Definition
The 1981–82 FA Cup was the 101st edition of the Football Association Challenge Cup, the oldest association football knockout competition in the world. It was contested by clubs from the English football league system during the 1981–82 season.
Overview
The tournament began with preliminary and qualifying rounds in August 1981, gradually narrowing the field of entrants to 32 teams that entered at the third‑round proper, including all First Division clubs. Matches were single‑elimination, with replays used to settle draws. The competition culminated in the final at Wembley Stadium on 22 May 1982, where Tottenham Hotspur defeated Queens Park Rangers 1–0 after extra time. The winning goal was scored by Glenn Hoddle in the 94th minute. The victory gave Tottenham Hotspur their seventh FA Cup title and marked their second consecutive triumph, having won the previous season’s competition as well.
Etymology/Origin
The term “1981–82 FA Cup” combines the calendar years that the competition spanned (starting in 1981 and concluding in 1982) with the abbreviation “FA Cup,” which stands for “Football Association Challenge Cup.” The name reflects the annual nature of the tournament, organized by the English Football Association (FA).
Characteristics
- Format: Knockout tournament with single‑match ties; drawn matches were replayed at the opponent’s ground until a winner emerged.
- Participants: Open to clubs from the English football league system, encompassing professional and semi‑professional teams; over 600 clubs entered the competition in total.
- Progression: Higher‑division clubs entered at later stages (First Division clubs entered at the third round proper).
- Venue: All ties, except the final, were played at the home ground of the drawn team. The final was held at Wembley Stadium, London.
- Broadcasting: The competition was widely televised in the United Kingdom, with live coverage of the final and selected earlier‑round matches.
- Significance: Winning the FA Cup provided entry to the following season’s European Cup Winners’ Cup, granting Tottenham Hotspur a place in the 1982–83 European competition.
Related Topics
- FA Cup (general history and format)
- 1981–82 English football season
- Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (club history and achievements)
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. (club history)
- Wembley Stadium (venue for FA Cup finals)
- European Cup Winners' Cup (European competition for domestic cup winners)