On This Day – 20th July
An announcement was made on this day in 1871 from the Football Association secretary Charles Alcock. It was to introduce the idea of a cup competition, which became known as The Football Association Challenge Cup or the FA Cup as it is more commonly known.
“It is desirable that a Challenge Cup should be established in connection with the Association, for which all belonging to the Association should be invited to compete” Alcock announced to The Sportsman newspaper.
Wanderers were the winners of the first FA Cup, beating Royal Engineers 1-0 in the Final at the Kennington Oval with 2,000 spectators were in attendance at the cricket ground. The victorious Wanderers captain was a certain employee of the Football Association…a certain Charles Alcock!
About Author
