[2] Sides made up of former pupils played annual matches against the school in the Field Game over the next few years.

At the time, ends were only changed after each goal; the original match had a stiff breeze, and the Old Etonians had it at their backs for all but the five minutes when the Sappers were 1–0 behind.

However, the Etonians were missing several key players for the replay, including Ottaway and William Kenyon-Slaney, and the Sappers won 2–0.

The Etonians beat the Wanderers 7–2,[15] and went on to win the Cup for the first time; Marindin had to miss the final through illness, and the game was of poor quality, but the Etonians scored the only goal of the game, after a Goodhart run down the left wing saw him cross for Clerke to shoot under the bar.

The Old Etonians were the last amateur or "true blue" club to win the FA Cup on 25 March 1882 when they beat Blackburn Rovers 1–0 at The Oval with a goal from William Anderson.

In modern times, Old Etonians are members of the Arthurian League (affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance) and field two teams there.

Other Old Etonians who later played for England include: Club founder Lord Kinnaird made one appearance for Scotland in 1873, the second ever international match.

Because of a lack of regulation footballs, the tie was played using an Eton Field Game ball, which was much smaller than the Association standard.