Introduced at the end of the 1897-98 season, this was a challenge match between the leading amateur club in the country and one of the leading professional clubs, for the benefit of charitable institutions, hospitals etc.
The competition was established by Thomas Dewar, the whisky magnate, and is sometimes referred to as The Dewar Shield.
And the trophy was as big as a man!
The Dewar Shield lapsed in 1908 following a rift between the leading amateur clubs and the FA.
Let's look at the ten editions of the Shield.
Corinthians were chosen as the amateur representatives 9 times. This was good business, as Corinth usually featured a number of international players.The professional representatives were not necessarily the league champions or FA Cup holders.
Professional teams triumphed on 6 occasions
Amatuer teams (ie Corinthian FC) won twice.
The Shield was shared twice.
18981
|
Corinthians
|
0
|
0
|
Sheffield United
|
Crystal Palace
|
Corinthians
|
1
|
1
|
Sheffield United
|
Crystal Palace
|
|
18992
|
Aston Villa
|
0
|
0
|
Queen's Park
|
Crystal Palace
|
1900
|
Corinthians
|
2
|
1
|
Aston Villa
|
Crystal Palace
|
1901
|
Aston Villa
|
1
|
0
|
Corinthians
|
Crystal Palace
|
1902
|
Tottenham Hotspur
|
5
|
2
|
Corinthians
|
White Hart Lane
|
1903
|
Sunderland
|
3
|
0
|
Corinthians
|
White Hart Lane
|
1904
|
Corinthians
|
10
|
3
|
Bury
|
Queens Club
|
1905
|
The Wednesday
|
2
|
1
|
Corinthians
|
Crystal Palace
|
1906
|
Liverpool
|
5
|
1
|
Corinthians
|
Craven Cottage
|
1907
|
Newcastle United
|
5
|
2
|
Corinthians
|
Craven Cottage
|
1 Sheffield United declined to play extra-time as they disagreed with some of the referee's decisions- the trophy was shared.
2 Shared, each club retained the Shield for six months.
