# 1968–69 FA Cup

The 1968–69 FA Cup was the 88th season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Manchester City won the competition for the fourth time, beating Leicester City 1–0 in the final at Wembley, through a goal from Neil Young.
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. The 1968–69 tournament was remarkable in that no second replays were required at any point throughout the main event.

## Calendar

| Round | Date |
| Preliminary round | Saturday, 7 September 1968 |
| First round qualifying | Saturday, 21 September 1968 |
| Second round qualifying | Saturday, 5 October 1968 |
| Third round qualifying | Saturday, 19 October 1968 |
| Fourth round qualifying | Saturday, 2 November 1968 |
| First round proper | Saturday, 16 November 1968 |
| Second round proper | Saturday, 7 December 1968 |
| Third round proper | Saturday, 4 January 1969 |
| Fourth round proper | Saturday, 25 January 1969 |
| Fifth round proper | Saturday, 8 February 1969 |
| Sixth round proper | Saturday, 1 March 1969 |
| Semi-finals | Saturday, 22 March 1969 |
| Final | Saturday, 26 April 1969 |

## 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 Tow Law Town, South Shields, Goole Town, Altrincham, Morecambe, Skelmersdale United, Bangor City, Hereford United, Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield Town, Bilston, Kettering Town, Grantham, St Albans City, King's Lynn, Bury Town, Chelmsford City, Margate, Brentwood Town, Dartford, Ware, Oxford City, Barnet, Wealdstone, Canterbury City, Woking, Cheltenham Town, Weymouth, Yeovil Town and Waterlooville.
Bilston, Bury Town, Brentwood Town, Ware and Waterlooville were appearing in the competition proper for the first time, while Woking had last featured at this stage in 1958–59 and St Albans City had last done so in 1926-27. Brentwood Town was the first club from that centre to participate in the main draw of the FA Cup since 1885–86, the season before the original Brentwood FC moved to Leyton and was renamed Crusaders.

## Results
### First round proper

At this stage the 48 clubs from the Football League Third and Fourth Divisions joined the 30 non-league clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. The final two non-league sides in the competition proper, Leytonstone and Chesham United were given byes to this round as the champions and runners-up from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup.
Matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 16 November 1968. Ten were drawn and went to replays two, three or four days later.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Chesterfield | 2–0 | Skelmersdale United | 16 November 1968 |
| 2 | Darlington | 2–0 | Grimsby Town | 16 November 1968 |
| 3 | Dartford | 3–1 | Aldershot | 16 November 1968 |
| 4 | Hartlepool | 1–1 | Rotherham United | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Rotherham United | 3–0 | Hartlepool | 19 November 1968 |
| 5 | Barnet | 1–1 | Brentwood Town | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Brentwood Town | 1–0 | Barnet | 18 November 1968 |
| 6 | Grantham | 2–1 | Chelmsford City | 16 November 1968 |
| 7 | Weymouth | 2–1 | Yeovil Town | 16 November 1968 |
| 8 | Reading | 1–0 | Plymouth Argyle | 16 November 1968 |
| 9 | Macclesfield Town | 1–3 | Lincoln City | 16 November 1968 |
| 10 | Luton Town | 6–1 | Ware | 16 November 1968 |
| 11 | Swindon Town | 1–0 | Canterbury City | 16 November 1968 |
| 12 | Shrewsbury Town | 1–1 | Port Vale | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Port Vale | 3–1 | Shrewsbury Town | 18 November 1968 |
| 13 | Doncaster Rovers | 1–0 | Notts County | 16 November 1968 |
| 14 | Wrexham | 4–2 | Oldham Athletic | 16 November 1968 |
| 15 | Tranmere Rovers | 0–1 | Southport | 16 November 1968 |
| 16 | Stockport County | 3–0 | Bradford Park Avenue | 16 November 1968 |
| 17 | Oxford City | 2–3 | Swansea Town | 16 November 1968 |
| 18 | Leytonstone | 0–1 | Walsall | 16 November 1968 |
| 19 | Bangor City | 2–3 | Morecambe | 16 November 1968 |
| 20 | Barnsley | 0–0 | Rochdale | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Rochdale | 0–1 | Barnsley | 18 November 1968 |
| 21 | Brentford | 2–0 | Woking | 16 November 1968 |
| 22 | Bristol Rovers | 3–1 | Peterborough United | 16 November 1968 |
| 23 | Northampton Town | 3–1 | Margate | 16 November 1968 |
| 24 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–2 | Kidderminster Harriers | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Kidderminster Harriers | 0–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 20 November 1968 |
| 25 | Bradford City | 1–2 | Chester | 16 November 1968 |
| 26 | Goole Town | 1–3 | Barrow | 16 November 1968 |
| 27 | Altrincham | 0–1 | Crewe Alexandra | 16 November 1968 |
| 28 | Southend United | 9–0 | King's Lynn | 16 November 1968 |
| 29 | Exeter City | 0–0 | Newport County | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Newport County | 1–3 | Exeter City | 18 November 1968 |
| 30 | Mansfield Town | 4–1 | Tow Law Town | 16 November 1968 |
| 31 | Wealdstone | 1–1 | St Albans City | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | St Albans City | 1–0 | Wealdstone | 19 November 1968 |
| 32 | Cheltenham Town | 0–4 | Watford | 16 November 1968 |
| 33 | Workington | 2–0 | Scunthorpe United | 16 November 1968 |
| 34 | Hereford United | 0–0 | Torquay United | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Torquay United | 4–2 | Hereford United | 20 November 1968 |
| 35 | Bury Town | 0–0 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | 3–0 | Bury Town | 20 November 1968 |
| 36 | South Shields | 0–6 | York City | 16 November 1968 |
| 37 | Colchester United | 5–0 | Chesham United | 16 November 1968 |
| 38 | Bilston | 1–3 | Halifax Town | 16 November 1968 |
| 39 | Waterlooville | 1–2 | Kettering Town | 16 November 1968 |
| 40 | Orient | 1–1 | Gillingham | 16 November 1968 |
| Replay | Gillingham | 2–1 | Orient | 20 November 1968 |

### Second round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 7 December 1968. Nine matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Chester | 1–1 | Lincoln City | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Lincoln City | 2–1 | Chester | 11 December 1968 |
| 2 | Chesterfield | 2–1 | Wrexham | 7 December 1968 |
| 3 | Darlington | 0–0 | Barnsley | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Barnsley | 1–0 | Darlington | 10 December 1968 |
| 4 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | 0–0 | Bristol Rovers | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Bristol Rovers | 1–0 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | 10 December 1968 |
| 5 | Grantham | 0–2 | Swindon Town | 7 December 1968 |
| 6 | Watford | 1–0 | Brentford | 7 December 1968 |
| 7 | Weymouth | 1–1 | Swansea Town | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Swansea Town | 2–0 | Weymouth | 10 December 1968 |
| 8 | Reading | 0–0 | Torquay United | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Torquay United | 1–2 | Reading | 11 December 1968 |
| 9 | Luton Town | 3–1 | Gillingham | 7 December 1968 |
| 10 | Doncaster Rovers | 2–1 | Southport | 7 December 1968 |
| 11 | Stockport County | 2–0 | Barrow | 7 December 1968 |
| 12 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–2 | Northampton Town | 7 December 1968 |
| 13 | Southend United | 10–1 | Brentwood Town | 7 December 1968 |
| 14 | St Albans City | 1–1 | Walsall | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Walsall | 3–1 | St Albans City | 10 December 1968 |
| 15 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Workington | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Workington | 1–2 | Port Vale | 11 December 1968 |
| 16 | Halifax Town | 1–1 | Crewe Alexandra | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Crewe Alexandra | 1–3 | Halifax Town | 11 December 1968 |
| 17 | York City | 2–0 | Morecambe | 7 December 1968 |
| 18 | Kettering Town | 5–0 | Dartford | 7 December 1968 |
| 19 | Rotherham United | 2–2 | Mansfield Town | 7 December 1968 |
| Replay | Mansfield Town | 1–0 | Rotherham United | 9 December 1968 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 0–1 | Exeter City | 7 December 1968 |

### Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 4 January 1969. Seven matches were drawn and went to replays. Kettering Town was the last non-league club left in the competition.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Burnley | 3–1 | Derby County | 4 January 1969 |
| 2 | Bury | 1–2 | Huddersfield Town | 4 January 1969 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Doncaster Rovers | 4 January 1969 |
| 4 | Preston North End | 3–0 | Nottingham Forest | 4 January 1969 |
| 5 | Watford | 2–0 | Port Vale | 4 January 1969 |
| 6 | Walsall | 0–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 January 1969 |
| 7 | Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Stockport County | 4 January 1969 |
| 8 | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Queens Park Rangers | 4 January 1969 |
| 9 | Sheffield Wednesday | 1–1 | Leeds United | 4 January 1969 |
| Replay | Leeds United | 1–3 | Sheffield Wednesday | 8 January 1969 |
| 10 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–1 | Northampton Town | 4 January 1969 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 1–1 | Millwall | 4 January 1969 |
| Replay | Millwall | 1–0 | Middlesbrough | 6 January 1969 |
| 12 | West Bromwich Albion | 3–0 | Norwich City | 4 January 1969 |
| 13 | Sunderland | 1–4 | Fulham | 4 January 1969 |
| 14 | Everton | 2–1 | Ipswich Town | 4 January 1969 |
| 15 | Swindon Town | 0–2 | Southend United | 4 January 1969 |
| 16 | Newcastle United | 4–0 | Reading | 4 January 1969 |
| 17 | Manchester City | 1–0 | Luton Town | 4 January 1969 |
| 18 | Barnsley | 1–1 | Leicester City | 4 January 1969 |
| Replay | Leicester City | 2–1 | Barnsley | 8 January 1969 |
| 19 | Bristol Rovers | 1–1 | Kettering Town | 4 January 1969 |
| Replay | Kettering Town | 1–2 | Bristol Rovers | 8 January 1969 |
| 20 | Coventry City | 3–1 | Blackpool | 4 January 1969 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | 3–0 | Chesterfield | 4 January 1969 |
| 22 | West Ham United | 3–2 | Bristol City | 4 January 1969 |
| 23 | Hull City | 1–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 January 1969 |
| 24 | Chelsea | 2–0 | Carlisle United | 4 January 1969 |
| 25 | Exeter City | 1–3 | Manchester United | 4 January 1969 |
| 26 | Mansfield Town | 2–1 | Sheffield United | 4 January 1969 |
| 27 | Cardiff City | 0–0 | Arsenal | 4 January 1969 |
| Replay | Arsenal | 2–0 | Cardiff City | 7 January 1969 |
| 28 | Swansea Town | 0–1 | Halifax Town | 4 January 1969 |
| 29 | Charlton Athletic | 0–0 | Crystal Palace | 4 January 1969 |
| Replay | Crystal Palace | 0–2 | Charlton Athletic | 8 January 1969 |
| 30 | York City | 0–2 | Stoke City | 4 January 1969 |
| 31 | Birmingham City | 2–1 | Lincoln City | 4 January 1969 |
| 32 | Oxford United | 1–1 | Southampton | 4 January 1969 |
| Replay | Southampton | 2–0 | Oxford United | 8 January 1969 |

### Fourth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 25 January 1969. Six matches were drawn and went to replays.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Burnley | 25 January 1969 |
| 2 | Preston North End | 0–0 | Chelsea | 25 January 1969 |
| Replay | Chelsea | 2–1 | Preston North End | 3 February 1969 |
| 3 | Southampton | 2–2 | Aston Villa | 25 January 1969 |
| Replay | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Southampton | 29 January 1969 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 4–0 | Portsmouth | 25 January 1969 |
| 5 | Sheffield Wednesday | 2–2 | Birmingham City | 25 January 1969 |
| Replay | Birmingham City | 2–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | 28 January 1969 |
| 6 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–2 | Bristol Rovers | 25 January 1969 |
| 7 | Everton | 2–0 | Coventry City | 25 January 1969 |
| 8 | Newcastle United | 0–0 | Manchester City | 25 January 1969 |
| Replay | Manchester City | 2–0 | Newcastle United | 29 January 1969 |
| 9 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 25 January 1969 |
| 10 | Fulham | 1–2 | West Bromwich Albion | 25 January 1969 |
| 11 | Manchester United | 1–1 | Watford | 25 January 1969 |
| Replay | Watford | 0–2 | Manchester United | 3 February 1969 |
| 12 | Millwall | 0–1 | Leicester City | 25 January 1969 |
| 13 | Huddersfield Town | 0–2 | West Ham United | 25 January 1969 |
| 14 | Mansfield Town | 2–1 | Southend United | 25 January 1969 |
| 15 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Charlton Athletic | 25 January 1969 |
| 16 | Stoke City | 1–1 | Halifax Town | 25 January 1969 |
| Replay | Halifax Town | 0–3 | Stoke City | 28 January 1969 |

### Fifth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 8 February 1969. However, for the first time in history, the entire fifth round draw for the FA Cup was unable to be played due to heavy snowfall across England, and the matches were replayed at various times after this date. Most took place by the following Wednesday (one of these requiring a replay), two were played a fortnight later, but the final match was not played until 1 March and required a replay two days later.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Leicester City | 0–0 | Liverpool | 1 March 1969 |
| Replay | Liverpool | 0–1 | Leicester City | 3 March 1969 |
| 2 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–4 | Manchester City | 24 February 1969 |
| 3 | West Bromwich Albion | 1–0 | Arsenal | 12 February 1969 |
| 4 | Everton | 1–0 | Bristol Rovers | 12 February 1969 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3–2 | Aston Villa | 12 February 1969 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 3–2 | Stoke City | 12 February 1969 |
| 7 | Mansfield Town | 3–0 | West Ham United | 26 February 1969 |
| 8 | Birmingham City | 2–2 | Manchester United | 11 February 1969 |
| Replay | Manchester United | 6–2 | Birmingham City | 24 February 1969 |

### Sixth round proper

The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on 1 March 1969, although due to the late completion of Leicester City's fifth round tie, their match with Mansfield Town was not played until 8 March. There were no replays.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Manchester City | 1–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1 March 1969 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 0–1 | Everton | 1 March 1969 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 1–2 | West Bromwich Albion | 1 March 1969 |
| 4 | Mansfield Town | 0–1 | Leicester City | 8 March 1969 |

### Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday 22 March and Saturday 29 March 1969.

### Final

The 1969 FA Cup Final was contested by Manchester City and Leicester City at Wembley on Saturday 26 April 1969. The match finished 1–0 to Manchester City who, behind West Ham United in 1975, are the second-last all-English team to win the FA Cup.
| Manchester City | Leicester City |