History of the FA Cup History of the FA Cup The history of the FA Cup in association football dates back to 1871–72. Aside from suspensions during the First and Second World Wars, the competition has been played every year since. On 20 July 1871, in the offices of "The Sportsman" newspaper, C. W. Alcock proposed to The Football Association committee that "it is desirable that a Challenge Cup should be established in connection with the Association for which all clubs belonging to the Association should be invited to compete". The other committee members were: The proposition was carried. The inaugural FA Cup tournament kicked
1989–90 FA Cup qualifying rounds to the First Round Proper, where League teams tiered at Levels 3 and 4 entered the competition. See 1989-90 FA Cup for details of the rounds from the First Round Proper onwards. 1989–90 FA Cup qualifying rounds The 1989–90 FA Cup Qualifying Rounds opened the 109th season of competition in England for 'The Football Association Challenge Cup' (FA Cup), the world's oldest association football single knockout competition. A total of 540 clubs were accepted for the competition, up 15 from the previous season’s 525. The large number of clubs entering the tournament from lower down (Levels 5 through 8) in