1976–77 FA Cup

The 1976–77 FA Cup was the 96th staging of the world's oldest football knockout competition, The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup. The final saw Manchester United beat Liverpool 2–1.

Qualifying rounds

Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 28 places available in the first round.

The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Gateshead United, Crook Town, Barrow, Droylsden, Morecambe, Northwich Victoria, Altrincham, Boston, Matlock Town, Goole Town, Kettering Town, Nuneaton Borough, Chesham United, Dudley Town, Enfield, Wealdstone, Hitchin Town, Bromley, Hillingdon Borough, Leatherhead, Woking, Harwich & Parkeston, Waterlooville, Dartford, Wycombe Wanderers, Tooting & Mitcham United, Weymouth and Minehead.

Droylsden, Boston and Dudley Town were appearing in the competition proper for the first time. Of the others, Goole Town, Chesham United, Woking and Waterlooville had last featured at this stage in 1968–69; Crook Town had last done so in 1965-66, Harwich & Parkeston in 1963-64, Northwich Victoria in 1961-62 and Bromley in 1951-52. Barrow was appearing in the competition proper for the first time since being voted out of the Football League in 1972. On the other hand, Kettering Town was advancing from the qualifying rounds for a record-setting 29th time (surpassing the previous mark established by Gainsborough Trinity in 1966–67).

Northwich Victoria participated in eight rounds of the tournament, defeating Nantwich Town, Witton Albion, Rhyl, Burton Albion, Rochdale, Peterborough United and Watford before going out in the fourth round to Oldham Athletic at the Drill Field.

First round proper

The 48 teams from the Football League Third and Fourth Divisions entered in this round along with the 28 non-league clubs from the qualifying rounds and Scarborough, Stafford Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Wimbledon who were given byes. The first round of games were played on 20 November 1976. Replays were played mainly on 22–24 November, with some postponed until 29 November, 2 December or 6 December.

Second round proper

The second round of games were mainly played on 11 December 1976, with some taking place midweek over 14–15 December and one on 20th. Replays took place on 14th or 21st. Northwich Victoria's initial match against Peterborough United on 11 December was abandoned after 20 minutes due to heavy fog with Peterborough leading 1–0.

Third round proper

Teams from the Football League First and Second Division entered in this round. The third round of games in the FA Cup were played on 8 January 1977. Replays were mainly played midweek over 10–12 January or the week after but one occurred on 24th instead.

Fourth round proper

The fourth round of games were played on 29 January 1977. Four games required a replay, played midweek on 1–2 February. Northwich Victoria was the last non-league club left in the competition.

Fifth round proper

The fifth set of games took place on 26 February 1977. One game went to a replay which was played on 8 March. Holders Southampton were eliminated by Manchester United in a rematch of the previous season's final.

Sixth round proper

The sixth round of FA Cup games were played on 19 March 1977. There were no replays.

Semi-finals

Semi-final 1

Replay

Semi-final 2

Final

TV coverage

The right to show FA Cup games were, as with Football League matches, shared between the BBC and ITV network. All games were shown in a highlights format, except the Final, which was shown live both on BBC1 and ITV. The BBC football highlights programme Match of the Day would show up to three games and the various ITV regional network stations would cover up to one game and show highlights from other games covered elsewhere on the ITV network. No games from Rounds 1 or 2 were shown. Highlights of replays would be shown on either the BBC or ITV. The BBC were only able to cover one of the three planned Fifth round ties due to a cameraman strike.

Third round ''BBC'': Southampton v Chelsea, Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur, Blackpool v Derby County, Derby County v Blackpool (Midweek replay) ''ITV'': Leeds United v Norwich City (Yorkshire & Anglia), Wimbledon v Middlesbrough (LWT & Tyne-Tees), Everton v Stoke City (Granada), Leicester v Aston Villa (ATV), Chelsea v Southampton (Midweek replay All regions)

Fourth round ''BBC'': Colchester United v Derby County, Cardiff City v Wrexham, Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers, Derby County v Colchester United (Midweek Replay) ''ITV'': Swindon Town v Everton (HTV & Granada), Arsenal v Coventry City (LWT), Ipswich Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Anglia), Birmingham City v Leeds United (ATV & Yorkshire)

Fifth round ''BBC'': Leeds United v Manchester City, Manchester United v Southampton (Midweek Replay) ''ITV'': Southampton v Manchester United (Southern & LWT), Middlesbrough v Arsenal (Tyne-Tees & Yorkshire), Liverpool v Oldham Athletic (Granada), Aston Villa v Port Vale (ATV)

Sixth round ''BBC'': Manchester United v Aston Villa, Everton v Derby County ''ITV'': Liverpool v Middlesbrough (Granada & Tyne-Tees), Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United (ATV & Yorkshire) ''All ITV regions showed these two games''

Semi-finals ''BBC'': Everton v Liverpool, Everton v Liverpool (Midweek replay) ''ITV'': Leeds United v Manchester United Shown in all ITV regions

Final Liverpool v Manchester United Shown live by both BBC & ITV

References

FA Cup Results Archive

{{DEFAULTSORT:1976-77 FA Cup
1976–77 FA Cup,
FA Cup seasons
FA Cup