| Event | 1877–78 Welsh Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Date | 30 March 1878 | ||||||
| Venue | Acton Park, Wrexham | ||||||
| Referee | J.W. Thomas (Stoke) | ||||||
| Attendance | 1,500 | ||||||
The 1878 Welsh Cup Final, was the first in the competition. It was contested by Wrexham and Druids at the Acton Park, Wrexham. [1]
| Round | Opposition | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Civil Service (Wrexham) (H) | 3-1 | The Racecourse, Wrexham |
| 2nd | Oswestry United (H) | 1-1 | The Racecourse, Wrexham |
| Oswestry United (A) | 2-0 | Cricket Field, Oswestry | |
| 3rd | Gwersyllt Foresters (A) | 8-0 | Stansty Park, Wrexham |
| SF | Bye | ||
| Round | Opposition | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Newtown (A) | 1-1 | |
| Newtown (H) | 4-0 | Plas Madoc | |
| 2nd | Rhosllanerchrugog (H) | 3-0 | Plas Madoc |
| 3rd | Newtown White Stars (H) | 1-1 | Plas Madoc |
| Newtown White Stars (A) | 1-1 | ||
| Newtown White Stars (N) | 3-0 | Cricket Field, Oswestry | |
| SF | Bangor (N) | 0-0 | The Racecourse, Wrexham |
| 1-0 | Rhyl |
The final of the inaugural Welsh Cup tournament was played at Acton Park, Wrexham on 30 March 1878 between Wrexham and Druids of Ruabon. The pitch was donated by Sir R. A. Cunliffe, and was a roped off portion of land measuring 120 yards by 76. Entrance was gained via Rhosnessney Lodge [2] with sixpence being charged for admission. [1] The match was a cliffhanger, with no score until the Wrexham forwards charged the Druids' defenders to take the ball over the line to win the game in the final minute, with James Davies being credited with the goal. [3] [4]
         Wrexham [5] |  Druids |
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Assistant referees:
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Cefn Druids Association Football Club is an association football team based in the village of Cefn Mawr, Wrexham. The club reformed in the 2024–25 season to play in the North East Wales Championship. Before, the club played in the Cymru North after being relegated from the Cymru Premier in 2021–22 but withdrew ahead of the 2023–24 season due to the management and playing staff leaving over unpaid wages and a transfer ban by Fifa.
Samuel Llewelyn Kenrick was a Welsh solicitor who became the founder of the Football Association of Wales and organised the first Welsh international football match against Scotland in 1876. As such he became the "father of Welsh football".
The 1877–78 Welsh Cup was the first season of the Welsh Cup. The cup was won by Wrexham who defeated Druids 1–0 in the final.
Ruabon Druids F.C. were a football club based in the village of Ruabon near Wrexham, Wales. The club was founded in October 1872 as Ruabon Rovers F.C. by David Thomson and his brother, George, of Ruabon. In 1874 the club became Plasmadoc F.C. before changing their name to Druids F.C. in 1876.
The 1876 association football match between the national teams representing Scotland and Wales took place on 25 March 1876 at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, the home ground of the West of Scotland Cricket Club. The match was the first game ever played by the Welsh side. It was also the first time that Scotland had played against a team other than England.
Daniel Grey was a Welsh medical practitioner who was prominent in the early days of Welsh football, making two appearances for the Wales national football team in the 1870s.
George Frederick Thomson was a Welsh amateur footballer who helped found the Druids club and played for Wales in their first two international matches.
William Williams was a Welsh amateur footballer who played most of his football career with the Druids club of Ruabon. Generally playing at half-back, he made eleven appearances for Wales between 1876 and 1883.
Edwin Alfred Cross was a Welsh amateur footballer who played most of his football career with Wrexham, with whom he won the inaugural Welsh Cup in 1878. Playing at half back, he also made two appearances for Wales in 1876 and 1877.
Alfred Davies was a Welsh amateur footballer who played most of his football career with Wrexham, with whom he won the inaugural Welsh Cup in 1878. Playing at outside-left, he also made two appearances for Wales in 1876 and 1877.
John Henry Price was a Welsh footballer who played as a centre forward for Wrexham and made 12 appearances for the Wales national football team between 1877 and 1883, scoring four goals, all of which came in one match.
The 1882–83 FAW Welsh Cup was the sixth edition of the annual knockout tournament for competitive football teams in Wales.
The 1883–84 FAW Welsh Cup was the seventh edition of the annual knockout tournament for competitive football teams in Wales.
James Davies (1845–1910) was a Welsh international footballer. He was part of the Wales national football team, playing 1 match on 23 March 1878 against Scotland.
Gwersyllt Foresters were a Welsh football team from the village of Gwersyllt, Wrexham.
Llanerchrugog F.C. was a football club based in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wales.
White Stars F.C., also known as White Star or Newtown White Stars, was an association football club from Newtown, Powys, active in the 1870s, and (indirectly) a progenitor club of the current Newtown club.
