| 1894–95 FA Cup | |
| Country: | |
| Defending Champions: | Notts County |
| Second: | West Bromwich Albion |
| Prev Season: | 1893–94 |
| Next Season: | 1895–96 |
The 1894 - 95 FA Cup was the 24th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). The cup was won by Aston Villa, who defeated West Bromwich Albion 1 - 0 in the final of the competition, played at Crystal Palace in London. This was Villa's second victory in the FA Cup.
The Trophy was stolen from a display in the shop window of W. Shillcock (a football fitter) in Newton Row, Birmingham, after the final and never recovered despite a £10 reward. According to the Police, it was taken sometime between 21:30 on Wednesday 11 September and 7:30 the following morning, along with cash from a drawer.[1] The cup was replaced by a copy of the original, made by Howard Vaughton, the former Aston Villa player and England international, who had opened a silversmith's business after his retirement from the game.
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.
The format of the FA Cup for the season had a preliminary round, four qualifying rounds, three proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.
| Round | Start Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary round | Saturday 6 October 1894 | |
| First round qualifying | Saturday 13 October 1894 | |
| Second round qualifying | Saturday 3 November 1894 | |
| Third round qualifying | Saturday 24 November 1894 | |
| Fourth round qualifying | Saturday 15 December 1894 | |
| First round proper | Saturday 2 February 1895 | |
| Second round proper | Saturday 16 February 1895 | |
| Third round proper | Saturday 2 March 1895 | |
| Semi-finals | Saturday 16 March 1895 | |
| Final | Saturday 20 April 1895 |
The first round proper contained sixteen ties between 32 teams. The 16 First Division sides were given a bye to this round, as were Notts County, Darwen, Bury, Newcastle United, Newton Heath and Woolwich Arsenal from the Second Division. The other Second Division sides were entered into the first round qualifying, with the exceptions of Burton Swifts, who started in the second round qualifying, and Manchester City, who played no part in the season's competition. Of the qualifying League sides, only Burton Wanderers and Leicester Fosse qualified to the FA Cup proper. Eight non-league sides also qualified.
The matches were played on Saturday, 2 February 1895. One match was drawn, with the replay taking place in the following midweek fixture. The Barnsley St Peter's - Liverpool game was voided following a dispute over extra time being played. The match was replayed nine days later, resulting in a 4 - 0 win to Liverpool.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwen | 0–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 February 1895 |
| Replay | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 - 0 | Darwen | 6 February 1895 |
| 2 | Bury | 4–1 | Leicester Fosse | 2 February 1895 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Derby County | 2 February 1895 |
| 4 | The Wednesday | 5–1 | Notts County | 2 February 1895 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–0 | Woolwich Arsenal | 2 February 1895 |
| 6 | Southport Central | 0–3 | Everton | 2 February 1895 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 4–0 | Chesterfield | 2 February 1895 |
| 8 | Sunderland | 11–1 | Fairfield | 2 February 1895 |
| 9 | Luton Town | 0–2 | Preston North End | 2 February 1895 |
| 10 | Burton Wanderers | 1–2 | Blackburn Rovers | 2 February 1895 |
| 11 | Newton Heath | 2–3 | Stoke | 2 February 1895 |
| 12 | Small Heath | 1–2 | West Bromwich Albion | 2 February 1895 |
| 13 | Sheffield United | 3–1 | Millwall Athletic | 2 February 1895 |
| 14 | Southampton St Mary's | 1–4 | Nottingham Forest | 2 February 1895 |
| 15 | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Burnley | 2 February 1895 |
| 16 | Barnsley St Peter's | 2–1 (Match void) | Liverpool | 2 February 1895 |
| Replay | Liverpool | 4 - 0 | Barnsley St Peter's | 11 February 1895 |
The eight Second Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 16 February 1895. There were two replays, played in the following midweek fixture.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 0–2 | Nottingham Forest | 16 February 1895 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 7–1 | Newcastle United | 16 February 1895 |
| 3 | The Wednesday | 6–1 | Middlesbrough | 16 February 1895 |
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–0 | Bury | 16 February 1895 |
| 5 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–0 | Stoke | 16 February 1895 |
| 6 | Sunderland | 2–0 | Preston North End | 16 February 1895 |
| 7 | Everton | 1–1 | Blackburn Rovers | 16 February 1895 |
| Replay | Blackburn Rovers | 2 - 3 | Everton | 20 February 1895 |
| 8 | Sheffield United | 1–1 | West Bromwich Albion | 16 February 1895 |
| Replay | West Bromwich Albion | 2 - 1 | Sheffield United | 20 February 1895 |
The four Third Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 2 March 1895. There were no replays.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aston Villa | 6–2 | Nottingham Forest | 2 March 1895 |
| 2 | The Wednesday | 2–0 | Everton | 2 March 1895 |
| 3 | West Bromwich Albion | 1–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 March 1895 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | 2 March 1895 |
The semi-final matches were both played on Saturday, 16 March 1895. Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion went on to meet in the final at Crystal Palace.
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See main article: 1895 FA Cup final.
The final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 1 - 0, with Bob Chatt being credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, scored after just 30 seconds. Devey found Hodgetts, whose cross was laid off by Athersmith to Chatt, whose half volley took a deflection.