Treble (association football)

Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, primary domestic cup competition and most prestigious continental cup competition, although this depends to some extent on the football competitions of a particular country.

Trophy competitions which consist of a single match or a two-leg match (e.g. the FA Community Shield, Irish FA Charity Shield, Supercopa de España, Trophée des Champions, the Recopa Sudamericana, the UEFA Super Cup or the Intercontinental Cup) are generally not counted as part of a treble.

Two phrases sometimes used are a 'continental treble',[1] which involves winning at least one continental trophy, and a 'domestic treble' - usually the domestic league and two secondary tournaments.[2][3]

Continental trebles

There are few cases of a club winning their country's top tier league and a major secondary competition (The Double), in addition to the continental championship, all within a single season. This was first achieved in 1962 by Santos, winning the Campeonato Paulista (state league), Taça Brasil (national league) and Copa Libertadores (continental tournament).

In total, 29 clubs across six confederations have achieved the feat on 37 occasions since 1962, including eight African clubs, twelve European clubs, two South American club, two Oceanian clubs, three North American clubs and five Asian clubs.

Club Country Confederation Year(s) Titles won
Santos Brazil Brazil CONMEBOL 1962[a] Campeonato Paulista, Taça Brasil, Copa Libertadores
Santos (2) Brazil Brazil 1963[a] Torneio Rio-São Paulo, Taça Brasil, Copa Libertadores
Boca Juniors Argentina Argentina 2005-06 Torneio Apertura, Torneio Clausura, Copa Sudamericana
Celtic Scotland Scotland UEFA 1966–67[b] Scottish Football League, Scottish Cup, European Cup
Ajax Netherlands Netherlands 1971–72 Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup
Göteborg[e] Sweden Sweden 1981–82 Allsvenskan, Svenska Cupen, UEFA Cup
Liverpool England England 1983–84 Division 1, League Cup, European Cup
PSV Netherlands Netherlands 1987–88 Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup
Manchester United England England 1998–99 Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League
Galatasaray Turkey Turkey 1999–2000[f] Turkish Super League, Turkish Cup, UEFA Cup
Porto Portugal Portugal 2002–03 Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, UEFA Cup
CSKA Moscow Russia Russia 2005 Russian Premier League, Russian Cup, UEFA Cup
Barcelona Spain Spain 2008–09 La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League
Internazionale Italy Italy 2009–10 Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League
Porto (2) Portugal Portugal 2010–11[c] Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, UEFA Europa League
Bayern Munich Germany Germany 2012–13[i] Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, UEFA Champions League
Englebert Democratic Republic of the Congo DR Congo CAF 1967 Linafoot, Coupe du Congo, African Cup of Champions
Vita Club Zaire Zaire 1973 Linafoot, Coupe du Congo, African Cup of Champions
MC Algiers Algeria Algeria 1976 Algerian Championnat National, Algerian Cup, African Cup of Champions
Al-Ahly Egypt Egypt 1984-85 Egyptian Premier League, Egypt Cup, African Cup Winners' Cup
Gor Mahia Kenya Kenya 1987 Kenyan Premier League, Moi Golden Cup, African Cup Winners' Cup
Daring Club Democratic Republic of the Congo DR Congo 1994 Linafoot, Coupe du Congo, African Cup Winners' Cup
Espérance Tunisia Tunisia 1998-99 Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, Tunisian Cup, African Cup Winners' Cup
Hearts of Oak Ghana Ghana 2000 Ghana Premier League, Ghanaian FA Cup, CAF Champions League
Al-Ahly (2) Egypt Egypt 2005-06[g] Egyptian League, Egyptian Soccer Cup, CAF Champions League
Al-Ahly (3) Egypt Egypt 2006-07[h] Egyptian League, Egyptian Soccer Cup, CAF Champions League
Espérance (2) Tunisia Tunisia 2011 Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, Tunisian President Cup, CAF Champions League
Cruz Azul Mexico Mexico CONCACAF 1968-69 Primera División de México, Copa México, CONCACAF Champions Cup
Defence Force Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago 1985 TT Pro League, Trinidad and Tobago Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup
Necaxa Mexico Mexico 1994-95 Liga MX, Copa México, CONCACAF Cup Winners' Cup
Tokyo Verdy Japan Japan AFC 1987 Japanese First Division, Emperor's Cup, AFC Champions League
Thai Farmers Bank Thailand Thailand 1995 Kor Royal Cup[d], Queen's Cup, AFC Champions League
Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia 1998-99 Saudi Premier League, Saudi Federation Cup, Asian Cup Winners Cup
Al-Muharraq Bahrain Bahrain 2008 [j] Bahraini Premier League, Bahraini King's Cup, AFC Cup
Qadsia Kuwait Kuwait 2014 [k] Kuwaiti Premier League, Kuwait Crown Prince Cup, AFC Cup
Auckland City New Zealand New Zealand OFC 2006 NZFC Championship, NZFC Premiership, OFC Champions League
Waitakere United New Zealand New Zealand 2008 NZFC Championship, NZFC Premiership, OFC Champions League
Auckland City (2) New Zealand New Zealand 2013–14 NZFC Championship, NZFC Premiership, OFC Champions League

Domestic Treble

This type of treble consists of a club winning three or four of their country's titles (top-tier league, cup, league cup), all during one season. Many countries do not have a third domestic (e.g. League Cup) competition, besides competitions consisting of a single match or a two-leg match (e.g. Supercups), so achieving a domestic treble is impossible (e.g. Germany and Italy as nowadays).

Brazil has an unofficial "Triple Crown", a name given to a team that wins the national league, the national cup, and their state league.

Note that trophy competitions which consist of a single match or a two-leg match (e.g. Supercups in general) are generally not counted as part of a treble.

Club Country Number
won
Year(s) won Titles won
Rangers Scotland Scotland
7
1949, 1964, 1976, 1978, 1993, 1999, 2003[4] Scottish League, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup
South China Hong Kong Hong Kong
6
1972, 1987, 1988[a], 1991[a], 2002, 2007 Hong Kong League, Hong Kong Senior Shield, Viceroy Cup (1972), Hong Kong League, Hong Kong FA Cup, Viceroy Cup (1987), Hong Kong League, Hong Kong Senior Shield, Hong Kong FA Cup (1988, 1991), Hong Kong Senior Shield, Hong Kong FA Cup, Hong Kong League Cup (2002), Hong Kong League, Hong Kong Senior Shield, Hong Kong FA Cup (2007)
Kaizer Chiefs South Africa South Africa
6
1976, 1977, 1981, 1984[k], 1989, 1992 NPSL, Nedbank Cup, MTN 8 (1976, 1977, 1981, 1992), NPSL, Nedbank Cup, Telkom Knockout (1984), NSL, Telkom Knockout, MTN 8 (1989)
Linfield Northern Ireland Northern Ireland
5
1922[c], 1962[c], 1994, 2006,[c] 2008 Irish League, Irish Cup, County Antrim Shield (1922, 1962), Irish League, Irish Cup, Irish League Cup (1994), Irish Premier League, Irish Cup, Irish League Cup (2006, 2008)
Seiko Hong Kong Hong Kong
5
1973, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1985 Hong Kong League, Hong Kong Senior Shield, Viceroy Cup (1973, 1979, 1985), Hong Kong League, Hong Kong Senior Shield, Hong Kong FA Cup (1980, 1981)
Shamrock Rovers Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland
3
1925, 1932, 1964[5] League of Ireland, FAI Cup, League of Ireland Shield[b]
Celtic Scotland Scotland
3
1967, 1969, 2001[6] Scottish League, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup
Valletta  Malta
2
1997[h], 2001[i] Maltese Premier League, Maltese Cup, Löwenbräu Cup
Eastern Hong Kong Hong Kong
2
1993, 1994 Hong Kong League, Hong Kong Senior Shield, Hong Kong FA Cup
Levski Sofia Bulgaria Bulgaria
2
1984,[7] 2007 Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, Bulgarian Cup, Cup of the Soviet Army (1984)
Kedah Malaysia Malaysia
2
2007, 2008[8] Malaysian Super League, Malaysia Cup, Malaysian FA Cup
Orlando Pirates South Africa South Africa
2
1973, 2011[l] NPSL, Nedbank Cup, MTN 8
Buriram PEA / Buriram United Thailand Thailand
2
2011, 2013[g] Thai Premier League, Thai FA Cup, Thai League Cup
Bohemians Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland
1
1928[9] League of Ireland, FAI Cup, League of Ireland Shield[b]
Fall River Marksmen United States USA
1
1930[10] American Soccer League, National Challenge Cup, Lewis Cup
Brookhattan United States USA
1
1945[11] American Soccer League, National Challenge Cup, Lewis Cup
Bahia Brazil Brazil
1
1959 Campeonato Baiano, Taça Norte-Nordeste, Taça Brasil
Toronto Croatia Canada Canada
1
1971[12] NSL Cup, NSL Regular Season Champion, NSL Playoff Champion
Mitsubishi Motors Japan Japan
1
1978 Japan Soccer League, Emperor's Cup, JSL Cup
Servette Switzerland Switzerland
1
1979 Nationalliga A, Swiss Cup, Swiss League Cup
Derry City Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland
1
1989[13] League of Ireland, FAI Cup, League of Ireland Cup
Nissan Motors Japan Japan
1
1989 Japan Soccer League, Emperor's Cup, JSL Cup
Mamelodi Sundowns South Africa South Africa
1
1990 NSL, Telkom Knockout, MTN 8
Palmeiras Brazil Brazil
1
1993 Campeonato Paulista, Torneio Rio-São Paulo, Campeonato Brasileiro
Melbourne Knights Australia Australia
1
1995[14] NSL Cup, NSL Minor Premiership, NSL Grand Final
ÍA Iceland Iceland
1
1996 Úrvalsdeild, Icelandic Cup, Deildabikar
Barry Town Wales Wales
1
1997 Welsh Premier League, Welsh Cup, Welsh League Cup
Al-Ittihad FC  Saudi Arabia
1
1997 Saudi Premier League, Crown Prince Cup, Federation Cup
Suwon Samsung Bluewings South Korea South Korea
1
1999 K League, Korean League Cup, Korean League Cup (Supplementary Cup)[j]
Bayern Munich Germany Germany
1
2000 Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, DFB Ligapokal
Galatasaray Turkey Turkey
1
2000[15][16] Turkish Super League Championship Cup, Turkish Cup, TSYD Cup
Kashima Antlers Japan Japan
1
2000 J. League, Emperor's Cup, J. League Cup
Cruzeiro Brazil Brazil
1
2003[17] Campeonato Mineiro, Copa do Brasil, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
Rhyl Wales Wales
1
2004[18] Welsh Premier League, Welsh Cup, Welsh League Cup
Al-Hilal  Saudi Arabia
1
2005 Saudi Premier League, Crown Prince Cup, Federation Cup
Brøndby Denmark Denmark
1
2005 Danish Superliga, Danish Cup, Danish League Cup[d]
Sun Hei Hong Kong Hong Kong
1
2005[19] Hong Kong League, Hong Kong Senior Shield, Hong Kong FA Cup[e]
Al-Sadd Qatar Qatar
1
2007[20] Qatari League, Emir of Qatar Cup, Qatar Crown Prince Cup
Melbourne Victory Australia Australia
1
2009 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup, A-League Premiership, A-League Championship
Debreceni Hungary Hungary
1
2010 Nemzeti Bajnokság I, Magyar Kupa, Ligakupa[f]
Kitchee Hong Kong Hong Kong
1
2012 Hong Kong League, Hong Kong FA Cup, Hong Kong League Cup
Kelantan Malaysia Malaysia
1
2012[21] Malaysian Super League, Malaysia Cup, Malaysian FA Cup
Atlético Nacional Colombia Colombia
1
2013[22] Categoría Primera A Torneo Apertura, Copa Colombia, Categoría Primera A Torneo Finalización
Lincoln Gibraltar Gibraltar
1
2014 Gibraltar Premier Division, Rock Cup, Gibraltar Premier Cup
Benfica Portugal Portugal
1
2014 Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga
Gamba Osaka Japan Japan
1
2014 J. League, Emperor's Cup, J. League Cup

See also

References

  1. Raja aiming high once more. FIFA (2008-06-04). Retrieved on 2009-06-23 - 'continental treble' mentioned in this article.
  2. Spiers, Graham (2008-01-30). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article3274019.ece Walter Smith demands final push as Rangers target domestic treble. The Times. Retrieved on 2009-03-28.
  3. Ralston, Gary (2008-09-26). Domestic treble for Rangers will make up for failure in Europe, says Pedro Mendes. Daily Record. Retrieved on 2009-03-28.
  4. Records and Honours. Rangers Official club website. Retrieved on 2009-03-31.
  5. Roll of Honour. Shamrock Rovers FC. Retrieved on 2009-03-31.
  6. Celtic Honours. Celtic Official club website. Retrieved on 2009-05-18.
  7. "Treble in association football – theory and history", 24 Chasa newspaper, Retrieved on 2010-02-15
  8. Role of Honour. Bohemian Football Club. Retrieved on 2009-03-31.
  9. Litterer, Dave. "The Year In American Soccer, 1930". The USA Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  10. Litterer, Dave. "The Year In American Soccer, 1945". The USA Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  11. Croatian National Sports Club history at a glance
  12. Derry City FC - A Concise History. Derry City Football Club Website (2009-02-08). Retrieved on 2009-03-31.
  13. The Dynasty Begins
  14. "TSYD Tournament victory for Galatasaray". turkfutbolu.net. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  15. "combined with the 1999/2000 league title and victory in that season’s Turkish Cup, made for a historic quadruple triumph". FIFA.com. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  16. Relação Dos Títulos Oficiais Do Cruzeiro (Portuguese)
  17. - Rhyl FC - Honours
  18. "Sun Hei lift Cup to sweep four titles". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  19. Al-Sadd Trophies and awards

External links