History of the FA Cup Cup Finals. Since 1902, referees can only officiate one Cup Final, though they are allowed to have prior Final experience as an assistant referee. In 1914, George V became the first monarch to watch the FA Cup Final between Burnley and Liverpool in the last cup final played at Crystal Palace. The 'Matthews Final' of 1953 was the first football match attended by The Queen, in her Coronation year. It is commonly held that previous winners of the FA Cup are traditionally the only clubs allowed to use triangular corner flags in English football. However, this tradition is not affirmed
1956 FA Cup Final 1956 FA Cup Final The 1956 FA Cup Final was the final match of the 1955–56 staging of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, better known as the FA Cup. The showpiece event was contested between Manchester City and Birmingham City at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 5 May 1956. Two-time winners Manchester City were appearing in their sixth final, whereas Birmingham City were seeking to win the competition for the first time, having lost their only previous final in 1931. Each club needed to win five matches to reach the final. Manchester City's victories