The 1903–04 FA Cup was the 33rd season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). Manchester City won the competition for the first time, beating Bolton Wanderers 1–0 in the final at Crystal Palace, through a goal scored by Billy Meredith. 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.

Calendar

The format of the FA Cup for the season had two preliminary rounds, five qualifying rounds, an intermediate round, three proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.

Qualifying rounds

This season's competition was notable for the addition of an extra preliminary round to the qualifying stages for the first time. 14 clubs from the south-east of England and 10 clubs from the north-east were required to enter the competition at this stage due to the large number of teams from those areas now seeking to participate in the tournament. The most successful club from this stage was Essex side Leytonstone who progressed to the third qualifying round where they were defeated by Clapton. The 10 clubs to progress through to the Intermediate Round from the fifth qualifying round were Burton United, Gainsborough Trinity and Burslem Port Vale from the Football League Second Division and non-league sides Stockton, Darwen, Shrewsbury Town, Fulham, Brentford, West Ham United and Plymouth Argyle. Fulham and Plymouth Argyle were qualifying for the main competition for the first time, while Shrewsbury Town had only previously featured at this stage in 1887-88 (the season before qualifying rounds were introduced).

Intermediate Round

The Intermediate Round featured 10 ties played between the winners from the fifth qualifying round and 10 teams given byes. Manchester United, Bristol City, Preston North End, Woolwich Arsenal, Barnsley and Grimsby Town from the Second Division were entered automatically into this round, as were Reading, Bristol Rovers and New Brompton from the Southern League. The other Second Division sides had to gain entry to this round through qualifying rounds. Burton United and Bradford City were entered in the first qualifying round, while Glossop was entered in the second qualifying round but withdrew from the competition. Blackpool, Burnley, Burslem Port Vale, Chesterfield, Gainsborough Trinity, Leicester Fosse, Lincoln City and Stockport County were all entered in the third qualifying round. The 10 matches were played on 12 December 1903. Four ties went to replays, with two going to a second replay and one, between Manchester United and Small Heath, to a third replay.

First Round Proper

The First Round Proper featured 16 ties between 32 teams. 17 of the 18 First Division sides were given a bye to this round, as were Bolton Wanderers from the Second Division, and non-league Southampton, Portsmouth, Millwall Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur. They joined the ten teams who won in the Intermediate Round. The matches were played on 6 February 1904. Four matches were drawn, with the replays taking place in the following midweek.

Second Round Proper

The eight Second Round Proper matches were scheduled for 20 February 1904. There was one replay – between Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers – played in the following midweek, but this was again drawn and went to a second replay a week later. Tottenham were drawn at home to play Aston Villa, the match started on 20 February but abandoned with the score at 1–0 in Villa's favour after crowd trouble. The FA ordered the game to be replayed at Villa Park and fined Tottenham £350.

Third Round Proper

The four Third Round Proper matches were scheduled for 5 March 1904. Two matches were drawn and replayed in the following midweek.

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on 19 March 1904.

Final

The final was the first to be contested by two teams from Lancashire: Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers. It was played at Crystal Palace on 23 April 1904. Manchester City won the match 1–0, Billy Meredith scoring the only goal.

Match details