There have been five FA CUP trophies made since the FA Cup tournament began in 1872. The first one was made for £20, and was nicknamed The Little Tin Cup. Notts County won it in 1894.
When Aston Villa won the Cup in 1895, it was stolen from a shop window in Birmingham where it was on display — stolen, and never seen again.
The FA fined Aston Villa £25 to pay for a replacement trophy, and this replica was given to the 1905 winners. Forward now to 1909 when Manchester United won the tournament. In celebration, they made their own replica. Only then did the realisation hit the FA that they (the FA) didn’t own the design copyright.
They decided to change the appearance of the trophy. That was what led to the design of the Cup we are most familiar with today.
The second trophy was withdrawn from circulation in 1910 and was presented to the then FA President, Lord Kinnaird. It was auctioned in 2005 and sold for £420,000.
In time for the 1911 Cup Final a more substantial-looking trophy was made. It lasted for 81 seasons before it was retired in 1992. On an Antiques Road Show television programme in 2016 it was valued at one million pounds.
An exact replica of the 1911 trophy was made in 1992 to ensure that the 1911 trophy was preserved, and would be free from risk of damage.
The fifth trophy was designed in 2014. It is the same height as the 1911 and 1992 versions, but is a lot heavier.
Whichever club wins the FA Cup only ever has it on loan from the FA, and has to return it to the FA by March the 1st of the following year. If they want to, the FA can request its return any time they wish, provided they give a week’s notice.
It’s as well to keep this in mind in case your club wins the FA Cup this year.
