Manchester City won the competition for the first time, beating Bolton Wanderers 1–0 in the final at Crystal Palace, through a goal scored by Billy Meredith.

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.

The most successful club from this stage was Essex side Leytonstone who progressed to the third qualifying round where they were defeated by Clapton.

The 10 clubs to progress through to the Intermediate Round from the fifth qualifying round were Burton United, Gainsborough Trinity and Burslem Port Vale from the Football League Second Division and non-league sides Stockton, Darwen, Shrewsbury Town, Fulham, Brentford, West Ham United and Plymouth Argyle.

Small Heath from the Football League First Division and Manchester United, Bristol City, Preston North End, Woolwich Arsenal, Barnsley and Grimsby Town from the Second Division were entered automatically into this round, as were Reading, Bristol Rovers and New Brompton from the Southern League.

Blackpool, Burnley, Burslem Port Vale, Chesterfield, Gainsborough Trinity, Leicester Fosse, Lincoln City and Stockport County were all entered in the third qualifying round.