1930–31 FA Cup

The 1930–31 FA Cup was the 56th staging of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. West Bromwich Albion of the Football League Second Division won the competition, beating First Division team Birmingham 2–1 in the final at Wembley, London. In doing so Albion became the first and to date only club to both win the cup and gain promotion in the same year.

Matches were played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week. If the replayed match was drawn further replays would be held at neutral venues until a winner was determined. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played in a replay, a 30-minute period of extra time would be played.

Calendar

Qualifying rounds

Teams that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 25 places available in the first round.

The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Scarborough, Jarrow, Workington, Lancaster Town, Rhyl Athletic, Wombwell, Gresley Rovers, Mansfield Town, Newark Town, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, Gainsborough Trinity, Wellington Town, Peterborough & Fletton United, Kingstonian, Folkestone, Aldershot, Northfleet United, Sittingbourne, Tunbridge Wells Rangers, Walthamstow Avenue, Guildford City, Dulwich Hamlet, Wimbledon, Taunton Town and Merthyr Town.

Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Wombwell, Gresley Rovers, Walthamstow Avenue and Taunton Town, while Jarrow had not reached this stage since 1899-1900.

Rhyl Athletic was the most successful club from this season's extra preliminary round, defeating Chester, Macclesfield Town, Witton Albion, Winsford United, Colwyn Bay, and Prescot Cables before going out to Scarborough in the first round proper.

Results

First round proper

At this stage clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 25 non-league clubs that came through the qualifying rounds. Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion received byes to the third round.

Matches were played on Saturday, 29 November 1930. Six matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week.

Second round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 13 December 1930. Two matches were drawn, with replays taking place on Thursday, 18 December 1930.

Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage, along with Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion and amateur club Corinthian.

The matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 10 January 1931, though one was postponed until later the same week. Nine matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week. Three matches required a second replay; these were all played on Monday, 19 January 1931.

Aldershot and Scarborough were the last teams from the qualifying rounds remaining in the competition.

Fourth round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 24 January 1931. Two matches were drawn, the replays being played on Wednesday, 28 January 1931.

Fifth round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 14 February 1931. No replays were necessary.

Final rounds

Sixth round proper

Replays

Semifinals

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Final

The final took place on Saturday, 25 April 1931 at Wembley and ended in a victory for West Bromwich Albion by 2–1, with goals scored by "Ginger" Richardson for West Bromwich Albion and Joe Bradford for Birmingham. The attendance was 92,406.

Notes

References

The FA Cup Archive
at TheFA.com
English FA Cup 1930–31
at Soccerbase

{{DEFAULTSORT:1930–31 FA Cup

FA Cup seasons
FA Cup