FA Community Shield History

The FA Community Shield, formerly known as the Charity Shield, has been a staple of English football since its inception in 1908. Its roots can be traced back to the Sheriff of London Shield, an annual fixture between a leading professional side and a leading amateur team.

One notable match from that earlier competition took place in 1904, when the celebrated amateur side Corinthians – famed for the “Corinthian spirit” – stunned FA Cup holders Bury with a remarkable 10–3 victory. Truly a different era…

The first official FA Charity Shield fixture in 1908 saw newly crowned Football League champions Manchester United face Southern League champions Queens Park Rangers. After a 1–1 draw, the replay was staged at Stamford Bridge, where United triumphed 4–0. Significantly, no Shield match has been replayed since that time.

As FA Cup holders Crystal Palace prepare to take on Premier League champions Liverpool later today, EPLNews takes a look at the history of the Community Shield.

From Humble Beginnings to Wembley Tradition

In 1974, FA Secretary Ted Croker proposed that the FA Charity Shield should be played at Wembley Stadium as the traditional curtain-raiser to the new football season. From that point onwards, the contest was staged between the reigning League champions and FA Cup holders – a format that still stands today.

Before this change, the Shield was often considered a less prestigious occasion. Matches were hosted at various club grounds and sometimes featured teams that had not won a major trophy.

Over time, however, the Community Shield grew in prominence. One example of its modern significance came in August 2004, when Arsenal defeated Manchester United at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in front of 63,317 spectators. The match was broadcast worldwide, with a potential television audience of 270 million viewers.

Charitable Impact and Community Focus

Between 1974 and 2000, while Wembley served as the host venue, the FA distributed more than £5 million to various charities, most of them nominated by the competing clubs.

In recent years, the money raised has been directed towards supporting communities across England, as well as charities and not-for-profit organisations in the London Borough of Brent – Wembley’s local area.

Venue changes have occasionally been necessary. In 2012, the match was played at Villa Park in Birmingham due to Wembley’s role in the London Olympic Games. Similarly, in 2022, the fixture was staged at the King Power Stadium in Leicester when Manchester City met Liverpool.

Currently, Manchester City hold the Shield, having beaten city rivals Manchester United at Wembley.

Interesting Community Shield Trivia

The FA Community Shield has produced its fair share of memorable moments over the decades:

1. Highest-scoring match – In 1911, Manchester United defeated Swindon Town 8–4. The following year, some proceeds from the Shield were donated to the Lord Mayor of London’s Titanic Disaster Fund.
2. International line-ups – The 1950 Shield was contested by two non-club teams. A “World Cup Team” made up of England’s Brazil 1950 squad beat a “Canadian Touring Team” – featuring players from an FA tour of Canada – 4–2 at Stamford Bridge.
3. Goalkeeper’s goal – In 1967, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Pat Jennings famously scored from his own penalty area against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Alex Stepney was the unfortunate keeper at the other end in a 3–3 draw.
4. Wembley debut – The Shield moved permanently to Wembley in 1974, with Liverpool overcoming Leeds United 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. In a heated contest, Billy Bremner and Kevin Keegan were both sent off in front of 67,000 spectators.

5. Shared trophy era – During the 1980s and early 1990s, if the match ended in a draw after 90 minutes, the trophy was shared between the two clubs for six months each. The penalty shootout format returned in 1993.
6. Cantona’s hat-trick – The 1992 Shield produced a seven-goal thriller as Leeds United beat Liverpool. Eric Cantona scored a hat-trick, though he would later join Manchester United during the same season.
7. United’s 1990s dominance – Manchester United appeared in seven Community Shield fixtures during the 1990s, winning four, drawing one, and losing two.

The FA Community Shield Today

The FA Community Shield remains a significant occasion in the English football calendar, acting as the final preparation for the domestic season and offering fans an early clash between the country’s top sides. While it may be seen as a friendly in competitive terms, its history, traditions, and charitable contributions have ensured that it remains a fixture steeped in prestige.

From its early amateur-versus-professional roots to its status as a global broadcast spectacle, the Shield has continually evolved. It not only showcases footballing talent but also serves as a vital fundraiser for charitable causes and community projects.

As each season approaches, anticipation builds for this iconic curtain-raiser, where footballing glory meets charitable purpose – a tradition that has endured for well over a century.