1888 FA Cup final

1888 FA Cup final

West Bromwich Albion, winning side
Event	1887–88 FA Cup
West Bromwich Albion Preston North End 2 1
Date	24 March 1888
Venue	Kennington Oval, London
Referee	Francis Marindin
Attendance	19,000
← 1887 1889 →

The 1888 FA Cup final was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End at the Kennington Oval. Preston were strong favourites for the Cup, having set a record which still stands today by beating Hyde 26–0 in the first round, and were so confident of overcoming West Bromwich Albion in the final that they asked to be photographed with the trophy before the game. The FA president Major Francis Marindin turned them down and said: "Hadn't you better win it first?" They did not get their photo after the game either.^{[citation needed]} So lacking in confidence were their West Bromwich opponents that when offered bets on the outcome of the game by the Preston players, they all refused, no matter how great the odds.^[1] West Brom won 2–1, with their goals scored by George Woodhall and Jem Bayliss. Fred Dewhurst scored Preston's effort.