FA Cup 1996-97
Encyclopedia
The 1996–97 FA Cup was the 116th season of the world's oldest knockout cup competition, the Football Association cup or FA Cup
. The tournament started in August 1996 for clubs from non-league football and the competition proper started in October 1996 for teams from the Premier League and the Football League. The tournament was won by Chelsea
with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough
in the final at Wembley stadium.
and the Football League First Division
(now known as the Football League Championship
). There were nine replays, with none of these games requiring a penalty shootout to settle it.
Chesterfield defeated Wrexham 1-0 in a rare "all third-tier" quarter-final clash, while Middlesbrough's 2-0 win at Derby County moved them a step closer to their first-ever FA Cup final.
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side Chesterfield) to reach the final.
Wimbledon, playing the semi-finals for the first time since they were FA Cup winners nine years earlier, had their hopes of FA Cup glory ended by a semi-final defeat at the hands of Chelsea, who had not played in an FA Cup final for 3 years. This came just weeks after Wimbledon had been eliminated from the League Cup semi-finals.
Middlesbrough, on the other hand, reached the FA Cup final for the first time in their history, but only after a 3-0 replay win over a Chesterfield side that had given them a serious run for their money in the first match with a 3-3 draw after taking a 2-0 lead, therefore narrowly missing out on being the first "third tier" side to reach an FA Cup final.
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Replay
with a 2–0 victory over Middlesbrough
. Chelsea were attempting to win their first FA Cup
final for 27 years, while Middlesbrough were contesting their first ever final. Chelsea took to the field on the back of something of a renaissance
under Dutch
manager Ruud Gullit
, having recorded their best league finish for a decade. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, began the final having been relegated from the Premiership and also been losing finalists in the League Cup
.
It was Chelsea's first major trophy for 26 years, while Middlesbrough had never played in an FA Cup final or won a major trophy before.
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. The tournament started in August 1996 for clubs from non-league football and the competition proper started in October 1996 for teams from the Premier League and the Football League. The tournament was won by Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in the final at Wembley stadium.
Calendar
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Round | Saturday 31 August 1996 |
| First Round Qualifying | Saturday 14 September 1996 |
| Second Round Qualifying | Saturday 28 September 1996 |
| Third Round Qualifying | Saturday 12 October 1996 |
| Fourth Round Qualifying | Saturday 26 October 1996 |
| First Round Proper | Saturday 16 November 1996 |
| Second Round Proper | Saturday 7 December 1996 |
| Third Round Proper | Saturday 4 January 1997 |
| Fourth Round Proper | Saturday 25 January 1997 |
| Fifth Round Proper | Saturday 15 February 1997 |
| Sixth Round Proper | Saturday 8 March 1997 |
| Semi-Finals | Saturday 13 April 1997 |
| Final | Saturday 17 May 1997 |
First round proper
The First Round featured those non-league teams who had come through the qualifying rounds and the teams from the third and fourth tiers of the English football league system. The matches were played on 16 November 1996. There were thirteen replays, with two ties requiring a penalty shootout to settle them.| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashford Town Ashford Town F.C. (Kent) Ashford United F.C. are an English football club based in Ashford, Kent. The 'new' United was formed in 2011 . Between 1930 and 2010 the town was represented by Ashford Town FC, before it ultimately went into administration... |
2–2 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Dagenham & Redbridge | 1–1 | Ashford Town Ashford Town F.C. (Kent) Ashford United F.C. are an English football club based in Ashford, Kent. The 'new' United was formed in 2011 . Between 1930 and 2010 the town was represented by Ashford Town FC, before it ultimately went into administration... |
25 November 1996 |
| Ashford Town won 4–3 on penalties | ||||
| 2 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
1–0 | Wigan Athletic | 16 November 1996 |
| 3 | Chester City Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
3–0 | Stalybridge Celtic | 16 November 1996 |
| 4 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
1–0 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
16 November 1996 |
| 5 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
2–1 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
16 November 1996 |
| 6 | Preston North End | 4–1 | Altrincham Altrincham F.C. Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:... |
16 November 1996 |
| 7 | Wisbech Town | 1–2 | St Albans City St Albans City F.C. St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League... |
16 November 1996 |
| 8 | Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... |
2–2 | Millwall Millwall F.C. Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the... |
15 November 1996 |
| Replay | Millwall Millwall F.C. Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the... |
0–1 | Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... |
26 November 1996 |
| 9 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
1–0 | Hereford United | 16 November 1996 |
| 10 | Boreham Wood Boreham Wood F.C. Boreham Wood F.C. are a football club based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, at Meadow Park football ground. They were established in 1948, and have reached the FA Cup 2nd Round proper twice in their history. For 2011-12 they will play in Conference South... |
1–1 | Rushden & Diamonds | 16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Rushden & Diamonds | 2–3 | Boreham Wood Boreham Wood F.C. Boreham Wood F.C. are a football club based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, at Meadow Park football ground. They were established in 1948, and have reached the FA Cup 2nd Round proper twice in their history. For 2011-12 they will play in Conference South... |
26 November 1996 |
| 11 | Northwich Victoria Northwich Victoria F.C. Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of... |
2–2 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
3–1 | Northwich Victoria Northwich Victoria F.C. Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of... |
26 November 1996 |
| 12 | Macclesfield Town | 0–2 | Rochdale | 16 November 1996 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 4–1 | Kidderminster Harriers | 16 November 1996 |
| 14 | Shrewsbury Town | 1–1 | Scarborough Scarborough F.C. Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season... |
16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Scarborough Scarborough F.C. Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season... |
1–0 | Shrewsbury Town | 26 November 1996 |
| 15 | Wrexham | 1–1 | Colwyn Bay Colwyn Bay F.C. Colwyn Bay F.C. are a Welsh football club, as of the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference North. Nicknamed the Seagulls, the club play at Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.-History:... |
16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Wrexham | 2–0 | Colwyn Bay Colwyn Bay F.C. Colwyn Bay F.C. are a Welsh football club, as of the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference North. Nicknamed the Seagulls, the club play at Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.-History:... |
26 November 1996 |
| 16 | Hednesford Town | 2–1 | Southport Southport F.C. Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008... |
16 November 1996 |
| 17 | Stockport County | 2–1 | Doncaster Rovers | 16 November 1996 |
| 18 | Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
2–0 | Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899.... |
16 November 1996 |
| 19 | Bristol Rovers | 1–2 | Exeter City | 16 November 1996 |
| 20 | Northampton Town | 0–1 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
17 November 1996 |
| 21 | Bromley Bromley F.C. Bromley Football Club are an English football club based in Bromley, in Greater London, England. They currently play in the Conference South, and play their home matches at Hayes Lane.-Early years:... |
1–3 | Enfield Enfield F.C. Enfield F.C. is a football club, formed in June 2007 after Enfield F.C. ceased to exist.... |
16 November 1996 |
| 22 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
5–0 | Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
16 November 1996 |
| 23 | Carlisle United | 6–0 | Shepshed Dynamo | 16 November 1996 |
| 24 | Scunthorpe United | 4–1 | Rotherham United | 16 November 1996 |
| 25 | Mansfield Town | 4–0 | Consett Consett A.F.C. Consett Association Football Club is a football club based in Consett in County Durham, England. Established in 1899, the club currently plays in the Northern League Division One having been promoted as Division Two Champions in the 2005–06 season... |
16 November 1996 |
| 26 | Cardiff City Cardiff city Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium... |
2–0 | Hendon Hendon F.C. Hendon Football Club are an English football club based in Hendon, in the London Borough of Barnet. They currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.In the 2003-04 season they finished fourth in the Isthmian League Premier Division... |
16 November 1996 |
| 27 | Runcorn | 1–4 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
16 November 1996 |
| 28 | Torquay United | 0–1 | Luton Town | 16 November 1996 |
| 29 | Boston United | 3–0 | Morecambe Morecambe F.C. Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park... |
16 November 1996 |
| 30 | Peterborough United | 0–0 | Cheltenham Town | 16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Cheltenham Town | 1–3 | Peterborough United | 27 November 1996 |
| 31 | Colchester United | 1–2 | Wycombe Wanderers | 16 November 1996 |
| 32 | Leyton Orient | 2–1 | Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil F.C. Merthyr Tydfil Football Club was a Welsh football club based at the Penydarren Park ground in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2010 the club was liquidated and reformed under the name Merthyr Town, which was accepted into Division One of the Western League.-History:... |
16 November 1996 |
| 33 | Sudbury Town Sudbury Town F.C. Sudbury Town F.C. was an English football club based in Sudbury, Suffolk. Established in 1885, the club merged with Sudbury Wanderers in 1999 to form A.F.C. Sudbury.-History:... |
0–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–1 | Sudbury Town Sudbury Town F.C. Sudbury Town F.C. was an English football club based in Sudbury, Suffolk. Established in 1885, the club merged with Sudbury Wanderers in 1999 to form A.F.C. Sudbury.-History:... |
26 November 1996 |
| Sudbury Town won 4–3 on penalties | ||||
| 34 | Whitby Town | 0–0 | Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
17 November 1996 |
| Replay | Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
8–4 | Whitby Town | 26 November 1996 |
| 35 | Cambridge United | 3–0 | Welling United | 16 November 1996 |
| 36 | Swansea City | 1–1 | Bristol City | 16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Bristol City | 1–0 | Swansea City | 26 November 1996 |
| 37 | Farnborough Town | 2–2 | Barnet Barnet F.C. Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet.... |
16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Barnet Barnet F.C. Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet.... |
1–0 | Farnborough Town | 26 November 1996 |
| 38 | Hartlepool United | 0–0 | York City | 16 November 1996 |
| Replay | York City | 3–0 | Hartlepool United | 26 November 1996 |
| 39 | Stevenage Borough | 2–2 | Hayes Hayes F.C. Hayes F.C. was an English football club based in Hayes, in Greater London. The club started out as Botwell Mission in 1909 taking its present name in 1929. The team nickname, The Missioners was a salute to the history of the team. The club played in the Conference South for their last few seasons... |
16 November 1996 |
| Replay | Hayes Hayes F.C. Hayes F.C. was an English football club based in Hayes, in Greater London. The club started out as Botwell Mission in 1909 taking its present name in 1929. The team nickname, The Missioners was a salute to the history of the team. The club played in the Conference South for their last few seasons... |
0–2 | Stevenage Borough | 26 November 1996 |
| 40 | Newcastle Town | 0–2 | Notts County | 17 November 1996 |
Second Round Proper
The second round of the competition featured the winners of the first round ties. The matches were played on 7 December 1996, with four replays and one penalty shootout required.| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enfield Enfield F.C. Enfield F.C. is a football club, formed in June 2007 after Enfield F.C. ceased to exist.... |
1–1 | Peterborough United | 7 December 1996 |
| Replay | Peterborough United | 4–1 | Enfield Enfield F.C. Enfield F.C. is a football club, formed in June 2007 after Enfield F.C. ceased to exist.... |
17 December 1996 |
| 2 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
0–1 | Hednesford Town | 7 December 1996 |
| 3 | Chester City Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
1–0 | Boston United | 7 December 1996 |
| 4 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
2–0 | Scarborough Scarborough F.C. Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season... |
7 December 1996 |
| 5 | Barnet Barnet F.C. Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet.... |
3–3 | Wycombe Wanderers | 7 December 1996 |
| Replay | Wycombe Wanderers | 3–2 | Barnet Barnet F.C. Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet.... |
17 December 1996 |
| 6 | Bristol City | 9–2 | St Albans City St Albans City F.C. St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League... |
7 December 1996 |
| 7 | Preston North End | 2–3 | York City | 7 December 1996 |
| 8 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
5–0 | Ashford Town Ashford Town F.C. (Kent) Ashford United F.C. are an English football club based in Ashford, Kent. The 'new' United was formed in 2011 . Between 1930 and 2010 the town was represented by Ashford Town FC, before it ultimately went into administration... |
7 December 1996 |
| 9 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
1–1 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
7 December 1996 |
| Replay | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
1–1 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
23 December 1996 |
| Burnley won 4–2 on penalties | ||||
| 10 | Notts County | 3–1 | Rochdale | 7 December 1996 |
| 11 | Luton Town | 2–1 | Boreham Wood Boreham Wood F.C. Boreham Wood F.C. are a football club based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, at Meadow Park football ground. They were established in 1948, and have reached the FA Cup 2nd Round proper twice in their history. For 2011-12 they will play in Conference South... |
7 December 1996 |
| 12 | Wrexham | 2–2 | Scunthorpe United | 7 December 1996 |
| Replay | Scunthorpe United | 2–3 | Wrexham | 17 December 1996 |
| 13 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
4–1 | Exeter City | 6 December 1996 |
| 14 | Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
1–5 | Crewe Alexandra | 7 December 1996 |
| 15 | Carlisle United | 1–0 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
7 December 1996 |
| 16 | Mansfield Town | 0–3 | Stockport County | 7 December 1996 |
| 17 | Cardiff City Cardiff city Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium... |
0–2 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
7 December 1996 |
| 18 | Leyton Orient | 1–2 | Stevenage Borough | 7 December 1996 |
| 19 | Sudbury Town Sudbury Town F.C. Sudbury Town F.C. was an English football club based in Sudbury, Suffolk. Established in 1885, the club merged with Sudbury Wanderers in 1999 to form A.F.C. Sudbury.-History:... |
1–3 | Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
7 December 1996 |
| 20 | Cambridge United | 0–2 | Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... |
7 December 1996 |
Third round proper
The third round of the season's FA Cup was scheduled for Saturday, 4 January 1997, although fourteen matches were postponed until later dates. This round marked the point at which the teams in the two highest divisions in the English league system, the Premier LeagueFA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
and the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
(now known as the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
). There were nine replays, with none of these games requiring a penalty shootout to settle it.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
2–0 | Bristol City | 14 January 1997 |
| 2 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
1–0 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
4 January 1997 |
| 3 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
2–0 | Oxford United | 21 January 1997 |
| 4 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
3–1 | Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
4 January 1997 |
| 5 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
0–2 | Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
21 January 1997 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 2–0 | Southend United | 15 January 1997 |
| 7 | Notts County | 0–0 | Aston Villa | 14 January 1997 |
| Replay | Aston Villa | 3–0 | Notts County | 22 January 1997 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 3–0 | Ipswich Town | 4 January 1997 |
| 9 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–0 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
4 January 1997 |
| 10 | Sheffield Wednesday | 7–1 | Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
4 January 1997 |
| 11 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–2 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
4 January 1997 |
| 12 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–1 | Wimbledon Wimbledon F.C. Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football... |
14 January 1997 |
| Replay | Wimbledon Wimbledon F.C. Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football... |
2–0 | Crewe Alexandra | 21 January 1997 |
| 13 | Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
6–0 | Chester City Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
4 January 1997 |
| 14 | Luton Town | 1–1 | Bolton Wanderers | 21 January 1997 |
| Replay | Bolton Wanderers | 6–2 | Luton Town | 25 January 1997 |
| 15 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
3–0 | Swindon Town | 5 January 1997 |
| 16 | Wrexham | 1–1 | West Ham United | 4 January 1997 |
| Replay | West Ham United | 0–1 | Wrexham | 25 January 1997 |
| 17 | Hednesford Town | 1–0 | York City | 13 January 1997 |
| 18 | Wycombe Wanderers | 0–2 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
5 January 1997 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 1–1 | Huddersfield Town | 4 January 1997 |
| Replay | Huddersfield Town | 1–2 | Queens Park Rangers | 14 January 1997 |
| 20 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
2–0 | Oldham Athletic | 14 January 1997 |
| 21 | Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
0–1 | Manchester City | 25 January 1997 |
| 22 | Coventry City | 1–1 | Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... |
25 January 1997 |
| Replay | Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... |
1–2 | Coventry City | 4 February 1997 |
| 23 | Manchester United | 2–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 January 1997 |
| 24 | Norwich City | 1–0 | Sheffield United | 4 January 1997 |
| 25 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
0–1 | Peterborough United | 4 January 1997 |
| 26 | Carlisle United | 1–0 | Tranmere Rovers | 14 January 1997 |
| 27 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
2–2 | Leeds United | 14 January 1997 |
| Replay | Leeds United | 1–0 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
25 January 1997 |
| 28 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
3–0 | West Bromwich Albion | 4 January 1997 |
| 29 | Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
1–1 | Newcastle United | 5 January 1997 |
| Replay | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
15 January 1997 |
| 30 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
1–1 | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
4 January 1997 |
| Replay | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
0–2 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
15 January 1997 |
| 31 | Stoke City | 0–2 | Stockport County | 15 January 1997 |
| 32 | Birmingham City | 2–0 | Stevenage Borough | 4 January 1997 |
Fourth Round Proper
The Fourth Round ties were played with the thirty-two winners of the previous round. The matches were originally scheduled for Saturday, 25 January 1997, although six matches were not played that weekend. There was only one replay.| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leicester City | 2–1 | Norwich City | 25 January 1997 |
| 2 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–2 | Coventry City | 15 February 1997 |
| 3 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–3 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
4 February 1997 |
| 4 | Hednesford Town Hednesford Town F.C. Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:... |
2–3 | Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
25 January 1997 |
| 5 | Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
3–1 | Aston Villa | 25 January 1997 |
| 6 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
2–3 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
25 January 1997 |
| 7 | Newcastle United | 1–2 | Nottingham Forest | 26 January 1997 |
| 8 | Manchester City | 3–1 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
5 February 1997 |
| 9 | Queens Park Rangers | 3–2 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
25 January 1997 |
| 10 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
3–0 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
25 January 1997 |
| 11 | Manchester United | 1–1 | Wimbledon Wimbledon F.C. Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football... |
25 January 1997 |
| Replay | Wimbledon Wimbledon F.C. Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football... |
1–0 | Manchester United | 4 February 1997 |
| 12 | Carlisle United | 0–2 | Sheffield Wednesday | 25 January 1997 |
| 13 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
4–2 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
26 January 1997 |
| 14 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
0–1 | Leeds United | 4 February 1997 |
| 15 | Peterborough United | 2–4 | Wrexham | 4 February 1997 |
| 16 | Birmingham City | 3–1 | Stockport County | 25 January 1997 |
Fifth Round Proper
The Fifth Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 15 February 1997. There was, again, only one replay.| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
1–0 | Nottingham Forest | 15 February 1997 |
| 2 | Leicester City | 2–2 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
16 February 1997 |
| Replay | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
1–0 | Leicester City | 26 February 1997 |
| 3 | Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
3–2 | Coventry City | 26 February 1997 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 0–1 | Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
15 February 1997 |
| 5 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
0–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | 16 February 1997 |
| 6 | Wimbledon Wimbledon F.C. Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football... |
2–1 | Queens Park Rangers | 15 February 1997 |
| 7 | Leeds United | 2–3 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
15 February 1997 |
| 8 | Birmingham City | 1–3 | Wrexham | 15 February 1997 |
Sixth Round Proper
The sixth round ties were scheduled for the weekend of 8–9 March. There were no replays.Chesterfield defeated Wrexham 1-0 in a rare "all third-tier" quarter-final clash, while Middlesbrough's 2-0 win at Derby County moved them a step closer to their first-ever FA Cup final.
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Semi-Finals
The semi-final ties were played at neutral venues on April 13, 1997. Middlesbrough and Chelsea came through their ties (with Middlesbrough requiring a replay against second divisionFootball League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
side Chesterfield) to reach the final.
Wimbledon, playing the semi-finals for the first time since they were FA Cup winners nine years earlier, had their hopes of FA Cup glory ended by a semi-final defeat at the hands of Chelsea, who had not played in an FA Cup final for 3 years. This came just weeks after Wimbledon had been eliminated from the League Cup semi-finals.
Middlesbrough, on the other hand, reached the FA Cup final for the first time in their history, but only after a 3-0 replay win over a Chesterfield side that had given them a serious run for their money in the first match with a 3-3 draw after taking a 2-0 lead, therefore narrowly missing out on being the first "third tier" side to reach an FA Cup final.
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Replay
Final
The 1997 FA Cup Final took place on 17 May 1997 at Wembley Stadium and was won by ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
with a 2–0 victory over Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. Chelsea were attempting to win their first FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
final for 27 years, while Middlesbrough were contesting their first ever final. Chelsea took to the field on the back of something of a renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
under Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
manager Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit
OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...
, having recorded their best league finish for a decade. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, began the final having been relegated from the Premiership and also been losing finalists in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
.
It was Chelsea's first major trophy for 26 years, while Middlesbrough had never played in an FA Cup final or won a major trophy before.