For twenty years following the formation of the Football Association in 1863, the game was largely dominated by the clubs formed by the gentlemen amateurs of the Home Counties, most of whom had been introduced to the game whilst pupils at the various public schools. Not surprisingly, it was these sides that also dominated the early years of the FA Cup from 1871. 
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Wanderers [originally founded as Forest FC in 1859] won the first two finals and a further three in the 1870s. Old Etonians meanwhile, played in six FA Cup finals, winning twice in 1878-79 and 1881-82, defeating Blackburn Rovers on the latter occasion. Rovers had been the first provincial side to reach the Final, but the creeping threat from the North had been coming: Sheffield had been quarter-finalists three times; whilst both Nottingham Forest (twice) and Darwen had been semi-finalists.

Read the rest of David Bauckham's article at https://dbauckham.exposure.co/arthurian-legend.

The 4 teams for the Division 5 playoffs were confirmed today. 
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The 4 teams for the Division 5 playoffs were confirmed today. 

They are as follows: 

Old Bancroftians (1) and Old Merchants Taylors (2) from Division 5 North. 

Old Oundelians (1) and Old Tonbridgians (2) from Division 5 South. 

By way of reminder, the top 2 teams from each section face each other (the top team in the North plays the 2nd placed team in the South and vice versa thus it is Old Bancroftians (1N) vs. Old Tonbridgians (2S) whilst Old Oundelians (1S) face Old Merchant Taylors (2N) ) with the 2 winners playing for the right to call themselves the Division 5 champions.

Please note that in a new twist to the promotion chase, the semi-finals will be over 2 legs.