The 1910–11 FA Cup was the 40th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). Bradford City won the competition for the first and (as of 2024) only time, beating holders Newcastle United 1–0 in the replay of the final at Old Trafford in Manchester, through a goal from Jimmy Speirs. The first match, held at Crystal Palace, London, was a 0–0 draw. 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. 1911 was the first year that the current trophy design was used. The FA commissioned Fattorini's of Bradford to design and manufacture a new, larger trophy. Coincidentally, it was won by Bradford City in its first outing. This trophy still exists but is now too fragile to be used, so an exact replica was made by Toye, Kenning and Spencer and has been in use since the 1992 final. The replica of the original, last used in 1910, was presented to the FA's long-serving president Lord Kinnaird. It was sold at Christie's in 2005 to David Gold. Gold has loaned this trophy to the National Football Museum in Manchester where it is on permanent display.

Calendar

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

Qualifying rounds

The 12 clubs winning through to the main draw from the fifth qualifying round were Football League Second Division outfit Gainsborough Trinity along with non-league sides Luton Town, Stoke, Crewe Alexandra, Watford, Accrington Stanley, Southend United, Croydon Common, Chesterfield, Exeter City, Darlington and New Brompton. For the first time, all qualifying teams had appeared in the first round before, although Darlington had not featured at this stage since 1887-88. Ironically, Gainsborough Trinity would be voted out of the Football League in 1912, while, of the others, only Croydon Common would not have become a member of the League by 1921. At the other end of the qualifying stages, 28 clubs were entered in the extra preliminary round, with most of those being from the West Midlands. However, none of the clubs from this stage progressed past the first qualifying round.

First round proper

36 of the 40 clubs from the First and Second divisions joined the 12 clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. The remaining sides, Stockport County, Lincoln City, Huddersfield Town and Gainsborough Trinity were entered in the fourth qualifying round. Huddersfield lost to Lincoln City and Stockport County lost to Rochdale in that round, while Lincoln City then lost to Stoke in the fifth qualifying round. Sixteen non-league sides were given byes to the first round to bring the total number of teams up to 64. These were: Grimsby Town had been voted out of the Football League during the 1910 close-season and were competing in the Midland League, while the others were all from the Southern League First Division. 32 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 14 January 1911. Four matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture.

Second round proper

The sixteen second-round matches were played on Saturday, 4 February 1911. Four matches were drawn, with the replays taking place in the following midweek fixture.

Third round proper

The eight third-round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 25 February 1911. There were no replays.

Fourth round proper

The four fourth-round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 11 March 1911. There were no replays.

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 25 March 1911. Both matches were 3–0 wins, to Newcastle United and Bradford City won, going on to meet each other in the final.

Final

The Final was the 40th FA Cup final. It was contested by Bradford City and Newcastle United. The first game resulted in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace. A single goal scored by Jimmy Speirs for Bradford won the replay at Old Trafford.

Match details

Replay