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In 1964, Manchester City and Manchester United declined to compete in future competitions, instead making a payment in lieu. This means that all finals now were to be between Oldham Athletic and Bury.<ref name=”souv” />
In 1964, Manchester City and Manchester United declined to compete in future competitions, instead making a payment in lieu. This means that all finals now were to be between Oldham Athletic and Bury.<ref name=”souv” />
Football tournament
The Manchester FA Senior Cup (originally known as the Manchester and District Challenge Cup, later the Manchester Cup) is an annual football tournament held between the clubs of the Manchester Football Association which was first played in 1885; the first winners were Hurst who beat Newton Heath LYR in the final.
The competition featured the major professional clubs of the Manchester area — Manchester United (as Newton Heath LYR until 1892 and Newton Heath until 1902), Manchester City (as well as Ardwick until 1894), Bolton Wanderers, Bury, Oldham Athletic, and Stockport County — until 1970, after which only non-league clubs entered. The Senior Cup was not held from 1979 to 1998, but was reintroduced as a reserve team tournament for the six professional clubs, typically in round-robin format with a final usually held at the end of the season in early May.
The overall winners table is as follows
| Team | Wins | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 34 | including 4 as Newton Heath LYR and 2 as Newton Heath |
| Manchester City | 13 | plus one shared with Bury |
| Bury | 13 | plus one shared with Manchester City |
| Bolton Wanderers | 10 | |
| Oldham Athletic | 9 | |
| Stockport County | 4 | |
| Droylsden | 3 | |
| Ardwick | 2 | |
| Mossley | 2 | |
| Hurst | 1 | the original Hurst club |
| West Manchester | 1 | |
| Crewe Alexandra | 1 | |
| Wigan Borough | 1 | |
| Hyde United | 1 | |
| Ashton United | 1 | |
| Dukinfield Town | 1 |
In 2021, a medal from the competition won by Newton Heath’s Tommy Fitzsimmons in 1893, believed to be the oldest such item relating to Manchester United to have been offered for sale, was auctioned for £24,000.[1]
This section lists every final of the competition played since the first final in 1885 where known; including the winners, the runners-up, and the result.
| Match went to a replay | |
| Shared trophy | |
| Final was played over 2 legs |
| Season | Winner | Result | Runner-up | Date | Venue | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884–85 | Hurst | 3–0 | Newton Heath LYR | Saturday 25 April 1885 | Whalley Range (Manchester FC Rugby) | around 3500 | This is the original Hurst club that folded in 1892. The 2nd half was delayed dye to heavy rainfall. HT 0-0 |
| 1885–86 | Newton Heath LYR | 2–1 | Manchester Association | Saturday 3 April 1886 | Whalley Range (Manchester FC Rugby) | around 8000 | The largest crowd ever for association football in Manchester at the time. HT 2-0[2] |
| 1886–87 | West Manchester | 2–1 | Newton Heath LYR | Saturday 23 April 1887 | Whalley Range (Manchester FC Rugby) | around 4000 | HT 1-1[3] |
| 1887–88 | Newton Heath LYR | 7–1 | Denton | Saturday 28 April 1888 | Whalley Range (Manchester FC Rugby) | around 8000 | |
| 1888–89 | Newton Heath LYR | 7–0 | Hooley Hill | Saturday 27 April 1889 | Whalley Range (Manchester FC Rugby) | around 4000 | |
| 1889–90 | Newton Heath LYR | 5–2 | Royton | Saturday 3 May 1890 | Hullard Hall (West Manchester FC) | around 2000 | |
| 1890–91 | Ardwick | 1–0 | Newton Heath LYR | Saturday 18 April 1891 | Hullard Hall (West Manchester FC) | around 10000 | |
| 1891–92 | Ardwick | 4–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Saturdaty 23 April 1892 | North Road (Newton Heath LYR) | around 7000 | |
| 1892–93 | Newton Heath | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Saturday 15 April 1893 | Hyde Road (Ardwick AFC) | around 8000 | |
| 1893–94 | Bury | 4–2 | Heywood Central | Saturday 7 April 1894 | Gigg Lane (Bury FC) | around 5000 | |
| 1894–95 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–0 | Bury | Saturday 30 March 1895 | Bank Street (Newton Heath FC) | ||
| Bolton Wanderers | REPLAY 3–2 |
Bury | Monday 8 April 1895 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 4000 | ||
| 1895–96 | Bury | 2–1 | Manchester City | Saturday 11 April 1896 | Bank Street (Newton Heath FC) | between 7000 and 10000 | |
| 1896–97 | Bury | 3–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Saturday 3 April 1897 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | ||
| 1897–98 | Stockport County | VOID 0–4 |
Manchester City | Saturday 9 April 1898 | Fallowfield Stadium (Manchester Athletics Club) | around 25000 | The tie was voided and re-played due to Manchester City fielding an ineligible player (Douglas). [4] |
| Stockport County | 2–1 | Manchester City | Monday 18 April 1898 | Bank Street (Newton Heath FC) | Gate receipts for both ties combined £464 12s 11d[4] | ||
| 1898–99 | Stockport County | 2–2 | Bury | Wednesday 12 April 1899 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 3000 | [5] |
| Stockport County | REPLAY 2–1 |
Bury | Saturday 29 April 1899 | Bank Street (Newton Heath FC) | around 3000 | [5][6] | |
| 1899–00 | Bury | 2–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Wednesday 4 April 1900 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | between 5000 and 6000 | |
| 1900–01 | Manchester City | 4–0 | Newton Heath | Monday 29 April 1901 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 5000 | |
| 1901–02 | Newton Heath | 2–1 | Manchester City | Saturday 26 April 1902 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | between 10000 and 15000 | This was the last match for Newton Heath before they renamed to Manchester United |
| 1902–03 | Bury | 2-2 | Manchester City | Wednesday 29 April 1903 | Bank Street (Manchester United FC) | around 15000 | Both teams were declared joint winners with both receiving gold medals. It was agreed until the following September, when the game may have be re-played. However it was not and so both were officially joint winners. Gate receipts £444 3s 6d.[4] |
| 1903–04 | Bury | 0–0 | Manchester City | Saturday 30 April 1904 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 18000 | |
| Bury | REPLAY POSTPONED |
Manchester City | Monday 28 November 1904 | Bank Street (Manchester United FC) | Postponed due to fog[7] | ||
| Bury | REPLAY 4-2 ABANDONED |
Manchester City | Monday 5 December 1904 | Bank Street (Manchester United FC) | around 1500 | Abandoned on 84 mins due to darkness[8][9] | |
| Bury | REPLAY 4–0 |
Manchester City | |||||
| 1904–05 | Bury | 3–1 | Manchester United | Saturday 29 April 1905 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 4000 | |
| 1905–06 | Bolton Wanderers | 3–0 | Bury | Monday 30 April 1906 | Bank Street (Manchester United FC) | around 2000 | |
| 1906–07 | Manchester City | 2–0 | Stockport County | Monday 29 April 1907 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 10000 | |
| 1907–08 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Bury | Thursday 30 April 1908 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 5000 | |
| 1908–09 | Bolton Wanderers | POSTPONED | Stockport County | Monday 26 April 1909 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | ||
| Bolton Wanderers | 3–0 | Stockport County | Thursday 29 April 1909 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | “poor” | ||
| 1909–10 | Manchester United | 2–0 | Stockport County | Wednesday 20 April 1910 | Old Trafford (Manchester United FC) | 800 | |
| 1910–11 | Manchester City | 3–1 | Manchester United | Weednesday 14 December 1910 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 6000 | |
| 1911–12 | Manchester United | 0–0 | Rochdale | Wednesday 27 March 1912 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | ||
| Manchester United | REPLAY 1–1 |
Rochdale | Tuesday 30 April 1912 | Boundary Park (Oldham Athletic AFC) | around 5000 | ||
| Manchester United | REPLAY-2 5–0 |
Rochdale | Tuesday 17 September 1912 | Gigg Lane (Bury FC) | around 2000 | ||
| 1912–13 | Manchester United | 4–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Monday 21 April 1913 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | around 3000 | |
| 1913–14 | Oldham Athletic | 1–0 | Hurst | Tuesday 21 April 1914 | Bower Fold (Stalybridge Centic FC) | between 6000 and 7000 | Had been originally due to be played at Manchester City’s Hyde Road |
| 1914–15 | Stockport County | 4–3 AET |
Rochdale | Saturday 1 May 1915 | Hyde Road (Manchester City FC) | After 90 mins was 1-1[5] |
The competition was not held between 1916 and 1919 due to World War I
The competition was not held between 1939 and 1946 due to World War II
In 1958, the five Senior clubs currently involved met together to put forward a proposal that the format of the Manchester Senior Cup should be changed. The proposal was that two of the five senior clubs involved (Manchester United, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, Bury and Oldham Athletic) should, in sequence, play in the competition as a one-off Final. The teams would choose their first teams and charge first team prices. The format was approved by the full (Manchester County FA) Council and the Football Association gave its approval[4]
In 1964, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City and Manchester United declined to compete in future competitions, instead making a payment in lieu. This means that all finals now were to be between Oldham Athletic and Bury.[4]
It was decided that for 1965-66 and 1966-67 not to hold the Manchester Senior Cup match, following problems with the staging of the competition. The fixture resumed for 1967-68[4]
The Manchester FA relaunched the competition in 1970 and senior non-league sides then played in it.
| Season | Winner | Result | Runner-up | Date | Venue | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–71 | Dukinfield Town | LEG-1 2-0 |
Mossley | Monday 24 May 1971 | National Park (Dukinfield Town FC) | Dukinfield Town were sharing Curzon Ashton’s National Park at the time[34] | |
| Dukinfield Town | LEG-2 3-2 AGG 5-2 |
Mossley | Wednesday 26 May 1971 | Seel Park (Mossley AFC) | [34] | ||
| 1971–72 | Mossley | LEG-1 2-0 |
Droylsden | Wednesday 10 May 1972 | Butcher’s Arms (Droylsden FC) | [35] | |
| Mossley | LEG-2 0-1 AGG 2-1 |
Droylsden | Saturday 13 May 1972 | Seel Park (Mossley AFC) | [35] | ||
| 1972–73 | Droylsden | p1-1 | Radcliffe Borough | Friday 11 May 1973 | Butcher’s Arms (Droylsden FC) | Droylsden won 5–3 on Penalties. HT score was 0-1. Unclear if extra time was played | |
| 1973–74 | Oldham Athletic reserves | Droylsden | |||||
| 1974–75 | Hyde United | p0-0 AET |
Oldham Athletic reserves | Tuesday 6 May 1975 | Hyde United won 3–1 on Penalties[36] | ||
| 1975–76 | Droylsden | LEG-1 | Ashton United | Monday 11 May 1976 | 1st Leg score unconfirmed – possibly 0-0 or 4–1 to Droylsden. Date is not confirmed | ||
| Droylsden | LEG-2 2-1 |
Ashton United | Friday 14 May 1976 | The aggregate score is unconfirmed due to 1st leg unconfirmed, however was either 2-1 or 6–2 to Droylsden. Some sources incorrectly report Ashton United as the winners | |||
| 1976–77 | Mossley | LEG-1 5-0 |
Droylsden | Friday 8 April 1977 | Butcher’s Arms (Droylsden FC) | [37] | |
| Mossley | LEG-2 7-3 AGG 12-3 |
Droylsden | Monday 2 May 1977 | Seel Park (Mossley AFC) | [37] | ||
| 1977–78 | Ashton United | LEG-1 0-1 |
Hyde United | Monday 10 April 1978 | Ewen Fields (Hyde United FC) | [36] | |
| Ashton United | LEG-2 2-0 AGG 2-1 |
Hyde United | Monday 24 April 1978 | Hurst Cross (Ashton United FC) | [36] | ||
| 1978–79 | Droylsden | LEG-1 1-1 |
Mossley | Thursday 17 May 1979 | Butcher’s Arms (Droylsden FC) | [38] | |
| Droylsden | LEG-2 3-0 AGG 4-1 |
Mossley | Thursday 24 May 1979 | Seel Park (Mossley AFC) | [38] |
In 1979 the competition was put on hiatus until it was relaunched in 1998 as a reserve competition for the senior professional sides
No Manchester Senior Cup matches have been played since 2016 and the competition, as of 2025, is currently on hiatus. It is not clear when or if it will return.
- ^ Manchester United: Winner’s medal sold at auction for £24,100, Stuart Reid, Ayr Advertiser, 9 September 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2022
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, The Umpire, 4 April 1886
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Athletic News, 26 April 1887
- ^ a b c d e f g h [Manchester County Football Association], Souvenir Brochure 1884-1984
- ^ a b c Go Go Go County, Manchester Football Association Senior Cup Record
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Weekly Times & Echo (London), 30 April 1899
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Lancashire Evening Post, 28 November 1904
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, The Cheshire Daily Echo, 5 December 1904
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Daily Mirror, 6 December 1904
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Manchester United Friendlies & Minor Competitions, Charbel Boujaoude (2018 book)
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Stockport County Express, 19 May 1921
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Athletic News, 22 May 1922
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Manchester Evening News, 7 May 1923
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Grimsby Daily Telegraph, 11 May 1923
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Manchester Evening News, 10 May 1924
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Athletic News, 11 May 1925
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Athletic News, 17 May 1926
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Leeds Mercury, 10 May 1926
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Athletic News, 16 May 1927
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Athletic News, 7 May 1928, Page 24
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Manchester Evening News, 11 May 1929
- ^ Oz White’s Leeds City FC History, Hughes: Robert (Bobby)
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Lancashire Evening Post, 8 May 1930
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Belfast Telegraph, 11 May 1931
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Manchester Evening News, 14 May 1932
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Manchester Evening News – Stop Press, 11 May 1935
- ^ [British Newspaper Archives], Sunday Mirror, 15 May 1949
- ^ a b c [Bolton Wanderers – The Official History 1877-2002], Simon Marland (2002)
- ^ [Manchester City – A Complete Record 1887-1987], Breedon Books
- ^ [British Newspaper Archive], Birmingham Daily News, 14 April 1959
- ^ [British Newspaper Archive], Birmingham Daily Post, 14 April 1959
- ^ [The Pride Of Manchester – A History Of Manchester Derby Matches], Steve Cawley & Gary James (1991)
- ^ [Manchester City – A Complete Record 1887-1987], Breedon Books
- ^ a b MossleyWeb, MossleyWeb – 1970/71 season
- ^ a b MossleyWeb, MossleyWeb – 1971/72 season
- ^ a b c Hyde United Football Club: Database, Manchester Senior Cup
- ^ a b MossleyWeb, MossleyWeb – 1976/77 season
- ^ a b MossleyWeb, MossleyWeb – 1978/79 season
- ^ British Newspaper Archive, Manchester Evening News, 14 May 1999
- ^ Manchester City FC, EDS & Academy
