1937–38 FA Cup
The 1937–38 FA Cup was the 63rd staging of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Preston North End won the competition for the second time, beating Huddersfield Town 1–0 after extra time in the final at Wembley. 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. Some matches, however, might be rescheduled for other days if there were clashes with games for other competitions or the weather was inclement. 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 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
Qualifying roundsMost participating clubs 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 25 winners from this season's fourth qualifying round were Scarborough, Walker Celtic, Blyth Spartans, Workington, South Liverpool, Wigan Athletic, Lancaster Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, Kidderminster Harriers, Wellington Town, Burton Town, King's Lynn, Ipswich Town, Kettering Town, Enfield, Tunbridge Wells Rangers, Dartford, Folkestone, Corinthian, Bromley, Guildford City, Yeovil & Petter's United, Cheltenham Town and Westbury United. Of those, Walker Celtic, Bromley and Westbury United were the only clubs appearing in the competition proper for the first time, although King's Lynn had not featured at this stage since 1905–06. Additionally, after more than a decade of receiving direct byes to various stages of the main draw, Corinthian had successfully navigated the qualifying rounds for the first time. Bromley was the most successful club from this season's extra preliminary round, defeating Beckenham, Darenth Park, Aylesford Paper Mills, London Paper Mills, Sittingbourne, Wimbledon and King's Lynn before going out to Scarborough in the second round proper. First round properAt this stage 41 clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 25 non-league clubs that came through the qualifying rounds. Chester, Millwall and Notts County were given byes to the third round. To make the number of matches up, non-league Dulwich Hamlet and Walthamstow Avenue were given byes to this round, with Dulwich Hamlet having won the previous season's FA Amateur Cup. 34 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 27 November 1937. Nine were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, with one of these going to a second replay.
Second round properThe matches were played on Saturday, 11 December 1937, with two matches postponed until the 15th. Four matches were drawn, with replays taking place in the following midweek fixture. Third round properThe 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage along with Chester, Millwall and Notts County. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 8 January 1938. Seven matches were drawn and went to replays, with one of these requiring a second replay to settle the fixture. Scarborough and Yeovil & Petter's United were the last non-league clubs remaining in the competition.
Fourth round properThe matches were scheduled for Saturday, 22 January 1938. Four games were drawn and went to replays.
Fifth round properThe matches were scheduled for Saturday, 12 February 1938. There were two replays, of which one went to a second replay.
Sixth round properThe four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 5 March 1938. There was one replay, in the Huddersfield Town–York City match.
Semi-finalsThe semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 26 March 1938. Preston North End and Huddersfield Town won their matches to meet in the final at Wembley.
Attendance: 47,904 FinalThe 1938 FA Cup Final was contested by Preston North End and Huddersfield Town at Wembley. Preston, losing finalists the previous year, won by a single goal. After 29 minutes of extra time it was still 0–0 and BBC commentator Thomas Woodrooffe said "if there's a goal scored now, I'll eat my hat". Seconds later, Preston were awarded a penalty, from which George Mutch scored the winning goal; Woodrooffe kept his promise.[1][2] Match details
See alsoReferences
Information related to 1937–38 FA Cup |