1983–84 FA Cup

The 1983–84 FA Cup was the 103rd season of the world's oldest football knockout competition, The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup. The competition was won by Everton, who defeated first-time finalists Watford 2–0 at Wembley.

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 Frickley Athletic, Macclesfield Town, Whitby Town, Penrith, Bangor City, Mossley, Hyde United, AP Leamington, Kettering Town, Burton Albion, Gainsborough Trinity, Boston United, Chelmsford City, Wycombe Wanderers, Harrow Borough, Wealdstone, Dagenham, Barnet, Dartford, Barking, Maidstone United, Farnborough Town, Windsor & Eton, Yeovil Town, Worcester City, Poole Town, Waterlooville and Corinthian-Casuals.

Harrow Borough was the only qualifying club appearing in the competition proper for the first time. Of the others, Chelmsford City had last featured at this stage in 1974–75, Frickley Athletic had last done so in 1973-74, Bangor City had last done so in 1972-73, Whitby Town had not advanced from the qualifying rounds since 1969-70, Gainsborough Trinity and Poole Town since 1966-67, Corinthian-Casuals since 1965-66 and Hyde United since 1954-55.

First round proper

The 48 teams from the Football League Third and Fourth Divisions entered this round along with the 28 non-league clubs from the qualifying rounds and Telford United, Northwich Victoria, Enfield and Altrincham who were given byes. The round included three clubs from the various competitions at Step 8 of English football who were the lowest-ranked teams in the draw: Penrith, Whitby Town and Corinthian-Casuals.

The first round matches were played over the weekend of 19–20 November 1983. Replays were played on 21–23 November, or 28 November.

Second round proper

The second round matches were played mainly on 10 December 1983, with a couple of ties and replays being played on 13–14 December, or 19 December. Whitby Town, from the Northern League (Step 8) was the lowest-ranked team in the round.

Third round proper

Teams from the Football League First and Second Divisions entered in this round. The third round matches were played over the weekend 6–8 January 1984. Replays took place on 10–11 January, with second replays on 16 January. Holders Manchester United were eliminated by third-tier AFC Bournemouth. Maidstone United and Telford United, from the Alliance Premier League (Step 5) were the lowest-ranked teams in the round.

Fourth round proper

The fourth round matches were mainly played over the weekend of 28–29 January 1984. Some games were instead played or replayed on 30 January–1 February. Telford United was the last non-league club left in the competition.

Fifth round proper

The fifth round matches were all played on 17–18 February 1984, with no replays required. Third Division sides Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United were the lowest-ranked teams in the round.

Sixth round proper

The sixth round matches were played on the weekend of 10–11 March 1984 with replays on 14 and 20 March. Plymouth Argyle, from the Third Division, was again the lowest-ranked team in the round.

Semi-finals

Referee:- George Courtney (Spennymoor)
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Referee:- Joe Worrall (Warrington)

Final

TV Coverage

The right to show FA Cup games were, as with Football League matches, shared between the BBC and ITV network. For the first time, four games were allowed to be screened Live from the Third round to the Sixth round and shared between the two companies, as well as the Final. An attempt by the broadcasters to show the Semi-Finals live on consecutive Sunday afternoons was rejected by the FA in November 1983. Other games were shown in a highlights format. ITV coverage was now nationalized for the first time, although a strike prevented ITV coverage of the Third round. No highlights or live games were screened from Rounds One and Two.
Third Round ''BBC'' Liverpool v Newcastle United (LIVE-Friday Evening), Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City v Aston Villa (Midweek replay), Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham (Midweek replay) ''ITV'' No games broadcast due to strike (Though one of the 2 scheduled ITV ties Bournemouth v Manchester United was filmed by ITV cameras the goals were shown on On The Ball the football preview segment of World Of Sport the following week). Fourth Round ''BBC'' Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town, Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City, Portsmouth v Southampton ''ITV'' Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool (LIVE-Sunday Afternoon), Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur (Midweek replay) Fifth Round ''BBC'' Blackburn Rovers v Southampton (LIVE-Friday Evening) ''ITV'' Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion, Derby County v Norwich City, Oxford United v Sheffield Wednesday Sixth Round'' BBC'' Birmingham City v Watford, Plymouth Argyle v Derby County, Notts County v Everton, Derby County v Plymouth Argyle (Midweek replay) ''ITV'' Sheffield Wednesday v Southampton (LIVE-Sunday Afternoon) Semi-Finals ''BBC'' Plymouth Argyle v Watford ''ITV'' Everton v Southampton Final Everton v Watford, shown Live by both the BBC & ITV.

References

FA Cup Results Archive







* 1983–84 Rothmans Football Yearbook

{{DEFAULTSORT:1983-84 FA Cup
1983–84 FA Cup,
FA Cup seasons
FA Cup