1930–31 FA Cup

1930–31 FA Cup
Tournament details
CountryEngland
Wales
Defending championsArsenal
Final positions
ChampionsWest Bromwich Albion
(3rd title)
Runner-upBirmingham

The 1930–31 FA Cup was the 56th staging of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. West Bromwich Albion of the Football League Second Division won the competition, beating First Division team Birmingham 2–1 in the final at Wembley, London. In doing so Albion became the first and to date only club to both win the cup and gain promotion in the same year.

Matches were 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

Round Date
Extra preliminary round Saturday 6 September 1930
Preliminary round Saturday 20 September 1930
First qualifying round Saturday 4 October 1930
Second qualifying round Saturday 18 October 1930
Third qualifying round Saturday 1 November 1930
Fourth qualifying round Saturday 15 November 1930
First round proper Saturday 29 November 1930
Second round Saturday 13 December 1930
Third round Saturday 10 January 1931
Fourth round Saturday 24 January 1931
Fifth round Saturday 14 February 1931
Sixth round Saturday 28 February 1931
Semifinals Saturday 14 March 1931
Final Saturday 25 April 1931

Qualifying rounds

Teams that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 25 places available in the first round.

The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Scarborough, Jarrow, Workington, Lancaster Town, Rhyl Athletic, Wombwell, Gresley Rovers, Mansfield Town, Newark Town, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, Gainsborough Trinity, Wellington Town, Peterborough & Fletton United, Kingstonian, Folkestone, Aldershot, Northfleet United, Sittingbourne, Tunbridge Wells Rangers, Walthamstow Avenue, Guildford City, Dulwich Hamlet, Wimbledon, Taunton Town and Merthyr Town.

Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Wombwell, Gresley Rovers, Walthamstow Avenue and Taunton Town, while Jarrow had not reached this stage since 1899-1900.

Rhyl Athletic was the most successful club from this season's extra preliminary round, defeating Chester, Macclesfield Town, Witton Albion, Winsford United, Colwyn Bay, and Prescot Cables before going out to Scarborough in the first round proper.

Results

First round proper

At this stage clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 25 non-league clubs that came through the qualifying rounds. Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion received byes to the third round.

Matches were played on Saturday, 29 November 1930. Six matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week.

Tie no Home team Score Away team Date Attendance Notes
1 Chesterfield 1–2 Notts County 29 November 1930
2 Nelson 4–0 Workington 29 November 1930
3 Rochdale 1–2 Doncaster Rovers 29 November 1930
4 Walsall 1–0 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 29 November 1930
5 Folkestone 5–3 Sittingbourne 29 November 1930
6 Gillingham 7–2 Guildford City 29 November 1930
7 Crewe Alexandra 1–0 Jarrow 29 November 1930
8 Lincoln City 8–3 Barrow 29 November 1930
9 Luton Town 2–2 Clapton Orient 29 November 1930
Replay Clapton Orient 2–4 Luton Town 4 December 1930
10 Gainsborough Trinity 1–0 Scunthorpe & Lindsey United 29 November 1930
11 Scarborough 6–0 Rhyl Athletic 29 November 1930
12 Wrexham 2–0 Wigan Borough 29 November 1930
13 Ilford 1–6 Brentford 29 November 1930
14 Tranmere Rovers 4–4 Gateshead 29 November 1930
Replay Gateshead 3–2 Tranmere Rovers 3 December 1930
15 Wellington Town 0–0 Wombwell 29 November 1930
Replay Wombwell 0–3 Wellington Town 4 December 1930
16 Queens Park Rangers 5–0 Thames 29 November 1930
17 Fulham 1–1 Wimbledon 29 November 1930
Replay Wimbledon 0–6 Fulham 3 December 1930
18 Accrington Stanley 3–1 Lancaster Town 29 November 1930
19 Bristol Rovers 4–1 Merthyr Town 29 November 1930
20 Northampton Town 1–2 Coventry City 29 November 1930
21 Norwich City 2–0 Swindon Town 29 November 1930
22 Northfleet United 0–3 Exeter City 29 November 1930
23 Carlisle United 3–1 New Brighton 29 November 1930
24 Tunbridge Wells Rangers 3–0 Kingstonian 29 November 1930
25 Crystal Palace 6–0 Taunton Town 29 November 1930
26 Southend United 0–1 Torquay United 29 November 1930
27 Hartlepools United 2–3 Stockport County 29 November 1930
28 Halifax Town 2–2 Mansfield Town 29 November 1930
Replay Mansfield Town 1–2 Halifax Town 3 December 1930
29 Southport 4–2 Darlington 29 November 1930
30 Dulwich Hamlet 2–2 Newport County 29 November 1930
Replay Newport County 4–1 Dulwich Hamlet 4 December 1930
31 Walthamstow Avenue 1–5 Watford 29 November 1930
32 York City 3–1 Gresley Rovers 29 November 1930
33 Newark Town 2–1 Rotherham United 29 November 1930
34 Aldershot 4–1 Peterborough & Fletton United 29 November 1930

Second round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 13 December 1930. Two matches were drawn, with replays taking place on Thursday, 18 December 1930.

Tie no Home team Score Away team Date Attendance Notes
1 Nelson 1–1 York City 13 December 1930
Replay York City 3–2 Nelson 18 December 1930
2 Watford 3–1 Luton Town 13 December 1930
3 Walsall 4–0 Newport County 13 December 1930
4 Gillingham 1–3 Aldershot 13 December 1930
5 Crewe Alexandra 2–4 Queens Park Rangers 13 December 1930
6 Gainsborough Trinity 0–4 Southport 13 December 1930
7 Scarborough 6–4 Lincoln City 13 December 1930
8 Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Notts County 13 December 1930
9 Wellington Town 2–4 Wrexham 13 December 1930
10 Fulham 4–0 Halifax Town 13 December 1930
11 Accrington Stanley 0–1 Torquay United 13 December 1930
12 Brentford 1–0 Norwich City 13 December 1930
13 Bristol Rovers 4–2 Stockport County 13 December 1930
14 Carlisle United 4–2 Tunbridge Wells Rangers 13 December 1930
15 Crystal Palace 6–0 Newark Town 13 December 1930
16 Exeter City 1–1 Coventry City 13 December 1930
Replay Coventry City 1–2 Exeter City 18 December 1930
17 Gateshead 3–2 Folkestone 13 December 1930

Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage, along with Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion and amateur club Corinthian.

The matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 10 January 1931, though one was postponed until later the same week. Nine matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week. Three matches required a second replay; these were all played on Monday, 19 January 1931.

Aldershot was the last team from the qualifying rounds remaining in the competition.

Tie no Home team Score Away team Date Attendance Notes
1 Burnley 3–0 Manchester City 10 January 1931
2 Bury 1–1 Torquay United 10 January 1931
Replay Torquay United 1–2 Bury 14 January 1931
3 Liverpool 0–2 Birmingham City 10 January 1931 43,907 [1]
4 Leicester City 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion 10 January 1931
5 Notts County 3–1 Swansea Town 10 January 1931
6 Blackburn Rovers 1–1 Walsall 10 January 1931
Replay Walsall 0–3 Blackburn Rovers 15 January 1931
7 Bolton Wanderers 1–0 Carlisle United 10 January 1931
8 Wolverhampton Wanderers 9–1 Wrexham 10 January 1931
9 Middlesbrough 1–1 Bradford City 14 January 1931
Replay Bradford City 2–1 Middlesbrough 19 January 1931
10 West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Charlton Athletic 10 January 1931 27,749
Replay Charlton Athletic 1–1 West Bromwich Albion 14 January 1931
2nd replay West Bromwich Albion 2–1 Charlton Athletic 19 January 1931 36,350 [2]
11 Sunderland 2–0 Southampton 10 January 1931
12 Scarborough 1–2 Grimsby Town 10 January 1931
13 Sheffield United 1–1 York City 10 January 1931
Replay York City 0–2 Sheffield United 14 January 1931
14 Newcastle United 4–0 Nottingham Forest 10 January 1931
15 Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 Preston North End 10 January 1931
16 Fulham 0–2 Portsmouth 10 January 1931
17 Barnsley 4–1 Bristol City 10 January 1931
18 Brentford 2–2 Cardiff City 10 January 1931
Replay Cardiff City 1–2 Brentford 14 January 1931
19 Bristol Rovers 3–1 Queens Park Rangers 10 January 1931
20 West Ham United 1–3 Chelsea 10 January 1931
21 Plymouth Argyle 0–2 Everton 10 January 1931
22 Hull City 1–2 Blackpool 10 January 1931
23 Oldham Athletic 1–3 Watford 10 January 1931
24 Crystal Palace 1–1 Reading 10 January 1931
Replay Reading 1–1 Crystal Palace 14 January 1931
2nd replay Crystal Palace 2–0 Reading 19 January 1931 [3]
25 Exeter City 3–2 Derby County 10 January 1931
26 Arsenal 2–2 Aston Villa 10 January 1931 40,864
Replay Aston Villa 1–3 Arsenal 14 January 1931 73,668
27 Southport 3–1 Millwall 10 January 1931
28 Leeds United 2–0 Huddersfield Town 10 January 1931
29 Corinthian 1–3 Port Vale 10 January 1931
30 Stoke City 3–3 Manchester United 10 January 1931
Replay Manchester United 0–0 Stoke City 14 January 1931
2nd replay Stoke City 2–4 Manchester United 19 January 1931 [4]
31 Aldershot 0–1 Bradford Park Avenue 10 January 1931
32 Gateshead 2–6 Sheffield Wednesday 10 January 1931

Fourth round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 24 January 1931. Two matches were drawn, the replays being played on Wednesday, 28 January 1931.

Tie no Home team Score Away team Date Attendance Summary
1 Birmingham City 2–0 Port Vale 24 January 1931 39,885 [1]
2 Bury 1–2 Exeter City 24 January 1931
3 Watford 2–0 Brighton & Hove Albion 24 January 1931
4 Blackburn Rovers 5–1 Bristol Rovers 24 January 1931
5 Bolton Wanderers 1–1 Sunderland 24 January 1931 36,602
Replay Sunderland 3–1 Bolton Wanderers 28 January 1931 46,914
6 Grimsby Town 1–0 Manchester United 24 January 1931
7 West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Tottenham Hotspur 24 January 1931 46,850
8 Sheffield United 4–1 Notts County 24 January 1931
9 Barnsley 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday 24 January 1931
10 Brentford 0–1 Portsmouth 24 January 1931
11 Bradford City 0–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 24 January 1931
Replay Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–2 Bradford City 28 January 1931
12 Crystal Palace 0–6 Everton 24 January 1931 38,000
13 Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal 24 January 1931 62,945
14 Bradford Park Avenue 2–0 Burnley 24 January 1931
15 Southport 2–1 Blackpool 24 January 1931
16 Leeds United 4–1 Newcastle United 24 January 1931

Fifth round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 14 February 1931. No replays were necessary.

Tie no Home team Score Away team Date Attendance Summary
1 Birmingham City 3–0 Watford 14 February 1931 49,729 [1]
2 Sunderland 2–1 Sheffield United 14 February 1931 63,016
3 Everton 5–3 Grimsby Town 14 February 1931 65,534
4 Barnsley 1–3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 14 February 1931
5 Portsmouth 0–1 West Bromwich Albion 14 February 1931 30,981
6 Chelsea 3–0 Blackburn Rovers 14 February 1931 61,170
7 Exeter City 3–1 Leeds United 14 February 1931
8 Southport 1–0 Bradford Park Avenue 14 February 1931

Final rounds

Sixth round proper

Birmingham2 – 2Chelsea
Bradford
Curtis 		Jackson
Crawford
Attendance: 55,298
West Bromwich Albion1 – 1Wolverhampton Wanderers
W. G. Richardson Shaw (o.g.)
Attendance: 53,385
Sunderland1 – 1Exeter City
Connor Houghton
Attendance: 51,842
Everton9 – 1Southport
Dean
Critchley
Dunn
Johnson 		Waterston
Attendance: 45,647

Replays

Chelsea0 – 3Birmingham
Firth
Bradford
Attendance: 74,365
Wolverhampton Wanderers1 – 2West Bromwich Albion
J. Deacon Wood
W. G. Richardson
Attendance: 46,860
Exeter City2 – 4Sunderland
Varco
Purcell 		Connor
Eden
Gurney
Attendance: 21,015

Semifinals

Birmingham2 – 0Sunderland
Curtis
Attendance: 43,570
West Bromwich Albion1 – 0Everton
Glidden
Attendance: 75,000

Final

Main article: 1931 FA Cup Final

The final took place on Saturday, 25 April 1931 at Wembley and ended in a victory for West Bromwich Albion by 2–1, with goals scored by "Ginger" Richardson for West Bromwich Albion and Joe Bradford for Birmingham. The attendance was 92,406.

West Bromwich Albion2 – 1Birmingham
W. G. Richardson 25' 58' [5] Bradford 57'
Wembley, London
Attendance: 92,406
West Bromwich Albion
Birmingham City

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Attendances at Birmingham matches from Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  2. ^ Match played at Villa Park, Birmingham.
  3. ^ Match played at Stamford Bridge, London.
  4. ^ Match played at Anfield, Liverpool.
  5. ^ "FA Cup Final 1931". fa-cupfinals.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.

References