Cheshire Senior Cup
| Organiser(s) | Cheshire FA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1879 |
| Region | |
| Teams | 27 (2023–24) |
| Current champions | Crewe Alexandra (16th title) |
| Most championships | Macclesfield Town (21 titles) |
| Website | Cheshire FA |
The Cheshire County Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Cheshire Senior Cup, is a football knockout tournament founded in the 1879–80 season and involves teams from Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, England. It is the County Cup competition of the Cheshire FA and currently involves teams from the Football League and non-league clubs. However, while non-league clubs often field their first team in the competition, professional clubs often field their reserve teams. The inaugural winners of the cup were Northwich Victoria in 1880 and the record winners of the trophy are Macclesfield Town.
Inaugural season (1879–80)
There were just six clubs who participated in the first season of the Cheshire Senior Cup. The draw for the first round was made on 3 February 1880, with the ties played on 14 February 1880.[1]
| First round | Birkenhead | Awarded | Macclesfield | |
| Report |
| First round | Hurdsfield | 1–8 | Hartford St John's | |
| Report |
| First round | Northwich Victoria | 3–0 | Crewe Alexandra | |
| Report |
| Semi-finals | Northwich Victoria | 3–1 | Birkenhead | |
| Report |
| Semi-finals | Hartford St John's | Bye | ||
| Report |
| Final | Hartford St John's | 0–2 | Northwich Victoria | Crewe |
| Report | Stadium: Nantwich Road |
Current participants (2023-24)
| Team | Stadium | League |
|---|---|---|
| 1874 Northwich | Townfield | NPL West |
| Alsager Town | Wood Park Stadium | NWCFL Division One South |
| Altrincham | Moss Lane | National League |
| Ashville | Villa Park | NWCFL Division One South |
| Barnton | Townfield | NWCFL Division One South |
| Cammell Laird 1907 | Kirklands Stadium | NWCFL Division One South |
| Cheadle Heath Nomads | The Heath | NWCFL Division One South |
| Cheadle Town | Park Road | NWCFL Premier Division |
| Chester | Deva Stadium | National League North |
| Congleton Town | Cleric Stadium | MFL Premier Division |
| Crewe Alexandra | Alexandra Stadium | EFL League Two |
| Hyde United | Ewen Fields | NPL Premier Division |
| Macclesfield | Leasing.com Stadium | NPL Premier Division |
| Nantwich Town | Weaver Stadium | NPL West |
| Northwich Victoria | Wincham Park | MFL Premier Division |
| Runcorn Linnets | Millbank Linnets Stadium | NPL West |
| Runcorn Town | Pavilions Sports Complex | NWCFL Division One North |
| Sandbach United | Sandbach Football Centre | NWCFL Division One South |
| Stalybridge Celtic | Bower Fold | NPL West |
| Stockport County | Edgeley Park | EFL League Two |
| Stockport Georgians | Cromley Road | NWCFL Division One South |
| Stockport Town | Stockport Sports Village | NWCFL Division One South |
| Tranmere Rovers | Prenton Park | EFL League Two |
| Vauxhall Motors | Rivacre Park | NPL West |
| Warrington Town | Cantilever Park | National League North |
| Winsford United | Barton Stadium | NWCFL Division One South |
| Witton Albion | Wincham Park | NPL West |
Finals
A full list of finals appears on the Silkmen Archives website. Results of Finals since the 1879–80 season are:
Key
| Match went to a replay | |
| Match went to extra time | |
| Match decided by a penalty shootout after extra time | |
| Shared trophy |
| Season | Winners | Result | Runner-up | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879–80 | Northwich Victoria | 2–0 | Hartford St John's | ||
| 1880–81 | Northwich Victoria | 1–1 | Birkenhead | Awarded to Northwich Victoria after Birkenhead failed to appear for replay. | |
| 1881–82 | Northwich Victoria | 4–2 | Witton Novelty | ||
| 1882–83 | Northwich Victoria | 1–0 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1883–84 | Northwich Victoria | 4–2 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1884–85 | Northwich Victoria | 2–1 | Davenham | ||
| 1885–86 | Davenham | 2–1 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1886–87 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–0 | Davenham | ||
| 1887–88 | Crewe Alexandra | 9–0 | Chester | ||
| 1888–89 | Northwich Victoria | 3–1 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1889–90 | Macclesfield | 4–1 | Nantwich | ||
| 1890–91 | Macclesfield | 1–0 | Crewe Hornets | ||
| 1891–92 | Crewe Alexandra | 3–1 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1892–93 | Crewe Alexandra | 3–1 | Chester | Replay. First match ended 0–0. | |
| 1893–94 | Macclesfield | 2–1 | Chester | Replay. First match ended 1–1. | |
| 1894–95 | Chester | 2–1 | Macclesfield | ||
| 1895–96 | Macclesfield | 2–0 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1896–97 | Chester | 2–1 | Northwich Victoria | Replay. First match ended 1–1. | |
| 1897–98 | New Brighton Tower | 1–0 | Nantwich | ||
| 1898–99 | Crewe Alexandra | New Brighton Tower | Awarded to Crewe Alexandra after New Brighton Tower failed to appear. | ||
| 1899–00 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–0 | New Brighton Tower | Replay. First match ended 1–1. | |
| 1900–01 | Crewe Alexandra | 4–1 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1901–02 | Witton Albion | 2–1 | Sale Homfield | ||
| 1902–03 | Sale Homfield | 2–1 | Winsford United | ||
| 1903–04 | Chester | 2–1 | Nantwich | Replay. First ended 1–1. | |
| 1904–05 | Altrincham | 2–1 | Chester | ||
| 1905–06 | Stockport County | 2–1 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1906–07 | Crewe Alexandra | 2–0 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| 1907–08 | Chester | 4–2 | Altrincham | ||
| 1908–09 | Chester | 3–0 | Northwich Victoria | Replay. First match ended 1–1. | |
| 1909–10 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–0 | Macclesfield Town | Replay. First match ended 1–1. | |
| 1910–11 | Macclesfield | 1–0 | Chester City | ||
| 1911–12 | Crewe Alexandra | 4–2 | Stalybridge Celtic | Replay. First match ended 1–1. | |
| 1912–13 | Crewe Alexandra | 3–1 | Lostock Gralam | ||
| 1913–14 | Sandbach Ramblers | 3–1 | Nantwich Town | ||
| 1914–15 | Stockport County | 1–0 | Tranmere Rovers | ||
| 1915–18 | No competition due to World War I. | ||||
| 1918–19 | Tranmere Rovers | 5–1 | Altrincham | ||
| 1919–20 | Critchtons Athletic | 1–0 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1920–21 | Congleton Town | 1–0 | Winsford United | ||
| 1921–22 | Witton Albion | 3–0 | Barnton Victoria | ||
| 1922–23 | Crewe Alexandra | 4–1 | Altrincham | ||
| 1923–24 | New Brighton | 1–0 | Tranmere Rovers | ||
| 1924–25 | Runcorn | 1–0 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1925–26 | Tranmere Rovers | 3–1 | Winsford United | ||
| 1926–27 | Tranmere Rovers | 4–1 | Winsford United | ||
| 1927–28 | Witton Albion | 2–1 | Congleton Town | ||
| 1928–29 | Northwich Victoria | 2–0 | Chester | ||
| 1929–30 | Macclesfield | 5–4 | Nantwich | ||
| 1930–31 | Chester | 6–1 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1931–32 | Chester | 1–0 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1932–33 | Nantwich | 1–0 | ICI Akali | ||
| 1933–34 | Altrincham | 1–0 | Congleton Town | ||
| 1934–35 | Macclesfield | 5–2 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1935–36 | Runcorn | 2–1 | Macclesfield | ||
| 1936–37 | Northwich Victoria | 2–0 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1937–38 | Congleton Town | 2–1 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 1938–39 | Witton Albion | 3–0 | Stockport County | ||
| 1939–45 | No competition due to World War II. | ||||
| 1945–46 | Hyde United | 1–0 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1946–47 | Stockport County | 1–0 | Hyde United | ||
| 1947–48 | Witton Albion | 4–1 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1948–49 | Stockport County | 2–0 | Winsford United | ||
| 1949–50 | Northwich Victoria | 1–0 | Macclesfield | ||
| 1950–51 | Macclesfield Town | 3–2 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1951–52 | Macclesfield Town | 2–0 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1952–53 | Stalybridge Celtic | 2–1 | Altrincham | ||
| 1953–54 | Macclesfield Town | 1–0 | Winsford United | ||
| 1954–55 | Northwich Victoria | 3–0 | Stalybridge Celtic | ||
| 1955–56 | Witton Albion | 1–0 | Altrincham | ||
| 1956–57 | Ellesmere Port Town | 3–2 | Hyde United | ||
| 1957–58 | Tranmere Rovers | 6–2 | Stockport County | On aggregate. | |
| 1958–59 | Winsford United | 1–0 | Ellesmere Port Town | ||
| 1959–60 | Macclesfield Town | 2–1 | Hyde United | ||
| 1960–61 | Witton Albion | 2–1 | Hyde United | ||
| 1961–62 | Runcorn | 2–1 | Hyde United | ||
| 1962–63 | Hyde United | 3–1 | Runcorn | ||
| 1963–64 | Macclesfield Town | 1–0 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1964–65 | Runcorn | 3–2 | Tranmere Rovers | ||
| 1965–66 | Stockport County | 2–0 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1966–67 | Altrincham | 3–2 | Witton Albion | On aggregate. | |
| 1967–68 | Runcorn | 1–0 | Crewe Alexandra | On aggregate. | |
| 1968–69 | Macclesfield Town | 3–1 | Northwich Victoria | On aggregate. | |
| 1969–70 | Hyde United | 3–2 | Altrincham | ||
| 1970–71 | Macclesfield Town | 2–1 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1971–72 | Northwich Victoria | 3–1 | Ellesmere Port Town | ||
| 1972–73 | Macclesfield Town | 2–1 | Winsford United | ||
| 1973–74 | Runcorn | 1–0 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| 1974–75 | Runcorn | 3–2 | Altrincham | ||
| 1975–76 | Nantwich Town | 4–3 | Runcorn | ||
| 1976–77 | Northwich Victoria | 4–1 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| 1977–78 | Witton Albion | 1–0 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1978–79 | Northwich Victoria | 3–1 | Runcorn | ||
| 1979–80 | Winsford United | 4–1 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1980–81 | Hyde United | 4–3 | Stalybridge Celtic | ||
| 1981–82 | Altrincham | 1–0 | Runcorn | ||
| 1982–83 | Macclesfield Town | 2–1 | Congleton Town | ||
| 1983–84 | Northwich Victoria | 3–0 | Runcorn | ||
| 1984–85 | Runcorn | 2–0 | Altrincham | ||
| 1985–86 | Runcorn | 3–1 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1986–87 | Runcorn | 3–1 | Altrincham | ||
| 1987–88 | Runcorn | 2–1 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| 1988–89 | Runcorn | 3–1 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| 1989–90 | Hyde United | 1–0 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| 1990–91 | Macclesfield Town | 2–0 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1991–92 | Macclesfield Town | 2–0 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1992–93 | Winsford United | 3–0 | Witton Albion | ||
| 1993–94 | Northwich Victoria | 1–0 | Runcorn | ||
| 1994–95 | Witton Albion | 2–1 | Altrincham | ||
| 1995–96 | Witton Albion | 3–1 | Hyde United | ||
| 1996–97 | Hyde United | 3–0 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| 1997–98 | Macclesfield Town | 1–0 | Runcorn | ||
| 1998–99 | Altrincham | 1–0 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 1999–00 | Macclesfield Town | 2–1 | Altrincham | ||
| 2000–01 | Stalybridge Celtic | 5–1 | Stockport County | ||
| 2001–02 | Crewe Alexandra | 4–1 | Altrincham | After extra-time. | |
| 2002–03 | Crewe Alexandra | 2–1 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 2003–04 | Woodley Sports | 2–1 | Witton Albion | After extra-time. | |
| 2004–05 | Altrincham | 2–0 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| 2005–06 | Witton Albion | 2–0 | Stalybridge Celtic | ||
| 2006–07 | Cammell Laird | 3–0 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 2007–08 | Nantwich Town | 3–3 | Altrincham | Nantwich Town won 5–3 on penalties. | |
| 2008–09 | Altrincham | 3–0 | Nantwich Town | ||
| 2009–10 | Northwich Victoria | 1–1 | Woodley Sports | Northwich Victoria won 5–4 on penalties. | |
| 2010–11 | Northwich Victoria | 2–0 | Altrincham | ||
| 2011–12 | Nantwich Town | 1–0 | Stalybridge Celtic | ||
| 2012–13 | Chester | 2–1 | Stalybridge Celtic | ||
| 2013–14 | Northwich Victoria | 2–1 | Tranmere Rovers reserves | ||
| 2014–15 | Macclesfield Town reserves | 3–2 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 2015–16 | Stockport County | 2–1 | Tranmere Rovers reserves | After extra-time. | |
| 2016–17 | Crewe Alexandra reserves | 3–2 | Nantwich Town | ||
| 2017–18 | Nantwich Town | 3–0 | Stockport Town | ||
| 2018–19 | Nantwich Town | 5–2 | Cammell Laird 1907 | ||
| 2019–20 | Competition abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic. Chester, Hyde United, Nantwich Town & Warrington Town in the semi-finals. | ||||
| 2020–21 | Competition abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic. | ||||
| 2021–22 | Stockport County reserves | 5–0 | Vauxhall Motors | ||
| 2022–23 | Congleton Town | 2–2 | Altrincham | Congleton Town won 4–2 on penalties. | |
| 2023–24 | Hyde United | 2–2 | Crewe Alexandra reserves | Hyde United won 5–2 on penalties. | |
| 2024-25 | Runcorn Linnets | 3-0 | Stalybridge Celtic | ||
| 2025-26 | Crewe Alexandra | 5-2 | Runcorn Town | ||
Wins by teams
Teams shown in italics † are no longer in existence.[2]
| Club | Wins | First final won | Last final won | Runner-up | Last final lost | Total final apps. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macclesfield Town † | 21 | 1889–90 | 2014–15 | 11 | 1996–97 | 32 | [a] |
| Northwich Victoria | 19 | 1879–80 | 2013–14 | 16 | 2014–15 | 35 | |
| Crewe Alexandra | 16 | 1886–87 | 2025-26 | 14 | 2023–24 | 29 | [b] |
| Runcorn † | 12 | 1924–25 | 1988–89 | 7 | 1997–98 | 19 | |
| Witton Albion | 11 | 1901–02 | 2005–06 | 10 | 2003–04 | 21 | |
| Altrincham | 7 | 1904–05 | 2008–09 | 15 | 2022–23 | 22 | |
| Chester City † | 7 | 1894–95 | 1931–32 | 6 | 1928–29 | 13 | [c] |
| Hyde United | 7 | 1945–46 | 2023–24 | 6 | 1995–96 | 13 | |
| Stockport County | 7 | 1905–06 | 2021–22 | 3 | 2000–01 | 10 | [d] |
| Nantwich Town | 6 | 1932–33 | 2018–19 | 7 | 2016–17 | 13 | [e] |
| Tranmere Rovers | 4 | 1918–19 | 1957–58 | 5 | 2015–16 | 9 | |
| Winsford United | 3 | 1958–59 | 1992–93 | 7 | 1972–73 | 10 | |
| Congleton Town | 3 | 1920–21 | 2022–23 | 3 | 1982–83 | 6 | |
| Stalybridge Celtic | 2 | 1952–53 | 2000–01 | 6 | 2012–13 | 8 | |
| Davenham † | 1 | 1885–86 | 1885–86 | 2 | 1886–87 | 3 | [f] |
| Ellesmere Port Town | 1 | 1956–57 | 1956–57 | 2 | 1971–72 | 3 | |
| New Brighton Tower † | 1 | 1897–98 | 1897–98 | 2 | 1899–00 | 3 | [g] |
| Sale Homfield † | 1 | 1902–03 | 1902–03 | 1 | 1901–02 | 2 | [h] |
| Woodley Sports † | 1 | 2003–04 | 2003–04 | 1 | 2009–10 | 2 | [i] |
| Cammell Laird 1907 | 1 | 2006–07 | 2006–07 | 0 | – | 1 | [j] |
| Chester | 1 | 2012–13 | 2012–13 | 0 | – | 1 | |
| Critchtons Athletic † | 1 | 1919–20 | 1919–20 | 0 | – | 1 | [k] |
| Sandbach Ramblers † | 1 | 1913–14 | 1913–14 | 0 | – | 1 | [l] |
Win by cities or towns
| City | County | Titles | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwich | 30 | Northwich Victoria (19), Witton Albion (11) | |
| Macclesfield | 21 | Macclesfield Town (21) | |
| Crewe | 16 | Crewe Alexandra (16) | |
| Runcorn | 13 | Runcorn (12), Runcorn Linnets (1) | |
| Chester | 8 | Chester City (7), Chester (1) | |
| Stockport | 8 | Stockport County (7), Woodley Sports (1) | |
| Altrincham | 7 | Altrincham (7) | |
| Hyde | 7 | Hyde United (7) | |
| Nantwich | 6 | Nantwich Town (6) | |
| Birkenhead | 5 | Tranmere Rovers (4), Cammell Laird 1907 (1) | |
| Winsford | 3 | Winsford United (3) | |
| Congleton | 3 | Congleton Town (3) | |
| Stalybridge | 2 | Stalybridge Celtic (2) | |
| New Brighton | 2 | New Brighton (1), New Brighton Tower (1) | |
| Davenham | 1 | Davenham (1) | |
| Ellesmere Port | 1 | Ellesmere Port Town (1) | |
| Sale | 1 | Sale Homfield (1) | |
| Liverpool | 1 | Critchtons Athletic (1) | |
| Sandbach | 1 | Sandbach Ramblers (1) |
Notes
- ^ Dissolved in 2020. Won 7 titles as Macclesfield and 1 as reserves.
- ^ Won 1 title as reserves.
- ^ Dissolved in 2010. Won 7 titles as Chester.
- ^ Won 1 title as reserves.
- ^ Won 1 title as Nantwich.
- ^ Dissolved in 1890.
- ^ Dissolved in 1901.
- ^ Dissolved.
- ^ Dissolved in 2015.
- ^ Won as Cammell Laird.
- ^ Dissolved in 1958.
- ^ Dissolved.