This book is concerned with the early years of the Football Association Challenge Cup, examining events from its inception in 1871-2 to the beginning of the Football League in 1888-9.

Graham Curry was Head of Physical Education at Tuxford Academy, UK, for 30 years, gaining his PhD at Leicester University in 2001. He has written extensively on the sociology of association football, producing with Eric Dunning, Association Football: A Study in Figurational Sociology in 2015.

Introduction. 1. The 'making' of the FA Cup 2. The inaugural FA Cup 3. The beginnings of change 4. The rise of East Lancashire 5. Importations and the coming of professionalism 6. West Midlands supremacy and the advent of the Football League. Conclusion.