1899 FA Cup final

Background

The FA Cup, known officially as The Football Association Challenge Cup, is an annual knockout association football competition in men's domestic English football. The competition was first proposed on 20 July 1871 by C. W. Alcock at a meeting of The Football Association committee. The tournament was first played in the 1871–72 season and is the world's oldest association football competition. The 1899 match between Derby County and Sheffield United at Crystal Palace was the 28th final and the penultimate one of the 19th century. Derby County had been runners-up in the previous season's competition while Sheffield United were appearing in the final for the first time.

Derby County and Sheffield United were both members of the Football League First Division. In the 1898–99 league championship, Derby amassed 35 points to finish in ninth place, ten points behind champions Aston Villa. Sheffield United had won the league title in 1897–98 but had struggled in 1898–99 and finished in 16th place with 29 points, just above the relegation placings.

Both teams were selected by a committee with the club secretary in charge on match days. Derby's secretary was Harry Newbould who, in 1900, became their first formally appointed team manager. Sheffield United retained the policy of selection by committee until 1932. In 1899, their secretary was John Nicholson, who was newly appointed.

Route to the final

Derby County

Derby County entered the competition in the first round proper and played four matches en route to the final. Two of their opponents were in the First Division, one was in the Second Division and one was in the Southern League.

Early rounds

In the first round on Saturday, 28 January, Derby were away to Second Division Woolwich Arsenal at the Manor Ground in Plumstead. They won 6–0 with goals by Steve Bloomer (2), John Boag (2), Billy MacDonald and Harry Allen.

Derby were at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round. This match was played on Saturday, 11 February, at the Baseball Ground and ended in a 2–1 win for Derby with a goal apiece by Allen and MacDonald. The Wolverhampton scorer was Billy Beats.

In the third round, Derby faced the Southern League champions Southampton at The Dell. The match was played on Saturday, 25 February, and Derby won 2–1 with goals by Bloomer and MacDonald. Southampton's goal was scored by Tom Nicol.

Semi-final

The semi-finals were staged at neutral venues on Saturday, 18 March, and Derby were drawn to play First Division Stoke FC at Molineux in Wolverhampton. Steve Bloomer scored all three goals in a 3–1 win which took Derby through to a second successive cup final. The Stoke goal was scored by William Maxwell.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United entered the competition in the first round proper and played nine matches, including five replays, en route to the final. Their four opponents were all other teams in the First Division.

Early rounds

In the first round on Saturday, 28 January, Sheffield were away to Burnley at Turf Moor.

Semi-final

The semi-finals were staged at neutral venues on Saturday, 18 March, and Sheffield were drawn against Liverpool at Burnden Park in Bolton. This ended in a 2–2 draw and three replays were needed to settle the tie.

The second replay was at the former Fallowfield Stadium in Manchester. This match had to be abandoned at half-time because of a crush in the crowd.

Match details

15:00 GMT

• Bennett
• Beer
• Almond
• Priest

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Post-match

The crowd of 73,883 was a world record, though it would be beaten only two years later. Derby had lost the final two years in succession and talk began of a gypsy curse on the club, said to have originated after gypsies were forced to leave the land that became the Baseball Ground.

Notes

References

Bibliography

References

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