The Early Years of the F.A. Cup – How the British Army Helped Establish the World's First Football Tournament

The fascinating history of the British Army's involvement in the early years of the world's oldest football knock-out tournament. The first set of matches was played on 11th November 1871, with the Engineers reaching the final played at Kennington Oval on 16th March 1872.

During the first decade of the competition three teams associated with the military, Royal Engineers, 1st Surrey Rifles and 105th Regiment, were involved in 74 matches. They won more than half of them and scored 154 goals. The Army also produced one of the most respected administrators in the history of football, in the form of Major Francis Marindin, who was involved in the founding of the FA Cup, played in two finals, and refereed a further nine.

With detailed descriptions of the finals and other matches involving the military teams during football’s heyday, this book follows the men as they went on campaigns in famous conflicts such as The Zulu War, Afghanistan, the Sudan, and the Boer Wars, and saw active service on the Western Front during the First World War. In some cases they never returned. 

Published in 2021.

Size: 161mm x 241mm – 197 pages.