1978–79 FA Cup

Qualifying rounds

Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 28 places available in the first round.

The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Blyth Spartans, Workington, Runcorn, Chorley, Morecambe, Southport, Droylsden, Nuneaton Borough, AP Leamington, Stafford Rangers, Boston United, Worksop Town, Hitchin Town, Enfield, March Town United, Barking, Dagenham, Wealdstone, Barnet, Dartford, Maidstone United, Gravesend & Northfleet, Woking, Hillingdon Borough, Worcester City, Yeovil Town, Weymouth and Merthyr Tydfil.

For the first time since 1910–11, all successful qualifying clubs had appeared in the competition proper before. However, Gravesend & Northfleet had not featured at this stage since 1965-66, Chorley had last done so in 1963-64, Worksop Town had last done so in 1961-62, Worcester City had last done so in 1960-61, March Town United in 1955-56 and Barking in 1928-29.

Maidstone United was the most successful club from this season's qualifying rounds, progressing from the first qualifying round to the third round proper after defeating Horsham YMCA, Dover, Ramsgate, Waterlooville, Wycombe Wanderers and Exeter City. Charlton Athletic then needed a replay to knock them out of the tournament.

First round proper

The 48 teams from the Football League Third and Fourth Divisions entered in this round along with the 28 non-league clubs from the qualifying rounds and Altrincham, Leatherhead, Scarborough and Wycombe Wanderers who were given byes. The first round of games were played on 25 November 1978. Replays were played mainly on 28–29 November, with two on 5–6 December.

Second round proper

The second round of games were played on 16 December 1978. Replays took place mainly on 18–19 with one on 28 December and another on 9 January 1979.

Third round proper

Teams from the Football League First and Second Division entered in this round. The third round of games in the FA Cup were intended to be played on 6 January 1979, but only four games were actually played on this date. Twenty more ties were played midweek over 8–10 January with a few more taking place on 15–16 and one on 18 January. Replays were intended for 9–10 January but again took place at various times. One tie, between Wrexham and Stockport County, suffered six postponements before finally being played on 1 February, by which time Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday had played five times, the tie needing a fourth replay before being settled. Maidstone United and Altrincham were the last non-league clubs left in the competition.

• During the 1-1 draw between Charlton Athletic and Maidstone United, referee Brian Martin sent off Charlton players Mike Flanagan and Derek Hales for fighting each other.

Fourth round proper

The fourth round of games were intended to be played over the weekend 26–27 January 1979, but by this time only eight matches had been played, of which three went to replays. The other games were completed either midweek on 29–31st, or on 5 or 12 February. Replays were played at various times after the initial games.

Fifth round proper

The fifth set of games was played on either 20, 26 or 28 February, or 10 March 1979. Two replays were played on 26 February and 12 March.

Sixth round proper

The sixth round of FA Cup games were played on 10 March 1979, except for the Southampton–Arsenal match which began on 19 March. Holders Ipswich Town were eliminated by Liverpool. There were three replays.

Semi finals

B. Greenhoff Hansen

Sunderland

Replay

Final

Main article: 1979 FA Cup final

Stapleton Sunderland McIlroy

Television coverage

The right to show FA Cup games were, as with Football League matches, shared between the BBC and ITV network. All games were shown in a highlights format, except the Final, which was shown live both on BBC1 & ITV. The BBC football highlights programme Match of the Day would show up to three games and the various ITV regional network stations would cover up to one game and show highlights from other games covered elsewhere on the ITV network. No games from Rounds 1 or 2 were shown. Occasional highlights of replays would be shown on either the BBC or ITV.

These matches were.

1Footage available on YouTube

2featured on Sportsnight

3featured on Midweek Sports Special

References

References

1. (2010). "Football's Strangest Matches: Extraordinary but true stories from over a century of football". Portico.
2. "MOTD Listings 1978–79".
3. "The Big Match".
4. "Kick Off Match".
5. "Shoot (Tyne Tees)".
6. "Yorkshire ITV Football".
7. "Star Soccer".
8. "Match of the Week".
9. "Mid-Week Football".