Teams from the Football League Third and Fourth Division entered in this round plus Northwich Victoria, Bangor City, Altrincham and Telford United, were given byes.
Most of the third round of games in the FA Cup were played over the weekend 4–6 January 1985, with the exception of the Gillingham-Cardiff City match.
As per the arrangements of the previous season four games were allowed to be screened Live from the Third round to the sixth and shared between the two companies, as well as the Final.
For the first time since 1970 ITV nationally screened a second round tie with highlights of Reading v Bognor Regis Town.
Reading v Bognor Regis Town (Highlights shown nationally after the league game Southampton v Arsenal and the World Club Championship match from Tokyo with commentary from Peter Brackley) Third Round
York City v Arsenal Orient v Southampton Grimsby Town v Watford Wimbledon v Nottingham Forest (Midweek replay)
Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United (LIVE-Friday Evening) Luton Town v Watford (Saturday 2nd replay)