The 1964–65 FA Cup was the 84th staging of the world's oldest footballcup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Liverpool won the competition for the first time (despite having reached two finals previously), beating Leeds United 2–1 after extra time in the final at Wembley.
Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. Some matches, however, might be rescheduled for other days if there were clashes with games for other competitions or the weather was inclement. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week. If the replayed match was drawn further replays would be held until a winner was determined. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played in a replay, a 30-minute period of extra time would be played.
Calendar
Round
Date
First qualifying round
Saturday 5 September 1964
Second qualifying round
Saturday 19 September 1964
Third qualifying round
Saturday 3 October 1964
Fourth qualifying round
Saturday 17 October 1964
First round proper
Saturday 14 November 1964
Second round
Saturday 5 December 1964
Third round
Saturday 9 January 1965
Fourth round
Saturday 30 January 1965
Fifth round
Saturday 20 February 1965
Sixth round
Saturday 6 March 1965
Semi-finals
Saturday 27 March 1965
Final
Saturday 1 May 1965
Qualifying rounds
Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 30 places available in the first round.
Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Canterbury City, Bideford and Welton Rovers. Of the others, Spalding United had last featured at this stage in 1957-58, Kidderminster Harriers in 1952-53, Hayes and South Liverpool in 1946-47, and Annfield Plain in 1928-29. Barnet participated in seven rounds of this season's competition, defeating Harlow Town, Hertford Town, Stevenage Town, Walthamstow Avenue, Cambridge United and Enfield before going out to the previous season's runner-up Preston North End in the third round.
Matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 14 November 1964. Eight were drawn and went to replays three or four days later. Two of these replayed matches required a second replay to complete the fixture, with those games played the following week.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 5 December 1964. Five matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week. The Stockport County–Grimsby Town game was played midweek on 7 December, however.
The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 9 January 1965. Ten matches were drawn and went to replays, though none of these then resulted in a second replay. Barnet was the last non-league club left in the competition.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 30 January 1965. Six matches were drawn and went to replays. The replays were all played two, three or four days later.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 20 February 1965. Two games required replays during the midweek fixture, and the Aston Villa&Wolverhampton Wanderers match went to a third game the following week, with Wolves the victors.
The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 6 March 1965. Two of these matches, however, were not played until Wednesday, 10 March. In addition, the Leicester City–Liverpool match went to a replay on this date. Peterborough United reached this stage for the first time in only their fifth season as a Football League club.
The 1965 FA Cup final was contested by Liverpool and Leeds United at Wembley on Saturday 1 May 1965. The match finished 2–1 to Liverpool, with all three goals coming in extra time.
