Sheffield United were members of the Football League First Division and, in the 1900–01 league championship, amassed 31 points to finish in 14th position, six points clear of the relegation placings. Tottenham Hotspur were the reigning Southern League champions, but they slipped to fifth place in the 1900–01 championship, five points behind new champions Southampton. Southern League teams normally had to qualify for the first round proper of the FA Cup but, as champions, Tottenham Hotspur were exempted from pre-qualification and were given byes to the first round.