1883

Old Etonians began 1883 with a 2-0 win over Swifts in the fourth round of the Cup on 24th January.
On March 3rd they beat Hendon away, 4-2.
Midlands opposition awaited them in the semi final, but Notts County were beaten 2-1 at The Oval.

1883 Final.

March 31st, 1883. A watershed in the history of British football.In becoming team 16 on our list  Blackburn Olympic defeated Old Etonians 2-1 after extra time at The Oval. A northern team had won the FA Cup for the first time, assisted significantly by a player imported from Scotland (Jack Hunter). Olympic were exponents of the Combination Game, based on passing and teamwork.  It would be almost 20 years before another southern team won the Cup, and the age of the southern amateurs, the Public Schools and Universities was drawn to a close. Symbolically Kinnaird played in his last final. 8000 saw Old Etonians take a 30th minute lead, but a 65th minute equalizer from  Arthur Matthews set up Jimmy Costly's extra time winner. 


 One hundred teams entered the Cup in 1883-84, the majority of them now from the industrial north and midlands, where interest in the game was booming.
In the first round Blackburn Olympic saw off Lancashire neighbours Darwen Ramblers 5-1 at home (13th November).
In the second round Olympic traveled to Darwen where they won 2-1 (1st December).
In round three they received a bye.