The 1904–05 FA Cup was the 34th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). Aston Villa won the competition for the fourth time, beating Newcastle United 2–0 in the final at Crystal Palace, through two goals scored by Harry Hampton. The man of the match was Aston Villa's prolific scorer Billy Garraty, who was born only a few miles from the now Villa Park.
Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week. If the replayed match was drawn further replays would be held at neutral venues until a winner was determined. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played in a replay, a 30-minute period of extra time would be played.
Calendar
The format of the FA Cup for the season had two preliminary rounds, six qualifying rounds, an intermediate round, three proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.
Round
Date
Extra Preliminary round
Saturday 10 September 1904
Preliminary round
Saturday 17 September 1904
First qualifying round
Saturday 1 October 1904
Second qualifying round
Saturday 15 October 1904
Third qualifying round
Saturday 29 October 1904
Fourth qualifying round
Saturday 12 November 1904
Fifth qualifying round
Saturday 26 November 1904
Sixth Qualifying round
Saturday 10 December 1904
Intermediate Round
Saturday 14 January 1905
First round proper
Saturday 4 February 1905
Second round
Saturday 18 February 1905
Third round
Saturday 4 March 1905
Semifinals
Saturday 25 March 1905
Final
Saturday 15 April 1905
Qualifying rounds
An extra preliminary round of ten ties was required at the start of this season's tournament, with 14 teams from the south-east of England and six from the north-east taking part. Kent League club Sheppey United matched the achievement of Leytonstone in the previous season's competition by winning through to the third qualifying round before being defeated by Hastings & St Leonards.
The matches were played on Saturday, 4 February 1905. Seven matches were drawn, with the replays taking place in the following midweek fixture. Two of these went to a second replay the following week.
The four quarter final matches were scheduled for Saturday, 4 March 1905. The Preston North End – The Wednesday game was drawn, and replayed on 9 March.
The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 25 March 1905. Aston Villa's match with Everton was drawn and thus replayed four days later. Aston Villa won and went on to meet Newcastle United in the final.