The 1896 FA Cup final was the 25th. edition of the FA Cup finals, belonging to the 1895–96 FA Cup. It was won by The Wednesday at the Crystal Palace, in a victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Tournament format

Clubs competed for a new trophy, which remains the oldest surviving FA Cup trophy, although it was retired from use in 1910.

Route to the Final

The Wednesday

Round 1: Southampton St. Mary's 2–3 The Wednesday Round 2: The Wednesday 2–1 Sunderland Quarter-final: The Wednesday 4–0 Everton Semi-final: The Wednesday 1–1 Bolton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Round 1: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–2 Notts County Round 2: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–0 Liverpool Quarter-final: Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 Stoke City Semi-final: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–1 Derby County

Match

Fred Spiksley became the star of the show in this Cup Final, scoring the two goals that gave the Wednesday a 2–1 win. Within the first minute, a run by Harry Davis, the outside-right, set up Spiksley to slot home the first. David Black soon equalised for Wolves with a cunning hook close to the post. Spiksley however smashed a shot against the upright which bounced into the goal and then out again. The referee gave a goal. The score stayed the same until the final whistle to give Wednesday their first FA Cup win.

Match details