# 1976–77 FA Cup

The 1976–77 FA Cup was the 96th staging of the world's oldest football knockout competition, The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup. The final saw Manchester United beat Liverpool 2–1.

## Qualifying rounds

Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 28 places available in the first round.
The winners from the fourth qualifying round were Gateshead United, Crook Town, Barrow, Droylsden, Morecambe, Northwich Victoria, Altrincham, Boston, Matlock Town, Goole Town, Kettering Town, Nuneaton Borough, Chesham United, Dudley Town, Enfield, Wealdstone, Hitchin Town, Bromley, Hillingdon Borough, Leatherhead, Woking, Harwich & Parkeston, Waterlooville, Dartford, Wycombe Wanderers, Tooting & Mitcham United, Weymouth and Minehead.
Droylsden, Boston and Dudley Town were appearing in the competition proper for the first time. Of the others, Goole Town, Chesham United, Woking and Waterlooville had last featured at this stage in 1968–69; Crook Town had last done so in 1965-66, Harwich & Parkeston in 1963-64, Northwich Victoria in 1961-62 and Bromley in 1951-52. Barrow was appearing in the competition proper for the first time since being voted out of the Football League in 1972. On the other hand, Kettering Town was advancing from the qualifying rounds for a record-setting 29th time (surpassing the previous mark established by Gainsborough Trinity in 1966–67).
Northwich Victoria participated in eight rounds of the tournament, defeating Nantwich Town, Witton Albion, Rhyl, Burton Albion, Rochdale, Peterborough United and Watford before going out in the fourth round to Oldham Athletic at the Drill Field.

## First round proper

The 48 teams from the Football League Third and Fourth Divisions entered in this round along with the 28 non-league clubs from the qualifying rounds and Scarborough, Stafford Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Wimbledon who were given byes. The first round of games were played on 20 November 1976. Replays were played mainly on 22–24 November, with some postponed until 29 November, 2 December or 6 December.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Enfield | 0–0 | Harwich & Parkeston | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Harwich & Parkeston | 0–3 | Enfield | 23 November 1976 |
| 2 | Chester | 1–0 | Hartlepool | 20 November 1976 |
| 3 | AFC Bournemouth | 0–0 | Newport County | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Newport County | 3–0 | AFC Bournemouth | 23 November 1976 |
| 4 | Barrow | 0–2 | Goole Town | 20 November 1976 |
| 5 | Bury | 6–0 | Workington | 20 November 1976 |
| 6 | Rochdale | 1–1 | Northwich Victoria | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Northwich Victoria | 0–0 | Rochdale | 22 November 1976 |
| Replay | Rochdale | 1–2 | Northwich Victoria | 29 November 1976 |
| 7 | Weymouth | 1–1 | Hitchin Town | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Hitchin Town | 2–2 | Weymouth | 24 November 1976 |
| Replay | Weymouth | 3–3 | Hitchin Town | 29 November 1976 |
| Replay | Hitchin Town | 3–1 | Weymouth | 2 December 1976 |
| 8 | Reading | 1–0 | Wealdstone | 20 November 1976 |
| 9 | Walsall | 0–0 | Bradford City | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Bradford City | 0–2 | Walsall | 24 November 1976 |
| 10 | Gillingham | 0–1 | Watford | 20 November 1976 |
| 11 | Sheffield Wednesday | 2–0 | Stockport County | 20 November 1976 |
| 12 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–1 | Preston North End | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Preston North End | 2–2 | Crewe Alexandra | 23 November 1976 |
| Replay | Crewe Alexandra | 0–3 | Preston North End | 29 November 1976 |
| 13 | Lincoln City | 1–0 | Morecambe | 20 November 1976 |
| 14 | Stafford Rangers | 0–0 | Halifax Town | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Halifax Town | 1–0 | Stafford Rangers | 23 November 1976 |
| 15 | Swindon Town | 7–0 | Bromley | 20 November 1976 |
| 16 | Scarborough | 0–0 | Darlington | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Darlington | 4–1 | Scarborough | 22 November 1976 |
| 17 | Doncaster Rovers | 2–2 | Shrewsbury Town | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Shrewsbury Town | 4–3 | Doncaster Rovers | 23 November 1976 |
| 18 | Wrexham | 6–0 | Gateshead United | 20 November 1976 |
| 19 | Tranmere Rovers | 0–4 | Peterborough United | 20 November 1976 |
| 20 | Barnsley | 3–1 | Boston | 20 November 1976 |
| 21 | Brentford | 2–0 | Chesham United | 20 November 1976 |
| 22 | Crook Town | 1–4 | Nuneaton Borough | 20 November 1976 |
| 23 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–2 | Crystal Palace | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Crystal Palace | 1–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 23 November 1976 |
| Replay | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–1 | Crystal Palace | 6 December 1976 |
| 24 | Wimbledon | 1–0 | Woking | 20 November 1976 |
| 25 | Exeter City | 1–1 | Southend United | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Southend United | 2–1 | Exeter City | 22 November 1976 |
| 26 | Scunthorpe United | 1–2 | Chesterfield | 20 November 1976 |
| 27 | Huddersfield Town | 0–0 | Mansfield Town | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Mansfield Town | 2–1 | Huddersfield Town | 22 November 1976 |
| 28 | Southport | 1–2 | Port Vale | 20 November 1976 |
| 29 | Matlock Town | 2–0 | Wigan Athletic | 20 November 1976 |
| 30 | Torquay United | 1–2 | Hillingdon Borough | 20 November 1976 |
| 31 | Kettering Town | 1–1 | Oxford United | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Oxford United | 0–1 | Kettering Town | 23 November 1976 |
| 32 | Rotherham United | 5–0 | Altrincham | 20 November 1976 |
| 33 | Aldershot | 1–1 | Portsmouth | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Portsmouth | 2–1 | Aldershot | 23 November 1976 |
| 34 | Droylsden | 0–0 | Grimsby Town | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Grimsby Town | 5–3 | Droylsden | 23 November 1976 |
| 35 | Tooting & Mitcham United | 4–2 | Dartford | 20 November 1976 |
| 36 | Dudley Town | 1–1 | York City | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | York City | 4–1 | Dudley Town | 23 November 1976 |
| 37 | Leatherhead | 2–0 | Northampton Town | 20 November 1976 |
| 38 | Cambridge United | 1–1 | Colchester United | 20 November 1976 |
| Replay | Colchester United | 2–0 | Cambridge United | 24 November 1976 |
| 39 | Waterlooville | 1–2 | Wycombe Wanderers | 20 November 1976 |
| 40 | Swansea City | 0–1 | Minehead | 20 November 1976 |

## Second round proper

The second round of games were mainly played on 11 December 1976, with some taking place midweek over 14–15 December and one on 20th. Replays took place on 14th or 21st. Northwich Victoria's initial match against Peterborough United on 11 December was abandoned after 20 minutes due to heavy fog with Peterborough leading 1–0.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Chesterfield | 1–1 | Walsall | 11 December 1976 |
| Replay | Walsall | 0–0 | Chesterfield | 14 December 1976 |
| Replay | Chesterfield | 0–1 | Walsall | 21 December 1976 |
| 2 | Darlington | 1–0 | Sheffield Wednesday | 15 December 1976 |
| 3 | Bury | 0–0 | Shrewsbury Town | 14 December 1976 |
| Replay | Shrewsbury Town | 2–1 | Bury | 21 December 1976 |
| 4 | Grimsby Town | 0–1 | Chester | 11 December 1976 |
| 5 | Northwich Victoria | 4–0 | Peterborough United | 14 December 1976 |
| 6 | Lincoln City | 6–0 | Nuneaton Borough | 11 December 1976 |
| 7 | Wrexham | 1–1 | Goole Town | 11 December 1976 |
| Replay | Goole Town | 0–1 | Wrexham | 14 December 1976 |
| 8 | Wycombe Wanderers | 1–2 | Reading | 11 December 1976 |
| 9 | Portsmouth | 2–1 | Minehead | 11 December 1976 |
| 10 | Crystal Palace | 4–0 | Enfield | 11 December 1976 |
| 11 | Hitchin Town | 1–1 | Swindon Town | 11 December 1976 |
| Replay | Swindon Town | 3–1 | Hitchin Town | 21 December 1976 |
| 12 | Southend United | 3–0 | Newport County | 11 December 1976 |
| 13 | Mansfield Town | 2–5 | Matlock Town | 15 December 1976 |
| 14 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Barnsley | 11 December 1976 |
| 15 | Halifax Town | 1–0 | Preston North End | 14 December 1976 |
| 16 | Kettering Town | 1–0 | Tooting & Mitcham United | 11 December 1976 |
| 17 | Rotherham United | 0–0 | York City | 11 December 1976 |
| Replay | York City | 1–1 | Rotherham United | 14 December 1976 |
| Replay | Rotherham United | 2–1 | York City | 21 December 1976 |
| 18 | Colchester United | 3–2 | Brentford | 20 December 1976 |
| 19 | Leatherhead | 1–3 | Wimbledon | 14 December 1976 |
| 20 | Hillingdon Borough | 2–3 | Watford | 11 December 1976 |

## Third round proper

Teams from the Football League First and Second Division entered in this round. The third round of games in the FA Cup were played on 8 January 1977. Replays were mainly played midweek over 10–12 January or the week after but one occurred on 24th instead.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Derby County | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Derby County | 3–2 | Blackpool | 19 January 1977 |
| 2 | Darlington | 2–2 | Orient | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Orient | 0–0 | Darlington | 11 January 1977 |
| Replay | Darlington | 0–3 | Orient | 17 January 1977 |
| 3 | Burnley | 2–2 | Lincoln City | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Lincoln City | 0–1 | Burnley | 12 January 1977 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 0–0 | Crystal Palace | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Crystal Palace | 2–3 | Liverpool | 11 January 1977 |
| 5 | Southampton | 1–1 | Chelsea | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Chelsea | 0–3 | Southampton | 12 January 1977 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 0–1 | Aston Villa | 8 January 1977 |
| 7 | Notts County | 0–1 | Arsenal | 8 January 1977 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 1–1 | Bristol Rovers | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Bristol Rovers | 1–1 | Nottingham Forest | 11 January 1977 |
| Replay | Nottingham Forest | 6–0 | Bristol Rovers | 18 January 1977 |
| 9 | Northwich Victoria | 3–2 | Watford | 8 January 1977 |
| 10 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–2 | Rotherham United | 8 January 1977 |
| 11 | Sunderland | 2–2 | Wrexham | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Wrexham | 1–0 | Sunderland | 12 January 1977 |
| 12 | Everton | 2–0 | Stoke City | 8 January 1977 |
| 13 | Sheffield United | 0–0 | Newcastle United | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Newcastle United | 3–1 | Sheffield United | 24 January 1977 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 4–1 | Bristol City | 8 January 1977 |
| 15 | Manchester City | 1–1 | West Bromwich Albion | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | West Bromwich Albion | 0–1 | Manchester City | 11 January 1977 |
| 16 | Queens Park Rangers | 2–1 | Shrewsbury Town | 8 January 1977 |
| 17 | Fulham | 3–3 | Swindon Town | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Swindon Town | 5–0 | Fulham | 11 January 1977 |
| 18 | Coventry City | 1–0 | Millwall | 8 January 1977 |
| 19 | West Ham United | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | 8 January 1977 |
| 20 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Walsall | 8 January 1977 |
| 21 | Hull City | 1–1 | Port Vale | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Port Vale | 3–1 | Hull City | 10 January 1977 |
| 22 | Carlisle United | 5–1 | Matlock Town | 8 January 1977 |
| 23 | Oldham Athletic | 3–0 | Plymouth Argyle | 8 January 1977 |
| 24 | Wimbledon | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Middlesbrough | 1–0 | Wimbledon | 11 January 1977 |
| 25 | Southend United | 0–4 | Chester | 8 January 1977 |
| 26 | Cardiff City | 1–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 January 1977 |
| 27 | Halifax Town | 0–1 | Luton Town | 8 January 1977 |
| 28 | Charlton Athletic | 1–1 | Blackburn Rovers | 8 January 1977 |
| Replay | Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Charlton Athletic | 12 January 1977 |
| 29 | Leeds United | 5–2 | Norwich City | 8 January 1977 |
| 30 | Hereford United | 1–0 | Reading | 8 January 1977 |
| 31 | Kettering Town | 2–3 | Colchester United | 8 January 1977 |
| 32 | Birmingham City | 1–0 | Portsmouth | 8 January 1977 |

## Fourth round proper

The fourth round of games were played on 29 January 1977. Four games required a replay, played midweek on 1–2 February. Northwich Victoria was the last non-league club left in the competition.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Chester | 1–0 | Luton Town | 29 January 1977 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 3–0 | Carlisle United | 29 January 1977 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 3–3 | Southampton | 29 January 1977 |
| Replay | Southampton | 2–1 | Nottingham Forest | 1 February 1977 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 3–0 | Orient | 29 January 1977 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 3–0 | West Ham United | 29 January 1977 |
| 6 | Northwich Victoria | 1–3 | Oldham Athletic | 29 January 1977 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 4–0 | Hereford United | 29 January 1977 |
| 8 | Swindon Town | 2–2 | Everton | 29 January 1977 |
| Replay | Everton | 2–1 | Swindon Town | 1 February 1977 |
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 2–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 29 January 1977 |
| Replay | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–0 | Ipswich Town | 2 February 1977 |
| 10 | Newcastle United | 1–3 | Manchester City | 29 January 1977 |
| 11 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Queens Park Rangers | 29 January 1977 |
| 12 | Cardiff City | 3–2 | Wrexham | 29 January 1977 |
| 13 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Burnley | 29 January 1977 |
| 14 | Arsenal | 3–1 | Coventry City | 29 January 1977 |
| 15 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Derby County | 29 January 1977 |
| Replay | Derby County | 1–0 | Colchester United | 2 February 1977 |
| 16 | Birmingham City | 1–2 | Leeds United | 29 January 1977 |

## Fifth round proper

The fifth set of games took place on 26 February 1977. One game went to a replay which was played on 8 March. Holders Southampton were eliminated by Manchester United in a rematch of the previous season's final.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Liverpool | 3–1 | Oldham Athletic | 26 February 1977 |
| 2 | Southampton | 2–2 | Manchester United | 26 February 1977 |
| Replay | Manchester United | 2–1 | Southampton | 8 March 1977 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 3–0 | Port Vale | 26 February 1977 |
| 4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–0 | Chester | 26 February 1977 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 4–1 | Arsenal | 26 February 1977 |
| 6 | Derby County | 3–1 | Blackburn Rovers | 26 February 1977 |
| 7 | Cardiff City | 1–2 | Everton | 26 February 1977 |
| 8 | Leeds United | 1–0 | Manchester City | 26 February 1977 |

## Sixth round proper

The sixth round of FA Cup games were played on 19 March 1977. There were no replays.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
| 1 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Middlesbrough | 19 March 1977 |
| 2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0–1 | Leeds United | 19 March 1977 |
| 3 | Everton | 2–0 | Derby County | 19 March 1977 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 2–1 | Aston Villa | 19 March 1977 |

## Final

| Manchester United | Liverpool |

## TV coverage

The right to show FA Cup games were, as with Football League matches, shared between the BBC and ITV network. All games were shown in a highlights format, except the Final, which was shown live both on BBC1 and ITV. The BBC football highlights programme Match of the Day would show up to three games and the various ITV regional network stations would cover up to one game and show highlights from other games covered elsewhere on the ITV network. No games from Rounds 1 or 2 were shown. Highlights of replays would be shown on either the BBC or ITV. The BBC were only able to cover one of the three planned Fifth round ties due to a cameraman strike.
Third round BBC: Southampton v Chelsea, Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur, Blackpool v Derby County, Derby County v Blackpool (Midweek replay) ITV: Leeds United v Norwich City (Yorkshire & Anglia), Wimbledon v Middlesbrough (LWT & Tyne-Tees), Everton v Stoke City (Granada), Leicester v Aston Villa (ATV), Chelsea v Southampton (Midweek replay All regions)
Fourth round BBC: Colchester United v Derby County, Cardiff City v Wrexham, Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers, Derby County v Colchester United (Midweek Replay) ITV: Swindon Town v Everton (HTV & Granada), Arsenal v Coventry City (LWT), Ipswich Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Anglia), Birmingham City v Leeds United (ATV & Yorkshire)
Fifth round BBC: Leeds United v Manchester City, Manchester United v Southampton (Midweek Replay) ITV: Southampton v Manchester United (Southern & LWT), Middlesbrough v Arsenal (Tyne-Tees & Yorkshire), Liverpool v Oldham Athletic (Granada), Aston Villa v Port Vale (ATV)
Sixth round BBC: Manchester United v Aston Villa, Everton v Derby County ITV: Liverpool v Middlesbrough (Granada & Tyne-Tees), Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United (ATV & Yorkshire) All ITV regions showed these two games
Semi-finals BBC: Everton v Liverpool, Everton v Liverpool (Midweek replay) ITV: Leeds United v Manchester United Shown in all ITV regions
Final Liverpool v Manchester United Shown live by both BBC & ITV