Rovers were to gain revenge in the FA Cup however. Their first campaign (1880, although they began the first round in November 1879) saw them beat Tyne Association 5-1 in their first-ever game in a major competition before coming face to face in the second round with…Darwen. Home advantage told for Rovers however as they won 3-1 at Alexandra Meadows thanks to two goals from Jimmy Brown and another from John Hargreaves, brother of Fred the England international. John would soon represent his country as well. That game was to be the highpoint of their first FA Cup campaign as the third round saw them crashing heavily, 6-0 away to Nottingham Forest. Despite such a setback, the first competitive season for Blackburn Rovers had been a modest success. Despite the wrangling with Turton and Darwen, they had reached a cup final and progressed in the FA Cup. Neither competition ended happily but still represented a huge step forward.

Such was the demand on which football at this time could demand that Rovers soon established a second team. This was just as well, as on 3rd January 1880 they found they had double booked! The first team travelled to play at Nottingham Forest while the second team were required to entertain the Sheffield Zulus. The Zulus not only had an interesting name, they also had a way of entering the field of play that turned heads…they appeared in full Zulu costume! As The Blackburn Times recorded in their match report;

“With a view to providing additional interest to lovers of football the committee of the Rovers Club introduced on Saturday afternoon the Sheffield Zulus team, and there was a fair attendance of spectators. The Zulus appeared in their ‘war’ dresses, which were exceptionally good. Upon putting in and appearance on the field, they were warmly applauded.”

As the Zulus won the game, they had quite a good day of things all told. Dressing up in silly clothes and beating Rovers’ Second XI. Shortly though, it was to be Rovers who would astonish football fans, not through outlandish clothing but through pulling off the first shock transfer…ever.