This season’s FA Cup Semi-Final draw raises the distinct possibility that the 2024 Final will be contested by the same two clubs that fought out the 2023 Final. Both Manchester City and Manchester United are clear favourites in their respective last four ties against Chelsea and Coventry City. If the two matches go the way of the form book then it would become only the second time in FA Cup history where two consecutive FA Cup Finals have been contested by the same two clubs. The only other occasion occurred almost 140 years ago when Blackburn Rovers defeated Queen’s Park for the second year r ..read more

A new name will be etched onto the FA Vase this season as all four Semi-Finalists are appearing at this stage of the competition for the very first time. This also means that the 50th FA Vase Final will follow the pattern of the 49 others that went before it whereby at least one of the clubs in each Final appeared in it for the first time ever. And this season also sees the return of the traditional two-legged Semi-Finals for the first time in five years, with the second legs scheduled to take place seven days after the first. There are just three leagues represented in this season’s Semi-Fina ..read more

For the first time in 25 years all eight quarter finalists are past FA Cup winners although it’s 64 years since Wolverhampton Wanderers last lifted the trophy, and 69 years since Newcastle United last did so. Between them the eight clubs have lifted the Trophy 47 times, approximately one third of all FA Cup Finals! Three of the four Quarter Final ties have actually been FA Cup Finals in the past. It is also the most experienced Quarter Final octet in FA Cup history with a combined total of 246 Quarter Final appearances between them. . Saturday 16th March 12.15pm Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premie ..read more

The FA Vase Quarter Final draw was the first national one of this season’s competition, and Western League Falmouth Town from Cornwall have a more than 700 mile round trip to face Great Wakering Rovers from the Essex Senior League. Whilst Falmouth Town have appeared in the Quarter Finals before, way back in their debut Vase campaign in 1986-87 season, the winner of their tie will be Semi-Finalists for the first time ever. The same is true for the other tie to involve an Essex Senior League club, the only League with more than one club still involved. Romford FC travel to North Greenford United ..read more

Maidstone United’s terrific 2-1 victory at EFL Championship side Ipswich Town in this season’s FA Cup 4th Round brought not only a club record run in the competition for the Stones, but also established Maidstone United as members of a very exclusive club. The Stones are the lowest ranked side for 46 years to make the last 16 of the FA Cup, and by doing so they are also only the eleventh non-league club ever to make it this far in the competition (since the current structure was adopted for the 1925-26 season). The current structure of exempting the top two tier clubs until the 3rd Round and o ..read more

The FA Cup 5th Round takes place from Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th February and consists of eight ties which will all be determined on the night. Two examples right there of how the FA have allowed external influences to detrimentally affect what is disingenuously called by their CEO their ‘crown jewel’. The 16 clubs involved in the 5th Round include a dozen former FA Cup winners, including holders Manchester City, two clubs that have been beaten Finalists in the past, one club for whom victory would equal their best FA Cup run, and a Level 6 non-league club looking to become the lowest ranke ..read more

Stat of the Round Deal Town are the last former Vase winners still standing. . First time in Quarter Finals ever Emley AFC – 18th campaign (since re-forming in 2005) North Greenford United – 15th campaign Great Wakering Rovers – 13th campaign Romford FC – 11th campaign Worcester City – 7th campaign . Equalling best run to Quarter Finals Falmouth Town – 2nd time in 34 campaigns Lincoln United – 2nd time in 22 campaigns . First time in Quarter Finals in a while 49 years – Lincoln United (21 campaigns) 37 years – Falmouth Town (33 campaigns) 24 years – Deal Town . Biggest Win of the 5th Rd Stourp ..read more

Stat of the Round Maidstone United become the lowest ranked team in last 16 of FA Cup since Blyth Spartans in 1978 and only the 11th non-league club to ever make the last 16 since the competition’s current structure was adopted for 1925-26 season. . First time in 5th Round ever Maidstone United – 22nd campaign . First time in 5th Round in a while 6 years – Coventry City 4 years – Newcastle United . Into 5th Rd and long time since last KO before it. 9 years – Manchester City 4 years – Southampton FC . Avenged Previous FA Cup Defeat Everton 1-2 Luton Town (lost all 3 previous meetings) . Biggest ..read more

Every one of the eight FA Vase 5th Round ties involve at least one club for whom victory would mean a record run for the club in the competition, although Emley AFC claim to be a continuation of the original Emley club and so their tie against former winners Whickham FC may be the exception. Whickham FC is one of two former Vase winners, and they will be looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat by the original Emley club in the 4th Round 27 years ago. The other club to have lifted the Vase still standing in this season’s competition is Deal Town who travel to Bridgwater United who themselves have equall ..read more

Do enjoy my stat-packed tie-by-tie previews of this coming weekend’s FA Cup 4th Round games and please do credit @FACupFactfile should you choose to use any of the information from my previews in your own commentaries, match previews, blog, vlogs and podcasts. Thursday 25th January 7.45pm AFC Bournemouth (PL) vs. Swansea City (EFL Championship) – ‘Live’ on S4C Twice met in FA Cup before. AFC Bournemouth beat Swansea City 2-0 in 2000-01 season when both clubs were League Two sides. The generalist FA Cup reporter may not even be aware of their other meeting when Swansea Town beat Bosco ..read more