Ahead of facing Sheffield United in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup this week, we take a look back at an A-Z of City's history in the competition...
ABIDE WITH ME
The Christian hymn, Abide With Me, was first sung ahead of the 1927 Final between City and Arsenal. It’s been sung at every subsequent Wembley/Principality showcase.
BLACK CAT
Looking for inspiration for cat names in 2025? Well look no further than Trixie: Hughie Ferguson’s feline friend travelled with City from round five to final in 1927. Worked a treat.
CHARLES, JOHN
The great Welshman played for Leeds United and Cardiff City during his fabled career and duly led the two sides out for a third round tie at Ninian Park in January 2002. City won 2-1 (etc).
DELANEY, MARK
Mark imprinted himself upon the minds of the big clubs with his tremendous solo goal against Chester City in a 6-0 first round win in 1998. He’d soon move to Villa and earn 36 Welsh caps.
ERNIE
Local lad Ernie Curtis was one of the heroes of ’27. He won the FA Cup, Welsh Cup, Charity Shield and was capped by Wales by the age of 18; he’d later serve in WW2.
FOUL PLAY
Former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson claimed he was just “standing his ground” when he tripped Michael Chopra in a 2010 third round 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate. City won the replay 1-0.
GREW, MARK
Nathan Blake took the plaudits with his goal against Manchester City in 1994’s fourth round epic; goalkeeper Grew’s late penalty save ensured the famous victory.
HARRIS, MARK
Having come through the Academy ranks, Sparky made his senior City debut in January 2017, replacing Greg Halford in a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham in round three. The competition remains fertile ground for youngsters breaking through.
INJURY NEWS
Many of Dave Jones’ pre-match questions back in May 2008 focussed on whether Robbie Fowler would be fit to feature at Wembley. He didn’t make it and wouldn’t play for City again.
JARVIS, NAT
Local lad Nat made three first team appearances for City having come though the youth ranks. He scored two goals, one of which was against Macclesfield Town in a 2-1 third round defeat in 2013.
KAVANAGH, GRAHAM
Only Scott Young had more post-match pints bought for him than Graham Kavanagh following the famous Leeds triumph in January 2002. City’s skipper had equalised before Youngy’s late winner.
LLOYD GEORGE, DAVID
Former UK Prime Minster (the first and, as yet only Welsh speaking UK PM) David Lloyd George (1916-22) attended the ’27 final, as did future PM, Winston Churchill (1940-45).
McPHAIL, STEPHEN
Leeds named five substitutes against City in their 2002 third round defeat. Twenty-two-year-old McPhail didn’t get on that day but would lead City at Wembley in the 2008 Final.
NINIAN PARK
The setting for so many famous Cup games, Ninian Park hosted its final ever FA Cup match on 25th January 2009: a 0-0 fourth round draw with Arsenal. The Gunners won the replay 4-0.
OLE
Ole Gunnar Solksjær’s first match as City boss came in a third round tie at Newcastle United in January 2014. City won 2-1 before falling to a 1-0 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in round four.
PETER
Peter Whittingham scored against Chasetown on his City Cup bow in the third round in 2008. He would go on to feature in 18 ties for the Bluebirds in total, scoring four times.
QUEEN’S PARK
Cardiff City remain the only non-English side to take the FA Cup out of England in 1927. Scottish side Queen’s Park came close to doing so in the late nineteenth century, twice losing in the Final.
RAMSEY, AARON
Synonymous with FA Cup tales. Rambo scored in Round 3 in 2008 at Chasetown but didn’t start in the Final. Returned to Ninian Park with Arsenal in 2009; lifted the trophy in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
SUPPORTERS
There were tears before and after the 2008 Final. Yet unlike many teams’ fans after defeat, we stayed and clapped Pompey up the steps. Classy.
TAMAȘ, Gabriel
Romanian international defender Tamaș was on the books at City for the 2015/16 season; he made one first team appearance, in a 1-0 home FA Cup defeat to Shrewsbury Town.
UPSETS
Promoted sides often slip up in the Cup as they prioritise league survival over progression. City’s last such bum note came in 2019, as Gillingham edged out Neil Warnock’s men 1-0 in round three.
VETCH FIELD
The last time the FA Cup staged a South Wales derby was back in November 1991 at Swansea’s former Vetch Field home. The Swans pipped City to a 2-1 win in the first round.
WILDIG, AARON
Primed at the time for big things, Wildig performed admirably in a 4-1 fifth round defeat at Chelsea in 2010. Frank Lampard waited post-match to give him his shirt: a nice touch.
XXVII
The number 27 in roman numerals (bear with us, it’s been a long festive period)! City first played in the Final in 1925, losing 1-0 to this year’s third round opponents Sheffield United, before returning victorious two years later.
YEOVIL TOWN
Conference side Yeovil held fourth tier City to a 1-1 draw in a third-round tie back in 1999. You may remember that City squeaked out a 2-1 win AET in the replay thanks to Kevin Nugent’s quick thinking.
ZERO
City’s 2024 adventure in the world’s most famous Cup competition lasted little more than 90 minutes, following a 4-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in round three. Let’s hope for better in the steel city this year!