FA Cup: Clubs with most appearances in finals
First held in 1871, the FA Cup is the oldest formally organised and recognised football competition in the world. It is also the premier knockout club competition in English football.
The FA Cup is notorious for its upsets and gives the chance to clubs from lower leagues to compete for major honours with the big guns of English football. In the past 10 years, clubs like Cardiff City, Everton, Stoke, Portsmouth, Wigan, Hull and Aston Villa have rubbed shoudlers with the ‘big dogs’ in the finals. Each of these clubs have so far had a tryst with relegation apart from Everton and Stoke.
The finals of the FA Cup, held each year at Wembley marks the end of the domestic football season. Winning the FA Cup is a prestigious moment in a clubs history and most clubs, inspite of the riches of the League competitions still treat it like a once in lifetime chance to be at the top of English football.
The importance of the FA Cup has increased now that the winner of the cup also gives a chance to play in the Europa League, UEFA’s second-tier European competition. We list the clubs to have appeared in the most cup finals, giving them a chance at glory.
#5 Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion (10)
Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion have competed in 10 FA Cup finals each with both clubs winning the FA Cup twice each as well. Almost fifty years have passed since West Brom last played in a cup final while it’s been 81 years since the Baggies last won the trophy.
Manchester City first appeared in the final in 1904 and have reached the finals intermittently till 1981. After the 1981 finals, City did not appear in the finals till 2011 which they went on to win. They have enjoyed success in the FA Cup since the influx of money made from the East, making them a powerful club in the domestic football scenario.
City last reached the final in 2013 under Roberto Mancini which they lost to Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic.