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Over the years City have earned themselves the reputation of F A Cup
giant killers and have appearances in the quarter and semi-finals
to their credit. In their first League season (1929/30) they held
Newcastle United to a draw at St James' Park in the 3rd round only
narrowly to lose the reply in front of a record crowd at Fulfordgate.
The following year they drew at Bramell Lane against Sheffield United
but lost the reply at York. In 1937/38 came the first of the Club's
two great cup runs. Halifax Town and Clapton Orient were beaten in
the first two rounds after replays. Second Division Coventry City
were overcome 3-2 at Bootham Crescent in the 3rd Round and then 1st
Division West Bromwich Albion were knocked out 3-2 in a thrilling
match in which local born Reg
Baines hit a hat trick.
In the 5th round Middlesbrough were beaten 1-0 and in the quarter
finals City were drawn at home to Huddersfield Town. A record crowd
of 28,123 saw a goalless draw and in the reply the Cup run came to
an end with a gallant 1-2 defeat. These magnificent achievements were
eclipsed, however, in 1954/55, when City's march to the semi-finals
captured the imagination of the nation.
Non Leagues Scarborough and Dorchester Town were beaten in the first
2 rounds and then came a famous victory at Bloomfield Road where Blackpool,
winners of the Cup just 18 months previously and with stars such as
Stanley Matthews and Stanley Mortensen in their line up, were vanquished
2-0. Top amateur side Bishop Auckland were then beaten on their own
ground followed by a classic 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at
Bootham Crescent - perhaps Club's finest performance. A 1-0 success
at Meadow Lane against 2nd Division Notts County put City into the
Semi-finals and an epic encounter against Newcastle United at Hillsborough
honours ended 1-1. The bid to reach Wembley failed with a 0-2 defeat
in the replay at Roker Park. Newcastle went on to win the Cup whilst
City had created history by becoming the first 3rd Division Club to
appear in a semi final replay, a feat later emulated by Norwich City
and Chesterfield.
In 1955/56 City beat 2nd Division Swansea at Vetch Field only to lose
a 4th round reply at Sunderland. In 1957/58 1st Division Birmingham
City were beaten 3-0 at Bootham Crescent but eventual cup winners
that season, Bolton Wanderers knocked City out in a 4th round replay.
In the 60's the Club failed to get past the 3rd round but in the 70's
they took the scalps of 2nd Division Clubs Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers
and Luton Town and four times reached the 4th round. In 1984/85 Arsenal
were beaten by a dramatic last minute penalty goal in the 4th round
and at the next stage Liverpool were held to a draw at Bootham Crescent.
In the replay the 1st Division side crushed City 7-0 but the following
season they needed extra time at Anfield to win through, after the
teams, again, drew at York.
In 2001/02 the Minstermen reached the 4th round of the competition
of the first time since 1985/86. Premiership Fulham ended City's cup
hopes with a 2-0 win at Bootham Crescent.
City's record in the Football League Cup has not been so impressive
and only twice since the competition was inaugurated in 1960 have
they progressed past 3rd round. In 1961/62 the reached the quarter
finals (round 5) knocking out 1st Division Leicester City en route
and in 1973/74 they lost to Manchester City in a 4th round replay.
In recent seasons however, they have memorably knocked out of the
competition, Manchester United and Everton.
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