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2024–25 FA Youth Cup

2024–25 FA Youth Cup
Tournament details
Teams633

The 2024–25 FA Youth Cup was the 73rd edition of the competition.

The competition consisted of several rounds and was preceded by a qualifying competition, starting with two preliminary rounds which was followed by three qualifying rounds for non-League teams. The Football League teams entered the draw thereafter, with League One and League Two teams entered in the first round proper, and Premier League and Championship teams entered in the third round proper.

A record 633 clubs were accepted into the competition. Although 3 teams Hutton, Newent Town, and Thame United withdrew before the draw began, 630 competed in the competition. The current defending Champions are Manchester City who defeated Leeds United 4–0 at the City of Manchester Stadium in front of 20,000 fans.

Calendar

Round Matches played from Matches Clubs New entries
Extra preliminary round 12 August 2024 93 630 → 537 186
Preliminary round 2 September 2024 191 537 → 346 289
First round qualifying 16 September 2024 117 346 → 229 43
Second round qualifying 30 September 2024 70 229 → 159 23
Third round qualifying 14 October 2024 35 159 → 124
First round 2 November 2024 40 124 → 84 45
Second round 23 November 2024 20 84 → 64
Third round 14 December 2024 32 64 → 32 44
Fourth round 18 January 2025 16 32 → 16
Fifth round 8 February 2025 8 16 → 8
Quarter-finals 8 March 2025 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 5 April 2025 2 4 → 2
Final 3 May 2025 1 2 → 1

Qualifying rounds

Extra preliminary round

186 teams from tiers 7-10 competed in the Extra preliminary Round. 9 walkovers occurred in this round as Ardley United, Arundel, Godalming Town, Rochester United, St Blazey, Selsey, Soham Town Rangers, Sutton Athletic and West Didsbury & Chorlton all withdrew from the competition at this stage. The result is 9 total walkovers so far. The Draw was released on July 5, 2024.[1][2]

Preliminary round

382 teams competed in the Preliminary round with the 93 winners from the previous round along with 289 new teams. 17 walkovers occurred in this round as Baldock Town, Barnstaple Town, Bideford, Carlisle City, Crowborough Athletic, Evesham United, Flackwell Heath, Great Wakering Rovers, Hamworthy United, Holmesdale, Lancing, Mousehole, Romford, Shepton Mallet, Silsden, Stapenhill, and Wick all withdrew from the competition at this stage. As a result, we have 26 walkovers so far. The Draw was released on July 5, 2024.[1]

First Round Qualifying

43 clubs from the sixth tier National League North and National League South competed with the 191 winners from the preliminary round. Even though the 6th tier has 48 teams, Chesham United, Farnborough, Peterborough Sports, Scunthorpe United, and Welling United did not apply to compete in the FA Youth Cup this year. Bracknell Town were originally supposed to play in this round, but were disqualified after they fielded an ineligible player so their opponent Ascot United moved on in their place. No walkovers occcured during the round. This results in the same number of walkovers for the tournament 26. The Draw was made on September 6, 2024.[3]

Second Round Qualifying

23 clubs from the fifth tier National League competed with the 117 winners from the previous round. 12 teams from tier ten are left with 11 confirmed to be moving on to this round. Although the fifth tier has 24 clubs, Braintree Town did not apply to compete in the FA Youth Cup. No walkovers occcured during the round. This results in the same number of walkovers for the tournament 26. The draw was done on September 20, 2024.[4]

Third Round Qualifying

The 70 winners from the Second Round Qualifying compete in this round with the 35 winners progressing to the First Round Proper. Four teams Coalville Town, Hackney Wick, Rising Ballers Kensington, and Wellingborough Whitworth from tier 10 are the lowest ranked teams left in the competition. Seven teams Barking, Guiseley AFC, Gosport Borough, Hackney Wick, Harpenden Town, Kingstonian, and Newcastle Town made it from the Extra Preliminary Round to this round so far. The draw was done on October 4, 2024.[5]

Competition Proper

First Round

45 teams from League One and League Two joined the 35 winners from the previous round. Barrow, Crawley Town, and Wycombe Wanderers will not participate in this round as they did not apply to enter the competition. Coalville Town, Hackney Wick, Rising Ballers Kensington and Wellingborough Whitworth from the tenth tier are the lowest ranked teams left in the competition. Five teams, Barking, Guiseley, Hackney Wick, Merstham FC and Newcastle Town made it all the way from the Extra Preliminary Round to the First Round Proper playing 5 games to make it here. The Draw was made on October 18, 2024.[6]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League[a] Championship[a] League One League Two Non-League Total
20 / 20
24 / 24
22 / 22
23 / 23
35 / 35
124 / 124
  1. ^ a b Premier League and Championship teams will join the competition in the third round.
24 October 2024 Exeter City (3) 2–0Bridgwater United (9)Exeter
19:00 GMT
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 269
Referee: Luke McFarlane
24 October 2024 Hartpury University (9)1–3 Cheltenham Town (4) Hartpury
19:30 GMT
Stadium: Hartpury Stadium
Attendance: 406
Referee: Mitchell Terry
25 October 2024 Hertford Town (8) 3–2Cambridge United (3)Hertford
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Hertingfordbury Park
Attendance: 357
Referee: Joanne Horwood
28 October 2024 Oldham Athletic (5)0–6 Barnsley (3) Oldham
19:00 GMT Report
Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 251
Referee: Christopher Porter
28 October 2024 AFC Fylde (5) 3–0Doncaster Rovers (4)Wesham
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Mill Farm
Attendance: 352
Referee: Andy Sykes
28 October 2024 Salford City (4) 2–1Huddersfield Town (3)Salford
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Peninsula Stadium
Attendance: 547
Referee: Abdul Hakimy
28 October 2024 Lichfield City (9)0–5 Lincoln City (3) Lichfield
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Trade Tyre Community Stadium
Attendance: 185
Referee: Keir Sheppard
28 October 2024 Gillingham (4) 4–3 (a.e.t.)Charlton Athletic (3)Gillingham
19:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 348
Referee: Deryll David
29 October 2024 Rotherham United (3)2–6 Bolton Wanderers (3) Rotherham
19:00 GMT
Stadium: AESSEAL New York Stadium
Attendance: 330
Referee: Ian Johnston
29 October 2024 Wrexham (3) 1–0 (a.e.t.)Morecambe (4)Wrexham
19:00 GMT
Report Stadium: STōK Cae Ras
Attendance: 577
Referee: Thomas Swift
29 October 2024 Harrogate Town (4) 2–0 Guiseley (7)Harrogate
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Exercise Stadium
Attendance: 727
Referee: Conor Ledgeway
29 October 2024 Chesterfield (4) 1–0 (a.e.t.) Walsall (4)Alfreton
19:00 GMT
Report Stadium: Impact Arena
Attendance: 160
Referee: Samuel Wright
29 October 2024 Colchester United (4) 4–2Hackney Wick (10)Colchester
19:00 GMT
Stadium: JobServe Community Stadium
Attendance: 232
Referee: Sam Wigington
29 October 2024 Swindon Town (4) 3–1Newport County (4)Swindon
19:00 GMT
Report Stadium: The County Ground
Attendance: 451
Referee: Adam Gregory
29 October 2024 Woking (5)2–4 (a.e.t.) Bromley (4) Woking
19:45 GMT
Stadium: The Laithwaite Community Stadium
Attendance: 166
Referee: Dennis Torres-Miranda
30 October 2024 Peterborough United (3)1–2 Northampton Town (3) Peterborough
19:00 GMT
Report Stadium: Weston Homes Stadium
Attendance: 550
Referee: Joseph Karram
30 October 2024 Kempston Rovers (9)1–2 Notts County (4) Kempston
19:30 GMT
Stadium: Hillgrounds Leisure
Attendance: 150
Referee: Luke Scott
30 October 2024 AFC Dunstable (8) 2–1Reading (3)Dunstable
19:30 GMT
Stadium: Creasey Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: Zachary Cunningham
30 October 2024 Sutton United (5)0–1 AFC Wimbledon (4) Sutton
19:45 GMT
Stadium: VBS Community Stadium
Attendance: 497
Referee: Derrick Laing
30 October 2024 Leyton Orient (3) 1–0Aldershot Town (5)Leyton
19:45 GMT
Report Stadium: Gaughan Group Stadium
Attendance: 261
Referee: Ross Murph
Note: Match was originally supposed to start at 19:00 GMT but was moved 45 minutes later because Aldershot town did not arrive yet.
30 October 2024 Merstham (8) 4–0St Albans City (6)Merstham
20:00 GMT
Report Stadium: The Hybrid Fitness Stadium
Attendance: 287
Referee: Craig Barnett
Note: Match was pushed back 15 minutes due to traffic on the M25.
31 October 2024 Altrincham (5)1–4 (a.e.t.) Carlisle United (4) Altrincham
19:00 GMT
Stadium: The J.Davidson Stadium
Attendance: 313
Referee: Graeme Kearney
31 October 2024 Newcastle Town (8)2–4 Birmingham City (3) Newcastle-under-Lyme
19:45 GMT
Stadium: Red Industries Stadium
Attendance: 226
Referee: Brandon Scaife
31 October 2024 Barking (9)2–3 Whitehawk (7) Dagenham
19:45 GMT
Stadium: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 167
Referee: Gerry Heron
31 October 2024 Sheringham (9)0–1 Rising Ballers Kensington (10) Sheringham
19:45 GMT
Stadium: Weybourne Road
Attendance: 110
Referee: Jaden Lister
31 October 2024 Camberley Town (9)0–2 Forest Green Rovers (5) Camberley
19:45 GMT
Stadium: Krooner Park
Attendance: 115
Referee: Dennis Torres-Miranda
31 October 2024 Tamworth (5) 2–1Wellingborough Whitworth (10)Tamworth
20:00 GMT
Stadium: The Lamb Ground
Attendance: 127
Referee: Mitchell Cartwright
1 November 2024 Accrington Stanley (4) 2–1Farsley Celtic (6)Accrington
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 314
Referee: Mark Reeves
1 November 2024 Stockport County (3)0–3 Blackpool (3) Stockport
19:00 GMT Report
Stadium: Stockport Sports Village
Attendance: 206
Referee: Adam Watson
1 November 2024 Blyth Spartans (7)1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–5 p)
Bradford City (4) Blyth
19:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Croft Park
Attendance: 341
Referee: Givi Todua
Penalties
1 November 2024 Fleetwood Town (4) 4–1Wigan Athletic (3)Fleetwood
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 296
Referee: Christopher Porter
1 November 2024 Mansfield Town (3)1–2 Grimsby Town (4) Mansfield
19:00 GMT
Stadium: One Call Stadium
Attendance: 474
Referee: Ashley Allen
3 November 2024 Trafford (8)0–1 Tranmere Rovers (4) Flixton
13:00 GMT Stadium: Shawe View Stadium
Attendance: 246
Referee: Jack Lambert
4 November 2024 Milton Keynes Dons (4)0–4 Stevenage (3) Denbigh
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 350
Referee: Luke Scott
4 November 2024 Eastleigh (5) 5–2Torquay United (6)Eastleigh
19:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Silverlake Stadium
Attendance: 221
Referee: Paul Barber
5 November 2024 Port Vale (4)0–4 Burton Albion (3) Burslem
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 435
Referee: Thomas Swift
5 November 2024 Bristol Rovers (3) 3–1 (a.e.t.)Badshot Lea (8)Bristol
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 257
Referee: Craig Scriven
5 November 2024 Solihull Moors (5)1–2 Crewe Alexandra (4) Solihull
19:45 GMT
Stadium: ARMCO Arena
Attendance: 249
Referee: Gareth Davis
6 November 2024 Shrewsbury Town (3) 9–0Coalville Town (10)Shrewsbury
19:30 GMT
Report Stadium: The Croud Meadow
Attendance: 250
Referee: Jamie Conde
7 November 2024 Maidenhead United (5)2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 p)
Burgess Hill Town (8) Maidenhead
19:45 GMT
Stadium: York Road
Attendance: 138
Referee: Joanne Horwood
13 November 2024 ReplayBradford City (4)1–1 (a.e.t.)
(8–9 p)
Blyth Spartans (7) Brighouse
19:00 GMT
Stadium: The Heffernan Utilities Stadium
Attendance: 139
Referee: Givi Todua
Penalties
Note: Match was replayed at Brighouse Town because Bradford City used too many substitutes during the original Matchup.[7]
20 November 2024 ReplayBromley (4)1–2 (a.e.t.) Woking (5) Bromley
19:45 GMT
Stadium: Hayes Lane
Note: Match was ordered to be replayed because the initial match not being completed within the rules of the competition.

Second Round

The winners from the first round would compete in this round. Rising Ballers Kensington from the tenth tier is the lowest tier team left in the tournament. Merstham FC are the only team remaining who played in the Extra-Preliminary round, winning 6 matches to get to this stage. The draw was made on November 1, 2024. [8]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League[a] Championship[a] League One League Two Non-League Total
20 / 20
24 / 24
13 / 22
15 / 23
12 / 35
84 / 124
  1. ^ a b Premier League and Championship teams will join the competition in the third round.
13 November 2024 Barnsley (3)0–1 Carlisle United (4) Barnsley
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 177
Referee: Paul Roots
13 November 2024 Tranmere Rovers (4)1–3 Wrexham (3) Birkenhead
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 562
Referee: Andy Sykes
15 November 2024 AFC Fylde (5) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
Northampton Town (3)Wesham
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Mill Farm
Attendance: 517
Referee: Abid Hussain
Penalties
15 November 2024 Fleetwood Town (4) 7–0Tamworth (5)Fleetwood
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 266
Referee: Jacob Viera
15 November 2024 Grimsby Town (4) 3–2Salford City (4)Cleethorpes
19:00 GMT Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 320
Referee: Mathew Wright
16 November 2024 Burton Albion (3)1–2 Notts County (4) Burton Upon Trent
14:00 GMT
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 420
Referee: Richard Morris
18 November 2024 Chesterfield (4) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Shrewsbury Town (3)Alfreton
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Impact Arena
Referee: Ashley Royston
Penalties
18 November 2024 Eastleigh (5)0–6 AFC Wimbledon (4) Eastleigh
19:00 GMT Report
Stadium: Silverlake Stadium
Referee: Michael Ryan
18 November 2024 Stevenage (3) 4–1 (a.e.t.)Cheltenham Town (4)Stevenage
19:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Lamex Stadium
Attendance: 516
Referee: Craig Barnett
19 November 2024 Harrogate Town (4) 3–1Birmingham City (3)Harrogate
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Exercise Stadium
Attendance: 471
Referee: Jamie Cann
19 November 2024 Leyton Orient (3) 6–0Whitehawk (7)Leyton
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Gaughan Group Stadium
Attendance: 210
Referee: Dennis Torres-Miranda
19 November 2024 Gillingham (4)1–2 Swindon Town (4) Gillingham
19:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 404
Referee: Gerry Heron
19 November 2024 Exeter City (3) 4–0AFC Dunstable (8)Exeter
19:00 GMT
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 192
Referee: Luke McFarlane
25 November 2024 Bolton Wanderers (3)2–3 Lincoln City (3) Horwich
19:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
Attendance: 463
Referee: Graeme Kearney
26 November 2024 Accrington Stanley (4) 6–1Blyth Spartans (7)Accrington
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 240
Note: match was originally to be played on 20 November 2024, but was moved back a week because Blyth Spartans had to replay their first round matchup against Bradford City.
26 November 2024 Hertford Town (8) 4–3 (a.e.t.)Bristol Rovers (3)Hertford
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Hertingfordbury Park
Attendance: 559
Referee: Neil Morrison
27 November 2024 Crewe Alexandra (4) 2–0Blackpool (3)Crewe
19:00 GMT
Stadium: Mornflake Stadium
Referee: Richard Abson
27 November 2024 Burgess Hill Town (8) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Colchester United (4)Burgess Hill
19:30 GMT
Stadium: Leylands Park
Attendance: 443
Referee: Jonathan Bolland
27 November 2024 Merstham (8) 3–0Forest Green Rovers (5)Merstham
19:30 GMT Stadium: The Hybrid Fitness Stadium
Attendance: 363
Referee: Jordan Crossley
29 November 2024 Woking (5) 3–2 (a.e.t.)Rising Ballers Kensington (10)Sandhurst
19:45 GMT
Stadium: Bottom Meadow
Attendance: 83
Referee: Lawrence Torz-Brown
Note: Match was postponed due to a replay in the Bromley vs Woking match as the original game wasn't played within the rules of the competition. Then was postponed again due to a waterlogged pitch. Match was played at Sandhurst Town.

Third Round

44 teams from the EFL Championship and the Premier League join in this stage of the competition. Burgess Hill Town, Hertford Town, and Merstham from the 8th Tier are the lowest ranked teams remaining in the competition. Merstham are the only team remaining who played in the Extra-Preliminary round, winning 7 matches to get to this stage. The draw was made on November 15, 2024.[9]

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League[a] Championship[a] League One League Two Non-League Total
20 / 20
24 / 24
5 / 22
10 / 23
5 / 35
64 / 124
29 November 2024 Millwall (2) 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Hull City (2)Bermondsey
19:00 GMT
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 570
Penalties
1 December 2024 Notts County (4) v Fullham Nottingham
12:30 GMT Stadium: Meadow Lane
3 December 2024 Hertford Town (8) v Arsenal Hertford
19:00 GMT Stadium: Hertingfordbury Park
4 December 2024 Watford (2) v Oxford United (2) King's Langley
19:00 GMT Stadium: The Orbital Fasteners Stadium
5 December 2024 Sheffield United (2) v Blackburn Rovers (2) Sheffield
19:00 GMT Stadium: Brammall Lane
6 December 2024 Preston North End (2) v Liverpool Preston
19:00 GMT Stadium: Deepdale
8 December 2024 Tottenham Hotspur v Middlesbrough (2) Enfield
12:00 GMT Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre
9 December 2024 Leyton Orient (3) v AFC Fylde (5) Leyton
17:45 GMT Stadium: Gaughan Group Stadium
9 December 2024 Norwich City (2) v Brentford Norwich
19:00 GMT Stadium: Carrow Road
10 December 2024 Cardiff City (2) v Chesterfield (4) Canton
19:00 GMT Stadium: Leckwith Stadium
10 December 2024 Bristol City (2) v Sheffield Wednesday (2) Failand
19:00 GMT Stadium: Robins High Performance Centre
10 December 2024 Fleetwood Town (4) v Burnley (2) Fleetwood
19:00 GMT Stadium: Highbury Stadium
10 December 2024 Carlisle United (4) v Plymouth Argyle (2) Carlisle
19:00 GMT Stadium: Brunton Park
11 December 2024 Swansea City (2) v Southampton Landore
19:00 GMT Stadium: Landore Training Ground
11 December 2024 Lincoln City (3) v Wrexham (3) Lincoln
19:00 GMT Stadium: Sincil Bank
11 December 2024 Merstham (8) v Burgess Hill Town (8) Merstham
19:45 GMT Stadium: The Hybrid Fitness Stadium
13 December 2024 Leicester City v Chelsea Seagrave
19:00 GMT Stadium: Leicester City F.C. Training Ground
13 December 2024 Luton Town (2) v Crewe Alexandra (4) Luton
19:00 GMT Stadium: Kenilworth Road
16 December 2024 Portsmouth (2) v Leeds United (2) Portsmouth
19:00 GMT Stadium: Fratton Park
17 December 2024 Derby County (2) v Sunderland (2) Derby
19:00 GMT Stadium: Pride Park Stadium
21 December 2024 Stevenage (3) v Exeter City (3) Stevenage
15:00 GMT Stadium: Lamex Stadium
December 2024 Stoke City (2) v Woking (5)

Fourth Round

Number of teams per tier still in competition
Premier League[a] Championship[a] League One League Two Non-League Total
15 / 20
18 / 24
4 / 22
10 / 23
4 / 35
51 / 124

Fifth Round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Premier League and Championship teams will join the competition in the third round.

References