How many different cup competitions have United played in?

[1973Blade]

Obviously the FA Cup and League Cup, in all its different guises. The Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which unfortunately we didn't treat seriously, a wasted opportunity to win a cup.
Was it the Simod Cup where we had a great game at Sheffield Wednesday, we lost 3-2 in a thriller?
There was the Anglo Italian Cup, which saw the original Battle Of Bramall Lane and could have affected diplomatic relations between the two countries!
I also have a patchy memory of the Anglo Scottish Cup, bizarrely we played Chesterfield.
There must have been plenty of other short lived cup competitions over the years?

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Simod cup was the Zenith Data Systems Cup when we played the pigs. Good game despite no-one tackling John Sheridan during a 50 yard run for their winner. Bob Booker's late equaliser was celebrated wildly in the away end. My first taste of a Sheffield derby.

The cup was actually the Full Members Cup for teams in the top 2 divisions.

The Associate Members Cup was what is now the JPT, and was originally for the lower 2 leagues. Known by many names "Leyland DAF" springs to mind as one.

Full Members' Cup - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

*edit - link

 

[ZoneManWilf]

The County Cup.

Actually thinking about it, the County cup was my first taste of a Sheffield derby, think about 1982 ish when I first went to one, played the pigs at the Lane, others will know more than me, but was treated like a reserve team competition for all the local South Yorkshire teams. The final co-incided with around or just after the conclusion of the league season.

Wikipedia confirms we beat the pigs in 82

Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Revolution]

Other tournaments:

Watney Cup (early 1970s)
Yorkshire and Humberside Cup (late 1980s)
Group Cup (pre season early 1980s - evolved into the Associate Members cup))
Texaco Cup (1970s)

We played in the Full Members/Simod/Zenith Cup in 1985-6 to 1987-8 inclusive and from 1989-90 to 1991-2 inclusive
We played in the Associate Members Cup in 1983-4, 1988-9 and 2011-2 to 2016-7 inclusive.

 

[Bert]

The County Cup.

Actually thinking about it, the County cup was my first taste of a Sheffield derby, think about 1982 ish when I first went to one, played the pigs at the Lane, others will know more than me, but was treated like a reserve team competition for all the local South Yorkshire teams. The final co-incided with around or just after the conclusion of the league season.

Wikipedia confirms we beat the pigs in 82

Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

In the late 60's /early 70's they all played the first team.

 

[Pedro Verde]

Pennine Radio Cup comes to mind think it was a game between us and Bradford played in Bradford

 

[1973Blade]

Pennine Radio Cup comes to mind think it was a game between us and Bradford played in Bradford

Don't tell me, we lost!

 

[1973Blade]

Other tournaments:

Watney Cup (early 1970s)
Yorkshire and Humberside Cup (late 1980s)
Group Cup (pre season early 1980s - evolved into the Associate Members cup))
Texaco Cup (1970s)

We played in the Full Members/Simod/Zenith Cup in 1985-6 to 1987-8 inclusive and from 1989-90 to 1991-2 inclusive
We played in the Associate Members Cup in 1983-4, 1988-9 and 2011-2 to 2016-7 inclusive.

I have no memory of the Yorkshire and Humberside Cup, was it played pre season?

 

[Revolution]

I have no memory of the Yorkshire and Humberside Cup, was it played pre season?

Yes. We won it in 1988-9, beating Scarborough in the final which was played towards Christmas.

We didn't play any of the games at home, as the Lane was having work done on the pitch. I recall most Yorkshire teams entered. Wednesday didn't enter, and I can't remember if Leeds did. We had 3 group games and then there was a final.

We were in the tournament the following season too but didn't win it.

 

[foggy72]

A relative of mine has a medal which belonged to my great grandfather from a competition going way back to around the early 1900's where both Sheffield teams would send 5 players each plus there would be another player from a local team up to Glasgow to play either Celtic or Rangers. I believe he was playing for gainsborough trinity at the time although he did end up playing for the pigs a few years after.

 

[Revolution]

A relative of mine has a medal which belonged to my great grandfather from a competition going way back to around the early 1900's where both Sheffield teams would send 5 players each plus there would be another player from a local team up to Glasgow to play either Celtic or Rangers. I believe he was playing for gainsborough trinity at the time although he did end up playing for the pigs a few years after.

Sheffield v Glasgow was played as an annual fixture from the late 19th Century until the 1950s. It was played at the Lane once every 4 years or so. In fact, there's a complete list of the games on Wikipedia. Started in 1874, finished in 1960.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

BOAC Trophy played between United and Blackpool on a post season tour to one of the Commonwealth countries (Canada, Oz, perhaps even in the States) in the 60s. Best of 11 games I believe!!!

 

[Addison]

Champions of Great Britain trophy 1898/9. We beat Celtic over two legs.

 

[Silent Blade]

BOAC Trophy played between United and Blackpool on a post season tour to one of the Commonwealth countries (Canada, Oz, perhaps even in the States) in the 60s. Best of 11 games I believe!!!

http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/blackpool-blades-nz65.html

 

[Blade for Sale]

The Steel City Challenge Cup, the trophy for which I have long advocated should be dusted down and awarded to the winner (or retained in case of a draw) of any Sheffield Derby.

 

[1973Blade]

Here is some Anglo Scottish Cup action from 1975!

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/blackpool-blades-nz65.html

I thought it was one of the colonies ... I'm sure i read somewhere (Hodgies autobiog perhaps) that both sets of players had 'unofficially' agreed between themselves before the start of the series to take it easy and that each team would take it in turns to win the games. Blackpool pulled a flanker on this agreement in the very first game and after that the gloves came off.

Never realised we were supposed to go back the year after to defend the trophy.

Didn't United play for some trophy in one of the north african countries in the early 70s (I'm sure there's a programme front cover at the time where the team are being introduced to some dignitary over there?). And there was a post season tournament in Gib after the 76 relegation season, did we beat Hamilton Accies in the semis, then lost to Wolves in the final?

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Yes. We won it in 1988-9, beating Scarborough in the final which was played towards Christmas.

We didn't play any of the games at home, as the Lane was having work done on the pitch. I recall most Yorkshire teams entered. Wednesday didn't enter, and I can't remember if Leeds did. We had 3 group games and then there was a final.

We were in the tournament the following season too but didn't win it.

Went to the final at Scarborough, Tuesday night and it absolutely belted it down. I ended up in the main stand but remember looking over at our fans in the uncovered away thinking you poor sods stood in that f***ing lot. I think trialist John Francis who had just signed a contract for us played and scored that night, and Martin Pike was the captain who lifted the pot after the game had gone to 30 minutes extra time.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Don't tell me, we lost!

I believe we won it on pens!!! This was I think the midweek after the famous Darlington away game, on the same night we played Barnsley away in the County Cup and won that one as well!!!

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The Steel City Challenge Cup, the trophy for which I have long advocated should be dusted down and awarded to the winner (or retained in case of a draw) of any Sheffield Derby.

What was the actual reaction in Sheffield from both clubs to this when this was announced as a thing? I imagine for me as a kid at the time I’d have thought it was a nice novelty, but now the thing looks extremely embarrassing for whichever team is in the league below. If I remember rightly, the first one was basically the big friendly a week before the season started. That sort of made sense in terms of timing if to do it. But didn’t the second (and final) contest the next year happen after the season had started??? Was it basically two reserve sides that lined up? Also, why did the venue stay as Bramall Lane rather than alternate? Looking back now it really looks like we weren’t sure when we would ever go back up, so we pushed for it, kept it as a home game, made a trophy for it, and then kept hold of it.

 

[Revolution]

I thought it was one of the colonies ... I'm sure i read somewhere (Hodgies autobiog perhaps) that both sets of players had 'unofficially' agreed between themselves before the start of the series to take it easy and that each team would take it in turns to win the games. Blackpool pulled a flanker on this agreement in the very first game and after that the gloves came off.

Never realised we were supposed to go back the year after to defend the trophy.

Didn't United play for some trophy in one of the north african countries in the early 70s (I'm sure there's a programme front cover at the time where the team are being introduced to some dignitary over there?). And there was a post season tournament in Gib after the 76 relegation season, did we beat Hamilton Accies in the semis, then lost to Wolves in the final?

We also played two other games on the same Blackpool trip when the team stopped over on the way there and back. We played Blackpool in Vancouver, and played a Hong Kong XI in Hong Kong.

We played on tour in Zambia in the 1970s for the Zambian Airways Cup or something, and I think there was a tournament in Tunisia at one point.

Paul Garner scored two own goals when we lost to Wolves in Gibraltar.

 

[Blade for Sale]

What was the actual reaction in Sheffield from both clubs to this when this was announced as a thing? I imagine for me as a kid at the time I’d have thought it was a nice novelty, but now the thing looks extremely embarrassing for whichever team is in the league below. If I remember rightly, the first one was basically the big friendly a week before the season started. That sort of made sense in terms of timing if to do it. But didn’t the second (and final) contest the next year happen after the season had started??? Was it basically two reserve sides that lined up? Also, why did the venue stay as Bramall Lane rather than alternate? Looking back now it really looks like we weren’t sure when we would ever go back up, so we pushed for it, kept it as a home game, made a trophy for it, and then kept hold of it.

I think it was only played for 3 times. Twice at ours and once at theirs. I went to the first one at BL, about 12k there I think. We took the lead but they won 1-3.

The last one, from memory, was a 4-2 win for us at BL. It wasn't hugely popular and, unsurprisingly, the fan trouble outweighed any benefits so it was shelved. I recall fairly strong teams were selected but it's all a tad hazy.

I'm not advocating a return to the competition itself, just that whenever a Sheffield Derby does take place, be it cup or league, that the trophy is awarded to the victors.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I think it was only played for 3 times. Twice at ours and once at theirs. I went to the first one at BL, about 12k there I think. We took the lead but they won 1-3.

The last one, from memory, was a 4-2 win for us at BL. It wasn't hugely popular and, unsurprisingly, the fan trouble outweighed any benefits so it was shelved. I recall fairly strong teams were selected but it's all a tad hazy.

I'm not advocating a return to the competition itself, just that whenever a Sheffield Derby does take place, be it cup or league, that the trophy is awarded to the victors.

I can’t remember the Hillsborough match for this. Wikipedia seems to suggest the first game at the Lane was Aug 95 (the 3-1 loss, I think this was the first sight people got of Paul Holland in a United shirt, the horror diamond kit) and the 4-1 win being a year later (late Aug 96). When was the game at Hillsborough for this, and can you remember the score?

I think awarding a cup for the general derbies is a bit unnecessary. The bragging rights are enough.

 

[Blade for Sale]

I can’t remember the Hillsborough match for this. Wikipedia seems to suggest the first game at the Lane was Aug 95 (the 3-1 loss, I think this was the first sight people got of Paul Holland in a United shirt, the horror diamond kit) and the 4-1 win being a year later (late Aug 96). When was the game at Hillsborough for this, and can you remember the score?

I think awarding a cup for the general derbies is a bit unnecessary. The bragging rights are enough.

I've got a 0-0 at Hillsbrough somewhere in the creases of my brain but it could well be a false memory, I was 18/19 around then an constanty on the piss! Silent Blade will know the full history I'm sure!

 

[ZoneManWilf]

I also recall there being a Hillsborough SSC in the mist of my memory. can't find any reference to it though, might be in some old programs?

 

[Revolution]

Here's an odd bit of Trivia: every game we have played against Wednesday was in Sheffield, with two exceptions. One is the FA Cup semi at Wembley. Where was the other (a friendly) played?

 

[Tickhill Blade]

I can’t remember the Hillsborough match for this. Wikipedia seems to suggest the first game at the Lane was Aug 95 (the 3-1 loss, I think this was the first sight people got of Paul Holland in a United shirt, the horror diamond kit) and the 4-1 win being a year later (late Aug 96). When was the game at Hillsborough for this, and can you remember the score?

I think awarding a cup for the general derbies is a bit unnecessary. The bragging rights are enough.

The game at Hillsborough was the year before in August 94. 3-2 win with Blake getting 2 and Davison the other

 

[spongebobblade]

Here's an odd bit of Trivia: every game we have played against Wednesday was in Sheffield, with two exceptions. One is the FA Cup semi at Wembley. Where was the other (a friendly) played?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The game at Hillsborough was the year before in August 94. 3-2 win with Blake getting 2 and Davison the other

Embarrassingly I searched and got this from an exchange two years ago between Blade for Sale and myself on...exactly the same topic. Maybe the knowledge will settle this time. Genuinely amazed that it was arranged immediately after relegation.

Correct! (Nearly) We played for The Steel City Challenge Trophy three times:

9/8/94 (A) Won 3-2 - Blake (2), Davison 13,724
5/8/95 (H) Lost 1-3 - Flo 13,254
27/8/96 (H) Won 4-1 - Scott, Walker, Starbuck, Sandford 7,271

I wrote to SUFC to suggest this years ago. Mick Rooker sent a kind reply saying he'd raise it with the board and his counterpart at SWFC but it never went any further. The trophy already exists, the Steel City Challenge cup we played a few 'friendlies' for in the 90s. It's a nice trophy and only needs a new name plate!

I wouldn’t mind that as an alternative. I definitely don’t want us to return to doing non-competitive games for these. Moving the statue to a neutral Sheffield venue at the same time as dedicating a Derek Dooley Cup would seem alright.

 

[Silent Blade]

I thought it was one of the colonies ... I'm sure i read somewhere (Hodgies autobiog perhaps) that both sets of players had 'unofficially' agreed between themselves before the start of the series to take it easy and that each team would take it in turns to win the games. Blackpool pulled a flanker on this agreement in the very first game and after that the gloves came off.

Birchenall's autobiography had a lot of details about the matches against Blackpool and a few photos too.