At The Oval in Kennington, London, Wanderers F.C. and Royal Engineers A.F.C. faced off in the very first final of the FA Cup, a competition established to create a knockout format for football clubs across England. The Wanderers F.C., composed of a group of former public school players, took on the Royal Engineers, a team formed by members of the British Army. The match, played before an enthusiastic crowd, saw the Wanderers emerge victorious with a single goal, securing their place in football history. The only goal is credited to a player whose talent set a precedent for many future stars in the sport.

The FA Cup was created with the intent to organize competition among clubs and offer an opportunity for teams of different backgrounds to compete on equal footing. This inaugural final not only validated this objective but also highlighted the growing popularity of football in Britain. The event was pivotal in galvanizing public interest, which would pave the way for football to evolve into the national sport of England. The setting in The Oval, known primarily for cricket, also served to illustrate the transition of sports culture in the UK.

The influence of this first final extends beyond the match itself, contributing to the development of structured play, increased club participation, and establishment of rules that began to take shape in the early days of the sport. Since then, the FA Cup has evolved into a beloved annual tournament that draws teams from all over the country, including amateur clubs, thus ensuring a diverse range of participants and fostering community spirit.