The 1904–05 FA Cup was the 34th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). Aston Villa won the competition for the fourth time, beating Newcastle United 2–0 in the final at Crystal Palace, through two goals scored by Harry Hampton. The man of the match was Aston Villa's prolific scorer Billy Garraty, who was born only a few miles from the now Villa Park. 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, six qualifying rounds, an intermediate round, three proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.

Qualifying rounds

An extra preliminary round of ten ties was required at the start of this season's tournament, with 14 teams from the south-east of England and six from the north-east taking part. Kent League club Sheppey United matched the achievement of Leytonstone in the previous season's competition by winning through to the third qualifying round before being defeated by Hastings & St Leonards. The Football Association also introduced a sixth qualifying round in this year's tournament to allow more Football League clubs to be exempted to a later stage. However, the ten clubs winning through to the Intermediate Round from the sixth qualifying round were Bradford City, Blackpool, Barnsley, Chesterfield, Lincoln City, Gainsborough Trinity and Leicester Fosse from the Football League Second Division and Fulham, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion from the Southern League. While Brighton & Hove Albion and Bradford City were appearing at this stage for the first time, this was also the first FA Cup tournament since the establishment of the Southern League in 1894 not to feature any teams from outside that organisation or the Football League in the main rounds.

Intermediate Round

The Intermediate Round featured ten games played between the winners from the sixth qualifying round and ten teams given byes. Manchester United, Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and Grimsby Town from the Second Division were entered automatically into this round, as were Reading, Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Millwall of the Southern League. The other Second Division sides had to gain entry to this round through the qualifying rounds. Glossop, Blackpool, Burton United, Gainsborough Trinity, Leicester Fosse and Doncaster Rovers were entered in the third qualifying round stage with only Blackpool, Leicester and Gainsborough reaching the Intermediate Round from there. Chesterfield, Barnsley, Bradford City, Lincoln City and Burslem Port Vale were all entered in the sixth qualifying round, with only the latter losing in that round.

First round proper

The first round proper contained sixteen ties between 32 teams. The 18 First Division sides were given a bye to this round, as were Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers from the Second Division, and non-league Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. They joined the ten teams who won in the intermediate round. The matches were played on Saturday, 4 February 1905. Seven matches were drawn, with the replays taking place in the following midweek fixture. Two of these went to a second replay the following week.

Second round proper

The eight second-round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 18 February 1905. There were two replays, played in the following midweek fixture.

Third round proper

The four quarter final matches were scheduled for Saturday, 4 March 1905. The Preston North End – The Wednesday game was drawn, and replayed on 9 March.

Semifinals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 25 March 1905. Aston Villa's match with Everton was drawn and thus replayed four days later. Aston Villa won and went on to meet Newcastle United in the final.

Final

The final was contested by Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 2–0, with Harry Hampton scoring both goals.

Match details