Stafford Challenge Cup

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox football tournament

|name = Stafford Challenge Cup

|image =

|caption =

|organiser = Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA)

|founded = {{Start date and age|1938}}

|region = India

|number of teams = various

|current champions = Bengaluru United (1st title)

|most titles =

|most successful club =

|broadcasters = FanCode

|website =

|current = 2023

}}

The Stafford Challenge Cup is an Indian football tournament held in Karnataka, organized by the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA).{{Cite web |title=All you need to know about the football league structure in Karnataka |url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/all-you-need-to-know-karnataka-football/11vwt69nc7jtr1llbm47ep2sk7 |website=Goal.com |last=Muralidharan |first=Ashwin |date=10 May 2018 |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220071135/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/all-you-need-to-know-karnataka-football/11vwt69nc7jtr1llbm47ep2sk7 |url-status=live }} Instituted in 1938, it is the oldest football tournament in South India.{{Cite web |title=Stafford Challenge Cup: One cup, many emotions |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/stafford-challenge-cup-one-cup-many-emotions-1193866.html |website=Deccan Herald |date=22 February 2023 |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223183502/https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/stafford-challenge-cup-one-cup-many-emotions-1193866.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=On decline mode for long |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2010/sep/09/on-decline-mode-for-long-185248.html |website=The New Indian Express |date=9 September 2010 |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204051222/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2010/sep/09/on-decline-mode-for-long-185248.html |url-status=live }} The tournament was abolished in 1993, but was revived in 2023.{{Cite web |title=After 30 years, KSFA to relaunch Stafford Cup |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/after-30-years-ksfa-to-relaunch-stafford-cup/articleshow/97508582.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=1 February 2023 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201041451/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/after-30-years-ksfa-to-relaunch-stafford-cup/articleshow/97508582.cms |url-status=live }}{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

History

The Stafford Challenge Cup was introduced by Staffordshire Regiment in 1938 in Bengaluru. They also donated the silver rolling trophy. Bangalore Muslim Club was the first Indian club to win it in 1941.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Stafford Challenge Cup: A Brief History of Time |url=https://theawayend.co/2023/02/23/stafford-challenge-cup-a-brief-history-of-time/ |date=23 February 2023 |website=theawayend.co |publisher=The Away End |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224070459/https://theawayend.co/2023/02/23/stafford-challenge-cup-a-brief-history-of-time/ |url-status=live }}

In 1990, the Iraqi Olympic team won the tournament but didn't return the trophy since the cup was lost during the Gulf War. It was held for the then-last time in 1993, before the revival 30 years later.

Venue

The older edition matches used to be held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Vyalikaval Ground.{{Cite web |title=Caught in a time warp |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/sports/others/caught-in-a-time-warp/articleshow/56603011.cms |website=Bangalore Mirror |last=Suchindran |first=Aravind |date=17 January 2017 |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125125624/http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/sports/others/caught-in-a-time-warp/articleshow/56603011.cms |url-status=live }} The revived edition is held at Bangalore Football Stadium.

Awards

class="wikitable" style="text-align: Center;"
Award name

!Prize money

Champions

|₹ 2,50,000

Runners-up

|₹ 1,50,000

Results

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;"

!Year

!Winners

!Score

!Runners-up

!Notes

1938

|{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} Wiltshire Regiment

|

|

|{{cite web|url=https://www.ksfa.in/staffordchallengecup|title=THE HISTORY: STAFFORD CHALLENGE CUP – KARNATAKA|website=ksfa.in|publisher=Karnataka State Football Association|access-date=26 November 2022|location=Bengaluru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224073556/https://www.ksfa.in/staffordchallengecup|archive-date=24 February 2023}}

1939

|{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} Wiltshire Regiment

|

|

|{{Cite web |title=THE HISTORY |url=https://www.ksfa.in/staffordchallengecup |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=ksfa.in |publisher=Karnataka State Football Association |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224073556/https://www.ksfa.in/staffordchallengecup |url-status=live }}

1941

|Bangalore Muslim Club

|

|Hyderabad City Police

|{{cite web|first=Manuja|last=Veerappa|date=2 April 2018|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/when-sports-fandom-thrived-on-local-grounds/articleshow/63571467.cms|title=When sports, fandom thrived on local grounds|access-date=14 February 2023|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=The Times of India|location=Bangalore|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213195511/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/when-sports-fandom-thrived-on-local-grounds/articleshow/63571467.cms|url-status=live}}

1942

|Bangalore Sporting

|

|

|

1943

|Mysore Rovers

|

|

|

1944

|Sullivan Police

|

|

|

1945

|Sullivan Police

|

|

|

1946

|Sullivan Police

|

|

|

1947

|Sullivan Police

|

|

|

1948

|Sullivan Police

|

|

|

1949

|Sullivan Police

|

|

|{{Cite web |title=FC Bengaluru United on Instagram: "The Stafford Challenge Cup is back after a hiatus of 30 years! 🤩🏆 𝙒𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙁𝘾 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙪 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 💪 This tournament has a rich legacy, and we're honoured to be a part of it. 🔥 #FCBU #NammaUnited #WeAreUnited #UnitedWeStand #KSFA #BengaluruFootball #StaffordChallengeCup2023" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cod4NvsvtEU/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=Instagram |language=en |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210144410/https://www.instagram.com/p/Cod4NvsvtEU/ |url-status=live }}

1952

|Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

|

|

|

1954

|Binny Mills

|

|

|

1956

|Bangalore Blues

|

|

|

1957

|LRDE

|

|

|

1958

|Mysore State Police

|

|

|

1961

|Mysore State Police

|

|

|

1964

|Howrah Union

|

|

|{{cite web|url=http://howrahunion.com/clubprofile.html|title=Howrah Union – at a glance|access-date=13 October 2022|website=howrahunion.com|publisher=Howrah Union Club|archive-date=25 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425035748/http://howrahunion.com/clubprofile.html}}

1966

|MEG & C

|

|

|

1967

|CIL

|

|

|

1968

|Mohammedan Sporting

|

|

|{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-condoles-n-pappanas-death|title=AIFF condoles N. Pappana's death|date=13 February 2022|access-date=14 February 2023|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=AIFF|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200440/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-condoles-n-pappanas-death|url-status=live}}

1970

|Mohammedan Sporting

|

|

|

1971

|CIL

|

|

|

1972

|Orkay Mills

|1–0

|A.S.C. Centre (South), Bangalore

|{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.98099/mode/2up|title=Sportsweek No. 302-324 (july-dec) 1974|date=1974|access-date=14 February 2023|website=archive.org}}{{Cite web |last=Technologies |first=Sancoale |date=2020-08-03 |title=Stafford Challenge Cup 1975 |url=https://www.demposportsclub.com/stafford-challenge-cup-1975/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=demposportsclub.in |publisher=Dempo Sports Club |language=en-GB |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201043005/https://www.demposportsclub.com/stafford-challenge-cup-1975/ }}

1973

|Vasco

|

|

|{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/former-vasco-defender-george-ambrose-no-more/articleshow/93415990.cms|title=Former Vasco defender George Ambrose no more|date=8 August 2022|access-date=20 September 2022|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=The Times of India|agency=TNN|location=Panaji, Goa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809180604/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/former-vasco-defender-george-ambrose-no-more/articleshow/93415990.cms|archive-date=9 August 2022|url-status=live}}

1974

|Orkay Mills

|

|

|

1975

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|Dempo and Orkay Mills (joint winners) – 0–0

|

1979

|Dempo

|2–0

|ITI

|{{Cite web |last=Technologies |first=Sancoale |date=2020-08-03 |title=Stafford Challenge Cup 1979 |url=https://www.demposportsclub.com/stafford-challenge-cup-1979/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=demposportsclub.in |publisher=Dempo Sports Club |language=en-GB |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201041449/https://www.demposportsclub.com/stafford-challenge-cup-1979/ }}

1980

|{{Flagicon|IRQ|1963}} Al-Shabab

|4–2

|ITI

|{{Cite web |title=From ITI, HAL in '70s to Bengaluru FC in 2013: How the football scene in Bengaluru evolved |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/iti-hal-70s-bengaluru-fc-2013-how-football-scene-bengaluru-evolved-68790 |date=21 September 2017 |website=thenewsminute.com |publisher=The News Minute |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224073248/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/iti-hal-70s-bengaluru-fc-2013-how-football-scene-bengaluru-evolved-68790 |url-status=live }}

1981

| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting (joint winners)

|{{Cite web|url=http://eastbengalclub.co.in/trophyroom.html|title=East Bengal Club - Trophy Room|website=eastbengalclub.co.in|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114010717/http://eastbengalclub.co.in/trophyroom.html|archive-date=14 November 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indiafooty.com/2016/07/04/mohammedan-sporting-bestowed-the-honour-of-the-shan-e-mohammedan-to-prasun-banerjee/|title=Mohammedan Sporting bestowed the honour of the Shan-e-Mohammedan to Prasun Banerjee|date=4 July 2016|access-date=14 February 2023|website=indiafooty.com|publisher=India Footy|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213202008/https://www.indiafooty.com/2016/07/04/mohammedan-sporting-bestowed-the-honour-of-the-shan-e-mohammedan-to-prasun-banerjee/|url-status=live}}

1982

|{{Flagicon|IRQ|1963}} Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya

|1–0

|Mohun Bagan

|{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.100691/page/n33/mode/2up|title=Sportsweek No.705-717(april-july) 1982|date=1982|access-date=24 February 2023|website=archive.org}}

1984

|{{Flagicon|IRQ|1963}} Al-Talaba

|3–0

|Salgaocar

|

1986

|East Bengal

|

|Dempo

|{{Cite book |title=THE BEST WAY FORWARD FOR INDIA'S FOOTBALL |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KdH7DwAAQBAJ |first=S. S. |last=Shreekumar |date=15 August 2020 |publisher=HSRA Publications |isbn=9788194721697 |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204051238/https://www.google.com/books/edition/THE_BEST_WAY_FORWARD/KdH7DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |pages=244 }}

1987

|Salcete FC

|

|

|{{cite web|title=Five most successful Indian football coaches|url=https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-five-most-successful-coaches/|date=31 August 2022|access-date=7 October 2022|website=khelnow.com|publisher=Khel Now|first=Sathvik K|last=Bharadwaj|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905111022/https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-five-most-successful-coaches/|archive-date=5 September 2022}}

1990

|{{Flagicon|IRQ|1963}} Iraq Olympic

|

|

|

1991

|Mohammedan Sporting

|

|

|

1993

|ITI

|2–1

|Union Bank of India, Mumbai

|{{cite web |title=Stafford Cup: City's glamour event set for kick-off |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/sports/football/stafford-cup-citys-glamour-event-set-for-kick-off/articleshow/98131139.cms |date=22 February 2023 |last=Shreekumar |first=SS |publisher=Bangalore Mirror |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223184152/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/sports/football/stafford-cup-citys-glamour-event-set-for-kick-off/articleshow/98131139.cms |url-status=live }}

1994–2022

|colspan=3 style="text-align:center;" |Tournament not held

|

2023

|Bengaluru United

|2–1

|Chennaiyin (R)

|{{cite web|title=Stafford Cup 2023: FC Bengaluru United become champions- Highlights|url=https://thebridge.in/football/stafford-cup-2023-live-chennaiyin-fc-vs-fc-bengaluru-united-final-updates-scores-results-40249|date=6 March 2023|website=thebridge.in|publisher=The Bridge|access-date=7 March 2023|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307075148/https://thebridge.in/football/stafford-cup-2023-live-chennaiyin-fc-vs-fc-bengaluru-united-final-updates-scores-results-40249}}

References