# 1951–52 FA Cup

The 1951–52 FA Cup was the 71st season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Newcastle United won the competition for the fifth time, beating Arsenal 1–0 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

| Round | Date |
| Preliminary round | Saturday 15 September 1951 |
| First round qualifying | Saturday 29 September 1951 |
| Second round qualifying | Saturday 13 October 1951 |
| Third round qualifying | Saturday 27 October 1951 |
| Fourth round qualifying | Saturday 10 November 1951 |
| First round proper | Saturday 24 November 1951 |
| Second round proper | Saturday 15 December 1951 |
| Third round proper | Saturday 12 January 1952 |
| Fourth round proper | Saturday 2 February 1952 |
| Fifth round proper | Saturday 23 February 1952 |
| Sixth round proper | Saturday 8 March 1952 |
| Semi-finals | Saturday 29 March 1952 |
| Final | Saturday 3 May 1952 |

## Qualifying rounds

Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 30 places available in the first round.
The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Blackhall Colliery Welfare, Stockton, Blyth Spartans, Goole Town, Billingham Synthonia, Rhyl, Nelson, Bangor City, Witton Albion, Kettering Town, Brush Sports, Hereford United, Rawmarsh Welfare, Buxton, Gainsborough Trinity, Ilkeston Town, Bedford Town, King's Lynn, Gorleston, Leytonstone, Tonbridge, Folkestone Town, Leyton, Guildford City, Aylesbury United, Barnstaple Town, Chippenham Town, Weymouth, Merthyr Tydfil and Barry Town.
Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Blackhall Colliery Welfare, Bangor City, Rawmarsh Welfare, Buxton, Ilkeston Town, Gorleston, Aylesbury United, Barnstaple Town and Chippenham Town. Of the others, Bedford Town, Leyton and Barry Town were featuring at this stage for the first time since 1934–35.
Competition restructuring this season lead to the abolition of the extra preliminary round (which would not be reinstated for 50 years). Buxton was the most successful of the qualifying clubs, competing in eight rounds of the competition before going out in the third round proper. The Bucks defeated Hyde United, Macclesfield Town, Winsford United, Congleton Town and Frickley Colliery to reach the main draw before seeing off Rawmarsh Welfare and Aldershot for a third round meeting with Second Division outfit Doncaster Rovers.

## First round proper

At this stage clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the non-league clubs that came through the qualifying rounds. Non-league sides Bishop Auckland and Bromley received byes to this round, with Bishop Auckland being the runners-up from the previous year's FA Amateur Cup (and having the bye passed on to them as the champions, Pegasus did not compete in the FA Cup).
Matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 24 November 1951. Eight were drawn and went to replays, with three of these going to second replays.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Barrow | 0–2 | Chesterfield | 24 November 1951 |
| 2 | Nelson | 0–4 | Oldham Athletic | 24 November 1951 |
| 3 | Tonbridge | 0–0 | Aldershot | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Aldershot | 3–2 | Tonbridge | 28 November 1951 |
| 4 | Reading | 1–0 | Walsall | 24 November 1951 |
| 5 | Leyton | 3–0 | Chippenham Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 6 | Grimsby Town | 4–0 | Darlington | 24 November 1951 |
| 7 | Crewe Alexandra | 2–4 | Lincoln City | 24 November 1951 |
| 8 | Swindon Town | 2–0 | Bedford Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 9 | Stockton | 1–1 | Mansfield Town | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Mansfield Town | 0–2 | Stockton | 28 November 1951 |
| 10 | Wrexham | 3–0 | Halifax Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 4–2 | Goole Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 12 | Stockport County | 2–2 | Gateshead | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Gateshead | 1–1 | Stockport County | 28 November 1951 |
| Replay | Stockport County | 1–2 | Gateshead | 3 December 1951 |
| 13 | Leytonstone | 2–0 | Shrewsbury Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 14 | Bangor City | 2–2 | Southport | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Southport | 3–0 | Bangor City | 27 November 1951 |
| 15 | Accrington Stanley | 1–2 | Chester | 24 November 1951 |
| 16 | Aylesbury United | 0–5 | Watford | 24 November 1951 |
| 17 | Bristol Rovers | 3–0 | Kettering Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 18 | King's Lynn | 1–3 | Exeter City | 24 November 1951 |
| 19 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–2 | Bristol City | 24 November 1951 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 3–2 | Northampton Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 21 | Bradford City | 6–1 | Carlisle United | 24 November 1951 |
| 22 | Millwall | 1–0 | Plymouth Argyle | 24 November 1951 |
| 23 | Crystal Palace | 0–1 | Gillingham | 24 November 1951 |
| 24 | Witton Albion | 2–1 | Gainsborough Trinity | 24 November 1951 |
| 25 | Southend United | 6–1 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | 24 November 1951 |
| 26 | Hartlepools United | 2–0 | Rhyl | 24 November 1951 |
| 27 | Scunthorpe & Lindsey United | 5–0 | Billingham Synthonia | 24 November 1951 |
| 28 | Blyth Spartans | 2–1 | Bishop Auckland | 24 November 1951 |
| 29 | Newport County | 4–0 | Barry Town | 24 November 1951 |
| 30 | Torquay United | 3–2 | Bromley | 24 November 1951 |
| 31 | York City | 1–1 | Bradford Park Avenue | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Bradford Park Avenue | 1–1 | York City | 28 November 1951 |
| Replay | York City | 0–4 | Bradford Park Avenue | 3 December 1951 |
| 32 | Guildford City | 4–1 | Hereford United | 24 November 1951 |
| 33 | Rawmarsh Welfare | 1–4 | Buxton | 24 November 1951 |
| 34 | Blackhall Colliery Welfare | 2–5 | Workington | 24 November 1951 |
| 35 | Colchester United | 3–1 | Port Vale | 24 November 1951 |
| 36 | Leyton Orient | 2–2 | Gorleston | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Gorleston | 0–0 | Leyton Orient | 29 November 1951 |
| Replay | Leyton Orient | 5–4 | Gorleston | 3 December 1951 |
| 37 | Brush Sports | 2–3 | Weymouth | 24 November 1951 |
| 38 | Merthyr Tydfil | 2–2 | Ipswich Town | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Ipswich Town | 1–0 | Merthyr Tydfil | 5 December 1951 |
| 39 | Ilkeston Town | 0–2 | Rochdale | 24 November 1951 |
| 40 | Barnstaple Town | 2–2 | Folkestone Town | 24 November 1951 |
| Replay | Folkestone Town | 5–2 | Barnstaple Town | 28 November 1951 |

## Second round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 15 December 1951. Seven matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week. Three of these replays went to a second replay, with the Tranmere Rovers–Blyth Spartans game going to a third.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Chester | 5–2 | Leyton | 15 December 1951 |
| 2 | Watford | 1–2 | Hartlepools United | 15 December 1951 |
| 3 | Reading | 1–1 | Southport | 15 December 1951 |
| Replay | Southport | 1–1 | Reading | 18 December 1951 |
| Replay | Reading | 2–0 | Southport | 1 January 1952 |
| 4 | Gillingham | 0–3 | Rochdale | 15 December 1951 |
| 5 | Lincoln City | 3–1 | Grimsby Town | 15 December 1951 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 3–3 | Torquay United | 15 December 1951 |
| Replay | Torquay United | 1-1 | Swindon Town | 19 December 1951 |
| Replay | Swindon Town | 3-1 | Torquay United | 2 January 1952 |
| 7 | Stockton | 2–1 | Folkestone Town | 15 December 1951 |
| 8 | Wrexham | 1–1 | Leyton Orient | 15 December 1951 |
| Replay | Leyton Orient | 3–2 | Wrexham | 19 December 1951 |
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 4–0 | Exeter City | 15 December 1951 |
| 10 | Buxton | 4–3 | Aldershot | 15 December 1951 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 1–1 | Blyth Spartans | 15 December 1951 |
| Replay | Blyth Spartans | 1–1 | Tranmere Rovers | 19 December 1951 |
| Replay | Tranmere Rovers | 2–2 | Blyth Spartans | 3 January 1952 |
| Replay | Tranmere Rovers | 5–1 | Blyth Spartans | 7 January 1952 |
| 12 | Leytonstone | 2–2 | Newport County | 15 December 1951 |
| Replay | Newport County | 3–0 | Leytonstone | 20 December 1951 |
| 13 | Bristol Rovers | 2–0 | Weymouth | 15 December 1951 |
| 14 | Norwich City | 3–1 | Chesterfield | 15 December 1951 |
| 15 | Millwall | 0–0 | Scunthorpe & Lindsey United | 15 December 1951 |
| Replay | Scunthorpe & Lindsey United | 3–0 | Millwall | 20 December 1951 |
| 16 | Witton Albion | 3–3 | Workington | 15 December 1951 |
| Replay | Workington | 1–0 | Witton Albion | 20 December 1951 |
| 17 | Southend United | 5–0 | Oldham Athletic | 15 December 1951 |
| 18 | Bradford Park Avenue | 3–2 | Bradford City | 15 December 1951 |
| 19 | Gateshead | 2–0 | Guildford City | 15 December 1951 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 2–1 | Bristol City | 15 December 1951 |

## Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 12 January 1952. Nine matches were drawn and went to replays, with one of these going to a second replay. Stockton and Buxton were the last non-league clubs remaining in the competition.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Burnley | 1–0 | Hartlepools United | 12 January 1952 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Workington | 12 January 1952 |
| 3 | Rochdale | 0–2 | Leeds United | 12 January 1952 |
| 4 | Reading | 0–3 | Swansea Town | 12 January 1952 |
| 5 | Leicester City | 1–1 | Coventry City | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Coventry City | 4–1 | Leicester City | 14 January 1952 |
| 6 | Notts County | 4–0 | Stockton | 12 January 1952 |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 2–2 | Blackburn Rovers | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Nottingham Forest | 16 January 1952 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 2–2 | Derby County | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Derby County | 0–2 | Middlesbrough | 16 January 1952 |
| 9 | West Bromwich Albion | 4–0 | Bolton Wanderers | 12 January 1952 |
| 10 | Sunderland | 0–0 | Stoke City | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Stoke City | 3–1 | Sunderland | 14 January 1952 |
| 11 | Luton Town | 1–0 | Charlton Athletic | 12 January 1952 |
| 12 | Doncaster Rovers | 2–0 | Buxton | 12 January 1952 |
| 13 | Sheffield United | 2–0 | Newport County | 12 January 1952 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 2–2 | Gateshead | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Gateshead | 3–3 | Ipswich Town | 16 January 1952 |
| Replay | Ipswich Town | 1–2 | Gateshead | 21 January 1952 |
| 15 | Newcastle United | 4–2 | Aston Villa | 12 January 1952 |
| 16 | Manchester City | 2–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4–1 | Manchester City | 16 January 1952 |
| 17 | Fulham | 0–1 | Birmingham City | 12 January 1952 |
| 18 | Barnsley | 3–0 | Colchester United | 12 January 1952 |
| 19 | Brentford | 3–1 | Queens Park Rangers | 12 January 1952 |
| 20 | Bristol Rovers | 2–0 | Preston North End | 12 January 1952 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | 4–0 | Lincoln City | 12 January 1952 |
| 22 | West Ham United | 2–1 | Blackpool | 12 January 1952 |
| 23 | Manchester United | 0–2 | Hull City | 12 January 1952 |
| 24 | Norwich City | 0–5 | Arsenal | 12 January 1952 |
| 25 | Chelsea | 2–2 | Chester | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Chester | 2–3 | Chelsea | 16 January 1952 |
| 26 | Southend United | 3–0 | Southampton | 12 January 1952 |
| 27 | Bradford Park Avenue | 2–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | 12 January 1952 |
| 28 | Scunthorpe & Lindsey United | 0–3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 January 1952 |
| 29 | Huddersfield Town | 1–2 | Tranmere Rovers | 12 January 1952 |
| 30 | Cardiff City | 1–1 | Swindon Town | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Swindon Town | 1–0 | Cardiff City | 16 January 1952 |
| 31 | Rotherham United | 2–1 | Bury | 12 January 1952 |
| 32 | Leyton Orient | 0–0 | Everton | 12 January 1952 |
| Replay | Everton | 1–3 | Leyton Orient | 16 January 1952 |

## Fourth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 2 February 1952, with the exception of two postponed matches. Three games were drawn and went to replays, which were all played in the following midweek match. One of these then went to a second replay before being settled.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Burnley | 2–0 | Coventry City | 2 February 1952 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 February 1952 |
| 3 | Notts County | 1–3 | Portsmouth | 2 February 1952 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Hull City | 2 February 1952 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 1–4 | Doncaster Rovers | 6 February 1952 |
| 6 | Luton Town | 2–2 | Brentford | 2 February 1952 |
| Replay | Brentford | 0–0 | Luton Town | 6 February 1952 |
| Replay | Luton Town | 3–2 | Brentford | 18 February 1952 |
| 7 | Swindon Town | 1–1 | Stoke City | 2 February 1952 |
| Replay | Stoke City | 0–1 | Swindon Town | 4 February 1952 |
| 8 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–3 | Newcastle United | 2 February 1952 |
| 9 | West Ham United | 0–0 | Sheffield United | 2 February 1952 |
| Replay | Sheffield United | 4–2 | West Ham United | 6 February 1952 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 4–0 | Tranmere Rovers | 2 February 1952 |
| 11 | Southend United | 2–1 | Bristol Rovers | 2 February 1952 |
| 12 | Swansea Town | 3–0 | Rotherham United | 2 February 1952 |
| 13 | Arsenal | 4–0 | Barnsley | 2 February 1952 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 2–0 | Bradford Park Avenue | 2 February 1952 |
| 15 | Gateshead | 0–2 | West Bromwich Albion | 6 February 1952 |
| 16 | Birmingham City | 0–1 | Leyton Orient | 2 February 1952 |

## Fifth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 23 February 1952. The Leeds United–Chelsea game went to two replays before Chelsea won the tie.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Burnley | 2–0 | Liverpool | 23 February 1952 |
| 2 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–0 | West Bromwich Albion | 23 February 1952 |
| 3 | Luton Town | 3–1 | Swindon Town | 23 February 1952 |
| 4 | Portsmouth | 4–0 | Doncaster Rovers | 23 February 1952 |
| 5 | Southend United | 1–2 | Sheffield United | 23 February 1952 |
| 6 | Swansea Town | 0–1 | Newcastle United | 23 February 1952 |
| 7 | Leeds United | 1–1 | Chelsea | 23 February 1952 |
| Replay | Chelsea | 1–1 | Leeds United | 27 February 1952 |
| Replay | Leeds United | 1–5 | Chelsea | 3 March 1952 |
| 8 | Leyton Orient | 0–3 | Arsenal | 23 February 1952 |

## Sixth round proper

The four Sixth Round ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 8 March 1952. There were no replays.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Blackburn Rovers | 3–1 | Burnley | 8 March 1952 |
| 2 | Luton Town | 2–3 | Arsenal | 8 March 1952 |
| 3 | Sheffield United | 0–1 | Chelsea | 8 March 1952 |
| 4 | Portsmouth | 2–4 | Newcastle United | 8 March 1952 |

## Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were intended to be played on Saturday, 29 March 1952, although the Chelsea–Arsenal fixture was not played until the week after. Both matches went to a replay, with Arsenal and Newcastle United eventually winning their ties to meet in the final at Wembley.

### Replay
## Final

The 1952 FA Cup Final took place at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between cup holders Newcastle United and Arsenal. Newcastle won 1–0 with a late goal from Chilean striker George Robledo

### Match facts

| Newcastle United | Arsenal |