1961–62 FA Cup

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (July 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The 1961–62 FA Cup was the 81st staging of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Tottenham Hotspur won the competition for the fourth time, beating Burnley 3–1 in the final at Wembley. In doing so, they became the first team to retain the FA Cup since Newcastle United's victory in 1952, and the fourth team ever to do so.

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. 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.

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 Blyth Spartans, Shildon, Ashington, South Shields, Morecambe, Rhyl, Northwich Victoria, Brierley Hill Alliance, Hereford United, Grantham, Worksop Town, Gateshead, Kettering Town, Romford, Chelmsford City, King's Lynn, Barnet, Tunbridge Wells United, Harwich & Parkeston, Ashford Town (Kent), Margate, Dartford, Wycombe Wanderers, Banbury Spencer, Oxford United, Weymouth, Bridgwater Town, Weston-Super-Mare, Yeovil Town and Barry Town.

Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Brierley Hill Alliance and Weston-Super-Mare. Of the others, Ashington had last featured at this stage in 1952–53, Barry Town in 1951-52, Dartford in 1950-51, Grantham in 1949-50 and Banbury Spencer in 1947-48.

Morecambe participated in seven rounds of this season's tournament, defeating Clitheroe, Penrith, Burscough, Wigan Athletic, South Shields and Chester before going out to Weymouth in a rare third round All-Non League tie.

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 draw were Walthamstow Avenue and West Auckland Town, who 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 4 November 1961, although three games were not played until the midweek fixture. Nine were drawn and went to replays, with Peterborough United and Colchester United requiring a second replay which was played at Carrow Road.

The matches were scheduled for 25 November 1961. Four matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week.

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for 6 January 1962, with seven matches postponed until later dates. Ten matches were drawn and went to replays, with two of these requiring a second replay.

The matches were scheduled for 27 January 1962, with three Lancashire-based games postponed until the midweek fixtures. Five matches were drawn and went to replays, which were all played in the following midweek match. Weymouth was the last non-league club left in the competition.

The matches were scheduled for 17 February 1962. Two matches went to replays in the following mid-week fixtures, with the Liverpool–Preston North End game requiring a second replay (at Old Trafford) before the tie was settled.

The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on 10 March 1962. Two matches went to replays on the 14th before being settled.

The semi-final matches were played on 31 March 1962 with a replay being required between Burnley and Fulham on 9 April 1962. Tottenham and Burnley came through the semi-final round to meet at Wembley.

31 March 1962

15:00

Burnley	1–1	Fulham
Connelly 50'	Report[dead link‍]	Leggat 29'

Villa Park, Birmingham

Attendance: 68,000

Referee: W. Clement, Birmingham

31 March 1962

15:00

Tottenham Hotspur	3–1	Manchester United
Greaves 4' Jones 23' Medwin 87'	Report[dead link‍]	Herd 85'

Hillsborough, Sheffield

Attendance: 65,000

Referee: R. Langdale, Darlington

9 April 1962

19:45

Fulham	1–2	Burnley
Langley 90'	Report[dead link‍]	Robson 33' 80'

Filbert Street, Leicester

Referee: W. E. Clements (West Bromwich)

The 1962 FA Cup final took place on 5 May 1962 at Wembley Stadium and was won by Tottenham Hotspur over Burnley, by a 3–1 scoreline. Due to the lack of passion and excitement, replaced by patience and cautious play, the final was dubbed "The Chessboard Final". Tottenham took to the field as holders, having won the League and FA Cup Double in 1961.

5 May 1962

Tottenham Hotspur	3–1	Burnley
Greaves 3' Smith 51' Blanchflower 80' (pen.)		Robson 50'

Wembley Stadium, London

Attendance: 100,000

Referee: J. Finney

General

• The FA Cup Archive at TheFA.com
• English FA Cup 1961/62 at Soccerbase
• F.A. Cup results 1961/62 at Footballsite

Specific