The 1896–97 FA Cup was the 26th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). The cup was won by Aston Villa, who defeated Everton 3–2 in the final of the competition, played at Crystal Palace in London. In doing so, Aston Villa became only the second team to have won the Double, as they won the league on the same day as their cup victory (and the only team to do this).
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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. 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 at neutral venues 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.
The format of the FA Cup for the season had a preliminary round, five qualifying rounds, three proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final. Each of the Rounds Proper were played on a set date, whereas the Preliminary and Qualifying Round matches were played on several dates over a given period of time.
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Round | Start Date | End Date |
Preliminary round | Saturday 10 October 1896 | |
First round qualifying | Saturday 10 October 1896 | 31 October |
Second round qualifying | Saturday 31 October 1896 | 21 November |
Third round qualifying | Saturday 21 November 1896 | 12 December |
Fourth round qualifying | Saturday 12 December 1896 | 2 January |
Fifth round Qualifying | Saturday 2 January 1897 | 16 January |
First round proper | Saturday 30 January 1897 | |
Second round proper | Saturday 13 February 1897 | |
Third round proper | Saturday 27 February 1897 | |
Semi-finals | Saturday 20 March 1897 | |
Final | Saturday 10 April 1897 | |
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The eight Second Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 13 February 1897. There was one replay, played in the following midweek fixture.
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The four Third Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 27 February 1897. There were two replays, played in the following midweek fixture, of which the Preston North End – Aston Villa match went to a second replay the following week.
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The semi-final matches were both played on Saturday, 20 March 1897. Aston Villa and Everton went on to meet in the final at Crystal Palace.
More information Aston Villa, 3–0 ...
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More information Everton, 3–2 ...
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The final took place on Saturday, 10 April 1897 at Crystal Palace. Just under 66,000 supporters attended the match. John Campbell opened the scoring for Villa after 18 minutes. Villa's lead was maintained for only five minutes before Everton equalised, through a goal from Jack Bell. Everton then went in front after Dickie Boyle scored five minutes later, but that lead only lasted seven minutes, when Fred Wheldon got an equaliser. Jimmy Crabtree put Villa back in front just before half-time, and Villa managed to come through the second half without conceding, meaning they had become only the second team ever to win the Double in England.
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More information Aston Villa, 3–2 ...
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