The FA Cup

The Football Association Challenge Cup is one of the most popular English football knockout tourniments. The FA Cup was first held in 1871, this makes it the worlds oldest football competition. One of the best know aspects of the FA cup is the fact that thousands of football clubs can take part, nomatter which league or their position in it. This allows the smaller lesser know teams to take part and play some of the biggest bets teams in the UK. This adds excitment and draws massive crowds. A recod 762 teams were acepted this year for the FA cup, which beat the previouse record by 31 at 731 teams. The winners of the FA cup, aswell as winning the prestigiouse event, are automatically entered and qualify for the first round of the UEFA Cup. If the team has already qulified the runners up are presented with the opportunity instead.

FA Cup Facts & Figures

The FA cup is not named after the company or brand sponsoring it like many of the other cups, this is mainly because it has been going since 1871, and is famouse throughout the world. The winners of the FA cup recive £1 million.The first actual cup was stolen froma Birmingham shoe shop window after being won by Aston Villa in 1895. Since 1994 the FA cup has been sponsored.

FA Cup Greats

The FA Cup is best know for it matches were lower league teams have the opportunity to play the much larger more popular teams. A recent game where this happened was in 1988 where Conventry City were beaten by unknown team Sutton United to everyones astonishment. Other "giant killer" games of note was when Hereford United beat Newcastle United with one of the most famouse goals in history of the FA Cup. 1978 Blyth Spartans against Stoke City. In 1956-57, Bournemouth beat Wolves and Spurs before a controversial Quarter Final defeat 2-1 at home by Manchester United. One of United's goals looked offside and the other was a questionable penalty. Despite the defeat, Bournemouth were awarded The Giant Killers Cup.