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The FA Cup 1904; Manchester City’s First Trophy Ever

By SM. Rayhan Arafat Nibir

April 1904: The Manchester City team line up with the FA Cup trophy that they won with a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Crystal Palace. From the back row, and from left to right are : Frost, Gillespie, McMahon, Hynds, Hillman, Ashworth, Burgess, Livingstone, Meredith, Turnbull, Booth. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
April 1904: The Manchester City team line up with the FA Cup trophy that they won with a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Crystal Palace. From the back row, and from left to right are : Frost, Gillespie, McMahon, Hynds, Hillman, Ashworth, Burgess, Livingstone, Meredith, Turnbull, Booth. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) /
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The City claimed their first FA Cup trophy in 1904, marking the inception of Manchester City’s illustrious tradition. The club eternally secured this coveted prize when its owner, Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed, successfully acquired it at an auction. Instead of retaining possession, the club magnanimously opted to bestow the trophy upon the National Football Museum.

Previously, this cherished relic resided in a Manchester museum. However, in 2019, David Gold, the former owner of West Ham United, made the decision to auction off the trophy. Subsequently, the auction took place last September, culminating in Mansoor’s acquisition of the second edition of the FA Cup. The City’s proprietor procured this historical artifact for a sum of 760 thousand pounds.

Upon acquiring this piece of heritage, the club’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, remarked, ‘This trophy symbolizes the rich tradition and honor of English football, to which Manchester City has steadfastly been connected. Securing this title in 1904 marked a pivotal moment in the club’s history, and since then, the city of Manchester has held a cherished place in the hearts of football enthusiasts. Sheikh Mansoor is eager to share this culturally significant trophy with both Manchester and the wider English football community. The National Football Museum serves as the perfect home for it.’

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri celebrates with the FA Cup trophy on stage following an open-top bus victory parade for their European Cup, FA Cup and Premier League victories, in Manchester, northern England on June 12, 2023. Manchester City tasted Champions League glory at last on Saturday as a second-half Rodri strike gave the favourites a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in a tense final, allowing Pep Guardiola's side to complete a remarkable treble. Having already claimed a fifth Premier League title in six seasons, and added the FA Cup, City are the first English club to win such a treble since Manchester United in 1999. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri celebrates with the FA Cup trophy on stage following an open-top bus victory parade for their European Cup, FA Cup and Premier League victories, in Manchester, northern England on June 12, 2023. Manchester City tasted Champions League glory at last on Saturday as a second-half Rodri strike gave the favourites a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in a tense final, allowing Pep Guardiola’s side to complete a remarkable treble. Having already claimed a fifth Premier League title in six seasons, and added the FA Cup, City are the first English club to win such a treble since Manchester United in 1999. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /

The FA Cup was first organized in 1871, following the establishment of the Football Association in 1863. In 1885, the original FA Cup was stolen, leading to the creation of a replica for tournament champions from 1886 onwards. This particular trophy remained in use until 1910 when Manchester City acquired it. Subsequently, the FA opted for a redesign, resulting in the introduction of the new FA Cup trophy in 1911.