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The Evening Times Champions Cup, the name of the current version, is an association football trophy for clubs of the Junior level in the western part of Scotland. Sponsored by the Glasgow-based newspaper the Evening Times (now branded as Glasgow Times) since its inception, the trophy has been competed for since 1896 and has been recommissioned under many different guises throughout its history. It was originally awarded annually as a league championship trophy, but has latterly been contested in a Super Cup style format for winners of various league divisions and local cups in the region.
| Organising body | Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1896 |
| Region | Greater Glasgow (1896–1927) Central Belt (1931–2002) |
| Number of teams | 5 (since 2012–13) |
| Current champions | Beith Juniors (1st title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Pollok (overall, 11 titles) |
The original purpose of the trophy was that it would be presented to the winners of the Glasgow Junior League since the inception of competition in 1895–96.[1][2]
The inaugural winners of the trophy Cambuslang Hibernian would later have its name inscribed on the trophy.[1][2]
After the intermediate dispute of 1925, the trophy was awarded to the champions of the breakaway Scottish Intermediate League from 1927–28.[1][2]
The destination of the trophy was determined in a play-off match between the Eastern and Western divisional winners.[1][2]
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927–28 | Baillieston[a] | 1–1 | Ashfield[b] | |
| 2–1 | ||||
| 1928–29 | Ashfield[b] | 1–0 | Baillieston[a] | |
| 1929–30 | Clydebank Juniors[b] | 2–2 | Bridgeton Waverley[a] | Hawthorn Park |
| 1–1 | ||||
| 3–2 | ||||
| 1930–31 | Bridgeton Waverley[a] | 2–0 | Yoker Athletic[b] |
1931–1968
As of 1931–32, the overall winners of Central Junior League were awarded the trophy.[1][2]
The trophy was presented to the league champions in seasons with a single division. The Eastern and Western (or 'A' and 'B') division winners would commence to a play-off for the trophy. Semi-finals were required if there were seasons with more than two divisions.[1][2]
1968–1979
The Lanarkshire regional league was absorbed into a new Central region set-up as part of a major restructure ahead of season 1968–69.[1][2]
The winners of new three-division setup, with Lanarkshire clubs included, would progress to a play-off system for the trophy. The 'B' and 'C' Division winners competed for place in the final against the 'A' Division winners.[1][2]
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue[7] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968–69 | Petershill[c] | 1–1 | Pollok[d] | |
| 2–2 | ||||
| 3–1 | ||||
| 1969–70 | Vale of Leven[d] | 3–3 | Renfrew[c] | |
| 4–1 | ||||
| 1970–71 | Cambuslang Rangers[d] | 3–0 | Cumbernauld United[c] | Petershill Park |
| 1971–72 | Cambuslang Rangers[c] | 6–0 | St Roch's[e] | Petershill Park |
| 1972–73 | Cambuslang Rangers[c] | 4–1 | St Roch's[f] | Newlandsfield Park |
| 1973–74 | Cambuslang Rangers[c] | 1–1 | Maryhill[e] | Petershill Park |
| The final finished 1–1 (aet). Rangers won 3–2 on penalties. | ||||
| 1974–75 | East Kilbride Thistle[c] | 4–3 | Larkhall Thistle[e] | Greenfield Park |
| 1975–76 | East Kilbride Thistle[c] | 3–1 | Port Glasgow[e] | Somervell Park |
| 1976–77 | Glasgow Perthshire[d] | 2–1 | Shettleston[c] | Petershill Park |
| 1977–78 | Cumbernauld United[d] | 1–0 | Lesmahagow[c] | Somervell Park |
| 1978–79 | Pollok[d] | Port Glasgow[c] | ||
1979–1982
Rebranded as the Evening Times Cup Winners' Cup, the trophy was decided in a play-off system between the winners of Division A, Central League Cup, Sectional League Cup, and McLeod Trophy.[1][2]
 |
1982–2002
As well as the Sectional League Cup and Central League Cup winners, entry to the compensation was expanded to include all divisional champions of the Central region.[1][2]
|
2002–2012
Another major restructure took place in 2002, with the Ayrshire and Central regional leagues merged to create the new SJFA West Region setup.
Entry was now permitted to the five divisional champions and five winners of the cup competitions of the West setup.[1][2]
|
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | Kilsyth Rangers[l] | |||
| 2003–04 | Pollok[m] | |||
| 2004–05 | Lanark United[n] | |||
| 2005–06 | Irvine Meadow XI[o] | |||
| 2006–07 | Pollok[m] | |||
| 2007–08 | Pollok[p] | 3–1 | Cumnock[q] | [8] |
| 2008–09 | Irvine Meadow XI[p] | 1–0 | Pollok[r] | Newlandsfield Park[9] |
| 2009–10 | Irvine Meadow XI[s] | 4–0 | Kilbirnie Ladeside[t] | [10] |
| 2010–11 | Arthurlie[s] | 1–0 | Shotts Bon Accord[u] | Newlandsfield Park[11] |
| 2011–12 | Ashfield | 1–0 | Irvine Meadow XI[v] | Newlandsfield Park[12] |
As of 2012–13, it was renamed the Evening Times Champions Cup. Entry into the competition was restricted to the five league winners of the West region.[1][2]
As of 2018–19, the competition would be moved to the beginning of the following season.[1][2]
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | Auchinleck Talbot[p] | 3–0 | Hurlford United[w] | [13] |
| 2013–14 | Auchinleck Talbot[p] | 7–0 | Neilston[l] | [13] |
| 2014–15 | Pollok[w] | 3–1 | Blantyre Victoria[l] | Newlandsfield Park[14][15] |
| 2015–16 | Auchinleck Talbot[p] | 5–2 | Renfrew[l] | [13] |
| 2016–17 | Glenafton Athletic[p] | 2–0 | Glasgow Perthshire[n] | New Tinto Park[16] |
| 2017–18 | Beith Juniors[p] | 4–1 | Petershill[w] | New Tinto Park[17] |
| 2018–19 | Competition moved to start of following season.[18] | |||
| 2019–20 | Final between Auchinleck Talbot and Gartcairn was scrapped.[18] | |||
| 2020–21 | Not held due to Covid-19. | |||
- Team were SJFA West Region Central District First Division winners.
- Team were SJFA West Region Premiership and Central Sectional League Cup winners.
- Team were SJFA West Region Central District Second Division winners.
- Team were SJFA West Region Ayrshire District Division winners.
- Team were SJFA West Region Super League Premier Division / Premiership winners.
- Team were West of Scotland Junior Cup winners.
- Team were SJFA West Region Super League Premier Division / Premiership and West of Scotland Junior Cup winners.
- Team were SJFA West Region Super League First Division / Championship winners.
- The Central League winners were the Division A Champions in 1934–35 and 1935–36. No play-off system needed because there was a single division.
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