Birth of the FA Cup

On July 20, 1871 another important meeting of the Football Association was held at the office of The Sportsman newspaper in London. Six members of the FA discussed how to make football more exciting.

Charles Alcock suggested a cup competition based on the inter-house competition at Harrow School. The other members agreed that ... a cup.... in which all members should be invited to compete.’

Only twelve clubs entered the new FA Cup in the first year. Most were from the army and the public schools. Queens Park represented Scotland but they did not play until the semi-final.