The FA Community Shield signals the beginning of a new season. Its contestants go head-to-head at the ‘Home of Football’ Wembley to win the season’s first silverware. Although some fans don’t hold it in high regard, football managers and players want to win trophies, and they play their strongest teams. So, what is the FA Community Shield? Here’s a detailed guide on its history, winning teams, and place in English football.
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What is the FA Community Shield?
Officially named the Football Association Community Shield, formerly the Charity Shield, the match opens the English football season. The Premier League and the FA Cup winners compete for the trophy. If the same team win both trophies, the second-placed team competes for the title.
The purpose of this game is to raise money for communities and charities, working with the Football Association (FA). Additionally, clubs that competed in the competition the previous season receive a portion of the money.
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History of the Community Shield
The first Community Shield game was played in the 1908/09 season. The competition was first launched as the Sheriff of London Charity Shield in 1898 and its rebrand evolved to its current format.
Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers were the first contestants of the Community Shield and United won the title after a replay. Over the years, the structure of the FA Community Shield changed. 1921 was the first time it was played between the first division and the FA Cup winner.
The competition adopted the name, Community Shield after some unfortunate circumstances. The Charity Commissions found out the FA wasn’t fulfilling its obligations of remitting its financial information and the name changed to the Community Shield.
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Venue of the Community Shield
Since 1974, the Community Shield has been played in a neutral venue, the Wembley Stadium. When it was being reconstructed, the Cardiff Stadium hosted the matches. Before 1974, the game was played in different stadiums, Old Trafford, White Hart Lane, Stamford Bridge and others.
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Is the Community Shield a Major Trophy?
As mentioned, many fans don’t regard the FA Community Shield as a major trophy and more of a curtain-raiser, kind of “nice way to kick start the season”. It ranks below the Premier League and the FA Cup domestically. Also, the FA Community Shield cannot be considered a major trophy because it is not open to all English teams.
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The Most Successful Team in the FA Community Shield
Manchester United is the most successful club in the competition with 21 trophies. Arsenal comes second with 17 wins, Liverpool with 16, Everton with nine and Tottenham Hotspur with seven closing off the top five winners. Other teams that have won the trophy include:
- Everton
- Chelsea
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Leeds United
- Leicester City
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In Conclusion
If you were asking, “What is the FA Community Shield, we hope this article helps you to learn more about the competition. It is one of England’s old tournaments and although it doesn’t enjoy the level of prestige other competitions do, its place in British football is secured.
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