The competition was run on a regional basis, with separate northern and southern tournaments, with the winners of the two meeting in the final. Very few teams entered the competition, including only two from the southern South Island; Seacliff easily won the only match played there, thumping Oamaru 7–0, and repeated this in the final, accounting for Wellington's YMCA 4–0.
Of the teams taking part, it is known that four were from Wellington; contemporary reports indicate that Diamonds, Y.M.C.A. (Wellington), Hospital and Waterside took part.[1] The Wellington FA scheduled their first Chatham Cup fixture for 11 August, between the Y.M.C.A. (Wellington) and Waterside at the Basin Reserve.[2] Admission to the match cost one shilling.[3]
The management committee of the Auckland Football Association (A.F.A.) announced at its meeting on 5 June that Chatham Cup entries had closed with the North Shore, Philomel, Harbour Board, Brotherhood, Auckland Thistle, Northcote and Ponsonby clubs entering.[4] Meeting again on 12 June, the A.F.A. decided the second round of fixtures for the Auckland League Championship would count toward Chatham Cup qualification, with League Championship second round commencing on 16 June.[5]Y.M.C.A. (Auckland) was admitted to compete for the Chatham Cup by the A.F.A. at its management committee meeting on 19 June.[6]
Huntly qualified as the South Auckland Football Association representative as local league champions and were scheduled to face the Auckland Football Association qualifier, Northcote at Huntly.[7]
The Wairarapa Football Association clubs, Waingawa, Post and Telegraph, Masterton and Y.M.C.A. (Masterton) sent entrance fees to join the 1923 Chatham Cup, which were received by the N.Z.F.A. in early June.[8] The first two Chatham Cup fixtures held by the Wairarapa FA took place on June 30, with Post and Telegraph (P & T) versus the Masterton Y.M.C.A. at Masterton's Park Oval, and Waingawa playing Masterton at the Cole Street Ground.[9]
The Dawbers' Motor Depot. side changed its name to Athletic (Palmerston North) in 1925.[10]
There is some confusion about the earlier rounds of the competition, with various Charity Cups being held to decide entrants to the Chatham Cup, and with regional qualification finals, island finals, and the national final all simply being referred to in contemporary reports as "finals". Compounding this, different regional football associations were allowed to choose their champion team by whatever method they liked, meaning that some regions (such as Auckland) used league position to determine their entrant for the inter-regional matches,[11] rather than a knockout competition. Compounding matters further are the incomplete records held by the NZFA, which omit several matches (including the semi-final between Seacliff and Oamaru Rangers).
The 1923 final
Seacliff AFC winners of the first Chatham Cup final
Played at Athletic Park, Wellington on 1 October 1923, Seacliff met YMCA Wellington in the first Chatham Cup final.[12] In the final, YMCA had the better of early possession, but Seacliff gained the upper hand as the match progressed. Centre-forward Bill Hooper scored the first goal just before the half-time interval. Shortly after the break Reg Baxter doubled the lead. Late on right wing Malcolm McDougall scored again, followed only a minute later by a second from Hooper. The line-up of the first Chatham Cup winning side was as follows: Charlie Rivers, Jock Anderson, George Anderson, Bill Rogers, Hugh McKechnie, Bill Murray, Malcolm McDougall, Reg Baxter, Bill Hooper, R. "Tommy" Burns, Wattie Hanlin.[13]:66,167
The Mayor of Wellington, Robert Wright presented the cup to Seacliff on the ground after the match.[14]
Seacliff: Charlie Rivers, George Anderson, Jock Anderson, Bill Rogers, Hugh McKechnie, Bill Murray, Malcolm Macdougall, Reg Baxter, Bill Hooper, Tommy Burns, Wattie Hanlin[16]
Wellington YMCA: Arthur Tarrant, W. Pearson, Les McGirr, George Wotherspoon, Bill Rarity, Charlie Trott, Les Smith, Edgar Phillips, George Campbell, Harry Hindmarsh, Charles Ballard[17]
The Chatham Cup is New Zealand's premier knockout tournament in men's association football. It is held annually, with the final contested in September. The current champions of the Chatham Cup are 2023 winners Christchurch United, who defeated Melville United AFC on penalties in the final.
The 1924 Chatham Cup was the second annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1925 Chatham Cup was the third annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1926 Chatham Cup was the fourth annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1927 Chatham Cup was the fifth annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1928 Chatham Cup was the sixth annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1929 Chatham Cup was the seventh annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1930 Chatham Cup was the eighth annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1931 Chatham Cup was the ninth annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1932 Chatham Cup was the tenth annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1933 Chatham Cup was the 11th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1934 Chatham Cup was the 12th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1936 Chatham Cup was the 14th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1938 Chatham Cup became the 15th nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand, after a two-year gap caused by the lack of a 1937 Chatham Cup competition.
The 1940 Chatham Cup was the 17th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand, and the last such competition before the suspension of the Chatham Cup due to World War II. The competition resumed in 1945 as hostilities were drawing to a close.
The 1955 Chatham Cup was the 28th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1956 Chatham Cup was the 29th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1958 Chatham Cup was the 31st annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
The 1959 Chatham Cup was the 32nd annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand. The competition was run on a regional basis, with regional associations each holding separate qualifying rounds. Teams taking part in the final rounds are known to have included North Shore United, Rangers, Hamilton Wanderers, Eastern Union (Gisborne), Moturoa AFC, Colenso Athletic, Wanganui Athletic, Massey College (Manawatu), Miramar Rangers, Nelson Rangers, Western (Christchurch), Northern (Dunedin), Brigadiers (Invercargill).
The 1960 Chatham Cup was the 33rd annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.
#Cancelled as only 12 teams registered *Cancelled due to WWII †Cancelled due to COVID-19
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