The first ever FA Challenge Cup trophy was won by Battersea-based club Wanderers, who edged past Royal Engineers of Chatham 1-0 in the 1872 final at Kennington Oval. It was the first of five victories for Wanderers in the Cup's first seven years. Known as the 'Little Tin Idol', the trophy was used every year until 1895 when it was stolen.

Blackburn's first win ushered in a spell of dominance for northern clubs as association football moved into the professional era. Rovers beat Scottish side Queen's Park 2-1 to claim the Cup. Queen's Park had the consolation of winning the Scottish Cup by default in 1884, when their final opponents Vale of Leven failed to turn up.

A second straight victory for the northern giants as they repeated 1884's success against Queen's Park with a 2-0 scoreline. Scottish teams featured in the FA Cup until the Scottish League was established in 1890.

A third consecutive win for Rovers in the first final to be settled by a replay. After a scoreless draw against West Bromwich Albion, the replay took place at Derby's Racecourse Ground - also the first final outside London. Rovers won 2-0 with goals from James Brown and Joe Sowerbutts.

Villa took the spoils against West Bromwich Albion in this midlands derby at the Kennington Oval. Archie Hunter opened the scoring for the Villains after a goalkeeping error, before Dennis Hodgetts made it 2-0.

After losing the final in the previous two years, the Baggies made it third time lucky by seeing off Preston North End 2-1. Preston had thrashed Hyde 26-0 in an earlier round, which remains a Cup record.

Preston's 'Invincibles' dominated this season, remarkably winning the league without losing a game, and the Cup without conceding a goal. Their feat that has never been matched. They overcame Wolves 3-0 in the final with goals from Fred Dewhurst, Jimmy Ross and Sam Thompson.

Rovers claimed their fourth final win in the year the FA Cup in its present form was born. This was a 'Battle of the Roses' against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Rovers were dominant throughout, winning 6-1on the day with William Townley netting a hat-trick.

Despite being holders and appearing in their fifth final, Rovers were underdogs for this one. Their opponents Notts County had beaten them 7-0 a week before the final, but Blackburn took revenge as goals from Geordie Dewer, Jack Sowarth and William Townley secured a 3-1 victory.

A rematch of the 1887 showpiece, this was the last final to be played at the Kennington Oval and the first to be played with some breakthrough technology - nets in the goals. Albion were underdogs, but perhaps stung by their previous experience against Aston Villa, ran out 3-0 winners.

With the Oval worried their cricket pitch would be damaged by the enormous crowds drawn to the final, this year's renewal was moved to Fallowfield in Manchester. 45,000 squeezed into the ground, many crowding along the touchline, to watch Wolves beat Everton 1-0, the goal scored by Harry Allen.

Notts County became the first team from the Second Division to lift the Cup, beating Bolton Wanderers 4-1 as James Logan struck a hat-trick . Only 37,000 fans attended the game at Everton's Goodison Park ground, many put off by the crush at Fallowfield the year before.

Having met twice before in the final and won one each, Midland rivals Villa and West Brom met at Crystal Palace. Bob Chatt's solitary goal after just 30 seconds, meaning plenty of late-arriving supporters missed it. Villa took the Cup home to Birmingham where it was stolen from a shop window and never seen again. Villa had to pay for a new trophy.

Wolves reached their third FA Cup final, but were defeated by Wednesday 2-1 at Crystal Palace thanks to two goals from Fred Spiksley. His winning goal was struck so hard, it crossed the line, hit the ground and rebounded back into play. The Wolves goalkeeper only found out it had passed him when he asked where the replay was to be played only to be told his team has lost.

Crystal Palace was again the venue for what is considered one of the best finals ever. The lead changed hands three times before Villa saw off Everton 3-2. With other results going their way, Villa became the only team to become League champions and Cup champions on the same day. The 'double' would not be achieved again for over 50 years.

Once again it was the underdogs who were victorious in this East Midlands derby. Derby had beaten both of the previous year's finalists on their way to Crystal Palace and had trounced Forest 5-0 just the week before. But Derby were defeated 3-1 by their rivals, with Arthur Capes bagging two of Forest's goals.

Sheffield's route to their first final had been a difficult one, playing four replays against Liverpool in the semi-finals. After these bruising battles, including one 4-4 draw, many felt United would be a spent force in the final against Derby. County took the lead but missed other chances, and United eventually took the initiative, winning 4-1 through goals from John Almond, Walter Bennett, Billy Beer and Fred Priest.