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. 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 at neutral venues 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
The format of the FA Cup for the season had two preliminary rounds, five qualifying rounds, four proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.
Round
Date
Extra preliminary round
Saturday 9 September 1911
Preliminary round
Saturday 16 September 1911
First round qualifying
Saturday 30 September 1911
Second round qualifying
Saturday 14 October 1911
Third round qualifying
Saturday 4 November 1911
Fourth round qualifying
Saturday 18 November 1911
Fifth round qualifying
Saturday 2 December 1911
First round proper
Saturday 13 January 1912
Second round proper
Saturday 3 February 1912
Third round proper
Saturday 24 February 1912
Fourth round proper
Saturday 9 March 1912
Semi-finals
Saturday 30 March 1912
Final
Saturday 20 April 1912
Qualifying rounds
The Football Association restructured the preliminary rounds of this year's Cup competition to even out the number of clubs entering the tournament at these stages. The extra preliminary round contained more than 100 teams (112) for the first time, while a further 114 clubs joined the 56 winners at the preliminary stage. Crook Town became the first club to progress from the extra preliminary round to the fifth qualifying round, defeating Seaham Villa, Seaham Harbour, Stanley United, West Stanley, Wingate Albion Comrades and Newcastle City along the way before bowing out to Lincoln City.
37 of the 40 clubs from the First and Second divisions joined the 12 clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. The other three sides (Gainsborough, Stockport and Grimsby Town) were entered in the fourth qualifying round. Grimsby lost their one and only match, also to Lincoln City.
Fifteen Southern League sides also received byes to the first round to bring the total number of teams up to 64. These were:
32 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 13 January 1912. Eight matches were drawn and went to replays on various dates between 16-25 January. One of these matches went to a second replay, which was also played on 25 January.
The sixteen second-round matches were played on Saturday, 3 February 1912. Five matches were drawn, with the replays taking place in the following midweek fixture.
The four quarter final matches were scheduled for Saturday, 9 March 1912. There were two replays, played in the following midweek fixture. One of these went to a second replay the following week, and this then went to a third replay three days after that.
The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 30 March 1912. Both matches went to replays, which West Bromwich Albion and Barnsley won, going on to meet each other in the final.
