Caledonia Trophy Explained

Organiser:	ADFA / HFL
Region:	Highlands and Aberdeen
Number Of Teams:	2
Current Champions:	Aberdeen (3rd title)
Most Successful Club:	Aberdeen (3 titles)

The Caledonia Trophy was a short-lived Scottish football competition between Division A club Aberdeen and a Highland League select team. The two-legged competition lasted for three seasons.

History

Aberdeen first suggested the idea in February 1948, which received the backing of the Highland League.^[1] The SFA secretary, Mr G. Graham, had the competition rules drawn up.^[1]

The same format as the Mitchell Cup was used (Aberdeen played Dundee on a home and away basis).^[1] The League president, Mr J. Riggs, supported this format.^[1]

Pittodrie hosted the first game and a Highland League stadium had the return match.^[2] The trophy was presented by the Express Saturday newspaper, the Green Final.^[2]

Selection for the Highland League representative team was kept simple.^[3] Each league club was asked to nominate suitable players from their own team.^[3]

In 1948–49, Caledonian FC faced a heavy league programme so no players were released for the Pittodrie match.^[4]

In 1949–50, the Highland League were forced to make player alterations for the second leg.^[5] Bruce (Caley keeper) withdrew for personal reasons. Wilson and Hope of Elgin City were replaced by Baird and MacDonald of Fort George.^[5]

No competition took place in 1950–51.^[6] Both parties never agreed on a suitable date for the opening match.^[6]

Results

Season	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Scorers	Venue	Att	Ref
1947–48	Aberdeen	4–0	Highland League XI	McLaughlin, Kelly (2), McKenna	Pittodrie	9,000	^[7] ^[8]
	Highland League XI	2–4	Aberdeen		Grant Street Park	5,000
	Aberdeen beat Highland League XI 8–2 on aggregate.
1948–49	Aberdeen	0–1	Highland League XI	Mackenzie	Pittodrie	8,000	^[9] ^[10]
	Highland League XI	0–1	Aberdeen	Gibson	Grant Street Park	5,600
	Trophy shared. Highland League XI and Aberdeen tied 1–1 on aggregate.^[11]
1949–50	Aberdeen	6–2	Highland League XI	Baird, Hamilton (2), Hather (2), Yorston; Donnachie, Mitchell	Pittodrie		^[12] ^[13]
	Highland League XI	0–6	Aberdeen	Hather (2), Glen, Yorston Stenhouse, Crosbie (o.g.)	Borough Briggs
	Aberdeen beat Highland League XI 12–2 on aggregate.

Notes and References

1. Web site: DONS SUGGEST GAME WITH HIGHLAND XI. . . 24 February 1948 . 18 July 2021 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription.
2. Web site: Dates Fixed for Dons' Games with Select . Press and Journal . 15 March 1948 . 18 July 2021. British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
3. Web site: Dons In a Cut-throat Duel With Morton . Press and Journal . 19 March 1948 . 18 July 2021. British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
4. Web site: Highland XI. to Meet Dons . Press and Journal . 30 March 1949 . 18 July 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
5. Web site: 'NEW' SELECT WILL FIGHT BACK . Press and Journal . 5 May 1950 . 18 July 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
6. Web site: Hold-up In Caledonia Trophy Games . . 4 May 1951 . 18 July 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
7. Web site: Caledonia Trophy First Leg, 1947–48.
   Web site: Caledonia Trophy Second Leg, 1947–48. AFC Back Office. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
8. Web site: DASHING HIGHLAND XI. OUT OF LUCK . 22 April 1948 . subscription.
   Web site: HIGHLAND STRONGER NEXT SEASON . 26 April 1948 . subscription. Press and Journal. Retrieved 18 July 2021. (via) British Newspaper Archive.
9. Web site: Caledonia Trophy First Leg, 1948–49.
   Web site: Caledonia Trophy Second Leg, 1948–49. AFC Back Office. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
10. Web site: ONE UP FOR THE HIGHLAND SELECT XI . 25 April 1949 . Press and Journal . British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
11. Web site: Highlands Hope Third Time Lucky . Press and Journal. 26 April 1950 . 18 July 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
12. Web site: Caledonia Trophy First Leg, 1949–50.
    Web site: Caledonia Trophy Second Leg, 1949–50. AFC Back Office. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
13. Web site: DONS' BIG LEAD . . 27 April 1950 . subscription.
    Web site: Highland XI. Tried Wrong Tactics . Press and Journal . 27 April 1950 . subscription.
    Web site: CALEDONIA TROPHY PLAN MAY BE ALTERED . Press and Journal . 8 May 1950 . subscription. Retrieved 18 July 2021. (via) British Newspaper Archive.