History FA Cup

harry hampton scores 1 of 2 goals in 1905 fa cup final aston villa defeated newcastle united

in 1863, newly founded football association (the fa) published laws of game of association football, unifying various different rules in use before then. on 20 july 1871, in offices of sportsman newspaper, fa secretary c. w. alcock proposed fa committee desirable challenge cup should established in connection association clubs belonging association should invited compete . inaugural fa cup tournament kicked off in november 1871. after thirteen games in all, wanderers crowned winners in final, on 16 march 1872. wanderers retained trophy following year. modern cup beginning established 1888–89 season, when qualifying rounds introduced.

following 1914–15 edition, competition suspended due first world war, , did not resume until 1919–20. 1922–23 competition saw first final played in newly opened wembley stadium (known @ time empire stadium). due outbreak of world war ii, competition not played between 1938–39 , 1945–46 editions. due wartime breaks, competition did not celebrate centenary year until 1980–81; fittingly final featured goal ricky villa later voted greatest goal ever scored @ wembley stadium, has since been replaced steven gerrard.

having featured replays, modern day practice of ensuring semi-final , final matches finish on day, introduced 2000 onwards. redevelopment of wembley saw final played outside of england first time, 2001–2006 finals being played @ millennium stadium in cardiff. final returned wembley in 2007, followed semi-finals 2008.