Steel & Sons Cup
The Steel & Sons Cup (also referred to as the Steel Cup) is an intermediate football competition in Northern Ireland run by the North East Ulster Football Association (also known as the County Antrim & District Football Association). The competition culminates in the final which has traditionally been played on 25 December (except when this date falls on a Sunday). The 2006 final, however, broke with tradition when it was staged on the Saturday before 25 December as this was a closed date for all other football fixtures in Northern Ireland.[1] The final returned to its original Christmas Day slot in 2007-08. The 2012/13 tournament was declared null after Glentoran II were stripped of their title having fielded an ineligible player in an earlier round.[2] This is the first time in the tournament's history that no winner was declared.
The current holder is Carrick Rangers.
Contents
The trophy
The "Steel Cup" trophy was donated to the County Antrim FA in 1895 by Mr David Steel. Steel was principal of Steel & Sons Ltd, wholesale jewellers, silversmiths, cutlers, watch-makers and opticians, with premises on Royal Avenue, Belfast.[3]
Since 1973 a second trophy has been awarded after the final - the Player of the Match Award. Initially sponsored by the Sunday News, the first winner was Tommy Craig of Glentoran II. Since the 1993 final the award has been sponsored by the Belfast News Letter.[4]
Venue of final
The home for the final was rotated round the major Irish League venues in Belfast until the late 1950s when Solitude became the regular venue. Since the 1972-73 season Seaview, home of Crusaders, has hosted all the final ties, with the exception of the final and replay in 1975-76 and the replay of the 1984-85 final, which were played at Solitude.
Past finals
1890s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1895-96 | Linfield Swifts | 4 | 2 | Cliftonville Olympic | [5] | |
1896-97 | Wesley | 2 | 1 | Glentoran II | ||
1897-98 | Dunmurry | 2 | 0 | Ligoniel | ||
1898-99 | Linfield Swifts | 1 | 0 | Belfast Celtic II |
1900s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1899-00 | Cliftonville Olympic | 3 | 0 | Belfast Celtic II | ||
1900-01 | Distillery West End | 5 | 0 | Larne | ||
1901-02 | Cliftonville Olympic | 5 | 3 | Distillery II | ||
1902-03 | Highfield | 2 | 0 | Mountpottinger YMCA | ||
1903-04 | Mountpottinger YMCA | 4 | 2 | Linfield Swifts | ||
1904-05 | Glentoran II | 1 | 0 | Woodvale | 4th replay. Game 1: 1-1; Game 2: ?-?; Game 3: 1-2 (annulled after protest); Game 4: abandoned (snow)[6] |
|
1905-06 | Mountpottinger YMCA | 6 | 0 | Parkside Rovers | ||
1906-07 | Cliftonville Olympic | 4 | 0 | Parkside Rovers | ||
1907-08 | Cliftonville Olympic | 3 | 0 | Barn | after 2 matches. Game 1 annulled after protest.[7] | |
1908-09 | Glentoran II | 3 | 2 | Larne |
1910s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1909-10 | Larne | 2 | 0 | Oldpark Corinthians | ||
1910-11 | Glentoran II | 2 | 1 | King's Own Scottish Borderers | after replay | |
1911-12 | Balmoral Showgrounds[8] |
Black Diamonds | 3 | 1 | Ollardale | |
1912-13 | Belfast Celtic II | 3 | 1 | Glentoran II | ||
1913-14 | Cliftonville Olympic | 4 | 1 | Barn | ||
1914-15 | Glentoran II | 1 | 0 | Belfast Celtic II | after replay | |
1915-16 | Linfield Swifts | 2 | 0 | Glentoran II | after 2 replays | |
1916-17 | Belfast Celtic II | 2 | 0 | Distillery II | ||
1917-18 | Belfast Celtic II | 1 | 0 | Glentoran II | ||
1918-19 | Glentoran II | 2 | 0 | Distillery II | after replay |
1920s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1919-20 | Dunmurry | 1 | 0 | Brantwood | after replay | |
1920-21 | Brantwood | 3 | 0 | Bangor | [9] | |
1921-22 | Windsor Park | Cliftonville Olympic | 2 | 1 | Dundela | 2nd replay - Game 1: 1-1; Game 2: 1-1[10] |
1922-23 | Crusaders | 3 | 1 | Bangor | 3rd replay[11] | |
1923-24 | The Oval | Bangor | 2 | 0 | Woodburn | replay - Game 1: 1-1[12] |
1924-25 | Windsor Park | Ormiston | 1 | 0 | Ballyclare Comrades | 2nd replay - Game 1: 0-0;[13] Game 2: ?-? |
1925-26 | Solitude | St. Mary's | 4 | 0 | Summerfield | [14] |
1926-27 | Celtic Park | Crusaders | 5 | 3 | Dunmurry | after extra time[15] |
1927-28 | The Oval | Willowfield | 2 | 1 | Ormiston | replay - Game 1: 0-0[16] |
1928-29 | Windsor Park | Crusaders | 4 | 0 | Broadway United | [17] |
1930s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1929-30 | Solitude | Broadway United | 5 | 0 | Linfield Rangers | replay - Game 1: 2-2[18] |
1930-31 | The Oval | Crusaders | 3 | 1 | Charleville | replay - Game 1: 3-3[19] |
1931-32 | Celtic Park | Brantwood | 3 | 0 | Dunmurry | [20] |
1932-33 | Grosvenor Park | Glentoran | 3 | 1 | Belfast Celtic II | replay - Game 1: 2-2[21] |
1933-34 | Solitude | Crusaders | 3 | 1 | Belfast Celtic II | [22] |
1934-35 | Windsor Park | Belfast Celtic II | 3 | 2 | Crusaders | [23] |
1935-36 | Solitude | Belfast Celtic II | 2 | 1 | Glentoran II | replay - Game 1: 1-1[24] |
1936-37 | Celtic Park | Crusaders | 3 | 1 | Glentoran II | [25] |
1937-38 | Grosvenor Park | Glentoran | 2 | 1 | Summerfield | [26] |
1938-39 | The Oval | Sirocco Works | 2 | 1 | Crusaders | [27] |
1940s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1939-40 | Grosvenor Park | Linfield Swifts | 2 | 0 | Crusaders | [28] |
1940-41 | Solitude | Bangor Reserves | 2 | 1 | Distillery II | [29] |
1941-42 | Windsor Park | Larne Olympic | 3 | 1 | Belfast Celtic II | [30] |
1942-43 | Celtic Park | Larne Olympic | 4 | 1 | Victoria Works United | [31] |
1943-44 | Solitude | Ballyclare Comrades | 4 | 2 | Glentoran II | [32] |
1944-45 | Windsor Park | Bangor Reserves | 3 | 0 | Larne Olympic | [33] |
1945-46 | Celtic Park | Dundela | 3 | 1 | Bangor Reserves | Replay - Game 1: 0-0[34] |
1946-47 | Linfield Swifts | 4 | 1 | Crusaders | [35] | |
1947-48 | Celtic Park | Crusaders | 3 | 2 | Larne | Replay - Game 1: 2-2[36] |
1948-49 | Solitude | Linfield Swifts | 6 | 2 | Brantwood | [37] |
1950s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1949-50 | Grosvenor Park | Albert Foundry | 3 | 2 | Crusaders Reserves | [38] |
1950-51 | The Oval | Brantwood | 2 | 1 | Ballymoney Utd | [39] |
1951-52 | Windsor Park | Brantwood | 2 | 0 | Feltville Utd | [40] |
1952-53 | The Oval | Brantwood | 2 | 1 | Larne | [41] |
1953-54 | Solitude | Crusaders Reserves | 4 | 3 | Linfield Swifts | [42] |
1954-55 | Grosvenor Park | East Belfast | 5 | 0 | Dundela | [43] |
1955-56 | Windsor Park | Brantwood | 2 | 0 | Carrick Rangers | [44] |
1956-57 | Grosvenor Park | Larne | 3 | 1 | Linfield Swifts | Replay - Game 1:2-2[45] |
1957-58 | Glentoran II | 3 | 0 | Larne | ||
1958-59 | Larne | 2 | 1 | Crusaders Reserves |
1960s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959-60 | Solitude | Larne | 1 | 0 | Ards II | [46] |
1960-61 | The Oval | Ballyclare Comrades | 4 | 3 | Dundela | [47] |
1961-62 | Solitude & Grosvenor Park |
Carrick Rangers | 1 | 0 | Ballymena Utd Reserves | Replay - Game 1: 2-2[48] |
1962-63 | Solitude | Chimney Corner | 2 | 1 | Dundela | [49] |
1963-64 | Solitude | Dundela | 4 | 1 | Larne | Replay - Game 1: 1-1[50] |
1964-65 | Larne | 2 | 0 | Brantwood | [51] | |
1965-66 | Glentoran II | 1 | 0 | Larne | ||
1966-67 | Solitude | Glentoran II | 4 | 0 | Ards II | [52] |
1967-68 | Solitude | Carrick Rangers | 3 | 1 | Dundela | [53] |
1968-69 | Grosvenor Park | Larne | 3 | 1 | Glentoran II | [54] |
1970s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1969-70 | Solitude | Larne | 3 | 1 | Ballyclare Comrades | [55] |
1970-71 | Solitude | Larne | 4 | 1 | Dundonald | replay - Game 1: 1-1[56] |
1971-72 | Solitude | Larne | 1 | 0 | Dundela | [57] |
1972-73 | Seaview | Linfield Swifts | 2 | 1 | Dundela | [58] |
1973-74 | Seaview | Chimney Corner | 2 | 0 | Glentoran II | [59] |
1974-75 | Seaview | Ballyclare Comrades | 1 | 0 | Glentoran II | [60] |
1975-76 | Solitude | Chimney Corner | 5 | 2 | Ballyclare Comrades | replay - Game 1: 1-1[61] |
1976-77 | Seaview | Brantwood | 2 | 0 | Ards II | [62] |
1977-78 | Seaview | Downpatrick Rec | 3 | 1 | Ballyclare Comrades | replay - Game 1: 1-1[63] |
1978-79 | Seaview | Cromac Albion | 4 | 1 | Ballyclare Comrades | replay - Game 1: 2-2[64] |
1980s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979-80 | Seaview | Short Bros | 2 | 0 | Barn United | [65] |
1980-81 | Seaview | Dundela | 3 | 1 | Killyleagh YC | [66] |
1981-82 | Seaview | Ballyclare Comrades | 3 | 2 | Killyleagh YC | replay - Game 1: 2-2[67] |
1982-83 | Seaview | Dundela | 2 | 0 | RUC | [68] |
1983-84 | Seaview | Linfield Swifts | 2 | 1 | Ballymena United Reserves | [69] |
1984-85 | Seaview1 Solitude2 |
Ballyclare Comrades | 1 | 0 | Distillery II | replay - Game 1: 1-1[70] |
1985-86 | Seaview | Brantwood | 5 | 1 | Ballymoney United | replay - Game 1: 1-1[71] |
1986-87 | Seaview | Ballyclare Comrades | 3 | 0 | Killyleagh YC | [72] |
1987-88 | Seaview | Dundela | 1 | 0 | Linfield Swifts | replay - Game 1: 1-1[73] |
1988-89 | Seaview | Dundela | 2 | 1 | Glentoran II | [74] |
1990s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1989-90 | Seaview | Glentoran II | 4 | 1 | East Belfast | [75] |
1990-91 | Seaview | Dundela | 2 | 0 | RUC | [76] |
1991-92 | Seaview | Comber Rec | 4 | 1 | Brantwood | [77] |
1992-93 | Seaview | East Belfast | 1 | 0 | Linfield Swifts | [78] |
1993-94 | Seaview | RUC | 5 | 1 | Dundela | [79] |
1994-95 | Seaview | Bangor Reserves | 1 | 0 | Linfield Swifts | [79] |
1995-96 | Seaview | Ballymena United Reserves | 2 | 1 | Dromara Village | replay - Game 1: 1-1[80] |
1996-97 | Seaview | Chimney Corner | 2 | 1 | Comber Rec | [81] |
1997-98 | Seaview | Linfield Swifts | 1 | 0 | Dundela | after extra time (Golden Goal after 101 minutes[82] |
1998-99 | Seaview | Dunmurry Rec | 2 | 0 | RUC | [83] |
2000s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999-00 | Seaview | Dundela | 3 | 2 | Comber Rec | [84] |
2000-01 | Seaview | Glentoran II | 2 | 1 | Cliftonville Olympic | after extra-time (Golden Goal after 100 minutes)[85] |
2001-02 | Seaview | Glentoran II | 2 | 2 | Dundela | Glentoran won 4-2 on penalties[86] |
2002-03 | Seaview | Killyleagh YC | 1 | 0 | Chimney Corner | [87] |
2003-04 | Seaview | Donegal Celtic | 3 | 0 | Killyleagh YC | [88] |
2004-05 | Seaview | Bangor | 2 | 0 | Glentoran II | Replay - Game 1 abandoned at 0-0(snow)[89][90] |
2005-06 | Seaview | Crusaders | 4 | 1 | Dundela | [91] |
2006-07 | Seaview | Brantwood | 4 | 3 | Harland & Wolff Welders | after extra-time[92] |
2007-08 | Seaview | Dundela | 2 | 0 | Ballyclare Comrades | [93] |
2008-09 | Seaview | Ards | 2 | 1 | Carrick Rangers | [94] |
2010s
Season | Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009-10 | Seaview | Kilmore Rec. | 2 | 0 | Downpatrick | [95] First final played on an artificial pitch |
2010-11 | Seaview | Harland & Wolff Welders | 3 | 1 | Knockbreda | [96] |
2011-12 | Seaview | Bangor | 2 | 1 | Larne | [97] |
2012-13 | Cup withheld | Glentoran II beat Ards 2-1 in the final, but were later disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in an earlier round.[98][99] | ||||
2013-14 | Seaview | Dundela | 4 | 1 | Immaculata | [100] |
2014-15 | Seaview | Carrick Rangers | 4 | 1 | Harland & Wolff Welders | [101] |
2015-16 | Seaview | Harland & Wolff Welders | 1 | 1 | Albert Foundry | Welders won 4-1 on penalties. [102] |
Summary of winners
Team | Wins | Last win | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Glentoran 2nds† | 13 | 2001/02 |
2 | Larne[1] | 11 | 1971/72 |
3 | Dundela | 10 | 2013/14 |
4 | Brantwood | 9 | 2006/07 |
= | Crusaders[2] | 9 | 2005/06 |
6 | Linfield Swifts† | 8 | 1997/98 |
7 | Ballyclare Comrades | 6 | 1986/87 |
= | Cliftonville Olympic† | 6 | 1921/22 |
= | Bangor[3] | 6 | 2011/12 |
9 | Belfast Celtic 2nds† | 5 | 1935/36 |
11 | Chimney Corner | 4 | 1996/97 |
12 | Carrick Rangers | 3 | 2014/15 |
= | Dunmurry Recreation | 3 | 1998/99 |
14 | East Belfast | 2 | 1992/93 |
= | Harland & Wolff Welders | 2 | 2015/16 |
= | Mountpottinger Young Men | 2 | 1905/06 |
17 | Albert Foundry | 1 | 1949/50 |
= | Ards | 1 | 2008/09 |
= | Ballymena United† | 1 | 1995/96 |
= | Black Diamonds | 1 | 1911/12 |
= | Broadway United | 1 | 1929/30 |
= | Comber Recreation | 1 | 1991/92 |
= | Cromac Albion | 1 | 1978/79 |
= | Distillery† | 1 | 1900/01 |
= | Donegal Celtic | 1 | 2003/04 |
= | Downpatrick Rec. | 1 | 1977/78 |
= | Highfield | 1 | 1902/03 |
= | Killyleagh Youth | 1 | 2002/03 |
= | Kilmore Recreation | 1 | 2009/10 |
= | Ormiston | 1 | 1924/25 |
= | PSNI | 1 | 1993/94 |
= | St Mary's | 1 | 1925/26 |
= | Short Brothers | 1 | 1979/80 |
= | Sirocco Works | 1 | 1938/39 |
= | Wesley | 1 | 1896/97 |
= | Willowfield | 1 | 1927/28 |
† Won by reserve teams
Notes
- ^1 Won by reserve team 1941-42 and 1942-43
- ^2 Won by reserve team 1953-54
- ^3 Won by reserve team 1940-41, 1944–45 and 1994-95
Sources
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph, 16 March 2013
- ↑ Steel & Sons Cup Final Brochure 1970
- ↑ Steel & Sons Cup Final Programme 1993
- ↑ 100 Years of Football: The History of the Co. Antrim FA (1988) Page 129 "Steel & Sons Cup Roll of Honour"
- ↑ 100 Years of Football: The History of the Co. Antrim FA (1988) Page 41
- ↑ 100 Years of Football: The History of the Co. Antrim FA (1988) Page 45
- ↑ 100 Years of Football: The History of the Co. Antrim FA (1988) Page 47
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1920 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1921 Page 3, 30/12/1921 Page 3 &
- ↑ County Antrim FA Rules 1935-36 Page 67
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1923 Page 3 & 29/12/1923 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1924 Page 3 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1925 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1926 Page 5
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1927 Page 3 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1928 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1929 Page 7 & 31/12/1929 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1930 Page 3 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1931 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1932 Page 4 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1933 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1934 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1935 Page 3 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1936 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1937 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1938 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1939 Page 3
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1940 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1941 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1942 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1943 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1944 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1945 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1946 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1947 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1948 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1949 Page 6
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1950 Page 6
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1951 Page 6
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1952 Page 2
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1953 Page 7
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1954 Page 7
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1955 Page 7
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1956 Page 2 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1959 Page 7
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1960 Page 7
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1961 Page 6 & 29/12/61 Page 8
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/62 Page 8
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1963 Page 8
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1964 Page 8
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1966 Page 6
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1967 Page 9
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1968 Page 8
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1969 Page 8
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1970 Page 8 & 31/12/1970 Page 12
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1971 Page 9
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1972 Page 7
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1973 Page 9
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 30/12/1974 Page 10
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1975 Page 9 & 02/01/1976 Page 12
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph 28/12/1976 Page 13
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1977 Page 10 & 05/01/1978 Page 14
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1978 Page 10 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1979 Page 12
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1980 Page 9
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1981 Page 8 & 02/01/1982 Page 9
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1982 Page 12
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1983 Page 10
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1984 Page 22 & 29/12/1984 Page 24
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1985 Page 23 &
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1986 Page 23
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1987 Page 27 & 06/01/1988 Page 28
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1988 Page 26
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1989 Page 23
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1990 Page 21
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1991 Page 21
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 28/12/1992 Page 21
- ↑ 79.0 79.1 Belfast Newsletter 27/12/1993 Page 30
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 26/12/1995 Page 28 & 12/01/1996 Page 36
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 26/12/1996 Page 32
- ↑ Belfast Newsletter 26/12/1997 Page 36
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph 26/12/1998 Page 21
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph 27/12/1999 Page 19
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph Soccer Yearbook 2001/02 Page 66
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ News Letter
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph