Welsh Cup
Encyclopedia
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football
competition contested annually by teams from Wales
.
The Football Association of Wales
is the organising body of this competition, which has been run (except during the two World Wars) every year since its inception in 1877-78. In the early years of organised football in Wales, football was very much the sport of North Wales rather than the rugby union
playing south - the FAW was founded in Ruabon, near Wrexham in 1876, and Wrexham remained the site of the FAW's head office until 1986; it was not until 1912 that a southern team, Cardiff City, won the Welsh Cup for the first time.
The winning team qualifies to play in the following season's UEFA Europa League (previously teams qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup, which was discontinued in 1999).
From 1996 to 2011, only clubs playing in the Welsh football league system
were allowed to enter the Welsh Cup. This rule excluded the six Welsh clubs who played in the English football league system
: Swansea City
, Cardiff City
, Newport County
, Wrexham
, Colwyn Bay
and Merthyr Town
. On 20 April 2011, the Football Association of Wales
invited these six clubs to rejoin the Welsh Cup for the 2011-12 season but only Newport County, Wrexham and Merthyr Town accepted.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
competition contested annually by teams from Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
The Football Association of Wales
Football Association of Wales
The Football Association of Wales is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the...
is the organising body of this competition, which has been run (except during the two World Wars) every year since its inception in 1877-78. In the early years of organised football in Wales, football was very much the sport of North Wales rather than the rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
playing south - the FAW was founded in Ruabon, near Wrexham in 1876, and Wrexham remained the site of the FAW's head office until 1986; it was not until 1912 that a southern team, Cardiff City, won the Welsh Cup for the first time.
The winning team qualifies to play in the following season's UEFA Europa League (previously teams qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup, which was discontinued in 1999).
Participants
Until 1995, clubs playing in those parts of England close to the Welsh border could also play in the Welsh Cup, but could not progress to the European Cup Winners' Cup by winning the cup.From 1996 to 2011, only clubs playing in the Welsh football league system
Welsh football league system
The Welsh football league system is a series of football leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them.-Structure of Welsh football:...
were allowed to enter the Welsh Cup. This rule excluded the six Welsh clubs who played in the English football league system
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
: Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
, Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
, Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
, Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay F.C.
Colwyn Bay F.C. are a Welsh football club, as of the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference North. Nicknamed the Seagulls, the club play at Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.-History:...
and Merthyr Town
Merthyr Town F.C.
Merthyr Town Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. For the 2011–2012 season the club will be playing in the Western Football League Premier Division at Penydarren Park in Merthyr....
. On 20 April 2011, the Football Association of Wales
Football Association of Wales
The Football Association of Wales is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the...
invited these six clubs to rejoin the Welsh Cup for the 2011-12 season but only Newport County, Wrexham and Merthyr Town accepted.
Welsh Cup Final results
For a list of Welsh Cup finals including venue and attendance information see List of Welsh Cup finals.Performance by club
| Club | Wins | Runners-up | Total final appearances |
Last final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wrexham | 23 | 22 | 45 | 1995 |
| 2 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
22 | 10 | 32 | 1995 |
| 3 | Swansea City | 10 | 8 | 18 | 1991 |
| 5 | Bangor City Bangor City F.C. Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992.... |
8 | 9 | 17 | 2011 |
| 4 | Druids NEWI Cefn Druids F.C. Cefn Druids A.F.C. is a football team based in the village of Cefn Mawr, Wrexham, Wales playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1992 from the amalgamation of Cefn Albion F.C. and Druids United F.C. Depending on sponsorship, the club was renamed Flexsys Cefn Druids F.C. in 1998, and... |
8 | 5 | 13 | 1904 |
| 6 | Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...  |
6 | 3 | 9 | 1985 |
| 7 | Barry Town Barry Town F.C. Barry Town FC are a football team based in Barry. They dominated the League of Wales during the 1990s, but finished bottom in 2003-04 and were relegated... |
6 | 1 | 7 | 2003 |
| 8 | Chirk A.A.A. Chirk AAA F.C. Chirk AAA F.C. is a Welsh football team based in Chirk, Wales. They have been competing in the Premier division of the Welsh National League since their relegation after one season in the Cymru Alliance..... |
5 | 1 | 6 | 1894 |
| 9 | Rhyl Rhyl F.C. Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's... |
4 | 4 | 8 | 2006 |
| 10 | Chester City Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
3 | 10 | 13 | 1970 |
| 11 | Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil F.C. Merthyr Tydfil Football Club was a Welsh football club based at the Penydarren Park ground in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2010 the club was liquidated and reformed under the name Merthyr Town, which was accepted into Division One of the Western League.-History:... |
3 | 2 | 5 | 1987 |
| 12 | Wellington Town Telford United F.C. Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in... |
3 | 3 | 1940 | |
| 13 | The New Saints The New Saints F.C. The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club , also known as The New Saints or simply TNS is a full-time-professional British football club representing Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in Powys, Wales and Oswestry in Shropshire, England . They play in the Welsh Premier League... |
2 | 3 | 5 | 2005 |
| 14 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
2 | 2 | 1937 | |
| 14 | Oswestry United |
2 | 2 | 1901 | |
| 16 | Newtown Newtown F.C. Newtown Association Football Club is a Welsh football club who currently play in the Welsh Premier League, with a reserve team currently playing in the Mid Wales Football League.... |
2 | 3 | 5 | 1897 |
| 17 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
1 | 3 | 4 | 1990 |
| 18 | Llanelli Llanelli A.F.C. Llanelli Association Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club that plays in the Welsh Premier League for the 2010–11 season. The team has been based at Stebonheath Park since 1920, and as of 2009 is managed by Andy Legg.... |
1 | 2 | 3 | 2011 |
| 18 | Newport County | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1987 |
| 19 | Carmarthen Town Carmarthen Town F.C. Carmarthen Town Association Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, who play in the Welsh Premier League... |
1 | 2 | 3 | 2007 |
| 19 | Connah's Quay & Shotton Connah's Quay Nomads F.C. Gap Connah's Quay F.C. is a football team, playing in the Cymru Alliance.gap Connah's Quay, formerly known as Connah's Quay Nomads FC, was the subject of a takeover from Welsh independent recruitment firm 'gap personnel' in June 2008.... |
1 | 2 | 3 | 1929 |
| 21 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
1 | 1 | 2 | 1935 |
| 21 | Lovell's Athletic | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1959 |
| 21 | Oswestry White Stars |
1 | 1 | 2 | 1885 |
| 24 | Aberystwyth Town Aberystwyth Town F.C. Aberystwyth Town F.C. is a football team, playing in the Welsh Premier League.The club was founded in 1884, and plays at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, where their ground accommodates 5,000 spectators with 1,002 of that capacity seated.... |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2009 |
| 24 | Borough United Borough United F.C. Borough United were a minor Welsh football club based in Llandudno Junction who caused a shock by winning the Welsh Cup in 1963 before performing much better than anticipated in European football.-Early years:... |
1 | 1 | 1963 | |
| 24 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
1 | 1 | 1934 | |
| 24 | Ebbw Vale Ebbw Vale F.C. Ebbw Vale Football Club were a football team from Ebbw Vale, South Wales.Ebbw Vale played in the first season of the League of Wales in 1992-93. The club then finished 11th before finishing 3rd in two successive seasons to 1997-98. During the years when they finished 3rd the Giles brothers, Paul... |
1 | 1 | 1926 | |
| 24 | Flint Town United Flint Town United F.C. Flint Town United FC is a Welsh football club representing the Flintshire town of Flint in Wales. They are nicknamed the The Silkmen, and play their home games at Cae-y-Castell, Flint... |
1 | 1 | 1954 | |
| 24 | Inter Cardiff UWIC Inter Cardiff F.C. UWIC Inter Cardiff F.C. are a Welsh football club. Their name is inspired by Internazionale The club is currently in the Welsh Football League Division Three, though they have played as high as the League of Wales... |
1 | 1 | 1999 | |
| 24 | South Liverpool South Liverpool F.C. South Liverpool F.C. are a football club from Liverpool, England. They are currently in the West Cheshire Amateur Football League and play their home matches at Jericho Lane. The club's colours are white shirts, black shorts and red socks.-First incarnation:... |
1 | 1 | 1939 | |
| 31 | Aberdare Athletic Aberdare Athletic F.C. Aberdare Athletic Football Club were a Welsh football club founded in 1893 and based in Aberdare. They joined the Football League in 1921 but were replaced by Torquay United after failing to be re-elected in 1927.-History:... |
4 | 4 | 1923 | |
| 32 | Cwmbran Town Cwmbran Town F.C. Cwmbrân Town is a football team based in Cwmbrân, Wales and play in the Gwent County League Division 1, the fifth tier of Welsh Football.- History :... |
3 | 3 | 2002 | |
| 32 | Pontypridd Pontypridd Town A.F.C. Pontypridd Town AFC is a Welsh football club, based in the town of Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan. The club was formed in 1992 after merging with another team, Ynysybwl... |
3 | 3 | 1921 | |
| 34 | Kidderminster Harriers Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed... |
2 | 2 | 1989 | |
| 34 | Northwich Victoria Northwich Victoria F.C. Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of... |
2 | 2 | 1910 | |
| 34 | Westminster Rovers | 2 | 2 | 1892 | |
| 34 | Whitchurch |
2 | 2 | 1906 | |
| 39 | Afan Lido Afan Lido F.C. Afan Lido F.C. is a football team based in Aberavon playing in the Welsh Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1967, and they play at the Marston Stadium, Aberavon, which accommodates 4200 spectators .-Current squad:... |
1 | 1 | 2007 | |
| 39 | Aberaman Aberaman Athletic F.C. Aberaman Athletic Football Club is a Welsh football club that currently play in the Welsh Football League Division One. Their ground is situated on Cardiff Road, Aberdare, between the suburb of Aberaman and the village of Abercwmboi.... |
1 | 1 | 1903 | |
| 39 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 1 | 1 | 1998 | |
| 39 | Davenham | 1 | 1 | 1887 | |
| 39 | Flint Town Flint Town United F.C. Flint Town United FC is a Welsh football club representing the Flintshire town of Flint in Wales. They are nicknamed the The Silkmen, and play their home games at Cae-y-Castell, Flint... |
1 | 1 | 1925 | |
| 39 | Hednesford Town Hednesford Town F.C. Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:... |
1 | 1 | 1992 | |
| 39 | Merthyr Town Merthyr Town F.C. Merthyr Town Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. For the 2011–2012 season the club will be playing in the Western Football League Premier Division at Penydarren Park in Merthyr.... |
1 | 1 | 1924 | |
| 39 | Ruthin Ruthin Town F.C. Ruthin Town Football Club are a Welsh football club, based at the Memorial Playing Fields in Ruthin, Denbighshire, and are one of the most popular football clubs in North Wales with long history of providing sport to all ages to the local communuity... |
1 | 1 | 1880 | |
| 39 | Stourbridge Stourbridge F.C. Stourbridge Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Stourbridge, West Midlands. The club currently plays in the Southern League Premier Division.-Early years:The club was founded in 1876 and was originally known as Stourbridge Standard... |
1 | 1 | 1974 | |
| 39 | Ton Pentre Ton Pentre F.C. Ton Pentre Football Club is a football team based in Ton Pentre, Wales, which plays in the Welsh Football League Division Two.Nicknamed the "Rhondda Bulldogs", the team plays at Ynys Park, Ton Pentre, Rhondda Cynon Taff, which once accommodated 2700 seated spectators... |
1 | 1 | 1922 | |
| 40 | Port Talbot Town | 1 | 1 | 2010 | |
See also
- FAW Premier CupFAW Premier CupThe FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
- Football in WalesFootball in WalesAssociation football in Wales is governed by the Football Association of Wales , which was established in 1876. The FAW oversees the Wales national football team and the Welsh football league system....
- List of football clubs in Wales
- List of stadiums in Wales by capacity
- Welsh football league systemWelsh football league systemThe Welsh football league system is a series of football leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them.-Structure of Welsh football:...
- Welsh League CupWelsh League CupThe Welsh League Cup is a cup competition in Welsh football organised by the Welsh Premier League...
- FAW TrophyFAW TrophyThe FAW Welsh Trophy is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1890–91 for clubs competing in the lower echelons of the pyramid.It was...