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As always the club looked to the FA Cup and they weren’t too disappointed with the run, however it did seem like a great opportunity missed. After winning a tight game 3-2 away to West Brom, it took a replay to dispose of Newton Heath. The first match was away and showed the drawing power their opponents had, even before their days as Manchester United, when a crowd of around 20,000 turned up (huge for the time) to see no goals, despite extra time. The replay at Ewood only attracted 5,000 or so (proving that crowd didn’t always ‘only come to see United’) but it didn’t bother Rovers, who went on to win 5-1. A difficult looking away tie at Derby County (who would finish above Rovers in third place that year) was easily negotiated in part thanks to a hat trick from the right winger James Haydock, which contributed to the impressive 4-1 win, which set up what looked like a very winnable semi final against Notts County from Division Two. There were hopes of, even expectations of, a seventh cup final in twelve years.

Haydock had been at the club for four years but was only gradually winning a first-team place. Although extremely talented, the Blackburn-born winger had appalling health conditions. Such was his talent that he was selected for England but had to pull out. Two years later he announced his retirement from Rovers and tried to concentrate on his other job as a schoolteacher at Furthergate School, although his failing health required that to be given up as well. In March 1900, a full decade after having signed for Rovers, James Haydock died at the shockingly early age of 27. Despite his ill health he played just short of 100 games for Rovers and averaged a goal every two and a half games, very impressive for a winger.

The semi final was played at Bramall Lane in Sheffield and was completely disappointing. It was a daft goal that decided it. A Harry Daft goal in fact for County in their 1-0 win. They were the first Second Division side to reach the final and after beating Bolton 4-1, the first to win it as well. An opportunity lost, no doubt about it. They didn’t know that it would be the last great cup run for well over a decade. The cup kings would become the cup no-marks.

The next season (1894/95) was more of the same, just without the cup run. Rovers finished the season in fifth, after yet another poor end to the season. Only the one win in the last eight games this time, and including a 2-1 loss at Turf Moor. A Harry Chippendale goal had won the game between the two rivals at Ewood. Despite the decent league placing, Rovers were going slowly backwards. They scored ten less league goals than the previous season and only Chippendale scored more than ten goals in league and cup games with his twelve strikes. There were some big wins, they beat Wolves 5-1 and Small Heath were really put to the sword, 9-1. Stoke were sent packing from Ewood after a 6-0 defeat but got their revenge by turning the tables and winning the return match 5-1. Sunderland won their third league title in four years.