1954–55 FA Cup

The 1954–55 FA Cup was the 74th season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Newcastle United won the competition for the sixth time, beating Manchester City 3–1 in the final at Wembley.

Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. Some matches, however, might be rescheduled for other days if there were clashes with games for other competitions or the weather was inclement. 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 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

Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 30 places available in the first round.

The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Scarborough, Horden Colliery Welfare, Blyth Spartans, Stanley United, Netherfield (Kendal), Hyde United, Rhyl, Wigan Athletic, Creswell Colliery, Selby Town, Corby Town, Nuneaton Borough, Hinckley Athletic, Boston United, Kettering Town, Wellington Town, Cambridge United, Bedford Town, Chelmsford City, Walthamstow Avenue, Hounslow Town, Barnet, Headington United, Tunbridge Wells United, Hastings United, Dorchester Town, Barnstaple Town, Newport (IOW), Merthyr Tydfil and Frome Town.

Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Stanley United, Creswell Colliery, Corby Town, Hinckley Athletic, Hounslow Town, Dorchester Town and Frome Town. However, Tunbridge Wells United was featuring at this stage for the first time in their own right after predecessor outfit ''Tunbridge Wells Rangers'' had last qualified for the main draw in 1938–39 and Hyde United was appearing here for the first time since their record-setting 26-0 loss to Preston North End in 1887-88.

First round proper

At this stage the 48 clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 30 non-league clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. The final two non-league sides in the draw, Crook Town and Bishop Auckland, were given byes to this round as the champions and runners-up from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup.

Matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 20 November 1954. Seven were drawn and went to replays, with one of these going to a second replay.

Second round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 11 December 1954. Four matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week.

Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 8 January 1955. Ten matches were drawn and went to replays, with three of these requiring a second replay. Notable is tie no. 3, between Bury and Stoke City, which went to ''four'' replays before Stoke won in the final game, with an aggregated score of 9–10.

Fourth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 29 January 1955. Four matches were drawn and went to replays, which were all played in the following midweek match. Once again there was a tie which went to four replays, this one being between Doncaster Rovers and Aston Villa. Rovers finally won the fixture in the fifth match with an aggregated score of 6–4.

Bishop Auckland was the last non-league club left in the competition.

Fifth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 19 February 1955. Two matches went to replays in the following mid-week fixture, with the Nottingham Forest–Newcastle United match requiring a second replay to settle it in favour of United.

Sixth round proper

The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 12 March 1955. The Newcastle United–Huddersfield Town game went to a replay before United went through.

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 26 March 1955, with the Newcastle United–York City match replaying on the 30th. Newcastle and Manchester City won their ties to meet in the final at Wembley.

;Replay

----

Final

The 1955 FA Cup Final was contested by Newcastle United and Manchester City at Wembley. Newcastle won 3–1, with goals from Jackie Milburn in the first minute (after 45 seconds, setting a new record in a final at Wembley, which was held until 1997), Bobby Mitchell and George Hannah. Bobby Johnstone scored City's goal.

Match details

References

;General
The FA Cup Archive
at TheFA.com

at Footballsite
;Specific

{{DEFAULTSORT:1954-55 FA Cup

FA Cup seasons
FA Cup