List of non-league clubs in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup since 1945
Encyclopedia
Since the end of the Second World War in 1945, six non-league
football clubs – that is, clubs outside the divisions of The Football League
and, since 1992, the Premier League – have reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup
, to become one of the last 16 clubs in the competition. Each non-league side lost their Fifth Round cup tie, some heavily, and none reached the Sixth Round (last 8 clubs, quarter finals).
Perhaps the most remarkable FA Cup run of a non-league club since 1945 was that of Northern League club Blyth Spartans
in 1977–78. Having started in the 1st qualifying round, and progressed to draw their first Fifth Round tie away to Wrexham 1–1, Blyth Spartans were "in the hat" for the Sixth Round draw. They were drawn to play Arsenal
at home in the Sixth Round, but lost the Fifth Round replay 2–1 at home, played in front of a crowd of over 42,000 at St James' Park
.
A long FA Cup run for a non-league club usually depends on avoiding matches against teams from the top divisions after they join the competition in the Third Round. The most recent example of a non-league team beating top-flight opposition in the FA Cup was Sutton United
's victory
over Coventry City
in 1989. The last time a non-league side beat top-flight opposition away from home was Altrincham
's victory over Birmingham City
in 1986. Both of these matches were in the Third Round, and both teams went on to lose their Fourth Round matches (against Norwich City
and York City
respectively).
In the history of the FA Cup, only eight teams who were playing outside of the top level of English football have gone on to win the competition. Tottenham Hotspur
won the FA Cup Final 1901 while playing in the Southern League
, the only time a non-league team has won the FA Cup. At that time the Football League consisted of only two 18-team divisions. Apart from Tottenham Hotspur in 1901, the other seven teams were all in the (pre-1992) Second Division, most recently West Ham United
in 1980
.
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
football clubs – that is, clubs outside the divisions of The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and, since 1992, the Premier League – have reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, to become one of the last 16 clubs in the competition. Each non-league side lost their Fifth Round cup tie, some heavily, and none reached the Sixth Round (last 8 clubs, quarter finals).
Perhaps the most remarkable FA Cup run of a non-league club since 1945 was that of Northern League club Blyth Spartans
Blyth Spartans A.F.C.
Blyth Spartans A.F.C. are a professional football club who play in the Conference North, and are based in the town of Blyth, Northumberland, England. They are often the most Northerly team in whichever league or cup they are playing in. They are managed by former Spartans player Steve Cuggy.They...
in 1977–78. Having started in the 1st qualifying round, and progressed to draw their first Fifth Round tie away to Wrexham 1–1, Blyth Spartans were "in the hat" for the Sixth Round draw. They were drawn to play Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
at home in the Sixth Round, but lost the Fifth Round replay 2–1 at home, played in front of a crowd of over 42,000 at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
.
A long FA Cup run for a non-league club usually depends on avoiding matches against teams from the top divisions after they join the competition in the Third Round. The most recent example of a non-league team beating top-flight opposition in the FA Cup was Sutton United
Sutton United F.C.
Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground in Gander Green Lane....
's victory
Sutton United 2–1 Coventry City (1989)
Sutton United v Coventry City was a football match played on 7 January 1989 at Gander Green Lane, Sutton. The match was an FA Cup Third Round tie. It is notable for being the last time a club from the non-League beat a club from the highest tier of English football.The home-team, Sutton United,...
over Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in 1989. The last time a non-league side beat top-flight opposition away from home was Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
's victory over Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in 1986. Both of these matches were in the Third Round, and both teams went on to lose their Fourth Round matches (against Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
and York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
respectively).
In the history of the FA Cup, only eight teams who were playing outside of the top level of English football have gone on to win the competition. Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
won the FA Cup Final 1901 while playing in the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
, the only time a non-league team has won the FA Cup. At that time the Football League consisted of only two 18-team divisions. Apart from Tottenham Hotspur in 1901, the other seven teams were all in the (pre-1992) Second Division, most recently West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in 1980
1980 FA Cup Final
The 1980 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Arsenal at Wembley. West Ham won by a single goal, scored by Trevor Brooking.To date, it is the last time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup...
.
| 1947–48 – Colchester United F.C. Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... – Southern League Southern Football League The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Date | Against | At | Score |
| 4th qualifying | Saturday 15 November 1947 | Chelmsford City Chelmsford City F.C. Chelmsford City F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Chelmsford, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Melbourne Stadium.-Chelmsford:... |
Away | 3–1 |
| 1st | Saturday 29 November 1947 | Banbury Spencer | Home | 2–1 |
| 2nd | Saturday 13 December 1947 | Wrexham | Home | 1–0 |
| 3rd | Saturday 10 January 1948 | Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One... |
Home | 1–0 |
| 4th | Saturday 24 January 1948 | Bradford Park Avenue Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C. Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England... |
Home | 3–2 |
| 5th | Saturday 7 February 1948 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
Away | 0–5 |
| 1948–49 – Yeovil Town Yeovil Town F.C. Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05... – Southern League Southern Football League The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales... |
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| Round | Date | Against | At | Score |
| 4th qualifying | Saturday 13 November 1948 | Lovells Athletic Lovells Athletic F.C. Lovell's Athletic F.C. was the works team for Lovell's sweet factory in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, which played professional football from 1918 until 1969.-History:... |
Away | 3–2 |
| 1st | Saturday 27 November 1948 | Romford Romford F.C. Romford F.C. is an English football club based in Romford, Greater London. The club are currently members of Division One North of the Isthmian League, and play at Mill Field in Aveley.-History:... |
Home | 4–0 |
| 2nd | Saturday 11 December 1948 | Weymouth Weymouth F.C. Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year... |
Away | 4–0 |
| 3rd | Saturday 8 January 1949 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
Home | 3–1 |
| 4th | Saturday 29 January 1949 | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
Home | 2–1 |
| 5th | Saturday 13 February 1949 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
Away | 0–8 |
| 1977–78 – Blyth Spartans Blyth Spartans A.F.C. Blyth Spartans A.F.C. are a professional football club who play in the Conference North, and are based in the town of Blyth, Northumberland, England. They are often the most Northerly team in whichever league or cup they are playing in. They are managed by former Spartans player Steve Cuggy.They... – Northern League |
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| Round | Date | Against | At | Score |
| 1st qualifying | Saturday 17 September 1977 | Shildon | Away | 3–0 |
| 2nd qualifying | Saturday 8 October 1977 | Crook Town | Away | 1–1 |
| 2nd qualifying (replay) | Wednesday 12 October 1977 | Crook Town | Home | 3–0 |
| 3rd qualifying | Saturday 22 October 1977 | Consett Consett A.F.C. Consett Association Football Club is a football club based in Consett in County Durham, England. Established in 1899, the club currently plays in the Northern League Division One having been promoted as Division Two Champions in the 2005–06 season... |
Away | 4–1 |
| 4th qualifying | Saturday 5 November 1977 | Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland F.C. Bishop Auckland Football Club are an English football team based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. They are one of the most successful amateur sides, having won the old FA Amateur Cup on 10 occasions , and losing finalists on a further 8. They currently play in the Northern League Division One. ... |
Away | 1–0 |
| 1st | Saturday 26 November 1977 | Burscough Burscough F.C. Burscough F.C. is an English football club based in Burscough, Lancashire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and groundshare with Skelmersdale United... |
Home | 1–0 |
| 2nd | Saturday 17 December 1977 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
Home | 1–0 |
| 3rd | Saturday 7 January 1978 | Enfield Enfield F.C. Enfield F.C. is a football club, formed in June 2007 after Enfield F.C. ceased to exist.... |
Home | 1–0 |
| 4th | Monday 6 February 1978 | Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
Away | 3–2 |
| 5th | Saturday 18 February 1978 | Wrexham | Away | 1–1 |
| 5th (replay) | Monday 27 February 1978 | Wrexham | Home | 1–2 |
| 1984–85 – Telford United Telford United F.C. Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in... – Alliance Premier League |
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| Round | Date | Against | At | Score |
| 1st | Saturday 17 November 1984 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
Away | 1–1 |
| 1st (replay) | Tuesday 20 November 1984 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
Home | 2–1 |
| 2nd | Saturday 8 December 1984 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
Away | 4–1 |
| 3rd | Saturday 5 January 1985 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
Home | 2–1 |
| 4th | Tuesday 29 January 1985 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
Away | 1–1 |
| 4th (replay) | Monday 4 February 1985 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
Home | 3–0 |
| 5th | Saturday 16 February 1985 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
Away | 0–3 |
| 1993–94 – Kidderminster Harriers Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed... – Football Conference Football Conference The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional... |
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| Round | Date | Against | At | Score |
| 4th qualifying | Saturday 23 October 1993 | Chesham United Chesham United F.C. Chesham United is an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Southern League. They are nicknamed "The Generals" because they were once the football team of the General Baptist Church in Chesham. Chesham Generals merged with Chesham Town to form United... |
Away | 4–1 |
| 1st | Saturday 13 November 1993 | Kettering Town Kettering Town F.C. Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08... |
Home | 3–0 |
| 2nd | Saturday 4 December 1993 | Woking Woking F.C. Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the... |
Home | 1–0 |
| 3rd | Saturday 8 January 1994 | Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
Away | 2–1 |
| 4th | Saturday 29 January 1994 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
Home | 1–0 |
| 5th | Saturday 19 February 1994 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
Home | 0–1 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 FA Cup The 2010–11 FA Cup was the 130th season of the world's oldest association football knock-out competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short... – Crawley Town Crawley Town F.C. Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:... – Conference National Conference National Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
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| Round | Date | Against | At | Score |
| 4th qualifying | Saturday 23 October 2010 | Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
Away | 1–0 |
| 1st | Saturday 6 November 2010 | Guiseley Guiseley A.F.C. Guiseley A.F.C. are an English football club from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, England.-History:Founded in 1909 by a local group of enthusiasts, the club’s first success came in 1913 when they won the local Wharfedale League... |
Away | 5–0 |
| 2nd | Friday 26 November 2010 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
Away | 1–1 |
| 2nd (replay) | Tuesday 7 December 2010 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
Away | 3–2 |
| 3rd | Monday 10 January 2011 | Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
Home | 2–1 |
| 4th | Saturday 29 January 2011 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
Away | 1–0 |
| 5th | Saturday 19 February 2011 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
Away | 0–1 |