It would prove to be the first time that the Sheffield side win the Cup after suffering defeat to the hands of Wolves six years previous...
Sheffield Wednesday had suffered FA Cup defeat six years prior to the demolition of Wolves; they had lost a devastating 6-1 to Blackburn Rovers in the final whilst Wolverhampton Wanderers had been there a year earlier, losing 3-0 to Preston North End in 1889.
The eventual winners had been knocked out at the semi-final stages in 1894 and 1895 but made sure at the third hurdle. Regulars in the Owls line-up; Allen, Jamieson and Farrier all missed the final but Lawrence, Bell and Jim Massey all saw delight in their first season at Owlerton, though Abrose Langley fought off a late scare to cement in place in defence.
The game went off to a flyer – that’s if you supported he team in blue of course. With barely 30 seconds gone on the clock the Owls were in front. England international Fred Spiksley collected the ball from an Archie Brash throwing, a shot in a fantastic goal.
However with ten minutes gone of the 90 the Midlands club were level, David Black had seized on a poor clearance by Crawshaw and levelled the score line with a beauty of a shot which caught keeper Massey by surprise, 1-1.
And, on 18 minutes Wednesday then went back in front, Davis set up Spiksley once again and rifled in a shot so hard it was said that it bounced back into play off the net, in fact the keeper; Billy Tennant was so mesmerised by the goal that he took him a while to realise that the Sheffield side where in front.
Defender Percy Crawshaw smashed the post in the second half whilst Davis saw his shot saved by Tennant – the Wolves shot stopper.
The Wednesday defenders were then made to show the crowed why they earned there money when they withheld a blitz from the Wolves ferocious forward line – until the Final whistle had blown and the Owls could celebrate.
Club captain Jack Earp received the brand new FA Cup from Lord Kinnaird, and it was taken back to Sheffield – the home of football. The trophy – which was even then the most prized competition in football – was won by a Sheffield club for the very first time, three years ahead of their rivals United.
The team was given a wonderful reception by the home crowed when they returned home to South Yorkshire. They showed off there magnificent trophy at the Empire Theatre, whilst the fans forgot about the entertainers that they had originally came to see.
The 1896 FA Cup Final has been remembered as the Spiksley final – though in accordance to spectators the day belong to their man of the match; little Archie Brash.
Sheffield Wednesday: James Massey, Jack Earp, Ambrose Langley, Harry Brandon, Percy Crawshaw, Bob Petrie, Archie Brash, Alec Brady, Laurie Bell, Harry Davis, Fred Spiksley (2).
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Billy Tennant, Dick Baugh, Tommy Dunn, Ikje Griffiths, Ted Malpas, Billy Owen, Jack Tonks, Charlie Henderson, Billy Beats, Harry Wood, David Black (1).
Attendance: 48,836 (at Crystal Palace)
Referee: Lt. W. Simpson (Army)