Previously it had been an invitation 32-team tournament with a group stage and knock-out competition, with clubs from all 4 levels of the football league.
The competition began on 20 February 1984 and ended with the final on 24 May 1984 at Boothferry Park, the home stadium of the losing finalists.
In the following rounds each section gradually eliminates teams in knock-out fashion until each has a winning finalist.
At this point, the two winning finalists faced each other in the combined final for the honour of the trophy.
In this round, in each section, the 6 winners and the 2 "lucky losers" progressed to the quarter-finals.