1995 FA Cup Final is their most recent major trophy to date. In contrast, Manchester United were left without a major trophy for the first time since the 1988–89 season and were denied the opportunity to become the first club to win the FA Cup nine times. This was the last time that an English manager had won the FA Cup – as well as the last time a club other than Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United had won the FA Cup – until 2008, when Harry Redknapp managed Portsmouth to victory. The trophy was presented to Everton captain Dave Watson by The
1999–2000 FA Cup take place in early 2000, thus becoming the first FA Cup winners not to defend their title. Despite this being at the request of the Football Association (FA), they received criticism from journalists and television pundits. To keep the competition running smoothly, the FA chose to draw one team from among those lower-division teams defeated in the second round to progress as "lucky losers" to the third. Darlington were the team drawn. The main competition started in November 1999 for clubs from the Football League and Premiership. For details on the preliminary and qualifying rounds of the FA Cup see