Cromwell Cup Explained

Cromwell Cup
Year
1868
Location
Sheffield
Number of Teams
4
Winner
The Wednesday

The Cromwell Cup was the second ever Sheffieldrules football competition (after the Youdan Cup) and was held in Sheffield, England. It was held in February 1868 and named after Oliver Cromwell, manager of the local Alexandra Theatre (not the Lord Protector or Sir Oliver Cromwell), who donated the cup.^[1] He also played for the Garrick club. The tournament was only open to teams under two years old.^[2] The final was held at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. The trophy is still held in the Sheffield Wednesday trophy cabinet.

Sheffield Rules at the time involved rouges as well as goals. Garrick were expected to sweep aside the newly created Wednesday team. Despite this the final remained 0(0)-0(0) at the end of the regulation 90 minutes. Both captains then agreed to carry on playing for a result with the scorer of the first goal taking the trophy. After another 10 minutes of play, Wednesday finally broke the deadlock with a goal, thus claiming their first trophy.

Participating teams

Participating clubs^[3] ! Team !! Foundation !! No. of members !! Home ground !! Colours

Exchange^[4]	1863	120	Hallam's Farm	Scarlet & white
Garrick	1866 (October)	400	East Bank	Red, white, & blue
Wednesday	1867	170	Highfield	Blue & white hoops^[5]
Wellington	1866	150	Houndsfields Park	Puce & white

Results

Date	Team 1	Goals (Rouges)	Team 2	Ground
First Round
1 February 1868	The Wednesday	4 (3) – 0 (0)	Exchange	Mackenzie Ground
8 February 1868	Garrick	0 (1) – 0 (0)	Wellington	Mackenzie Ground
Final
15 February 1868	The Wednesday	1 (0) – 0 (0) a.s.d.e.t.	Garrick	Bramall Lane

See also

• The Youdan Cup

External links

• Report on the tournament

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sheffield Wednesday Celebrate 150th Anniversary Of Cromwell Cup Win . Shef News . 17 May 2021 . 15 February 2018 . 17 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210517112815/https://www.shefnews.co.uk/2018/02/15/sheffield-wednesday-celebrate-150th-anniversary-of-cromwell-cup-win/ . dead .
2. Although the Exchange club claimed a foundation date of 1863, this probably refers to the cricket club from which the football club sprung, as there is no record of any football matches for Exchange before the Cromwell Cup, and the Sheffield Daily Telegraph suggests it was in its first season.
3. Unless otherwise stated, all details taken from the John Lillywhite annual of 1868
4. Book: Alcock . Charles . Football Annual . 1871.
5. Book: Alcock . Charles . Football Annual . 1872.