The FA at 150 – a history in pictures

The FA's first official rulebook was written in 1863 and details a game which had only 13 rules – one them being that players couldn't wear nails on the soles or heels of their boots – and in which crossbars didn't exist Photograph: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Early matches were fraught and physical. The first recorded international football matches are between England and Scotland, as depicted here Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Royal Engineers, pictured, won the first ever English FA Cup final, defeating Wanderers 1-0 at the Kennington Oval
Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images

Crystal Palace was the venue for many an early Cup final. This one, in 1897, featured Everton and Aston Villa Photograph: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

Post-match parades weren't too dissimilar to the present day, albeit they had horses to pull the team coach. Here, Manchester United captain Charlie Roberts holds the trophy as the team are greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters on their return to Manchester after beating Bristol City 1-0 Photograph: Getty

Here's what the trophy looked like until 1910 Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images

Arthur Wharton, a goalkeeper for Preston North End and Rotherham United, was the English game's first notable black player Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images

Wembley Stadium hosted its first final in 1923. Bolton Wanderers played West Ham United in a final attended by approximately 200,000 people Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

It became known as the 'White Horse Final' for the actions of PC George Scorey and his white horse Billy who helped to push the crowds back Photograph: Central Press/Getty Images

The game itself was won 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers Photograph: Popperfoto/Popperfoto/Getty Images

The first ever Charity Shield match was held in 1908. Billy Meredith of Manchester United is seen here playing against Queens Park Rangers. Following a 1-1 draw, United won the replay 4-0 to claim the trophy Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 1953, Wembley would stage one of its most memorable Cup finals. Blackpool's forward Stanley Matthews guided his side to a 4-3 victory and the final would forever be remembered in his name Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Matthews was still playing international football for England until the age of 42 Photograph: William Vanderson/Getty Images

In 1962, Ipswich Town manager Alf Ramsey landed the England manager's job Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images

Ramsey steered England to their finest hour in 1966 Photograph: getty

On home soil, they claimed the Jules Rimet Trophy for the first and only time in their history Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Viv Anderson became the first black player for England, in 1978 Photograph: Wesley/Getty Images

The following year Wembley would play host to another classic final, with Alan Sunderland scoring for Arsenal as they beat Manchester United Photograph: Getty Images/Getty Images

In the competition's halcyon days, the FA Cup final was the pinnacle of the season, courting viewers around the world. Dave Beasant of Wimbledon was the first man ever to save a penalty in a final when he foiled John Aldridge of Liverpool in 1988 Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

England's pursuit of glory ended in tears in 1990. Paul Gascoigne epitomised the nation's grief as West Germany triumphed on penalties at the Stadio Delle Alpi in Turin, Italy Photograph: Billy Stickland/Getty Images

With the league system restructured, end of season play-offs became a regular highlight at Wembley. Charlton Athletic's penalty shoot-out against Sunderland in 1998 provided a notable finale Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

Following the last game ever staged at the old Wembley in 2001, England coach Kevin Keegan resigned from his job while in the toilet. England had been beaten 1-0 by Germany Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

The appointment of his successor divided the nation – many believed only an Englishman should coach the national side Photograph: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

But the job was handed to Sven-Goran Eriksson Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Occasional joys followed. In 2001 David Beckham rescued England's World Cup qualification hopes with a last-gasp free-kick against Greece at Old Trafford Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

By 2004 the new Wembley was taking shape
Photograph: Dan Chung/The Guardian

The FA's chairman David Bernstein welcomed Roy Hodgson to the England managerial job in 2012 in the hope that one day he can add another major international trophy to their barren cabinet Photograph: Tom Jenkins