Arguably the greatest modern moment in Berkshire’s FA Cup history was Reading FC’s run to the semi-finals 205 where they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Arsenal. However that was the Royals second semi-final appearance having previously reached the stage in 1927 when they were beaten 3-0 by Cardiff City. However, in Non-League terms it is Maidenhead who claim this crown. In January 1894 amateur side Maidenhead travelled to St Mary’s and defeated powerful Southern League Southampton 2-1 in the First Round. At the time the Saints were one of the strongest teams outside the Football League and expected to progress comfortably. It was one of the Victorian era’s great FA Cup shocks.
Berkshire was represented in the very first FA Cup. On 11th November 1871, Maidenhead took on and beat rivals Marlow 2-0 in the First Round, before succumbing to Crystal Palace 3-0 in the Second Round.
The Road To Wembley is an absolute must for football fans. Take in a match in every round of the competition from the Extra Preliminary Round in August to the Final at Wembley Stadium in May. In the last year, former The Maccabees frontman Felix White released his latest absorbing book ‘Whatever Will Be, Will Be: A Matter of Life and Football’ charting his own FA Cup odyssey.
