1908–09 FA Cup
| Country | England | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | Manchester United | ||
| Runners-up | Bristol City | ||
|
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The 1908–09 FA Cup was the 38th staging of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). Manchester United won the competition for the first time, beating Bristol City 1–0 in the final at Crystal Palace, through a goal from Sandy Turnbull.
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 two preliminary rounds, five qualifying rounds, four proper rounds, and the semi finals and final.
37 of the 40 clubs from the First and Second divisions joined the 12 clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. Of the League sides, Bradford Park Avenue were entered at the Fourth Qualifying Round, while Gainsborough Trinity and Chesterfield were put into the Fifth Qualifying Round. Bradford went out in that round, losing to Croydon Common. Ten non-league clubs joined the other two sides in winning through to the First Round Proper.
Fifteen non-league sides were given byes to the First Round to bring the total number of teams up to 64. These were:
32 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 16 January 1909, except for one game which was played three days later. Ten matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to a second replay.
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