Thought the FA Sunday Cup was the only competition of its kind? Well think again, as Scotland has its very own version!
Whilst Sunday football in England was not permitted until 1960, the ban in Scotland lasted much longer and it wasn’t until the 1970’s that the Scottish FA finally allowed football to be played on the Sabbath.
It was John Adams of the Maybury Amateur FA who first proposed the idea of a national Sunday amateur cup in 1977. The Scottish Amateur FA (who govern all amateur football north of the border) acted on his suggestion and the competition commenced in 1978.
103 teams took part in the first season and such was the interest in the competition, that only three seasons later, the number of entrants had more than doubled to an impressive 271 (which dwarfs the record for the FA Sunday Cup which was set in 2007/08, when 149 teams entered).
The most successful competitor is Finnart from Glasgow, who play in the Carluke & District league. They have appeared in 8 finals, winning the trophy on 6 occasions.
Perhaps Finnart should play Hetton Lyons in a 'Battle of Britain' game to decide who is the best Sunday team in the UK! Afterall, it wouldn't require a lot of travelling from Durham to Glasgow.
Winners
1978-79 Liberton Cropley
1979-80 G. J.'s
1980-81 Elphinstton/Hillburn beat Cambridge United at Tynecastle
1981-82 Cambridge United
1982-83 Duncraig
1983-84 Cambridge United
1984-85 C.I.S.W.O.
1985-86 Cambridge United
1986-87 Househill
1987-88 Dolphin
1988-89 Linden 30 Club
1989-90 Cambridge United
1990-91 St. Lawrence
1991-92 F. J. R.
1992-93 Jolly Farmer
1993-94 Gauntlet
1994-95 Tower
1995-96 Finnart
1996-97 Finnart
1997-98 Cathkin
1998-99 Railway Hotel
1999-00 Finnart
2000-01 Centaur
2001-02 The Braes
2002-03 Cavendish
2003-04 Harvester
2004-05 Cavendish
2005-06 Rowantree
2006-07 Finnart
2007-08 Finnart
2008-09 Gantry
2009-10 Finnart 3 Hallglen 2
The FA Sunday Cup blog
Tuesday 26 October 2010
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Bungay Town and Goring Rangers
The above teams were unable to fulfil their 1st round fixtures on Sunday and have both been removed from the competition.
Monday 18 October 2010
1st round review
I thought I'd do a quick review of the 1st round and catch up on how my ‘top tips’ are doing!
The FA also review the 1st round games on their website but in my opinion, they focus too much on the high scoring ties, which just heaps more unwelcome attention on the mis-matches that tend to occur in the early rounds of any competition, not just the Sunday Cup.
I was surprised to see that the FA has reported Gossoms End 7-2 loss at Belstone as a 'shock defeat'. I say this, as despite being a former winner, Gossoms End has a remarkably average record in the competition.
In fact, they have only won two games since lifting the trophy back in 2005 and have failed to progress beyond the 2nd round in 5 attempts. Whilst Belstone have only once failed to reach the 3rd round during the same period, so for me, this does not qualify as a shock.
It was not a good day for the three Cumberland based sides, Frizington Whitestar, St Bees Village and Red Lion, all of whom received a home draw but none of them could make the advantage count, as they were all beaten.
Red Lion’s game against Fforde Grene from Leeds, was played at Aspatria RU ground. The home side made the referee aware before kick off that the pitch did not seem long enough, as the goals were in front of the rugby posts, as they cannot be removed.
While the pitch complies with the FA rules (ie at least a minimum 90 yards long) it does not comply with the specific Sunday Cup rule, which is a minimum of 100 yards! It could have been interesting if Fforde’s had lost!! (thanks to Andy Gilman for this info)
Blue Mugge had an excellent 5-2 win against Newark Alliance Champions R.H.P Sports & Social.
Top Tips Update
Birstall Stamford
Received a walkover in to the 2nd round
Hetton Lyons
Exempt until the 2nd round
Huddersfield Irish Centre
Squeezed past St Sebastians (3-2) from the Liverpool Business Houses league
Lebeqs Tavern Courage
Are the first tip to bite the dust, after losing 2-0 at home to Lakeside Athletic from the Plymouth & West Devon Combination, who reached the semi final two seasons back.
So, Lebeqs proud record of reaching the last 16 every season since 2003/04 comes to an end.
Hanham Sunday
Made the headlines for thrashing debutants Applebys 11-1.
Hanham now face another Devon based side, as they have drawn Lakeside in round 2, in what I believe to be one of the ties of the round.
Magnet Tavern
Like Hetton, they are exempt to round 2, where they face a difficult trip to Nottingham to face Clumber.
Oyster Martyrs
Had a fairly routine 4-1 win over on the Wirral against Woodchurch. They will find their 2nd round trip to the North East against Kelloe to be a much harder proposition.
Witton Park Rose and Crown
Gave last season’s quarter-finalists, Shankhouse United, an old fashioned 6-1 hiding, with tormentor-in-chief, Mattie Moffat, scoring 4 times.
Kelloe WMC
Received a walkover in to the 2nd round
The FA also review the 1st round games on their website but in my opinion, they focus too much on the high scoring ties, which just heaps more unwelcome attention on the mis-matches that tend to occur in the early rounds of any competition, not just the Sunday Cup.
I was surprised to see that the FA has reported Gossoms End 7-2 loss at Belstone as a 'shock defeat'. I say this, as despite being a former winner, Gossoms End has a remarkably average record in the competition.
In fact, they have only won two games since lifting the trophy back in 2005 and have failed to progress beyond the 2nd round in 5 attempts. Whilst Belstone have only once failed to reach the 3rd round during the same period, so for me, this does not qualify as a shock.
It was not a good day for the three Cumberland based sides, Frizington Whitestar, St Bees Village and Red Lion, all of whom received a home draw but none of them could make the advantage count, as they were all beaten.
Red Lion’s game against Fforde Grene from Leeds, was played at Aspatria RU ground. The home side made the referee aware before kick off that the pitch did not seem long enough, as the goals were in front of the rugby posts, as they cannot be removed.
While the pitch complies with the FA rules (ie at least a minimum 90 yards long) it does not comply with the specific Sunday Cup rule, which is a minimum of 100 yards! It could have been interesting if Fforde’s had lost!! (thanks to Andy Gilman for this info)
Blue Mugge had an excellent 5-2 win against Newark Alliance Champions R.H.P Sports & Social.
Top Tips Update
Birstall Stamford
Received a walkover in to the 2nd round
Hetton Lyons
Exempt until the 2nd round
Huddersfield Irish Centre
Squeezed past St Sebastians (3-2) from the Liverpool Business Houses league
Lebeqs Tavern Courage
Are the first tip to bite the dust, after losing 2-0 at home to Lakeside Athletic from the Plymouth & West Devon Combination, who reached the semi final two seasons back.
So, Lebeqs proud record of reaching the last 16 every season since 2003/04 comes to an end.
Hanham Sunday
Made the headlines for thrashing debutants Applebys 11-1.
Hanham now face another Devon based side, as they have drawn Lakeside in round 2, in what I believe to be one of the ties of the round.
Magnet Tavern
Like Hetton, they are exempt to round 2, where they face a difficult trip to Nottingham to face Clumber.
Oyster Martyrs
Had a fairly routine 4-1 win over on the Wirral against Woodchurch. They will find their 2nd round trip to the North East against Kelloe to be a much harder proposition.
Witton Park Rose and Crown
Gave last season’s quarter-finalists, Shankhouse United, an old fashioned 6-1 hiding, with tormentor-in-chief, Mattie Moffat, scoring 4 times.
Kelloe WMC
Received a walkover in to the 2nd round
2nd round draw
Ties to be played on 21st November, with a scheduled kick off at 13:00
West Bowling v Mariners
Sunderland RCA Barnes v Derby Lane Gym
Dawdon Colliery Welfare v Paddock
Kelloe WMC v Oyster Martyrs
Alder v Tower
Salisbury Athletic v Poulton Royal
Huddersfield Irish Centre v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter
Hetton Lyons Cricket Club v Brow
Witton Park Rose & Crown v Queens Park
JOB v Lobster
Fforde Grene v Sandstone
Home & Bargain v Eden Vale
Hundred Acre v Blue Mugge
Loughborough Saints v Travellers
Belt Road v Birstall Stamford
AC Sportsman & Ravensborough v Loughborough Falcons
Clumber v Magnet Tavern
Kingshurst Sporting Club v Advance Couriers
FC Houghton Centre v Rumours
Club Lewsey v St Margarets
Silsoe Park Rangers v Northampton Duke Of York
AFC Donsville v The Lounge
Nicholas Wybacks or Bungay Town v Golden Lion
North West Neasden v Comets Sports Club
Greengate v Bedfont Sunday
FC Tripimeni-Aris v Enfield Rangers
Belstone v Nirankari Stevenage
Offley Moat v Britannia United
Hanham Sunday v Lakeside Athletic
Springers v Wonford United
Windmill v Knighton Arms
Bluebird United v Wrightchoice Comm Association Sports
There are a couple of standout ties, namely Kelloe v Oyster Martyrs, Clumber v Magnet Tavern and Hanham Sunday v Lakeside Athletic.
You have to feel sorry for Brow from the Birkenhead SL, who received the one tie that nobody wanted...away to Hetton Lyons! Ah well, there's always next year!
West Bowling v Mariners
Sunderland RCA Barnes v Derby Lane Gym
Dawdon Colliery Welfare v Paddock
Kelloe WMC v Oyster Martyrs
Alder v Tower
Salisbury Athletic v Poulton Royal
Huddersfield Irish Centre v Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter
Hetton Lyons Cricket Club v Brow
Witton Park Rose & Crown v Queens Park
JOB v Lobster
Fforde Grene v Sandstone
Home & Bargain v Eden Vale
Hundred Acre v Blue Mugge
Loughborough Saints v Travellers
Belt Road v Birstall Stamford
AC Sportsman & Ravensborough v Loughborough Falcons
Clumber v Magnet Tavern
Kingshurst Sporting Club v Advance Couriers
FC Houghton Centre v Rumours
Club Lewsey v St Margarets
Silsoe Park Rangers v Northampton Duke Of York
AFC Donsville v The Lounge
Nicholas Wybacks or Bungay Town v Golden Lion
North West Neasden v Comets Sports Club
Greengate v Bedfont Sunday
FC Tripimeni-Aris v Enfield Rangers
Belstone v Nirankari Stevenage
Offley Moat v Britannia United
Hanham Sunday v Lakeside Athletic
Springers v Wonford United
Windmill v Knighton Arms
Bluebird United v Wrightchoice Comm Association Sports
There are a couple of standout ties, namely Kelloe v Oyster Martyrs, Clumber v Magnet Tavern and Hanham Sunday v Lakeside Athletic.
You have to feel sorry for Brow from the Birkenhead SL, who received the one tie that nobody wanted...away to Hetton Lyons! Ah well, there's always next year!
Sunday 17 October 2010
1st round match report and a couple of results
Malt Shovel 1 West Bowling 2 (Played at Thackley FC)
Malt Shovel got off to the worst possible start when their goalkeeper flattened the lively West Bowling winger and the referee correctly awarded a penalty in the first minute of play. This was duly dispatched and for the next 15 minutes, West Bowling should have added several more, the most notable was a bullet header from close range which was brilliantly tipped over by Shovel's keeper.
Shovel then settled down and began to play some good football and equalised on 25 minutes. However, they were unable to field their main goalscoring threat, Tom Greaves, a man with a proven track record in the Northern Premier League and he was clearly missed, as they created some good chances which they could not finish. They did however, have an excellent strike on goal near the end of the 1st half, which the Bowling keeper did well to keep out.
The 2nd half was mostly a non event, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but doing very little with it. In fact, a lot of the time they were reduced to shooting from long range, with zero accuracy!
As we braced ourselves for extra time, West Bowling did manage to find the net and broke Shovel hearts with the winning goal in the 88th minute. A rather cruel end for a spirited Shovel team but on this showing, I doubt very much that Bowling will progress much farther and I believe that most decent Scouse teams (and the better teams from the North East) would have beaten either side comfortably.
Other 1st round results
Towngate 1 JOB 2
Red Lion 2 Fforde Greene 3
Salisbury Athletic 4 Oak Tree Pub 2
Witton Park Rose & Crown 6 Shankhouse United 1
Malt Shovel got off to the worst possible start when their goalkeeper flattened the lively West Bowling winger and the referee correctly awarded a penalty in the first minute of play. This was duly dispatched and for the next 15 minutes, West Bowling should have added several more, the most notable was a bullet header from close range which was brilliantly tipped over by Shovel's keeper.
Shovel then settled down and began to play some good football and equalised on 25 minutes. However, they were unable to field their main goalscoring threat, Tom Greaves, a man with a proven track record in the Northern Premier League and he was clearly missed, as they created some good chances which they could not finish. They did however, have an excellent strike on goal near the end of the 1st half, which the Bowling keeper did well to keep out.
The 2nd half was mostly a non event, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but doing very little with it. In fact, a lot of the time they were reduced to shooting from long range, with zero accuracy!
As we braced ourselves for extra time, West Bowling did manage to find the net and broke Shovel hearts with the winning goal in the 88th minute. A rather cruel end for a spirited Shovel team but on this showing, I doubt very much that Bowling will progress much farther and I believe that most decent Scouse teams (and the better teams from the North East) would have beaten either side comfortably.
Other 1st round results
Towngate 1 JOB 2
Red Lion 2 Fforde Greene 3
Salisbury Athletic 4 Oak Tree Pub 2
Witton Park Rose & Crown 6 Shankhouse United 1
1st round preview
I was hoping to preview around 10 to 12 first round games but sadly, events
have conspired against me this week and I just simply haven't had enough spare time to do this.
However, I have been able to preview the following games:
Malt Shovel v West Bowling
Wharfedale Triangle champions Malt Shovel take on Bradford Alliance league
winners and West Riding County Cup holders West Bowling for the second time this season, as they met back in August for an inter-league challenge match and season 'curtain raiser'.
West Bowling were victorious then and I expect the same outcome on Sunday, although Malt Shovel are a decent side with a couple of very good players, so it won't be a formality for Bowling. I'll be at this game and will post a match report on Sunday evening.
Applebys v Hanham Sunday
Bristol sides have a decent record in the Sunday Cup and Hanham are the champions of the Bristol & District league, which is strongest of the three Bristol leagues that have entered teams in this season’s competition.
Hanham hit the national headlines last year, when their end of season tour to Crete saw 17 of their party arrested for wearing nun’s costumes!!
Apparently, fancy dress themed tours are a club tradition dating back to the 1960’s, although the Greek authorities failed to see the funny side and players and officials from Hanham weren’t laughing either, when they had to spend 40 hours in a prison cell they described as ‘cramped and disgusting’.
Hopefully their journey to Torbay will be a little less adventurous but lets hope they haven’t forgotten their winning habit!! (groan).
Blue Mugge v R.H.P Sports & Social
This tie pits a team from the second division of the Potteries league (Blue Mugge) against opposition from the Senior division of the Newark Alliance.
At first glance, it would seem a stroll in the park for R.H.P, however, appearances can often prove deceptive and last season Blue Mugge lifted an incredible 7 trophies, including the Leek & District league Premier Division title and the Staffordshire County FA Premier Cup (they beat Sunday Cup regulars Belt Road 3-1 in the quarter-final). It was due to this hugely successful season that they can now appear in the Sunday Cup.
They now decided to try their luck in the Potteries league, which is considered to be of a higher standard to the Leek and District.
R.H.P, like Blue Mugge, are also reigning league and County champions, as they lifted the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy last season. They are 100% after 3 league games this season and can boast a +13 goal difference, so will give the Leek outfit a real test.
have conspired against me this week and I just simply haven't had enough spare time to do this.
However, I have been able to preview the following games:
Malt Shovel v West Bowling
Wharfedale Triangle champions Malt Shovel take on Bradford Alliance league
winners and West Riding County Cup holders West Bowling for the second time this season, as they met back in August for an inter-league challenge match and season 'curtain raiser'.
West Bowling were victorious then and I expect the same outcome on Sunday, although Malt Shovel are a decent side with a couple of very good players, so it won't be a formality for Bowling. I'll be at this game and will post a match report on Sunday evening.
Applebys v Hanham Sunday
Bristol sides have a decent record in the Sunday Cup and Hanham are the champions of the Bristol & District league, which is strongest of the three Bristol leagues that have entered teams in this season’s competition.
Hanham hit the national headlines last year, when their end of season tour to Crete saw 17 of their party arrested for wearing nun’s costumes!!
Apparently, fancy dress themed tours are a club tradition dating back to the 1960’s, although the Greek authorities failed to see the funny side and players and officials from Hanham weren’t laughing either, when they had to spend 40 hours in a prison cell they described as ‘cramped and disgusting’.
Hopefully their journey to Torbay will be a little less adventurous but lets hope they haven’t forgotten their winning habit!! (groan).
Blue Mugge v R.H.P Sports & Social
This tie pits a team from the second division of the Potteries league (Blue Mugge) against opposition from the Senior division of the Newark Alliance.
At first glance, it would seem a stroll in the park for R.H.P, however, appearances can often prove deceptive and last season Blue Mugge lifted an incredible 7 trophies, including the Leek & District league Premier Division title and the Staffordshire County FA Premier Cup (they beat Sunday Cup regulars Belt Road 3-1 in the quarter-final). It was due to this hugely successful season that they can now appear in the Sunday Cup.
They now decided to try their luck in the Potteries league, which is considered to be of a higher standard to the Leek and District.
R.H.P, like Blue Mugge, are also reigning league and County champions, as they lifted the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy last season. They are 100% after 3 league games this season and can boast a +13 goal difference, so will give the Leek outfit a real test.
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Yet another team withdraws...
I'm going to have to stop looking on the FA website, as I've discovered that West Lee from Hull have become the 8th side to withdraw this season!
Kelloe WMC from Co Durham therefore receive a walkover in to round 2.
Kelloe WMC from Co Durham therefore receive a walkover in to round 2.
Monday 11 October 2010
Sunday Cup legends Nicosia withdraw
When I set up this blog, I didn't envisage reporting on so many withdrawals.
However, two time former Champions, Nicosia of the Liverpool Business Houses SL have become the highest profile side to withdraw from the competition.
Its a shame to see a proud former champion team, arguably the best ever side from their league and one of the strongest teams from Liverpool feel that they cannot compete at this level.
A quick look on their league website reveals why they have probably decided to pull out, as they have lost all 4 league games this season and occupy the bottom spot.
On a more positive note, I will be updating the blog in the next few days with a preview of some 1st round games.
However, two time former Champions, Nicosia of the Liverpool Business Houses SL have become the highest profile side to withdraw from the competition.
Its a shame to see a proud former champion team, arguably the best ever side from their league and one of the strongest teams from Liverpool feel that they cannot compete at this level.
A quick look on their league website reveals why they have probably decided to pull out, as they have lost all 4 league games this season and occupy the bottom spot.
On a more positive note, I will be updating the blog in the next few days with a preview of some 1st round games.
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Yet more bad news!!
More sad news, I'm afraid. Sandy (Sunday) of the Bedford & District league have become the 6th team to withdraw from the competition. AFC Donsville from Slough have received a walkover in to the 2nd round.
As a massive fan of this competition, I find it very disappointing that so many teams, for whatever reason, have decided to withdraw.
A very quick look through my records has revealed that this season has seen the highest number of withdrawals since 2007/08 season, when there were 5. Lets hope there are no more.
As a massive fan of this competition, I find it very disappointing that so many teams, for whatever reason, have decided to withdraw.
A very quick look through my records has revealed that this season has seen the highest number of withdrawals since 2007/08 season, when there were 5. Lets hope there are no more.
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