocked favoured Arsenal with the only goal of the match. This win arguably remains Ipswich’s biggest victory in top-flight football in terms of importance.
Liverpool vs Everton – 1989 Final
This game is better known for the tragedy that occurred- a human crush occurred in the standing-only central pens in the Leppings Lane stand allocated to Liverpool supporters, which resulted in 97 deaths and 766 injuries, constituting the highest death toll in British sporting history. Liverpool went on to win the match 3-2.
Manchester United vs Arsenal – 1999 Semi-Final Replay
This match, which was a replay, is renowned for one of the best solo goals scored in the competition’s history. After a goalless 1st half, goals from David Beckham and Dennis Bergkamp made it 1-1. Patrick Viera then gave the ball away, which allowed Ryan Giggs to dribble and dance past four defenders, before he placed the ball into the back of the net. United ultimately won the match and the FA Cup, as they completed a treble.
Leicester City vs Wycombe Wanderers – 2001 Quarter-Final
When Leicester City drew third-tier and injury-ravaged Wycombe in the 2001 FA Cup quarterfinal many believed that Leicester would walk the game, especially as they played in the Premier League. However, Wycombe managed to in extraordinary circumstances. As a smaller team, Wycombe had to advertise for a fit striker, after experiencing many injuries. They got Roy Essandoh, who ended up scoring a dramatic injury-time winner. After all that excitement and adrenaline, Essandoh got light-headed, passed out and had to be replaced for the last 12 minutes! Luckily, he recovered fully for the celebrations.
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