Just like Portsmouth and Cardiff in the 2007/08 season, the finalists this year were a big surprise. Bury and Southampton were unfancied as the competition began, but one by one the favourites crashed out. A massive crowd turned out to see a southern side in the final but the north's domination continued as Bury thrashed the Saints 4-0, Jasper McLuckie scoring twice.

The first final featuring a big-name London club, even though Spurs were a non-League club at the time, drew an incredible 110,000 fans to Crystal Palace. Spurs faced previous winners Sheffield United. The match was drawn 2-2 thanks to a contentious goal, which the linesman felt was a corner but the ref decided was a goal. The replay took place at Burnden Park in Bolton, with Spurs triumphing 3-1.

It was another north/south battle with United facing previous finalists Southampton at Crystal Palace. The final ended 1-1 after extra time with the Saints equaliser causing such anger among United's players that keeper William "Fatty" Foulke, who was said to weigh 22 stone, chasing the referee after the game - the hapless official finding sanctury in a broom cupboard. The replay also took place at Crystal Palace again with United winning 2-1 through goals from George Hedley and Billy Barnes.

In the most one-sided final ever, Bury thrashed Derby 6-0. Derby were without their star attacker Steve Bloomer and fielded an injured goalkeeper, who retired and returned several times during the match.

It was the first all-Lancashire final, with City facing local rivals Bolton Wanderers. The close tie was settled through a goal from legendary City right-winger Billy Meredith. 

Newcastle's run of five finals in seven years began with defeat as they went down 2-0 to Villa in front of over 100,000 people at Crystal Palace. Harry Hampton scored both goals for the Midlanders.

Newcastle were unlucky once more at Crystal Palace, which was quickly becoming their bogey ground. But it was third time lucky for Everton who finally got their hands on the Cup after a lone goal from Alex 'Sandy' Young.

Everton were back at Crystal Palace the following year, with many of their Cup winning players retained. But they were defeated by 2-1 by Wednesday who scored the winner through George Simpson with just four minutes to go.

Things looked good for Newcastle this year as they prepared for their third final in four years. In the semis, they thrashed Fulham 6-0, and their opponents Wolves were lying ninth in Second Division. But the curse of Crystal Palace struck again, as Wolves ran out surprise winners 3-1.

The first of United's record eleven Cup wins came with a 1-0 victory against Bristol City. The winning goal came from Sandy Turnbull.

Newcastle finally won the Cup at their fourth attempt. Once again the Crystal Palace ground proved tricky, and they drew 1-1 with Second Division Barnsley. But once back in the north, playing the replay at Everton's Goodison Park, Newcastle seemed to hit their stride, beating the Yorkshire club 2-0 thanks to two goals from Albert Shepherd.

It was the second consecutive year Newcastle reached the final and they faced another replay after a goalless draw at Crystal Palace. The replay at Old Trafford saw Bradford run out winners through a single goal from Jimmy Speirs who then lifted a new trophy, the old one being retired the previous year. 

Crystal Palace saw another goalless draw as Second Division Barnsley faced West Bromwich Albion, in front of a less than impressed crowd. The replay, held at Bramall Lane Sheffield, was another barren affair goal-wise, until Barnsley's Harry Tufnell finally scored with only two minutes of extra time left.

The top two teams in the country, Cup newcomers Sunderland and Villa who were back in the final after an absence of eight years, faced each other in front of a record 120,000 packed Crystal Palace to see this 'battle of the giants'. Villa won by a single goal from Tommy Barber. Rumour has it the ref was suspended after the game for playing 17 additional minutes of injury time.

The last ever final to take place at Crystal Palace featured three newcomers, finalists Liverpool and Burnley and monarch King George V, the first time any such dignitary had attended. Burnley won by a single goal scored by Bert Freeman just after half-time.

Manchester's Old Trafford played host to the final as it was feared holding it in London would interfere with the war effoer. Many felt the match should have been abandoned completely due to the ongoing conflict. But the competition took place in an effort to improve morale. It's now known as the 'Khaki Final' due to the large amount of uniformed personnel present. United beat an underwhelming Chelsea side 3-0.