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 Linfield Swifts.

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]:129
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)[5]:41
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.[5]:45
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[5]:47		 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 [6]
1921-22 Windsor Park Cliftonville Olympic 2 1 Dundela 2nd replay - Game 1: 1-1; Game 2: 1-1[7]
1922-23 Crusaders 3 1 Bangor 3rd replay[8]
1923-24 The Oval Bangor 2 0 Woodburn replay - Game 1: 1-1[9]
1924-25 Windsor Park Ormiston 1 0 Ballyclare Comrades 2nd replay - Game 1: 0-0;[10] Game 2: ?-?
1925-26 Solitude St. Mary's 4 0 Summerfield [11]
1926-27 Celtic Park Crusaders 5 3 Dunmurry after extra time[12]
1927-28 The Oval Willowfield 2 1 Ormiston replay - Game 1: 0-0[13]
1928-29 Windsor Park Crusaders 4 0 Broadway United [14]

1930s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
1929-30 Solitude Broadway United 5 0 Linfield Rangers replay - Game 1: 2-2[15]
1930-31 The Oval Crusaders 3 1 Charleville replay - Game 1: 3-3[16]
1931-32 Celtic Park Brantwood 3 0 Dunmurry [17]
1932-33 Grosvenor Park Glentoran 3 1 Belfast Celtic II replay - Game 1: 2-2[18]
1933-34 Solitude Crusaders 3 1 Belfast Celtic II [19]
1934-35 Windsor Park Belfast Celtic II 3 2 Crusaders [20]
1935-36 Solitude Belfast Celtic II 2 1 Glentoran II replay - Game 1: 1-1[21]
1936-37 Celtic Park Crusaders 3 1 Glentoran II [22]
1937-38 Grosvenor Park Glentoran 2 1 Summerfield [23]
1938-39 The Oval Sirocco Works 2 1 Crusaders [24]

1940s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
1939-40 Grosvenor Park Linfield Swifts 2 0 Crusaders [25]
1940-41 Solitude Bangor Reserves 2 1 Distillery II [26]
1941-42 Windsor Park Larne Olympic 3 1 Belfast Celtic II [27]
1942-43 Celtic Park Larne Olympic 4 1 Victoria Works United [28]
1943-44 Solitude Ballyclare Comrades 4 2 Glentoran II [29]
1944-45 Windsor Park Bangor Reserves 3 0 Larne Olympic [30]
1945-46 Celtic Park Dundela 3 1 Bangor Reserves Replay - Game 1: 0-0[31]
1946-47 Linfield Swifts 4 1 Crusaders [32]
1947-48 Celtic Park Crusaders 3 2 Larne Replay - Game 1: 2-2[33]
1948-49 Solitude Linfield Swifts 6 2 Brantwood [34]

1950s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
1949-50 Grosvenor Park Albert Foundry 3 2 Crusaders Reserves [35]
1950-51 The Oval Brantwood 2 1 Ballymoney Utd [36]
1951-52 Windsor Park Brantwood 2 0 Feltville Utd [37]
1952-53 The Oval Brantwood 2 1 Larne [38]
1953-54 Solitude Crusaders Reserves 4 3 Linfield Swifts [39]
1954-55 Grosvenor Park East Belfast 5 0 Dundela [40]
1955-56 Windsor Park Brantwood 2 0 Carrick Rangers [41]
1956-57 Grosvenor Park Larne 3 1 Linfield Swifts Replay - Game 1:2-2[42]
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 [43]
1960-61 The Oval Ballyclare Comrades 4 3 Dundela [44]
1961-62 Solitude &
Grosvenor Park		 Carrick Rangers 1 0 Ballymena Utd Reserves Replay - Game 1: 2-2[45]
1962-63 Solitude Chimney Corner 2 1 Dundela [46]
1963-64 Solitude Dundela 4 1 Larne Replay - Game 1: 1-1[47]
1964-65 Larne 2 0 Brantwood [48]
1965-66 Glentoran II 1 0 Larne
1966-67 Solitude Glentoran II 4 0 Ards II [49]
1967-68 Solitude Carrick Rangers 3 1 Dundela [50]
1968-69 Grosvenor Park Larne 3 1 Glentoran II [51]

1970s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
1969-70 Solitude Larne 3 1 Ballyclare Comrades [52]
1970-71 Solitude Larne 4 1 Dundonald replay - Game 1: 1-1[53]
1971-72 Solitude Larne 1 0 Dundela [54]
1972-73 Seaview Linfield Swifts 2 1 Dundela [55]
1973-74 Seaview Chimney Corner 2 0 Glentoran II [56]
1974-75 Seaview Ballyclare Comrades 1 0 Glentoran II [57]
1975-76 Solitude Chimney Corner 5 2 Ballyclare Comrades replay - Game 1: 1-1[58]
1976-77 Seaview Brantwood 2 0 Ards II [59]
1977-78 Seaview Downpatrick Rec 3 1 Ballyclare Comrades replay - Game 1: 1-1[60]
1978-79 Seaview Cromac Albion 4 1 Ballyclare Comrades replay - Game 1: 2-2[61]

1980s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
1979-80 Seaview Short Bros 2 0 Barn United [62]
1980-81 Seaview Dundela 3 1 Killyleagh YC [63]
1981-82 Seaview Ballyclare Comrades 3 2 Killyleagh YC replay - Game 1: 2-2[64]
1982-83 Seaview Dundela 2 0 RUC [65]
1983-84 Seaview Linfield Swifts 2 1 Ballymena United Reserves [66]
1984-85 Seaview1
Solitude2		 Ballyclare Comrades 1 0 Distillery II replay - Game 1: 1-1[67]
1985-86 Seaview Brantwood 5 1 Ballymoney United replay - Game 1: 1-1[68]
1986-87 Seaview Ballyclare Comrades 3 0 Killyleagh YC [69]
1987-88 Seaview Dundela 1 0 Linfield Swifts replay - Game 1: 1-1[70]
1988-89 Seaview Dundela 2 1 Glentoran II [71]

1990s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
1989-90 Seaview Glentoran II 4 1 East Belfast [72]
1990-91 Seaview Dundela 2 0 RUC [73]
1991-92 Seaview Comber Rec 4 1 Brantwood [74]
1992-93 Seaview East Belfast 1 0 Linfield Swifts [75]
1993-94 Seaview RUC 5 1 Dundela [76]
1994-95 Seaview Bangor Reserves 1 0 Linfield Swifts [76]
1995-96 Seaview Ballymena United Reserves 2 1 Dromara Village replay - Game 1: 1-1[77]
1996-97 Seaview Chimney Corner 2 1 Comber Rec [78]
1997-98 Seaview Linfield Swifts 1 0 Dundela after extra time (Golden Goal after 101 minutes[79]
1998-99 Seaview Dunmurry Rec 2 0 RUC [80]

2000s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
1999-00 Seaview Dundela 3 2 Comber Rec [81]
2000-01 Seaview Glentoran II 2 1 Cliftonville Olympic after extra-time (Golden Goal after 100 minutes)[82]
2001-02 Seaview Glentoran II 2 2 Dundela Glentoran won 4-2 on penalties[83]
2002-03 Seaview Killyleagh YC 1 0 Chimney Corner [84]
2003-04 Seaview Donegal Celtic 3 0 Killyleagh YC [85]
2004-05 Seaview Bangor 2 0 Glentoran II Replay - Game 1 abandoned at 0-0(snow)[86][87]
2005-06 Seaview Crusaders 4 1 Dundela [88]
2006-07 Seaview Brantwood 4 3 Harland & Wolff Welders after extra-time[89]
2007-08 Seaview Dundela 2 0 Ballyclare Comrades [90]
2008-09 Seaview Ards 2 1 Carrick Rangers [91]

2010s

Season Venue Winner Runner-up Notes
2009-10 Seaview Kilmore Rec. 2 0 Downpatrick [92] First final played on an artificial pitch
2010-11 Seaview Harland & Wolff Welders 3 1 Knockbreda [93]
2011-12 Seaview Bangor 2 1 Larne [94]
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.[95][96]
2013-14 Seaview Dundela 4 1 Immaculata [97]
2014-15 Seaview Carrick Rangers 4 1 Harland & Wolff Welders [98]
2015-16 Seaview Harland & Wolff Welders 1 1 Albert Foundry Welders won 4-1 on penalties.[99]
2016-17 Seaview Linfield Swifts 3 1 Dundela Linfield Swifts won 3-1 on the day in front of over 2,000 people at Seaview.

Summary of winners

Team Wins Last win
1 Glentoran 2nds† 13 2001/02
2 Larne 11 1971/72
3 Linfield Swifts†10 2016/17
= Dundela 10 2013/14
4 Brantwood9 2006/07
= Crusaders 9 2005/06
5 Ballyclare Comrades 6 1986/87
= Cliftonville Olympic† 6 1921/22
= Bangor 6 2011/12
6 Belfast Celtic 2nds†5 1935/36
7 Chimney Corner 4 1996/97
8 Carrick Rangers 3 2014/15
= Dunmurry Recreation3 1998/99
9 East Belfast 2 1992/93
= Harland & Wolff Welders2 2015/16
= Mountpottinger Young Men 2 1905/06
10 Albert Foundry 1 1949/50
= Ards 1 2008/09
= Ballymena United† 1 1995/96
= Black Diamonds 1 1911/12
= Broadway United1 1929/30
= Comber Recreation1 1991/92
= Cromac Albion1 1978/79
= Distillery†1 1900/01
= Donegal Celtic1 2003/04
= Downpatrick Rec.1 1977/78
= Highfield1 1902/03
= Killyleagh Youth1 2002/03
= Kilmore Recreation1 2009/10
= Ormiston1 1924/25
= PSNI1 1993/94
= St Mary's1 1925/26
= Short Brothers1 1979/80
= Sirocco Works1 1938/39
= Wesley1 1896/97
= Willowfield1 1927/28

† Won by reserve teams

See also

Notes

Sources

  1. ↑ "BBC report about the date move of the Final". BBC News. 2006-11-22. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  2. ↑ Belfast Telegraph, 16 March 2013
  3. ↑ Steel & Sons Cup Final Brochure 1970
  4. ↑ Steel & Sons Cup Final Programme 1993
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Steel & Sons Cup Roll of Honour". 100 Years of Football: The History of the Co. Antrim FA. 1988.
  6. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1920 p. 2
  7. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1921 p. 3, 30/12/1921 p. 3 &
  8. ↑ County Antrim FA Rules 1935-36 p. 67
  9. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1923 p. 3 & 29/12/1923 p. 2
  10. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1924 p. 3 &
  11. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1925 p. 3
  12. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1926 p. 5
  13. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1927 p. 3 &
  14. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1928 p. 3
  15. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1929 p. 7 & 31/12/1929 p. 2
  16. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1930 p. 3 &
  17. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1931 p. 3
  18. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1932 p. 4 &
  19. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1933 p. 3
  20. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1934 p. 3
  21. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1935 p. 3 &
  22. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1936 p. 3
  23. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1937 p. 3
  24. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1938 p. 3
  25. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1939 p. 3
  26. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1940 p. 2
  27. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1941 p. 2
  28. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1942 p. 2
  29. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1943 p. 2
  30. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1944 p. 2
  31. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1945 p. 2
  32. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1946 p. 2
  33. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1947 p. 2
  34. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1948 p. 2
  35. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1949 p. 6
  36. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1950 p. 6
  37. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1951 p. 6
  38. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1952 p. 2
  39. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1953 p. 7
  40. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1954 p. 7
  41. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1955 p. 7
  42. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1956 p. 2 &
  43. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1959 p. 7
  44. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1960 p. 7
  45. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1961 p. 6 & 29/12/61 p. 8
  46. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/62 p. 8
  47. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1963 p. 8
  48. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1964 p. 8
  49. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1966 p. 6
  50. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1967 p. 9
  51. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1968 p. 8
  52. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1969 p. 8
  53. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1970 p. 8 & 31/12/1970 p. 12
  54. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1971 p. 9
  55. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1972 p. 7
  56. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1973 p. 9
  57. ↑ Belfast News Letter 30/12/1974 p. 10
  58. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1975 p. 9 & 02/01/1976 p. 12
  59. ↑ Belfast Telegraph 28/12/1976 p. 13
  60. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1977 p. 10 & 05/01/1978 p. 14
  61. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1978 p. 10 &
  62. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1979 p. 12
  63. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1980 p. 9
  64. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1981 p. 8 & 02/01/1982 p. 9
  65. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1982 p. 12
  66. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1983 p. 10
  67. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1984 p. 22 & 29/12/1984 p. 24
  68. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1985 p. 23 &
  69. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1986 p. 23
  70. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1987 p. 27 & 06/01/1988 p. 28
  71. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1988 p. 26
  72. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1989 p. 23
  73. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1990 p. 21
  74. ↑ Belfast News Letter 27/12/1991 p. 21
  75. ↑ Belfast News Letter 28/12/1992 p. 21
  76. 1 2 Belfast News Letter 27/12/1993 p. 30
  77. ↑ Belfast News Letter 26/12/1995 p. 28 & 12/01/1996 p. 36
  78. ↑ Belfast News Letter 26/12/1996 p. 32
  79. ↑ Belfast News Letter 26/12/1997 p. 36
  80. ↑ Belfast Telegraph 26/12/1998 p. 21
  81. ↑ Belfast Telegraph 27/12/1999 p. 19
  82. ↑ Belfast Telegraph Soccer Yearbook 2001/02 p. 66
  83. ↑ "Wee Glens win Steel Cup". BBC News. 2001-12-26. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  84. ↑ "Killyleagh win Steel decider". BBC News. 2002-12-26. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  85. ↑ "Celtic lift Steel Cup". BBC News. 2003-12-26. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  86. ↑ "Cup final abandoned in snow storm". BBC News. 2004-12-26. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  87. ↑ "Bangor win Steel & Sons Cup". BBC News. 2004-12-30. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  88. ↑ "Crusaders 4-1 Dundela". BBC News. 2005-12-24. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  89. ↑ "Brantwood 4-3 H&W Welders". BBC News. 2006-12-23. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  90. ↑ "Dundela and Loughgall trophy wins". BBC News. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  91. ↑ "Ards snatch late Steel Cup winner". BBC News. 2008-12-26. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  92. ↑ "Kilmore Rec win Steel Cup final". BBC News. 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  93. ↑ "Welders secure Steel Cup success". BBC News. 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  94. ↑ "Bangor beat Larne in Steel & Sons Cup final". BBC News. 2011-12-24. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  95. ↑ "Festive cheer for Glentoran in Steel and Sons Cup final". Newsletter. 2012-12-26. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  96. ↑ "Glentoran II are stripped of Steel and Sons Cup". BBC News. 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  97. ↑ "Dundela enjoy Christmas Day Cup cheer with win over Immaculata". Belfast News Letter. 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  98. ↑ News Letter
  99. ↑ Belfast Telegraph
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