1871–72 FA Cup
The FA Cup 1871/72 was the first edition of The Football Association Challenge Cup (usually known as the FA Cup) and thus the world's first football trophy tournament. The Cup season started with 14 clubs; However, a total of 15 clubs were represented as Hampstead Heathens was assigned no opponent in the first round.
The cup competition was launched on November 11, 1871 with the First Round and ended with the final at Kennington Oval in London on March 16, 1872 before a crowd of about 2,000 spectators. The winner of the competition was Wanderers FC. A total of 13 matches were played.
Competition
First round
The Hampstead Heathens automatically entered the next round. The games between the Royal Engineers AFC and the Reigate Priory and the match between Wanderers FC and FC Harrow Chequers could not be discharged, so that the hosts qualify automatically for the next round.
Hitchin and Crystal Palace came after the 0:0 both in the next round.
It was also the match between Queen's Park and Donington School was scheduled for the first round. However, both teams did not find a suitable date and were admitted together for the second round, where they were to meet again. Here then renounced Donington on the game.
Second Round
The match between Queen 's Park and the Donington School could not be discharged, so that qualified Queen's Park for the next round.
Third Round
Queen's Park was automatically in the semifinals. After a draw between Wanderers FC and FC Crystal Palace, both qualified without catch-up game for the subsequent round.
Semifinal
All matches of the FA Cup semi-final of the season 1871/72 were held in the Kennigton Oval. Both ended in a draw. The game between the Royal Engineers AFC and FC Crystal Palace was repeated. As Queen's Park, could not travel from Glasgow, the Wanderers FC qualified automatically for the cup final.