1894–95 FA Cup

The 1894–95 FA Cup was the 24th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). The cup was won by Aston Villa, who defeated West Bromwich Albion 1–0 in the final of the competition, played at Crystal Palace in London. This was Villa's second victory in the FA Cup.

The Trophy was stolen from a display in the shop window of W. Shillcock (a football fitter) in Newton Row, Birmingham, after the final and never recovered despite a £10 reward. According to the Police, it was taken sometime between 21:30 on Wednesday 11 September and 7:30 the following morning, along with cash from a drawer. The cup was replaced by a copy of the original, made by Howard Vaughton, the former Aston Villa player and England international, who had opened a silversmith's business after his retirement from the game.

Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week. If the replayed match was drawn further replays would be held at neutral venues until a winner was determined. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played in a replay, a 30-minute period of extra time would be played.

Calendar The format of the FA Cup for the season had a preliminary round, four qualifying rounds, three proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.

Round Start date Preliminary round Saturday 6 October 1894 First round qualifying Saturday 13 October 1894 Second round qualifying Saturday 3 November 1894 Third round qualifying Saturday 24 November 1894 Fourth round qualifying Saturday 15 December 1894 First round proper Saturday 2 February 1895 Second round proper Saturday 16 February 1895 Third round proper Saturday 2 March 1895 Semi-finals Saturday 16 March 1895 Final Saturday 20 April 1895

Qualifying rounds The 16 First Division sides were all given byes to the first round, as were Notts County, Darwen, Bury, Newcastle United, Newton Heath and Woolwich Arsenal from the Second Division. The other Second Division sides were entered into the first qualifying round, with the exceptions of Burton Swifts, who started in the second qualifying round, and Manchester City, who did not enter the competition this season. Of the qualifying League sides, only Burton Wanderers and Leicester Fosse progressed to the FA Cup proper. Eight non-league sides also qualified, these being Southport Central, Middlesbrough, Barnsley St Peter's, Fairfield, Chesterfield, Luton Town, Millwall Athletic and Southampton St Mary's. Future Cup champions Barnsley and Southampton were competing at this stage for the first time, as were Chesterfield and Fairfield.

First round proper The first round proper contained sixteen ties between 32 teams. The matches were played on Saturday, 2 February 1895. One match was drawn, with the replay taking place in the following midweek fixture. The Barnsley St Peter's – Liverpool game was voided following a dispute over extra time being played. The match was replayed nine days later, resulting in a 4–0 win to Liverpool.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate1Darwen0–0Wolverhampton Wanderers2 February 1895 ReplayWolverhampton Wanderers2–0Darwen6 February 1895 2Bury4–1Leicester Fosse2 February 1895 3Aston Villa2–1Derby County2 February 1895 4The Wednesday5–1Notts County2 February 1895 5Bolton Wanderers1–0Woolwich Arsenal2 February 1895 6Southport Central0–3Everton2 February 1895 7Middlesbrough4–0Chesterfield2 February 1895 8Sunderland11–1Fairfield2 February 1895 9Luton Town0–2Preston North End2 February 1895 10Burton Wanderers1–2Blackburn Rovers2 February 1895 11Newton Heath2–3Stoke2 February 1895 12Small Heath1–2West Bromwich Albion2 February 1895 13Sheffield United3–1Millwall Athletic2 February 1895 14Southampton St Mary's1–4Nottingham Forest2 February 1895 15Newcastle United2–1Burnley2 February 1895 16Barnsley St Peter's2–1 (Match void)Liverpool2 February 1895 ReplayLiverpool4–0Barnsley St Peter's11 February 1895

Second round proper The eight Second Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 16 February 1895. There were two replays, played in the following midweek fixture.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate1Liverpool0–2Nottingham Forest16 February 1895 2Aston Villa7–1Newcastle United16 February 1895 3The Wednesday6–1Middlesbrough16 February 1895 4Bolton Wanderers1–0Bury16 February 1895 5Wolverhampton Wanderers2–0Stoke16 February 1895 6Sunderland2–0Preston North End16 February 1895 7Everton1–1Blackburn Rovers16 February 1895 ReplayBlackburn Rovers2–3Everton20 February 1895 8Sheffield United1–1West Bromwich Albion16 February 1895 ReplayWest Bromwich Albion2–1Sheffield United20 February 1895

Third round proper The four Third Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 2 March 1895. There were no replays.

Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate1Aston Villa6–2Nottingham Forest2 March 1895 2The Wednesday2–0Everton2 March 1895 3West Bromwich Albion1–0Wolverhampton Wanderers2 March 1895 4Sunderland2–1Bolton Wanderers2 March 1895

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were both played on Saturday, 16 March 1895. Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion went on to meet in the final at Crystal Palace.

Final

The final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 1–0, with Bob Chatt being credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, scored after just 30 seconds. Devey found Hodgetts, whose cross was laid off by Athersmith to Chatt, whose half volley took a deflection.

Match details

1894–95 FA Cup

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