21.10.12

The FA Cups


The first  FA Cup was in use from 1872 until 1895. Smaller than the modern version, it was less than 45cm tall, the trophy was made by Martin, Hall & Co and cost  the Football Association £20. 
The original concept of the FA Cup was that it should be a challenge cup competition in the true sense of the word- the teams playing in the second edition were competing for the right to challenge the Wanderers, the first winners, who received a bye to the final. In keeping with this set up the rules also stated that any team winning the trophy for three successive years would keep it. When the Wanderers achieved this distinction in 1877/1878 they returned the trophy to the FA on the understanding that no other team would retain it in the case that they won it three times in a row (in the FA Cups long history only Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers have achieved this).
On 11th  September 1895 the original trophy was stolen from a shop in Birmingham where it had been put on display by the holders, Aston Villa. A £10 reward was offered  but the cup was never recovered. The FA  fined Aston  Villa £25 to pay for a new trophy.
From 1896-1911 a replica of the original trophy was used. The design had been much copied, and the FA decided to introduce a completely new cup. The replica was presented to Lord Kinnaird in recognition of his 21 years as FA president. 
The new trophy was designed by Fattorini and Sons of Bradford. 
 This trophy  is now too fragile to be used and a replica was brought in for the 1993 season.