The FA Cup is one of the most prestigious football competitions in the world, capturing the hearts of football fans across the globe. With a rich history spanning over 140 years, the tournament has witnessed countless memorable moments and surprising upsets. In this blog post, we’ll explore 25 intriguing facts about the FA Cup that every football enthusiast should know. So, let’s dive in!
1. The Oldest Football Competition
The FA Cup, also known as the Football Association Challenge Cup, is the oldest football competition in the world. First held in 1871-1872, it predates even the formation of the Football League.
2. Number of Participating Teams
Each year, hundreds of teams from across England participate in the FA Cup. The exact number varies, but it typically ranges from around 700 to 800 teams.
3. The Giant Killers
The FA Cup is famous for its “Giant Killers,” teams from lower divisions that defeat higher-ranking teams. One of the most memorable giant-killing acts occurred in 2013 when Wigan Athletic, then a Championship side, beat Manchester City in the final.
4. The Record-Holding Club
Arsenal holds the record for the most FA Cup wins, with a total of 14 victories. Their most recent triumph came in the 2019-2020 season.
5. The Trophy
The trophy awarded to the FA Cup winners is made of solid silver and stands at 61.5 cm tall. It weighs approximately 6.3 kg and is one of the most iconic trophies in English football.
6. The Non-League Triumph
In 1972, Hereford United, a non-league team at the time, defeated Newcastle United, a top-tier team, in a memorable FA Cup third-round replay. The match is fondly remembered as the “Giant Killing” act of all time.
7. The First Overseas Winners
In the 2000-2001 season, Chelsea became the first club to win the FA Cup with a foreign manager, as Italian Gianluca Vialli guided them to victory.
8. The Wembley Stadium Connection
The FA Cup final has been held at Wembley Stadium in London since 1923, with the exception of six seasons during World War II when the final was played elsewhere.
9. The Longest FA Cup Match
The longest FA Cup match in history occurred in 2011 when Crawley Town and Swindon Town played a third-round replay that lasted for 120 minutes, followed by a penalty shootout.
10. The Fastest Goal
The fastest goal in an FA Cup final was scored by Louis Saha for Everton against Chelsea in 2009. Saha found the back of the net just 25 seconds into the match.
11. The Most Goals in a Final
The record for the most goals in an FA Cup final is shared by Bury and Derby County, who scored a total of 12 goals in the 1903 final.
12. The First Penalty Shootout
The first FA Cup final to be decided by a penalty shootout was the 1991 showdown between Liverpool and Arsenal. Arsenal emerged victorious, winning 5-4 on penalties.
13. The “Double” Winners
Only three teams have achieved the prestigious “Double” of winning both the FA Cup and the top-flight league title in the same season. These teams are Preston North End (1889), Aston Villa (1897), and Arsenal (1971, 1998, and 2002).
14. The First Asian Player
Park Ji-sung became the first Asian player to score in an FA Cup final when he netted for Manchester United against Chelsea in 2007.
15. The Youngest Finalist
James Prinsep, at the age of 17 years and 245 days, holds the record for being the youngest player to feature in an FA Cup final. He played for Clapham Rovers against Old Etonians in the 1879 final.
16. The Biggest Final Attendance
The record for the highest attendance at an FA Cup final is 126,047, which was set in 1923 during the final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.
17. The Most Successful Manager
Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in FA Cup history, having won the competition on five occasions with Manchester United.
18. The Smallest Club
The smallest club to ever reach the FA Cup final is Wycombe Wanderers. In the 2000 semi-finals, they became the first team from the fourth tier of English football to reach the last four.
19. The Goalkeeper Scorer
In the 1882 FA Cup final, William Townley, a goalkeeper for Old Etonians, became the first and only goalkeeper to score in an FA Cup final.
20. The Unbeatable Record
The record for the most consecutive FA Cup wins is held by Wanderers, who won the competition in its first five seasons from 1872 to 1876.
21. The Winningest Player
Charles Wollaston holds the record for the most FA Cup wins by a player. He won the competition seven times with the Wanderers between 1872 and 1878.
22. The Longest Title Drought
The longest spell without an FA Cup win by a top-flight team is shared by Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday. Both clubs last won the competition in 1952.
23. The First Overseas Club
Cardiff City, a club based in Wales, became the first non-English team to win the FA Cup in 1927 when they defeated Arsenal in the final.
24. The Last Non-Premier League Winner
The last non-Premier League team to win the FA Cup was Wigan Athletic in 2013. They beat Manchester City in the final to secure their first-ever major trophy.
25. The Unbeaten Run
The longest unbeaten run in FA Cup history is held by Manchester United. They went unbeaten in 45 consecutive FA Cup matches between 1999 and 2005.
Now that you’re armed with these fascinating facts about the FA Cup, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of this historic competition. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just enjoy the occasional match, the FA Cup never fails to deliver drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
Sources:
- BBC Sport
- The FA
- The Guardian
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