List of Welsh Cup finals
Introduction Wrexham team which won the first Welsh Cup in 1878.The team are pictured without the trophy, as it was not ready until a year later.The Football Association of Wales Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Welsh Cup, is a knockout cup competition in Welsh football, organised by the Football Association of Wales (the FAW). It is the third-oldest association football competition in the world, behind only its English and Scottish equivalents, having begun in 1877.The tournament is open to any men's football team in Wales; however, the club's ground must meet certain requirements laid out by the FAW prior to entering. Welsh clubs playing within the English football league system have been excluded from entering the tournament since 1995, a few years after the creation of the League of Wales, when UEFA decreed that the winner of the competition could not compete in the European Cup Winners' Cup unless the sides were barred from entering. This prohibition currently affects five clubs: Cardiff City, Merthyr Town, Newport County, Swansea City and Wrexham. During its history, the competition has allowed some English clubs close to Wales to enter the tournament and has been won on 21 occasions by teams based outside Wales' borders.As of 2016, the record for the most wins is held by Wrexham, who have won the competition on 23 occasions, their last victory coming in 1995.Apart from Wrexham, only Cardiff City and Swansea City have won the competition on 10 or more occasions, having won 22 and 10 respectively. Shrewsbury Town hold the record for the most times an English team has won the Cup, having claimed victory on six occasions. The last English winner of the Welsh Cup was Hereford United in 1990.
History The Welsh Cup was founded by the Football Association of Wales in 1877, staging the first competition for the 1877–88 season. The first final was played on 30 March 1878 and was won by Wrexham who defeated Druids 1–0, Jas Davies scoring the first Welsh Cup final goal for the ''Dragons''. Despite their defeat, amateur side Druids, who had become the first Welsh side to enter the English FA Cup the year before only to withdraw without playing a match, dominated the early stagings of the competition, featuring in eight of the first ten finals, winning five. However, the dawn of fully professional football clubs eventually proved too strong for the side who reached their last final in 1901.Although the competition was introduced for Welsh clubs, English clubs close to the border were also allowed to enter and Shropshire based Oswestry Town and Cheshire based Northwich Victoria both participated in the inaugural season in 1877–88, the final for the 1878–79 tournament the following year also being held in Oswestry. In its early stages, the competition was dominated by teams from the northern area of Wales with Wrexham, Druids, Chirk and Newtown White Stars claiming multiple titles each by the turn of the century as well as other northern based sides Bangor and Aberystywth Town also claiming victories. It was not until 1903 that a Welsh side from the south of the country reached the final, by which time the competition had even been won on four occasions by English sides, when Aberaman Athletic reached the final but suffered an 8–0 defeat to Wrexham, a result that still stands as the biggest victory in a Welsh Cup final. It would take a further 9 years for a southern side to win the cup, Cardiff City claiming the title after defeating Pontypridd 3–0 in a replay in 1912.The tie was also the first time that the final had been played in the south of Wales.During the 1960s, the competition gained new interest when the winner was handed a place in the qualifying rounds of the European Cup Winners' Cup. This gave amateur Welsh league sides and the Welsh sides playing in the lower levels of the Football League the chance to compete in European competitions and the tournament was subsequently dominated by the fully professional Football League sides Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham who were keen on reaching the Cup Winners' Cup for lucrative ties against European sides. English sides who won the tournament were barred from claiming the European place due to their location so the spot would be handed to the highest placed finishing Welsh sides in their stead. In 1995, the six Welsh clubs playing within the English football league system, Cardiff City, Colwyn Bay, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport County, Swansea City and Wrexham were barred from entering the competition by the FAW after pressure from governing body UEFA,. after rejecting a transfer into the newly formed League of Wales.In 2012, the six clubs were invited back into the competition, although only Merthyr, Newport and Wrexham accepted the invitation, and competed in the 2011–12 season. In order to attract the other three teams into the competition, the FAW hoped to allow the sides to be eligible for European competition again but UEFA rules only allow teams to qualify for European tournaments via the competitions of one national association, requiring the sides to not enter the FA Cup or EFL Cup. However, the appeal was rejected by UEFA and the following season the six clubs were not invited to enter the Welsh Cup.
Finals Until 1961, a draw in the final would lead to a replay in order to decide a winner. Between the 1961–62 and 1984–85 seasons, the final was played as a two-legged match, originally on a points basis rather than aggregate score, going to a third play-off match if required. In the 1985–86 season, it reverted to a single game, with the result to be decided by a replay in the event of a draw. In the 1987–88 season, the final reverted to a single game, with the result to be decided on the day by extra time and a penalty shoot-out as necessary. The competition was not held between 1915–1919 and 1940–1945 due to the first and second world wars when competitive football was suspended.All teams are Welsh, except where marked  (England).===Results===SeasonWinnerScoreRunner-upVenueAttendance1877–78'''Wrexham'''1–0Druids''Acton Park Wrexham''1,5001878–79'''Newtown White Stars'''1–0Wrexham''the Cricket Field, Oswestry''2,5001879–80'''Druids'''2–1Ruthin''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''4,0001880–81'''Druids'''2–0Newtown White Stars''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''4,0001881–82'''Druids'''5–0 Northwich Victoria''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''2,0001882–83'''Wrexham'''1–0Druids''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''2,0001883–84 Oswestry White Star0–0Druids''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''2,000 '''Oswestry White Star'''1–0Druids''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''3,0001884–85Druids1–1 Oswestry White Star''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''2,000'''Druids'''3–1 Oswestry White Star''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''2,0001885–86'''Druids'''4–0Newtown''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''3,0001886–87'''Chirk AAA'''2–1 Davenham''Alexandra Recreation Ground, Crewe''1,5001887–88'''Chirk AAA'''5–0Newtown''Owen's Field, Chester Road, Wrexham''3,0001888–89'''Bangor'''2–1 Northwich Victoria''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''4,0001889–90'''Chirk AAA'''1–0Wrexham''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''3,5001890–91 '''Shrewsbury Town'''5–2Wrexham''the Cricket Field, Oswestry''3,0001891–92'''Chirk AAA'''2–1Westminster Rovers''Wrexham Racecourse, Wrexham''4,0001892–93'''Wrexham'''2–1Chirk AAA''the Cricket Field, Oswestry''5,0001893–94'''Chirk AAA'''2–0Westminster Rovers''Wynnstay Park, Ruabon''3,0001894–95'''Newtown'''3–2Wrexham''Recreation Field, Welshpool''5,0001895–96'''Bangor'''3–1Wrexham''Council Field, Llandudno''7,0001896–97'''Wrexham'''2–0Newtown''the Cricket Field, Oswestry''6,0001897–98Druids1–1Wrexham''the Cricket Field, Oswestry''4,500'''Druids'''2–1Wrexham''the Cricket Field, Oswestry''1,5001898–99Druids2–2Wrexham''Hand Field, Chirk''4,000'''Druids'''1–0Wrexham''Hand Field, Chirk''3,5001899–1900'''Aberystwyth'''3–0Druids''the Cunnings, Newtown''3,0001900–01 '''Oswestry United'''1–0Druids''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''7,0001901–02 '''Wellington Town'''1–0Wrexham''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,0001902–03'''Wrexham'''8–0Aberaman Athletic''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''5,5001903–04'''Druids'''3–2Aberdare Athletic''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,5001904–05'''Wrexham'''3–0Aberdare Athletic''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,1911905–06 '''Wellington Town'''3–2 Whitchurch''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''4,0001906–07 '''Oswestry United'''2–0 Whitchurch''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,0001907–08 '''Chester'''3–1Connah's Quay & Shotton''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''8,0001908–09'''Wrexham'''1–0 Chester''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''9,0001909–10'''Wrexham'''2–1 Chester''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''10,0001910–11'''Wrexham'''6–0Connah's Quay & Shotton''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''3,0001911–12Cardiff City0–0Pontypridd''Ninian Park, Cardiff''14,000'''Cardiff City'''3–0Pontypridd''Ynys Field, Aberdare''7,0001912–13Swansea Town0–0Pontypridd''Ninian Park, Cardiff''9,000'''Swansea Town'''1–0Pontypridd''Mid-Rhondda Ground, Tonypandy''8,3191913–14Llanelli0–0Wrexham''Vetch Field, Swansea''15,000'''Wrexham'''3–0Llanelli''the Cricket Field, Oswestry''3,6391914–15Wrexham1–1Swansea Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,000'''Wrexham'''1–0Swansea Town''Ninian Park, Cardiff''4,0001919–20'''Cardiff City'''2–1Wrexham''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,6181920–21Pontypridd1–1Wrexham''Ninian Park, Cardiff''7,000'''Wrexham'''3–1Pontypridd''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''8,0001921–22'''Cardiff City'''2–0Ton Pentre''Taff Vale Park, Pontypridd''8,0001922–23'''Cardiff City'''3–2Aberdare Athletic''Vetch Field, Swansea''8,0001923–24Merthyr Town2–2Wrexham''Taff Vale Park, Pontypridd''4,500'''Wrexham'''1–0Merthyr Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''8,0001924–25'''Wrexham'''3–1Fflint''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,5651925–26'''Ebbw Vale'''3–2Swansea Town''Welfare Ground, Ebbw Vale''2,5001926–27'''Cardiff City'''2–0Rhyl Athletic''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''9,6901927–28'''Cardiff City'''2–0Bangor Athletic''Farrar Road, Bangor''12,0001928–29'''Connah's Quay & Shotton'''3–0Cardiff City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''9,6231929–30Cardiff City0–0Rhyl Athletic''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''5,892'''Cardiff City'''4–2Rhyl''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''7,0001930–31'''Wrexham'''7–0 Shrewsbury Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''8,8681931–32Wrexham1–1Swansea Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''8,300'''Swansea Town'''2–0Wrexham''Vetch Field, Swansea''5,0001932–33 '''Chester'''2–0Wrexham''Sealand Road, Chester''15,0001933–34 Bristol City1–1 Tranmere Rovers''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''4,922 '''Bristol City'''3–0 Tranmere Rovers''Sealand Road, Chester''4,0001934–35 '''Tranmere Rovers'''1–0 Chester''Sealand Road, Chester''10,0001935–36 '''Crewe Alexandra'''2–0 Chester''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,8071936–37 Crewe Alexandra1–1Rhyl Athletic''Sealand Road, Chester''''Unknown'' '''Crewe Alexandra'''3–1Rhyl''Sealand Road, Chester''''Unknown''1937–38 Shrewsbury Town2–2Swansea Town''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''14,500 '''Shrewsbury Town'''2–1Swansea Town''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''8,0001938–39 '''South Liverpool'''2–1Cardiff City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''5,0001939–40 '''Wellington Town'''4–0Swansea Town''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''6,0001946–47 Chester0–0Merthyr Tydfil''Ninian Park, Cardiff''27,000 '''Chester'''5–1Merthyr Tydfil''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''11,1901947–48'''Lovell's Athletic'''3–0 Shrewsbury Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''10,0001948–49'''Merthyr Tydfil'''2–0Swansea Town''Ninian Park, Cardiff''35,0001949–50'''Swansea Town'''4–1Wrexham''Ninian Park, Cardiff''12,0001950–51Merthyr Tydfil1–1Cardiff City''Vetch Field, Swansea''12,000'''Merthyr Tydfil'''3–2Cardiff City''Vetch Field, Swansea''18,0001951–52'''Rhyl'''4–3Merthyr Tydfil''Ninian Park, Cardiff''10,0001952–53'''Rhyl'''2–1 Chester City''Farrar Road, Bangor''8,5001953–54'''Fflint Town United'''2–0 Chester''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''15,5841954–55 Chester1–1Barry Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,766'''Barry Town'''4–3 Chester''Ninian Park, Cardiff''8,4501955–56'''Cardiff City'''3–2Swansea Town''Ninian Park, Cardiff''37,5001956–57'''Wrexham'''2–1Swansea Town''Ninian Park, Cardiff''10,0001957–58 Chester1–1Wrexham''Sealand Road, Chester''7,742'''Wrexham'''2–1 Chester''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''7,5421958–59'''Cardiff City'''2–0Lovell's Athletic''Somerton Park, Newport''''Unknown''1959–60Cardiff City1–1Wrexham''Ninian Park, Cardiff'''''Wrexham'''1–0 Cardiff''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''11,1721960–61'''Swansea Town'''3–1Bangor City''Ninian Park, Cardiff''5,938Home TeamScoreAway TeamVenueAttendance1961–62Wrexham3–0Bangor City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''7,638Bangor City2–0Wrexham''Farrar Road, Bangor''7,500'''Bangor City'''3–1Wrexham''Belle Vue, Rhyl''12,0001962–63Borough United2–1Newport County''Nant-y-Coed, Llandudno Junction''3,500Newport County0–0'''Borough United'''''Somerton Park, Newport''5,0001963–64Bangor City2–0Cardiff City''Farrar Road, Bangor''8,500Cardiff City3–1Bangor City''Ninian Park, Cardiff''9,050'''Cardiff City'''2–0Bangor City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''10,0141964–65Cardiff City5–1Wrexham''Ninian Park, Cardiff''7,412Wrexham1–0Cardiff City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''8,000'''Cardiff City'''3–0Wrexham''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''7,4801965–66Swansea Town3–0 Chester''Vetch Field, Swansea''9,614 Chester1–0Swansea Town''Sealand Road, Chester''6,346 Chester1–2'''Swansea Town'''''Sealand Road, Chester''6,2761966–67Wrexham2–2Cardiff City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''11,473'''Cardiff City'''2–1Wrexham''Ninian Park, Cardiff''8,2991967–68 Hereford United0–2Cardiff City''Edgar Street, Hereford''5,422'''Cardiff City'''4–1 Hereford United''Ninian Park, Cardiff''6,0361968–69Swansea City1–3Cardiff City''Vetch Field, Swansea''10,207'''Cardiff City'''2–0Swansea City''Ninian Park, Cardiff''12,6171969–70 Chester0–1Cardiff City''Sealand Road, Chester''3,087'''Cardiff City'''4–0 Chester''Ninian Park, Cardiff''5,5671970–71Wrexham0–1Cardiff City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''14,101'''Cardiff City'''3–1Wrexham''Ninian Park, Cardiff''7,0001971–72Wrexham2–1Cardiff City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,984Cardiff City1–1'''Wrexham'''''Ninian Park, Cardiff''6,5081972–73Bangor City1–0Cardiff City''Farrar Road, Bangor''5,005'''Cardiff City'''5–0Bangor City''Ninian Park, Cardiff''4,6791973–74 Stourbridge0–1Cardiff City''War Memorial Athletic Ground, Amblecote''5,726'''Cardiff City'''1–0 Stourbridge''Ninian Park, Cardiff''4,0001974–75Wrexham2–1Cardiff City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,862Cardiff City1–3'''Wrexham'''''Ninian Park, Cardiff''3,2801975–76 Hereford United3–3Cardiff City''Edgar Street, Hereford''3,709'''Cardiff City'''3–2 Hereford United''Ninian Park, Cardiff''2,6481976–77Cardiff City2–1 Shrewsbury Town''Ninian Park, Cardiff''3,178 '''Shrewsbury Town'''3–0Cardiff City''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''2,9071977–78Bangor City1–2Wrexham''Farrar Road, Bangor''10,000'''Wrexham'''1–0Bangor City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''13,9591978–79Wrexham1–1 Shrewsbury Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''6,174 '''Shrewsbury Town'''1–0Wrexham''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''8,8891979–80Newport County2–1 Shrewsbury Town''Somerton Park, Newport''9,950 Shrewsbury Town0–3'''Newport County'''''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''8,9931980–81Swansea City1–0 Hereford United''Vetch Field, Swansea''13,182 Hereford United1–1'''Swansea City'''''Edgar Street, Hereford''7,0381981–82Cardiff City0–0Swansea City''Ninian Park, Cardiff''11,960'''Swansea City'''2–1Cardiff City''Vetch Field, Swansea''15,8281982–83Wrexham1–2Swansea City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''2,295'''Swansea City'''2–0Wrexham''Vetch Field, Swansea''5,6301983–84 Shrewsbury Town2–1Wrexham''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''2,607Wrexham0–0 '''Shrewsbury Town'''''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''3,1481984–85 Shrewsbury Town3–1Bangor City''Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury''1,507Bangor City0–2 '''Shrewsbury Town'''''Farrar Road, Bangor''1,800WinnerScoreRunner-upVenueAttendance1985–86Wrexham1–1 Kidderminster Harriers''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''5,035 Kidderminster Harriers1–2'''Wrexham'''''Aggborough, Kidderminster''4,3041986–87Merthyr Tydfil2–2Newport County''Ninian Park, Cardiff''7,000'''Merthyr Tydfil'''1–0Newport County''Ninian Park, Cardiff''6,0101987–88'''Cardiff City'''2–0Wrexham''Vetch Field, Swansea''5,4651988–89'''Swansea City'''5–0 Kidderminster Harriers''Vetch Field, Swansea''5,1001989–90 '''Hereford United'''2–1Wrexham''National Stadium, Cardiff''4,1821990–91'''Swansea City'''2–0Wrexham''National Stadium, Cardiff''5,0001991–92'''Cardiff City'''1–0 Hednesford Town''National Stadium, Cardiff''10,3001992–93'''Cardiff City'''5–0Rhyl''National Stadium, Cardiff''16,4431993–94'''Barry Town'''2–1Cardiff City''National Stadium, Cardiff''14,5001994–95'''Wrexham'''2–1Cardiff City''National Stadium, Cardiff''11,2001995–96'''Llansantffraid'''3–3Barry Town''National Stadium, Cardiff''2,6661996–97'''Barry Town'''2–1Cwmbran Town''Ninian Park, Cardiff''1,5601997–98'''Bangor City'''1–1Connah's Quay Nomads''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''2,0231998–99'''Inter Cable-Tel'''1–1Carmarthen Town''Penydarren Park, Merthyr Tydfil''1,1001999–2000'''Bangor City'''1–0Cwmbran Town''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''1,1252000–01'''Barry Town'''2–0Total Network Solutions''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''1,0222001–02'''Barry Town'''4–1Bangor City''Park Avenue, Aberystwyth''2,2562002–03'''Barry Town'''2–2Cwmbran Town''Stebonheath Park, Llanelli''8522003–04'''Rhyl'''1–0Total Network Solutions''Latham Park, Newtown''1,5342004–05'''Total Network Solutions'''1–0Carmarthen Town''Stebonheath Park, Llanelli''1,1262005–06'''Rhyl'''2–0Bangor City''Racecourse Ground, Wrexham''1,7432006–07'''Carmarthen Town'''3–2Afan Lido''Stebonheath Park, Llanelli''9462007–08'''Bangor City'''4–2Llanelli''Latham Park, Newtown''1,5102008–09'''Bangor City'''2–0Aberystwyth Town''Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli''1,0442009–10'''Bangor City'''3–2Port Talbot Town''Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli''1,3032010–11'''Llanelli'''4–1Bangor City''Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli''1,7192011–12'''The New Saints'''2–0Cefn Druids''Nantporth Stadium, Bangor''7312012–13'''Prestatyn Town'''3–1 Bangor CityRacecourse Ground, Wrexham1,7322013–14'''The New Saints'''3–2Aberystwyth TownRacecourse Ground, Wrexham1,2732014–15'''The New Saints'''2–0NewtownLatham Park, Newtown1,5792015–16'''The New Saints'''2–0Airbus UK BroughtonRacecourse Ground, Wrexham1,4022016–17'''Bala Town'''2–1The New SaintsBangor University Stadium, Bangor1,1102017–18'''Connah's Quay Nomads'''4–1Aberystwyth TownLatham Park, Newtown1,4552018–19'''The New Saints'''3–0Connah's Quay NomadsThe Rock, Wrexham1,2562019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2020–21 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2021–22'''The New Saints'''3–2PenybontCardiff City Stadium, Cardiff2,4172022–23'''The New Saints'''6–0Bala TownBangor University Stadium, Bangor'''Notes''':* indicates won on penalties
Results by team +Results by teamClubWinsFirst final wonLast final wonRunners-upWrexham231878199522Cardiff City221912199310Swansea City10191319918The New Saints9199620233Bangor City81889201010Druids8188019045Shrewsbury Town6189119853Barry Town6195520031Chirk AAA5188718941Rhyl4195220064Chester City31908193310Merthyr Tydfil3194919872Wellington Town3190219400Newtown2187918955Crewe Alexandra2193619370Oswestry United2190119070Hereford United1199019903Aberystwyth Town1190019003Carmarthen Town1200720072Connah's Quay & Shotton1192919292Llanelli1201120112Newport County1198019802Flint Town United1195419541Lovell's Athletic1194819481Oswestry White Star1188418841Tranmere Rovers1193519351Connah's Quay Nomads1201820182Bala Town1201720171Borough United1196319630Bristol City1193419340Ebbw Vale1192619260Inter CableTel1199919990Prestatyn Town1201320130South Liverpool1193919390Aberdare Athletic0——3Cwmbran Town0——3Pontypridd0——3Kidderminster Harriers0——2Northwich Victoria0——2Westminster Rovers0——2Whitchurch0——2Aberaman Athletic0——1Afan Lido0——1Airbus UK Broughton0——1Cefn Druids0——1Davenham0——1Hednesford Town0——1Merthyr Town0——1Port Talbot Town0——1Ruthin0——1Stourbridge0——1Ton Pentre0——1Penybont0——1
Notes
References
Bibliography * ''The History of the Welsh Cup 1877–1993'' by Ian Garland (1991)