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{{short description|Association football league in England}}
{{short description|English association football cup in World War II}}
{{Infobox football tournament
{{Infobox football tournament
| name = Football League War Cup
| name = Football League War Cup
| image =
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| organiser = [[The Football Association|FA]]
| title =
| founded = 1939
| founded = 1939
| abolished = 1945
| abolished = {{end date and age|1945}}
| region = {{ENG}}<BR>{{WAL}}
| region = United Kingdom
| number of teams =
| number of teams =
| qualifier for =
| current champions = [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] (1st title)
| related comps = [[FA Cup]]
| domestic cup =
| confed cup =
| current champions = [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]<br>(1st title)
| most successful club =
| most appearances =
| top goalscorer =
| broadcasters =
| motto =
| website =
| current =
| American =
}}
}}
The '''Football League War Cup''' was an [[association football]] tournament held between 1939 and 1945. It aimed to fill the gap left in [[football in England|English football]] by the suspension of the [[FA Cup]] during the [[Second World War]]. Though it was often referred to in contemporary coverage as the "League Cup" or "Football League Cup", it is not to be confused with the later English football [[EFL Cup|competition with the same name]], which was formed in 1960 and is currently known as the EFL Cup. As with all wartime football in England, records and statistics from the competition are not considered official.


== Overview ==
The '''Football League War Cup''' was an [[association football]] tournament held between 1939 and 1945. It aimed to fill the hole left in [[football in England|English football]] by the cancellation of the [[FA Cup]] during the [[Second World War]].
The Football League (War) Cup was formed in 1940 to be a replacement for the [[FA Cup]], which had been suspended for the duration of the conflict. Ties were played over two legs in order to boost revenue for clubs. In the [[1941–42 in English football|1941–42 season]], 16 clubs from London and South East England did not participate owing to a dispute with the Football League over the formation of a separate London League.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The Times]]|title=London clubs expelled from the League|date=6 August 1941}}</ref> Instead they competed in the [[London War Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/the-agony-and-the-ecstasy/2020/apr/24/how-english-football-responded-to-the-second-world-war|work=The Guardian|title=How English football responded to the second world war|date=24 April 2020|accessdate=27 January 2022|author=Foster, Richard}}</ref> The winners of the London War Cup faced the winners of the Football League War Cup in a play-off.<ref name="londonwarcup"/> The London clubs re-joined the Football League in the summer of 1942 and the separate London cup competition was discontinued.


To reduce traveling distances for clubs, after 1942 the competition was split into north and south sections, each with its own final. The South Cup had a [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]] group stage comprising four groups of four clubs who would play each other at home and away, with the group winners advancing to the semi-finals.<ref name="Times260842">{{cite news|work=[[The Times]]|title=The New Season|date=26 August 1942}}</ref> The North Cup had 48 entrants and used a more complicated format. The standings in the North Football League table after ten matches determined the 32 qualifiers for the competition proper. Teams would then progressively knock each other out in [[two-legged tie]]s that also counted as league matches.<ref name="Times260842"/> The north final was decided over two legs. The south final was a single match held at [[Wembley Stadium]]. The North and South champions would then meet in a play-off to decide the competition's overall winner; play-off matches were held at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]. Gate receipts from the play-off matches were donated to [[The Seafarers' Charity|King George's Fund for Sailors]].
== Background==
Throughout the latter 1930s it was becoming inevitable that a second World War with Germany was coming. On 3 September 1939 following Germany’s invasion of Poland, [[Neville Chamberlain]] announced war on [[Nazi Germany]].


== Results ==
Shortly after war was declared, most competitions were abandoned as the country's attention turned to the war effort. Over 780 footballers signed up to fight in the war and as a result many of England's best teams were depleted – for example, [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] saw 76 players sign up, [[Wolverhampton Wanderers|Wolves]] saw 91 sign up and [[Huddersfield Town FC|Huddersfield]], [[Leicester City|Leicester]] and [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]] all saw over 60 players sign up for the war. Because of this many teams fielded guest players instead. The [[FA Cup]] Extra-Preliminary Round was played, but with hostilities declared before replays took place, and a 50-mile travelling limit, that competition too was abandoned. The Football League War Cup was held between 1939 and 1945 in an attempt to fill the gaping hole left in [[English Football]] by the cancellation of the [[FA Cup]].
=== Finals ===

{{small div|
== Honours ==
;Keys
* {{colorbox|#d0f0c0|border=silver}} playoff result after the final ended in a tie.
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left"
! Ed.
! width= px| Year
! width=150px| Winner
! Score
! width=150px| Runner-up
! Venue
! City
|-
| {{center|1}} || [[1940 Football League War Cup final|1940]] || '''[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]'''|| {{center|1–0}} || [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] || [[London]]
|-
| rowspan=2| {{center|2}} || rowspan=2| [[1941 Football League War Cup final|1941]] || rowspan=2| '''[[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]''' || {{center|1–1}} || rowspan=2| [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] || [[London]]
|-
| bgcolor=#d0f0c0| {{center|2–1}} || [[Ewood Park]] || [[Blackburn]]
|-
| rowspan=2| {{center|3}} || rowspan=2|[[1942 Football League War Cup final|1942]]|| rowspan=2| '''[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]''' || {{center|2–2}} || rowspan=2| [[Sunderland F.C.|Sunderland]] || [[Roker Park]]|| [[Sunderland]]
|-
| bgcolor=#d0f0c0| {{center|4–1}} || [[Molineux Stadium|Molineux]]|| [[Wolverhampton]]
|-
| {{center|4}} || [[1943 Football League War Cup final|1943]] || '''[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]''' || {{center|4–2}}|| [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] ||[[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] || [[London]]
|-
| rowspan=2| {{center|5}} || rowspan=2| 1944 || '''[[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]''' {{refn|group=n|name=shar}} ||rowspan=2| {{center|1–1}}|| rowspan=2| ''(none)'' {{refn|group=n|name=shar}} || rowspan=2| [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] || rowspan=2| [[London]]
|-
| '''[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]''' {{refn|As no replay match was held, the title was awarded to both clubs.|group=n|name=shar}}
|-
| {{center|6}} || [[1945 Football League War Cup final|1945]] || '''[[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]''' || {{center|2–1}}|| [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] || [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] || [[London]]
|}
;Notes
{{reflist|group=n}}


===Northern Final===
===Northern Final===


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: "
{| border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
!Season
|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left"
!
!Winner
!Winner
!Runner-up
!Finalist
|-
|-
| 1943
!1942–43
|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|[[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
| [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
|-
|-
| 1944
!1943–44
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
| [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|-
!1944–45
|[[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|-
|-
| 1945
|}
| [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
| [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|}
|}


===Southern Final===
===Southern Final===

{| border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left"
! Season
!
!Winner
! Winner
! Runner-up
!Finalist
|-
|-
| 1943
!1942–43
|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|[[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
| [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
|-
|-
| [[1944 Football League War Cup South final|1944]]
!1943–44
|[[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
|[[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|-
|-
| [[1945 Football League War Cup South final|1945]]
!1944–45
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
|[[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
|-
|}
|}
|}


== Finals details ==
===Overall final===

{| border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left"
!
!Winner
!Finalist
|-
!1939–40
|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|-
!1940–41
|[[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|-
!1941–42
|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
|[[Sunderland F.C.|Sunderland]]
|-
!1942–43
|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|-
!1943–44
| [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] (shared)
|
|-
!1944–45
|[[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|}
|}

== Tournament finals ==

=== [[1939–40 in English football|1939–40]] ===


=== 1939–40 ===
{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Final.'''''
|date= 8 June 1940
|event = Final
|round =
|team1= [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|team1= [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|score= 1–0
|score= 1–0
|team2= [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|team2= [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|goals1= [[Sam Small]] {{goal||}}
|goals1= [[Sam Small|Small]] {{goal||}}
|goals2=
|goals2=
|stadium= [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]], 8 June 1940.
|stadium= [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]]
|attendance=42,399
|attendance=42,399
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

137 games (including replays) were played to get to the final of the inaugural Football League War Cup. These matches were condensed into just 9 weeks. Despite the fears that London would be bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]] fans came in thousands to watch the game at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]], despite its obvious danger as a bombing target.
137 games (including replays) were played to get to the final of the inaugural Football League War Cup. These matches were condensed into just 9 weeks. Despite the fears that London would be bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]] fans came in thousands to watch the game at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]], despite its obvious danger as a bombing target.


=== [[1940–41 in English football|1940–41]] ===
=== 1940–41 ===

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Final.'''''
|date= 10 May 1941
|event = Final
|round =
|team1= [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
|team1= [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
|score= 1–1
|score= 1–1
|team2= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|team2= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|goals1= [[Andy McLaren (footballer, born 1922)|Andy McLaren]] {{goal||}}
|goals1= [[Andy McLaren (footballer, born 1922)|McLaren]] {{goal||}}
|goals2= Denis Compton {{goal||}}
|goals2= Compton {{goal||}}
|stadium= [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]], 10 May 1941.
|stadium= [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]]
|attendance=60,000
|attendance=60,000
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Replay.'''''
|date= 31 May 1941
|round = Replay
|team1= [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
|team1= [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
|score= 2–1
|score= 2–1
|team2= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|team2= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|goals1= [[Bobby Beattie]] {{goal||}}{{goal||}}
|goals1= [[Bobby Beattie|Beattie]] {{goal||}}{{goal||}}
|goals2= Frank Gallimore (OG) {{goal||}}
|goals2= Gallimore {{goal||o.g.}}
|stadium= [[Ewood Park]] 31 May 1941
|stadium= [[Ewood Park]]
|attendance=45,000
|attendance= 5,000
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

In the nine months leading up to the final, [[The Blitz|127 large-scale night-raids had taken place]], with London, the home of the final, being a regular target. This threat did not stop 60,000 people turning up to watch the game.
In the nine months leading up to the final, [[The Blitz|127 large-scale night-raids had taken place]], with London, the home of the final, being a regular target. This threat did not stop 60,000 people turning up to watch the game.


Preston North End beat [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton]], [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] (12–1), [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle]] (2–0) to reach the final. Andrew McLaren had scored nine goals during the tournament, including five goals in [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston]]'s 12–1 win over Tranmere. Thanks to a late equaliser from [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s Compton in the game at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]], this was the first final of the tournament to go to a replay. Compton also struck the Preston post with a missed penalty during the game.
Preston North End beat [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton]], [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] (20-2 on aggregate), [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle]] (2–0 on aggregate) to reach the final. Andrew McLaren had scored nine goals during the tournament, including five goals in [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston]]'s 12–1 home leg win over Tranmere. Thanks to a 40th minute equaliser from [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s D. Compton in the game at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]], this was the first final of the tournament to go to a replay. L. Compton of Arsenal struck the Preston post with a missed penalty in the 3rd minute.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrOmoA2aOgs | title = 1941 FA Cup Final at Wembley Arsenal v Preston.wmv}}</ref>


The replay was moved away from London to [[Ewood Park]]. The win for Preston meant that they had completed the first wartime league and cup double, having also won the [[Wartime League|Northern Regional League]].
The replay was moved away from London to [[Ewood Park]]. The win for Preston meant that they had completed the first wartime league and cup double, having also won the [[Wartime League|Northern Regional League]].


=== [[1941–42 in English football|1941–42]] ===
=== 1941–42 ===

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''Final, first leg'''
|date= 23 May 1942
|event = Final
|round = First leg
|team1= [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|team1= [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|score= 2–2
|score= 2–2
|report= <!--match report link goes here -->
|report= <!--match report link goes here -->
|team2= [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] <br />{{goal|11}}, {{goal|87}}
|team2= [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
|goals1 = [[Raich Carter|Carter]] {{goal|54}}<br/>[[Albert Stubbins|Stubbins]] {{goal|77}}
|goals2 = [[Dennis Westcott|Westcott]] {{goal|11||85}}
|stadium= [[Roker Park]], [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]]
|stadium= [[Roker Park]], [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]]
|attendance= 34,776 23 May 1942
|attendance= 34,776
|referee=
|referee= J. M. Wiltshire }}
}}


{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''Final, second leg'''
|date= 30 May 1942
|round = Second leg
|team1= [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
|team1= [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
|score= 4–1
|score= 4–1
|report= <!--match report link goes here -->
|report= <!--match report link goes here -->
|team2= [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|team2= [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|goals1= [[Dennis Westcott|Westcott]] {{goal}}<br/>[[Frank Broome|Broome]] {{goal|51}}<br />[[Jack Rowley|Rowley]] {{goal|59}}, {{goal|70}}
|goals1= [[Dennis Westcott|Westcott]] {{goal|35}}<br/>[[Frank Broome|Broome]] {{goal|51}}<br />[[Jack Rowley|Rowley]] {{goal|59||70}}
|goals2= [[Raich Carter|Carter]] {{goal|58}}
|goals2= [[Raich Carter|Carter]] {{goal|58}}
|stadium= [[Molineux Stadium|Molineux]], [[Wolverhampton]]
|stadium= [[Molineux Stadium|Molineux]], [[Wolverhampton]]
|attendance= 43,038 30 May 1942
|attendance= 43,038
|referee= J. M. Wiltshire }}
}}

The third competition in 1942 saw the final switched to a two-legged format with each team playing one leg on their home ground. This was the only time in the tournament's history that the final was decided in such a way.
The third competition in 1942 saw the final switched to a two-legged format with each team playing one leg on their home ground. This was the only time in the tournament's history that the final was decided in such a way.


Eric Robinson of Wolves was to die soon after his team won the tournament, during a military exercise.
Eric Robinson of Wolves was to die soon after his team won the tournament, during a military exercise.


On 6 June 1942, Wolves faced [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]], winners of the [[London War Cup]] (clubs from London did not participate in the FLWC that season), in a cup winners play-off held at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]. The match ended 1–1 and was not replayed, so the clubs shared the honour.<ref name="londonwarcup">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/05/brentford-won-wembley-cup-final-traffic-police-tottenham|work=The Guardian|title=When Brentford won a Wembley cup final – with help from traffic police|date=5 January 2021|accessdate=28 January 2022}}</ref>
=== [[1942–43 in English football|1942–43]] ===

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:League War Cup North BFC.jpg|200px|thumb|left|[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]'s [[Jock Dodds]] receiving the League War Cup North at [[Hillsborough (stadium)|Hillsborough]] in 1943, prior to the meeting with Arsenal in the final.]] -->
=== 1942–43 ===
{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''North Final, first leg.'''''
|date= 1 May 1943
|event = North Final
|round = First leg
|team1= [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|team1= [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|score= 2–2
|score= 2–2
Line 189: Line 201:
|goals1=
|goals1=
|goals2=
|goals2=
|stadium= [[Bloomfield Road]] 1 May 1943
|stadium= [[Bloomfield Road]]
|attendance=28,000
|attendance=28,000
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Second leg.'''''
|date= 8 May 1943
|round = Second leg
|team1= [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
|team1= [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
|score= 1–2
|score= 1–2
Line 201: Line 213:
|goals1=
|goals1=
|goals2=
|goals2=
|stadium= [[Hillsborough Stadium]] 8 May 1943
|stadium= [[Hillsborough Stadium]]
|attendance=42,657.
|attendance=42,657.
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= ''''' South final '''''
|date= 1 May 1943
|event = South Final
|round =
|team1= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|team1= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|score= 7–1
|score= 7–1
Line 214: Line 227:
|goals2=
|goals2=
|stadium= [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]]
|stadium= [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]]
|attendance= 75,000 1 May 1943
|attendance= 75,000
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Final'''''
|date= 15 May 1943
|event = Final
|round =
|team1= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|team1= [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|score= 2–4
|score= 2–4
Line 226: Line 240:
|goals2=
|goals2=
|stadium= [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]
|stadium= [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]
|attendance=55,195 15 May 1943
|attendance=55,195
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

In its final three years, the competition was split into north and south halves, with the winners of each section competing in a play-off, staged at Stamford Bridge, to decide the cup winner. The northern winners were decided over two legs, while the southern finalists met in a one-off Wembley final.
In its final three years, the competition was split into north and south halves, with the winners of each section competing in a play-off, staged at Stamford Bridge, to decide the cup winner. The northern winners were decided over two legs, while the southern finalists met in a one-off Wembley final.


The overall final marked the second time Arsenal had got to the final. They would end up being the club who had reached the most Football League War Cup finals, yet did not win once. The final was also notable because both clubs had won their respective [[Wartime League|wartime divisions]].
The overall final marked the second time Arsenal had got to the final. They would end up being the club who had reached the most Football League War Cup finals, yet did not win once. The final was also notable because both clubs had won their respective [[Wartime League|wartime divisions]].


=== [[1943–44 in English football|1943–44]] ===
=== 1943–44 ===

{{football box
{{football box
|date=
|date= '''''North final, first leg. '''''
|event = North final
|round = First leg
|team1= [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|team1= [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]
|score= 2–1
|score= 2–1
Line 247: Line 261:
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Second leg. '''''
|date=
|round = Second leg
|team1= [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|team1= [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|score= 4–2
|score= 4–2
Line 259: Line 273:
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''South final. '''''
|date=
|event = South Final
|team1= [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
|team1= [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
|score= 3–1
|score= 3–1
Line 271: Line 285:
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Final. '''''
|date= 20 May 1944
|event = Final
|team1= [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
|team1= [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]
|score= 1–1
|score= 1–1
Line 280: Line 294:
|goals2=
|goals2=
|stadium= [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]
|stadium= [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]
|attendance=38,540 20 May 1944
|attendance=38,540
|report= Shared
|report= Shared
}}
}}
The score in the final was tied at 1–1 but due to transport restrictions and bombing threats, a replay was not held and the game ended a draw. Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa shared the 1944 trophy, an event that had not happened before and did not happen again.


=== 1944–45 ===
With the score in the final tied at 1–1 and, due to transport restrictions and bombing threats, a replay not an option, the game ended a draw. Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa shared the 1944 trophy, an event that had not happened before and did not happen again.

=== [[1944–45 in English football|1944–45]] ===

{{football box
{{football box
|date=
|date= '''''North final first leg'''''
|event = North final
|round = First leg
|team1= [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
|team1= [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
|score= 1–0
|score= 1–0
Line 299: Line 313:
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Second leg'''''
|date=
|round = Second leg
|team1= [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|team1= [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|score= 2–2
|score= 2–2
Line 311: Line 325:
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''South Final'''''
|date= 7 April 1945
|event = South Final
|round =
|team1= [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|team1= [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|score= 2–0
|score= 2–0
Line 323: Line 338:
|report=
|report=
}}
}}

{{football box
{{football box
|date= '''''Final'''''
|date= 2 June 1945
|event = Final
|round =
|team1= [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|team1= [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|score= 1–2
|score= 1–2
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|goals2=
|goals2=
|stadium= [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]
|stadium= [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]
|attendance=35,000 2 June 1945
|attendance=35,000
|report=
|report=
}}
}}
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*[[Association football during World War I]]
*[[Association football during World War I]]
*[[Association football during World War II]]
*[[Association football during World War II]]
*[[London War Cup]]


==References==
==References==
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{{Football League War Cup Finals}}
{{Football League War Cup Finals}}
{{Friendly association football tournaments in England}}

[[Category:Defunct football cup competitions in England]]
[[Category:Football League War Cup| ]]
[[Category:Football League War Cup| ]]
[[Category:Defunct football cup competitions in England]]

Latest revision as of 01:41, 11 July 2024

Football League War Cup
Organising bodyFA
Founded1939
Abolished1945; 80 years ago (1945)
RegionUnited Kingdom
Related competitionsFA Cup
Last championsBolton Wanderers
(1st title)

The Football League War Cup was an association football tournament held between 1939 and 1945. It aimed to fill the gap left in English football by the suspension of the FA Cup during the Second World War. Though it was often referred to in contemporary coverage as the "League Cup" or "Football League Cup", it is not to be confused with the later English football competition with the same name, which was formed in 1960 and is currently known as the EFL Cup. As with all wartime football in England, records and statistics from the competition are not considered official.

Overview

[edit]

The Football League (War) Cup was formed in 1940 to be a replacement for the FA Cup, which had been suspended for the duration of the conflict. Ties were played over two legs in order to boost revenue for clubs. In the 1941–42 season, 16 clubs from London and South East England did not participate owing to a dispute with the Football League over the formation of a separate London League.[1] Instead they competed in the London War Cup.[2] The winners of the London War Cup faced the winners of the Football League War Cup in a play-off.[3] The London clubs re-joined the Football League in the summer of 1942 and the separate London cup competition was discontinued.

To reduce traveling distances for clubs, after 1942 the competition was split into north and south sections, each with its own final. The South Cup had a round-robin group stage comprising four groups of four clubs who would play each other at home and away, with the group winners advancing to the semi-finals.[4] The North Cup had 48 entrants and used a more complicated format. The standings in the North Football League table after ten matches determined the 32 qualifiers for the competition proper. Teams would then progressively knock each other out in two-legged ties that also counted as league matches.[4] The north final was decided over two legs. The south final was a single match held at Wembley Stadium. The North and South champions would then meet in a play-off to decide the competition's overall winner; play-off matches were held at Stamford Bridge. Gate receipts from the play-off matches were donated to King George's Fund for Sailors.

Results

[edit]

Finals

[edit]
Keys
  •   playoff result after the final ended in a tie.
Ed. Year Winner Score Runner-up Venue City
1
 1940 West Ham United
1–0
 Blackburn Rovers Wembley London
2
 1941 Preston North End
1–1
 Arsenal Wembley London
2–1
 Ewood Park Blackburn
3
 1942 Wolverhampton Wanderers
2–2
 Sunderland Roker Park Sunderland
4–1
 Molineux Wolverhampton
4
 1943 Blackpool
4–2
 Arsenal Stamford Bridge London
5
 1944 Charlton Athletic [n 1]
1–1
 (none) [n 1] Stamford Bridge London
Aston Villa [n 1]
6
 1945 Bolton Wanderers
2–1
 Chelsea Stamford Bridge London
Notes
  1. ^ a b c As no replay match was held, the title was awarded to both clubs.

Northern Final

[edit]
Season Winner Runner-up
1943 Blackpool Sheffield Wednesday
1944 Aston Villa Blackpool
1945 Bolton Wanderers Manchester United

Southern Final

[edit]
Season Winner Runner-up
1943 Arsenal Charlton Athletic
1944 Charlton Athletic Chelsea
1945 Chelsea Millwall

Finals details

[edit]

1939–40

[edit]
Final
West Ham United1–0Blackburn Rovers
Small
Attendance: 42,399

137 games (including replays) were played to get to the final of the inaugural Football League War Cup. These matches were condensed into just 9 weeks. Despite the fears that London would be bombed by the Luftwaffe fans came in thousands to watch the game at Wembley, despite its obvious danger as a bombing target.

1940–41

[edit]
Final
Preston North End1–1Arsenal
McLaren Compton
Attendance: 60,000
Replay
Preston North End2–1Arsenal
Beattie Gallimore (o.g.)
Attendance: 5,000

In the nine months leading up to the final, 127 large-scale night-raids had taken place, with London, the home of the final, being a regular target. This threat did not stop 60,000 people turning up to watch the game.

Preston North End beat Bury, Bolton, Tranmere Rovers (20-2 on aggregate), Manchester City and Newcastle (2–0 on aggregate) to reach the final. Andrew McLaren had scored nine goals during the tournament, including five goals in Preston's 12–1 home leg win over Tranmere. Thanks to a 40th minute equaliser from Arsenal's D. Compton in the game at Wembley, this was the first final of the tournament to go to a replay. L. Compton of Arsenal struck the Preston post with a missed penalty in the 3rd minute.[5]

The replay was moved away from London to Ewood Park. The win for Preston meant that they had completed the first wartime league and cup double, having also won the Northern Regional League.

1941–42

[edit]
Final
First leg
Sunderland2–2Wolverhampton Wanderers
Carter 54'
Stubbins 77'		 Westcott 11', 85'
Attendance: 34,776
Referee: J. M. Wiltshire
Second leg
Wolverhampton Wanderers4–1Sunderland
Westcott 35'
Broome 51'
Rowley 59', 70'		 Carter 58'
Attendance: 43,038
Referee: J. M. Wiltshire

The third competition in 1942 saw the final switched to a two-legged format with each team playing one leg on their home ground. This was the only time in the tournament's history that the final was decided in such a way.

Eric Robinson of Wolves was to die soon after his team won the tournament, during a military exercise.

On 6 June 1942, Wolves faced Brentford, winners of the London War Cup (clubs from London did not participate in the FLWC that season), in a cup winners play-off held at Stamford Bridge. The match ended 1–1 and was not replayed, so the clubs shared the honour.[3]

1942–43

[edit]
North Final
First leg
Blackpool2–2Sheffield Wednesday
Attendance: 28,000
Second leg
Sheffield Wednesday1–2Blackpool
Attendance: 42,657.
South Final
Arsenal7–1Charlton Athletic
Attendance: 75,000
Final
Arsenal2–4Blackpool
Attendance: 55,195

In its final three years, the competition was split into north and south halves, with the winners of each section competing in a play-off, staged at Stamford Bridge, to decide the cup winner. The northern winners were decided over two legs, while the southern finalists met in a one-off Wembley final.

The overall final marked the second time Arsenal had got to the final. They would end up being the club who had reached the most Football League War Cup finals, yet did not win once. The final was also notable because both clubs had won their respective wartime divisions.

1943–44

[edit]
North final
First leg
Blackpool2–1Aston Villa
Attendance: 28,000
Second leg
Aston Villa4–2Blackpool
Attendance: 54,824
South Final
Charlton Athletic3–1Chelsea
Attendance: 85,000
Final
Charlton Athletic1–1Aston Villa
Shared
Attendance: 38,540

The score in the final was tied at 1–1 but due to transport restrictions and bombing threats, a replay was not held and the game ended a draw. Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa shared the 1944 trophy, an event that had not happened before and did not happen again.

1944–45

[edit]
North final
First leg
Bolton Wanderers1–0Manchester United
Attendance: 40,000
Second leg
Manchester United2–2Bolton Wanderers
Attendance: 40,000
South Final
Chelsea2–0Millwall
Attendance: 90,000
Final
Chelsea1–2Bolton Wanderers
Attendance: 35,000

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "London clubs expelled from the League". The Times. 6 August 1941.
  2. ^ Foster, Richard (24 April 2020). "How English football responded to the second world war". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "When Brentford won a Wembley cup final – with help from traffic police". The Guardian. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b "The New Season". The Times. 26 August 1942.
  5. ^ "1941 FA Cup Final at Wembley Arsenal v Preston.wmv".
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