During the early Edwardian period clubs from the Southern League challenged those from the Football League. Southampton and Spurs contested three finals between them, with Spurs (left) becoming the only side from outside the Football League to win the trophy in 1901. Over the period the strongest Southern League clubs were elected to the Football League. On balance the Lancashire sides had the best of the decade with five wins.
The last FA Cup Final of the Victorian era saw all the leading sides knocked out in the earlier rounds and it was left to unfancied Bury to contest the final with Southampton, then playing in the Southern League. Despite a club from the south of England appearing in the final for the first time since 1883, the attendance was down to 69,000, some 5,000 fewer than the previous final. The Lancashire side proved far too strong for the Saints, winning comfortably.
For the second season in succession, a Southern League side reached the final. Presumably because Spurs were a London team, a record 110,000 spectators crammed into the Crystal Palace. The match ebbed and flowed with Sheffield United taking the lead in the eleventh minute and Spurs recovering to go ahead five minutes into the second half. The equalising goal was controversially awarded by the referee who judged that the ball had crossed the goal line when the linesman flagged for a corner after the Spurs goalkeeper was charged and the ball went out of play. A week later they met again at Bolton Wanderers' ground in front of a mere 22,000 spectators. United led at half-time but were overcome by a superb second half display by Spurs who took the FA Cup back to London for the first time in 18 years. They remain the only side from outside the Football League to have won the trophy.
For the third time in three years the
final was a north versus south clash, Sheffield United making their third visit to Crystal Palace in four years. With the astonishingly agile 22 stone (140kg) "Fatty" Foulkes in goal and their international outside-right, Bennett, Sheffield had a strong team while Southampton had all-rounder CB Fry, who represented England at both football and cricket, in their side. After a close run first match, Sheffield won the replay with a goal from reserve forward, Barnes. Both teams normally wore identical strips and Southampton changed for these matches.
On paper Derby fielded a strong side but they were completely overwhelmed by their opponents from Lancashire. Bury's 6-0 victory stands as a record and the club also equaled Preston's feat of 1889 by winning the FA Cup without conceding a goal. As both teams normally wore white shirts, two sets of alternative tops were made up, Bury opting to wear light blue.
62,000 spectators watched the first ever Lancashire derby in an FA Cup final. The match was closely contested with City's brilliant winger, Billy Meredith scoring the decisive goal. The referee refused to entertain Bolton's protests that he was offside and a new name was engraved on the cup.
For the first time a club from the north-east of England reached the FA Cup final. In fact, Newcastle had entered a golden age and were playing for the "double" having clinched the League title earlier. In the end it was Aston Villa who lifted the cup, scoring their first after only three minutes. The game was watched by over 101,000 spectators.
Newcastle were to be disappointed again in a dull game that Everton, playing in their third final, on balance deserved to win.
It was holders Everton's turn to be disappointed in the 1907 final. After conceding a goal in the 20th minute, the Toffees equalised just before half-time. With only four minutes left, Wednesday's centre-forward unexpectedly hooked the ball across the goal mouth following a throw-in for Simpson, the outside-left to head home unopposed.
Newcastle, crowned as League champions once again arrived at Crystal Palace in pursuit of the "double." They dominated the game but two goals on the break just before half-time gave Wolves the initiative. Newcastle pulled one back after the break but Wolves' outside-right, Harrison, put the game beyond doubt. Bizarrely there were four players on the field with surnames beginning with "H" and all of them scored.
Manchester United
Bristol City
Two newcomers appeared in the 1909 FA Cup final and for once, the favourites won. Manchester United had won the League championship the previous season and overcome Newcastle in the semi-final. Bristol were relative newcomers, having been elected to the League in 1901 and promoted to the First Division in 1906. United won a rough game with a single goal from Turnbull after 22 minutes. Billy Meredith, now with United, added a second winner's medal to the one he had won with City in 1904. Both teams changed from their usual red shirts for the game and for the occasion sported badges. United's featured a Lancashire rose and City carried the Bristol coat-of-arms. This is the first time that clubs had special commemorative kits made for the FA Cup final.
