News

The World’s First Football Club - Sheffield FC, is disappointment to learn of the decision to scrap Emirates FA Cup replays from the first round proper onwards.

We understand this decision was taken unbeknown to grassroots, National League and EFL clubs. To have only consulted 20 clubs out of the 700+ who compete in the FA Cup is a disgrace. 

Chairman of The Club, Richard Tims said: “I’m going to keep this simple. Shame on you, The FA and Premier League.”

It is no exaggeration to say that the FA Cup is the most important competition in football's history. Its success unified Football Clubs under the national Football Association's Laws. 

It was the foundation from which Association Football spread around the British Isles and then on to conquer the globe as the world's favourite sport.

History of The World's First in the FA Cup:

- In 1871 the FA Cup is held for the first time. No side from the north of England enters.

- In its 2nd season, 14 sides played just 13 games. The most exotic competitor was Oxford University!

- Clubs still played under their own rules and northern sides paid little attention to the FA and their 'London Laws'.

- The Sheffield Football Club entered in the 3rd season, 1873/74 and brought interest in the cup from the flourishing northern scene. We host and win the first tie to be played away from the capital, going on to reach the Quarter Final.

- 4 years later, as we reached the last 8 again, the cup had tripled in size - involving teams from Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Notts, Yorkshire and Wales.

- The Sheffield Rules had merged into the FA Laws and the FA Cup was THE premier competition, the one all clubs wanted to play in and win.