# 1890–91 FA Cup

The 1890–91 FA Cup was the 20th edition of the world's oldest association football knockout competition, The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup.

## Qualifying rounds

Advancing from the qualifying rounds were Chester, Halliwell, Middlesbrough Ironopolis, Sunderland Albion, Sheffield United, Long Eaton Rangers, Lincoln City, Kidderminster, Crusaders (based in Leyton) and the team from the 93rd Highland Regiment, which was stationed in Aldershot at this time. Middlesbrough Ironopolis, Kidderminster and the 93rd Highland Regiment were featuring at this stage for the first time, with the Highlanders having gone on what is now considered the first giant-killing run through the FA Cup qualifying rounds. The military team defeated future Premier League members Luton Town (at Dunstable Road), Watford, Swindon Town and Ipswich Town (at Portman Road) to secure their place in the competition proper.
In order to bring the number of teams up to 32, a further 10 non-League clubs entered the competition in the first round proper. Stoke was exempted to this stage despite having been voted out of the Football League at that year's Annual General Meeting, while Clapton, Nottingham Forest, Darwen, Crewe Alexandra, Casuals, The Wednesday, Old Westminsters, Birmingham St George's and Royal Arsenal received byes.
For information on all matches played from the preliminary round to the fourth qualifying round, see 1890–91 FA Cup qualifying rounds.

## First round proper

| Home Club | Score | Away Club | Date |
| Chester | 1–0 | Lincoln City | 17 January 1891 |
| Clapton | 0–14 | Nottingham Forest | 17 January 1891 |
| Darwen | 3–1 Match void | Kidderminster | 17 January 1891 |
| Burnley | 4–2 | Crewe Alexandra | 17 January 1891 |
| Stoke | 3–0 | Preston North End | 17 January 1891 |
| Aston Villa | 13–1 | Casuals | 17 January 1891 |
| The Wednesday | 12–0 | Halliwell | 17 January 1891 |
| Accrington | 2–2 | Bolton Wanderers | 17 January 1891 |
| Long Eaton Rangers | 1–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 17 January 1891 |
| West Bromwich Albion | Walkover | Old Westminsters | 17 January 1891 |
| Sunderland | 1–0 | Everton | 17 January 1891 |
| Crusaders | 0–2 | Birmingham St George's | 17 January 1891 |
| Sunderland Albion | 2–0 | 93rd Highland Regiment | 17 January 1891 |
| Sheffield United | 1–9 | Notts County | 17 January 1891 |
| Royal Arsenal | 1–2 | Derby County | 17 January 1891 |
| Middlesbrough Ironopolis | 1–2 Match void | Blackburn Rovers | 17 January 1891 |

### Replays

| Home Club | Score | Away Club | Date |
| Darwen | 13–0 | Kidderminster | 24 January 1891 |
| Accrington | 5–1 | Bolton Wanderers | 24 January 1891 |
| Middlesbrough Ironopolis | 0–3 | Blackburn Rovers | 24 January 1891 |

## Second round proper

| Home Club | Score | Away Club | Date |
| Darwen | 0–2 | Sunderland | 31 January 1891 |
| Stoke | 3–0 | Aston Villa | 31 January 1891 |
| Notts County | 2–1 | Burnley | 31 January 1891 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 7–0 | Chester | 31 January 1891 |
| Accrington | 2–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 31 January 1891 |
| Derby County | 2–3 | The Wednesday | 31 January 1891 |
| Sunderland Albion | 1–1 | Nottingham Forest | 31 January 1891 |
| Birmingham St George's | 0–3 | West Bromwich Albion | 31 January 1891 |

### Replays

| Home Club | Score | Away Club | Date |
| Nottingham Forest | 3–3 | Sunderland Albion | 7 February 1891 |
| Nottingham Forest | 5–0 | Sunderland Albion | 11 February 1891 |

## Third round proper

| Home Club | Score | Away Club | Date |
| Notts County | 1–0 | Stoke | 14 February 1891 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 14 February 1891 |
| The Wednesday | 0–2 | West Bromwich Albion | 14 February 1891 |
| Sunderland | 4–0 | Nottingham Forest | 14 February 1891 |

## Semi finals

| | Score | | Date | Venue |
| Notts County | 3–3 | Sunderland | 28 February 1891 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 3–2 | West Bromwich Albion | 28 February 1891 | Victoria Ground |

### Replay

| Home Club | Score | Away Club | Date |
| Sunderland | 0–2 | Notts County | 11 March 1891 |

## Final

| Home Club | Score | Away Club | Date |
| Blackburn Rovers | 3–1 | Notts County | 21 March 1891 |