[2] The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1883-84, losing in the first round to the newly founded Bolton Association F.C.

[3] The following year the club was unlucky to draw Darwen for their first tie; the Darreners were not the force they had been half-a-decade earlier, but they were still professional, and Bradshaw went down 11–0.

Bradshaw lost 2–1, but protested that the Hurst player Nussey was registered with Astley Bridge, and a regional committee in Liverpool ordered a replay.

That replay ended 1-1, and, as Hurst refused to play extra-time, referee Downs awarded the tie to Bradshaw.

[5] Unfortunately for the village side, Hurst protested this decision, and the Football Association ordered another replay, this time at a neutral venue.