LIONS HOPE TO GIVE PLENTY IN THE QUARTERS

Who has been in the Quarter-Finals most? Well it is Everton with an impressive 45 times. Arsenal come second with 43, Manchester United  42, 3rd and Spurs 39 times 4th. Who ever goes furthest between Arsenal and United will be the most successful club so far. They both have 12 overall wins, both have been in 19 finals and both have reached the semis 28 times.

Millwall are the first club from the third tier to make the quarters since that amazing run by Bradford City in 2015. Millwall have been to the quarters 10 times in total, three times in past 14 seasons, the last four years ago.

Spurs and  Millwall met first 106 years ago in the First Round proper, Spurs winning 2-1. Millwall Rovers (1885) and then known as Millwall Athletic (1889), did not join the Football League until 1920-1 when the new Third Division was formed. By then they were known as Millwall FC. The two London clubs met again in 1967, when Spurs beat them in Round 3 (1-0 after a 0-0 draw) and went on to win the Cup.

Lincoln City make history as they reach the Quarter-Finals, being the first Non-league club to achieve this status since the current structure of the top two divisions being exempt until the Third Round 92 years ago. (As I write Arsenal have just scored against Lincoln City! End of the dream? 1-0 at half time)

It is 11 seasons since the quarters were made up from just top flight teams.

In 1880-81 the quarter finalists were Stafford Road v Old Etonians 1-2. , Darwen from Lancashire 15- Romford 0, Old Carthusians (OCs) 3-1 Clapham Rovers aet. YEP only three ties!! In the semi-finals the OCs beat Darwen 4-1 aet and the Old Etonians got a BYE.

Just thought I would mention that one the OCs have won their way through to the Amatuer Football Alliance Cup Final, to be played on April 8th. A rare occurence.