1969–70 FA Cup

The 1969–70 FA Cup was the 89th season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. First Division Chelsea won the competition for the first time, first drawing with Leeds United 2–2 in the final at Wembley, before winning 2–1 in the replay at Old Trafford.

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 South Shields, Whitby Town, Spennymoor United, Mossley, Bangor City, Wigan Athletic, Macclesfield Town, Kirkby Town, Grantham, Telford United, Hereford United, Tamworth, Alfreton Town, Kettering Town, Chelmsford City, Oxford City, Brentwood Town, Hendon, Enfield, Hillingdon Borough, Margate, Barnet, Carshalton Athletic, Walton & Hersham, Dagenham, Wimbledon, Cheltenham Town, Weymouth, Yeovil Town and Falmouth Town.

Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Whitby Town, Kirkby Town, Alfreton Town and Carshalton Athletic. Of the others, Walton & Hersham had last featured at this stage in 1957–58, Hillingdon Borough (known at the time as ''Yiewsley'') had last done so in 1956-57 and Mossley had last done so in 1949-50.

Between 20 September 1969 and 12 January 1970, Hillingdon Borough competed in eleven Cup fixtures while progressing from the first qualifying round to the third round proper. They saw off Tooting & Mitcham United (after a replay), Bromley, Tilbury, Dartford (after a ''second'' replay), Wimbledon and Luton Town before going out to Sutton United at Gander Green Lane after another replay.

Results

First round proper

At this stage the 48 clubs from the Football League Third and Fourth Divisions joined the 30 non-league clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. The final two non-league sides in the main draw, North Shields and Sutton United were given byes to this stage as the champions and runners-up from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup.

Matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 15 November 1969. Thirteen matches were drawn, of which two went to second replays and one of these to a third.

Second round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 6 December 1969. Seven matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week. Two games needed a second replay, and one of these a third.

Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled Saturday, 3 January 1970, but three were played at later dates. Nine matches were drawn and went to replays, with York City and Cardiff City requiring a second replay at Birmingham City's St Andrew's ground.

Fourth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 24 January 1970. Five matches were drawn, with the replays taking place three or four days later. Sutton United was the last non-league club left in the competition.

Fifth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 7 February 1970, with one replay played four days later.

Sixth round proper

The four quarter-final ties were played on the 21 February 1970. There was one replay on the following Wednesday.

Replay

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 14 March 1970 with the Manchester United–Leeds United tie needing two replays to settle the contest over the following 12 days, with the tie needing 219 minutes to produce a goal. Manchester United were made to pay for missed chances in the first two games, including George Best falling over the ball in the first replay, as Leeds came through in the second replay with a Billy Bremner goal. Chelsea came through the other semi final to meet Leeds at Wembley.

Replay

Second Replay

Third place play-off

Between 1970 and 1974, a third place playoff between the two losing semi-finalists was held.The annual ENGLAND v YOUNG ENGLAND fixture is replaced by an F.A. Cup match - the 3rd and 4th Place Play-Off.
, Football Site.

Final

The 1970 FA Cup Final was contested by Leeds United and Chelsea at Wembley on the 11 April 1970. The match finished as a 2–2 draw after extra time and so went to a replay. The second final match took place at Old Trafford, Manchester on the 29 April 1970. This match finished 1–1 after 90 minutes, again requiring extra time to be played before Chelsea finished as the victors.

Replay

References

;General
The FA Cup Archive
at TheFA.com
English FA Cup 1969/70
at Soccerbase

at Footballsite
;Specific

{{DEFAULTSORT:1969-70 FA Cup

FA Cup seasons
FA Cup