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A Brief History of the FA Cup

Here is a history of the world’s oldest football competition, “FA Cup", short for the Football Association Challenge Cup. The competition kicked off back in 1871, when football was still figuring itself out with inconsistent rules and most teams composed not much more than groups of friends kicking a ball around a muddy field. But the Football Association (FA), which had formed just eight years earlier, wanted to change that. They came up with the idea of a knockout tournament open to any team in England.

1898 FA Cup FInal1898 FA Cup FInal between Derby County and Nottingham Forest at the Crystal Palace stadium

The first competition in 1871-72 had just 15 teams, and the final was played at The Oval in London, a cricket ground. Wanderers FC took home the trophy, beating Royal Engineers 1-0. The Wanderers were so dominant in the early years, they won five of the first seven tournaments! (see full list of winners)

Giant Killers and Cinderella Stories

One of the things that makes the FA Cup special is its inclusivity. Unlike most football tournaments, it’s open to teams from all levels of English football—from the mighty Premier League giants to tiny non-league clubs. This has led to some incredible “David vs. Goliath” moments over the years, with underdogs toppling much bigger and wealthier opponents.

Take Hereford United in 1972, for example. They were a non-league team when they faced Newcastle United, a top-flight side. Few gave Hereford a chance, but they stunned everyone with a dramatic 2-1 win, thanks to one of the most famous goals in FA Cup history—a rocket from Ronnie Radford.

Another memorable upset came in 1988, when Wimbledon FC, nicknamed the “Crazy Gang” for their wild antics, beat the mighty Liverpool in the final. Liverpool were the best team in England at the time, but Wimbledon pulled off a 1-0 win in one of the biggest shocks the competition has ever seen.

The crowd spills onto the pitch at the The White Horse Final (1923)The crowd spills onto the pitch at the The White Horse Final (1923)

The Magic of the Final

The FA Cup Final is one of British sport's biggest events, traditionally held at Wembley Stadium in London. The iconic venue has seen its share of drama, including:

The Global Stage

Over time, the FA Cup has become much more than an English affair. Its global reach expanded as the popularity of English football grew. Millions now tune in from around the world to watch the magic unfold, with Premier League powerhouses like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea often dominating in recent years. Arsenal, in fact, holds the record for the most FA Cup wins, with 14 trophies as of 2024.



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