The greatest trophy in world club football was proposed on 20 July 1871 by honorary secretary of the Football Association, Charles Alcock. Three months later, his plan was approved and the FA Cup was born.

Just 15 teams took part in the first competition during the 1871-1872 season. It was won by Wanderers, a team of former public school boys and ex-university players. They beat Royal Engineers by a goal to nil in front of 2,000 spectators, all of whom had paid a shilling to watch the match at Kennington Oval.

Until 1895, the trophy was smaller than the one with which we are familiar today. It was stolen that year – presumably for its princely value of £20 – and never recovered. The current cup is the fourth in the competition’s history. It was made in 1992 and is an exact replica of the third cup.

The first final to take place at Wembley Stadium was in 1923. The match between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers (who won 2-0) became known as the White Horse Final. This was because police officer George Scorey was so very prominent atop his white steed, Billy, as he helped control the crowd of 200,000-or-so good spectators.

The final of the competition officially known as The Football Association Challenge Cup was held at Wembley every year – excluding war years – until it moved in 2000 to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

It has been won by 42 different clubs, with Manchester United claiming it the most times (11). Every season, around 600 clubs enter the competition, though only 124 are allowed to play beyond the qualifying stages that come before the official first round.