FA Cup Final 1873
Encyclopedia
The 1873 FA Cup final was a football match between Wanderers
and Oxford University
on 29 March 1873 at Lillie Bridge
in London. It was the second final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (known in the modern era as the FA Cup
). Unusually, the final was held in the morning, so as to avoid a clash with the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race
which was held on the same day. Wanderers reached the final without playing a match, as the original rules of the competition stated that the holders would receive a bye straight to the final and other teams would compete to gain the other place in the final and challenge the holders for the trophy. Oxford reached the final when their semi-final opponents, Queen's Park
, dropped out of the competition
Both teams had key players absent for the final, including several who had represented Wanderers in the previous year's final. The best player on the day was Arthur Kinnaird
, who scored the first goal for Wanderers. Charles Wollaston
added a second goal towards the end of the match to give Wanderers a 2–0 victory and a second consecutive FA Cup win.
received a bye
straight to the final in the 1872–73. This was in keeping with the original concept of the competition being a "challenge cup", in which the holders would qualify directly for the following season's final and teams would compete for the other place in the final and the right to challenge them for the trophy. This was the only time this rule was used.
In the first round Oxford University
played Crystal Palace (a different club to the modern club of the same name
) and won 3–2 at home
. In the second round, they played an away
match against Clapham Rovers
, winning 3–0.
In the third round Oxford University were paired with the previous season's runners-up, the Royal Engineers. Oxford won 1–0 and went on to play Maidenhead
in the quarter-finals. Due to other teams receiving byes, this was the only match at the quarter-final stage, and for the third consecutive round Oxford emerged victorious without conceding a goal, winning 4–0. In the semi-finals, Oxford's opponents were set to be the leading Scottish club, Queen's Park
, who had received a bye straight to the semi-finals to reduce the amount of travelling required to compete in a competition in which all the other entrants were from the south of England. Queen's, however, decided to withdraw from the competition, giving Oxford a bye into the final. One modern source states that the Scottish club actually beat Oxford but then could not afford to travel to London for the final so withdrew at that point.
, the decision was made to stage it in the morning, thereby allowing the spectators to witness both sporting events. Both teams were missing key players. Oxford's first-choice goalkeeper, Charles Nepean
, was unavailable, as were four of Wanderers' regular players, including Thomas Hooman
, William Crake
and Albert Thompson, all of whom had been in the cup-winning team the year before. As cup-holders, Wanderers were permitted to choose the stadium at which the match would be played. As the club had no official stadium of its own, its officials chose the Lillie Bridge
ground in West Brompton
.
Oxford dominated the early stages of the game due largely to the strong running of Arnold Kirke-Smith
. Newspaper The Sportsman commented that "the whole eleven work[ed] well together and with great energy". Nonetheless, Wanderers came closer to scoring when William Kenyon-Slaney
got the ball into the goal, only for the umpires to disallow the goal due to an infringement of the offside rule. After 27 minutes, Wanderers captain Arthur Kinnaird
, whom the press rated as the best player of the match due to his dribbling
skills, gave his team the lead when he outpaced Oxford's backs
and kicked the ball between the goalposts.
In a desperate attempt to secure an equalising goal, Oxford took the unusual step of dispensing with the use of a goalkeeper and moved Andrew Leach, who had been playing in that position, upfield to play as a forward. This plan back-fired at around the 80-minute mark, however, when Charles Wollaston
broke through and scored a second goal for the Wanderers, who thereby retained the trophy which they had won in its inaugural year. The correspondent from The Field
stated that the shot would easily have been saved had there been a player in goal.
Wanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
and Oxford University
Oxford University A.F.C.
Oxford University Association Football Club is an English football club representing the University of Oxford.-History:Formed in 1872, the club was a giant of the 1870s, winning the FA Cup 2-0 against Royal Engineers in 1874 and finishing the competition as runners up in 1873, 1877 and 1880, the...
on 29 March 1873 at Lillie Bridge
Lillie Bridge Grounds
The Lillie Bridge Grounds was a sports ground in London near to present day Stamford Bridge, opened around 1867. The ground started to fall into disuse after the opening of Stamford Bridge, and after a riot on September 18, 1887 which destroyed the track and grandstand, it finally closed in...
in London. It was the second final of the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (known in the modern era as the 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...
). Unusually, the final was held in the morning, so as to avoid a clash with the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race
The Boat Race
The event generally known as "The Boat Race" is a rowing race in England between the Oxford University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Boat Club, rowed between competing eights each spring on the River Thames in London. It takes place generally on the last Saturday of March or the first...
which was held on the same day. Wanderers reached the final without playing a match, as the original rules of the competition stated that the holders would receive a bye straight to the final and other teams would compete to gain the other place in the final and challenge the holders for the trophy. Oxford reached the final when their semi-final opponents, Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
, dropped out of the competition
Both teams had key players absent for the final, including several who had represented Wanderers in the previous year's final. The best player on the day was Arthur Kinnaird
Arthur Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird
Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird KT was a principal of The Football Association and a leading footballer....
, who scored the first goal for Wanderers. Charles Wollaston
Charles Wollaston
Charles Henry Reynolds Wollaston was an English footballer for Wanderers F.C. and England.Wollaston played for Wanderers in the first FA Cup Final in 1872 and scored in the second final of 1873. In all he won five winner's medals, the first player to achieve this feat.He earned four caps for...
added a second goal towards the end of the match to give Wanderers a 2–0 victory and a second consecutive FA Cup win.
Route to the final
As the previous year's FA Cup winners, WanderersWanderers F.C.
Wanderers Football Club is an English amateur football club, based in London, that plays in the Surrey South Eastern Combination. Founded as Forest Football Club in 1859, the club changed its name to Wanderers in 1864....
received a bye
Bye (sports)
A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
straight to the final in the 1872–73. This was in keeping with the original concept of the competition being a "challenge cup", in which the holders would qualify directly for the following season's final and teams would compete for the other place in the final and the right to challenge them for the trophy. This was the only time this rule was used.
In the first round Oxford University
Oxford University A.F.C.
Oxford University Association Football Club is an English football club representing the University of Oxford.-History:Formed in 1872, the club was a giant of the 1870s, winning the FA Cup 2-0 against Royal Engineers in 1874 and finishing the competition as runners up in 1873, 1877 and 1880, the...
played Crystal Palace (a different club to the modern club of the same name
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...
) and won 3–2 at home
Home (sports)
In sports, home is a term referring to both the city and stadium, arena, or field where an athletic team plays games at their venue, whilst when the team plays elsewhere then they are considered the away team. The home term can refer to either the sponsoring institution or the place where it is...
. In the second round, they played an away
Road (sports)
Road game , more commonly known as an away game, is a reference to all cities and stadia/arenas/fields/venues where an athletic team plays games for which it is not the host. Most professional teams represent cities or towns and amateur sports teams often represent academic institutions...
match against Clapham Rovers
Clapham Rovers F.C.
Clapham Rovers was from its foundation in 1869 a leading English sports organisation in the two dominant codes of football, association football and rugby union. It was a prominent club in the late 19th century but is now defunct...
, winning 3–0.
In the third round Oxford University were paired with the previous season's runners-up, the Royal Engineers. Oxford won 1–0 and went on to play Maidenhead
Maidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
in the quarter-finals. Due to other teams receiving byes, this was the only match at the quarter-final stage, and for the third consecutive round Oxford emerged victorious without conceding a goal, winning 4–0. In the semi-finals, Oxford's opponents were set to be the leading Scottish club, Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
, who had received a bye straight to the semi-finals to reduce the amount of travelling required to compete in a competition in which all the other entrants were from the south of England. Queen's, however, decided to withdraw from the competition, giving Oxford a bye into the final. One modern source states that the Scottish club actually beat Oxford but then could not afford to travel to London for the final so withdrew at that point.
Summary
As the match was scheduled for the same day as the annual Oxford-Cambridge boat raceThe Boat Race
The event generally known as "The Boat Race" is a rowing race in England between the Oxford University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Boat Club, rowed between competing eights each spring on the River Thames in London. It takes place generally on the last Saturday of March or the first...
, the decision was made to stage it in the morning, thereby allowing the spectators to witness both sporting events. Both teams were missing key players. Oxford's first-choice goalkeeper, Charles Nepean
Charles Nepean
The Rev. Charles Edward Burroughs Nepean was an English amateur cricketer and footballer who later became a vicar in the Church of England...
, was unavailable, as were four of Wanderers' regular players, including Thomas Hooman
Thomas Hooman
Thomas Charles Hooman was a leading English association football player of the Victorian era. He played for Wanderers in the 1872 FA Cup Final and was also chosen to represent England on several occasions....
, William Crake
William Crake
William Parry Crake , sometimes known as William Parry, was an English amateur footballer who won the inaugural F.A. Cup with the Wanderers in 1872 and played for the English XI against Scotland in the representative matches between 1870 and 1872...
and Albert Thompson, all of whom had been in the cup-winning team the year before. As cup-holders, Wanderers were permitted to choose the stadium at which the match would be played. As the club had no official stadium of its own, its officials chose the Lillie Bridge
Lillie Bridge Grounds
The Lillie Bridge Grounds was a sports ground in London near to present day Stamford Bridge, opened around 1867. The ground started to fall into disuse after the opening of Stamford Bridge, and after a riot on September 18, 1887 which destroyed the track and grandstand, it finally closed in...
ground in West Brompton
West Brompton
West Brompton is an area of South West London, within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.-History:The name refers to the older locality of Brompton to the east, although the areas of South Kensington and Earl's Court separate West Brompton from its namesake...
.
Oxford dominated the early stages of the game due largely to the strong running of Arnold Kirke-Smith
Arnold Kirke-Smith
Arnold Kirke-Smith was an English footballer who played for England as a forward in the first international match against Scotland, as well as captaining Oxford University in the 1873 FA Cup Final.-Career:...
. Newspaper The Sportsman commented that "the whole eleven work[ed] well together and with great energy". Nonetheless, Wanderers came closer to scoring when William Kenyon-Slaney
William Kenyon-Slaney
William Slaney Kenyon-Slaney , sportsman, soldier and politician.Kenyon-Slaney was born in Rajkot in Gujarat in India, the son of Captain William Kenyon of the 2nd Bombay cavalry and Frances Catherine Slaney, daughter of Robert A. Slaney of Shropshire...
got the ball into the goal, only for the umpires to disallow the goal due to an infringement of the offside rule. After 27 minutes, Wanderers captain Arthur Kinnaird
Arthur Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird
Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird KT was a principal of The Football Association and a leading footballer....
, whom the press rated as the best player of the match due to his dribbling
Dribbling
In sports, dribbling refers to the maneuvering of a ball around a defender through short skillful taps or kicks with either the legs , hands , stick or swimming strokes...
skills, gave his team the lead when he outpaced Oxford's backs
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and kicked the ball between the goalposts.
In a desperate attempt to secure an equalising goal, Oxford took the unusual step of dispensing with the use of a goalkeeper and moved Andrew Leach, who had been playing in that position, upfield to play as a forward. This plan back-fired at around the 80-minute mark, however, when Charles Wollaston
Charles Wollaston
Charles Henry Reynolds Wollaston was an English footballer for Wanderers F.C. and England.Wollaston played for Wanderers in the first FA Cup Final in 1872 and scored in the second final of 1873. In all he won five winner's medals, the first player to achieve this feat.He earned four caps for...
broke through and scored a second goal for the Wanderers, who thereby retained the trophy which they had won in its inaugural year. The correspondent from The Field
The Field (magazine)
The Field is the world's oldest country and field sports magazine, having been published continuously since 1853.The famous sportsman Robert Smith Surtees, the creator of Jorrocks, was the driving force behind the initial publication...
stated that the shot would easily have been saved had there been a player in goal.
Details
| Wanderers | Oxford University | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper |  Reginald de Courtenay WelchReginald de Courtenay Welch Reginald Courtenay Welch was a key player in the early years of association football. He played for The Wanderers in the FA Cup Finals of 1872 and 1873, and also played for England in the first ever international match... |
Goalkeeper | Andrew Leach |
||||
| Full-back Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
Leonard Howell Leonard Howell (footballer) Leonard Sidgwick Howell was an English footballer who won the FA Cup with the Wanderers in 1873 and made one appearance as a full back for England in the second international match.-Football career:... |
Full-back Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
Charles Mackarness |
||||
| Half-back Midfielder A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role... |
Edward Bowen | Half-back Midfielder A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role... |
Francis Birley Francis Birley Francis Hornby Birley was an English footballer who played as a half back. He won the FA Cup three times in the 1870s and made two appearances for England in 1874 and 1875.-Winchester College:... |
||||
| Forward | Charles Wollaston Charles Wollaston Charles Henry Reynolds Wollaston was an English footballer for Wanderers F.C. and England.Wollaston played for Wanderers in the first FA Cup Final in 1872 and scored in the second final of 1873. In all he won five winner's medals, the first player to achieve this feat.He earned four caps for... |
Forward | Charles Longman |
||||
| Forward | Robert Kingsford Robert Kingsford Robert Kennett Kingsford was an English footballer who made one appearance for England in 1874, and was a member of the Wanderers team that won the 1873 FA Cup Final.-Career:... |
Forward | Arnold Kirke-Smith Arnold Kirke-Smith Arnold Kirke-Smith was an English footballer who played for England as a forward in the first international match against Scotland, as well as captaining Oxford University in the 1873 FA Cup Final.-Career:... |
||||
| Forward | Alexander Bonsor Alexander Bonsor Alexander George Bonsor was one of the earliest known footballers.-Career:Bonsor played in the 1872 FA Cup Final - the first ever final in the FA Cup's history - and finished on the winning side... |
Forward | Robert Vidal Robert Vidal Robert Walpole Sealy Vidal was a prominent 19th century footballer who featured in the first three FA Cup Finals for two different clubs. In March 1870 he played in the first ever international football match, which took place at The Oval, London. He represented England again in 1871-Football... |
||||
| Forward | Capt. William Kenyon-Slaney William Kenyon-Slaney William Slaney Kenyon-Slaney , sportsman, soldier and politician.Kenyon-Slaney was born in Rajkot in Gujarat in India, the son of Captain William Kenyon of the 2nd Bombay cavalry and Frances Catherine Slaney, daughter of Robert A. Slaney of Shropshire... |
Forward | Frederick Maddison Frederick Maddison (footballer) Frederick Brunning Maddison was an English footballer who played for England as a midfielder in the first international match against Scotland, as well as winning two FA Cup medals with Oxford University in 1874 and with The Wanderers in 1876.Later he was a music publisher and, together with his... |
||||
| Forward | Charles Thompson Charles Meysey-Thompson Revd. Charles Maude Meysey-Thompson was an English clergyman who, as an amateur footballer, won the FA Cup in 1873 with the Wanderers... |
Match rules: | Forward | Cuthbert Ottaway Cuthbert Ottaway Cuthbert John Ottaway , one of the most talented and versatile sportsmen of the 1870s, was the first captain of the England football team and led his side in the first official international football match.... |
|||
| Forward | Julian Sturgis Julian Sturgis Julian Russell Sturgis was an American-born novelist, poet, librettist and lyricist who lived and worked in Britain nearly all of his life. He played football as an amateur for the Wanderers F.C... |
90 minutes normal time. | Forward | Harold Dixon |
|||
| Forward |  Arthur KinnairdArthur Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird KT was a principal of The Football Association and a leading footballer.... |
30 minutes extra-time if scores are level, at captains' discretion. | Forward | Walter Paton Walter Paton Walter Boldero Paton was an English barrister who also wrote guides to emigration to the British colonies. In his youth, he was a keen footballer who played for Oxford University in the 1873 FA Cup Final and for England in 1871 in a representative match against Scotland.-Family and education:Paton... |
|||
| Forward | Rev. Henry Holmes Stewart Henry Holmes Stewart Rev. Henry Holmes Stewart was a Scottish clergyman who was a member of the Wanderers team which won the FA Cup in 1873... |
Replay if scores still level. | Forward | John Robert Sumner |
|||
| No substitutes. | |||||||