FA Sunday Cup
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| Founded | 1964 |
|---|---|
| Region | England |
| Current champions | New Salamis FC (1st title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Hetton Lyons Cricket Club (4 titles) |
The FA Sunday Cup is a knock-out competition founded in 1964 for English Sunday league football teams.
Prior to 1960 The Football Association did not permit clubs or players under its jurisdiction to take part in competitive football played on Sunday. A change of policy by the governing body in 1960 allowed Sunday leagues to become affiliated to County Associations and, four years later, The FA started the Sunday Cup to allow Sunday players to compete in a national knock-out tournament.
The Sunday Cup trophy was presented to the FA by the Shah of Iran as a gift to mark the centenary of the FA in 1963. It was created by Iranian silversmiths.
In the Cup's first season (1964–65), teams representing Sunday players in various counties entered with London winning the two-legged final 6-2 against Staffordshire.
In the first final featuring club sides, Ubique United beat Aldridge Fabrications 1–0 in 1965-66.
After The Sunday Cup’s inaugural season, 1,600 requests for entry forms for the following season’s competition were received. Entries for season 2013-14 were 134. Since its inception, the competition has been won by 39 different sides.
The most successful team is Hetton Lyons Cricket Club FC with 4 wins, in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. St Joseph's (Luton) have appeared in a record five finals, winning on two occasions. Seven other teams have been successful on two occasions - Carlton United in '67 and '73, Newtown Unity in '72 and '74, Fantail in '80 and '81, Nicosia in '91 and 2004, St Joseph's (Luton) in '95 and '96, Oyster Martyrs in 2011 and '13, and Humbledon Plains Farm in 1990 and 2014.
The 2014-15 final was held at Ewood Park between OJM (Oldbury) and Campfield (Liverpool). Campfield won 2-0 to claim their first FA Sunday Cup.
The 2015-16 final was held at Selhurst Park between New Salamis (London) and Barnes AFC (London). New Salamis won 4-3 on penalties to claim their first FA Sunday Cup.
The results of the finals to date:
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