Football SA Federation Cup

Last updated
Football SA Federation Cup
FootballSAFederationCup2023.png
Organising body Football South Australia
FoundedJuly 1907;117 years ago (1907-07)
Region South Australia
Number of teams57 (2025)
Qualifier for Australia Cup
Current champions Campbelltown City
(3rd title)
Most successful club(s) Adelaide City (18 titles)
Television broadcasters YouTube (Semi-finals and final only)
Website Football SA
Soccerball current event.svg 2025 FSA Federation Cup

The Football South Australia Federation Cup, more commonly known as the Federation Cup and referred to as the Australia Cup South Australian preliminary rounds until the semi-finals, is an annual knockout cup competition in South Australia, run by the state's governing body, Football South Australia. The competition is the second longest-running cup competition in the country, only behind the Football West State Cup, first contested eight years earlier. The competition includes all clubs from the top three tiers of South Australian soccer, as well as numerous clubs from level four and outside the pyramid.

Contents

Since 2014, the Federation Cup has been incorporated as one of the qualification tournaments to determine participants in the national Australia Cup. Initially, only the winner would qualify, but since 2020, both finalists advance. Adelaide City are the most successful club in the competitions history, winning the competition a total of 18 times, including a run of five in a row from 1969 through to 1973. Campbelltown City are the current champions, winning their third title in the 2024 final against Modbury Jets.

History

In July 1907, the Webb-Harris Cup was presented by Messrs. Charles Webb and J Harris as an annual competition with the stipulation that the first team to win the tournament three times would become the outright winners. [1] The first edition consisted of six teams: Cambridge, North Adelaide, Norwood, Port Adelaide, South Adelaide and West Adelaide, and was won by Cambridge, who defeated Hindmarsh 2–0 in the inaugural final. [2] Hindmarsh won the 1908 and 1909 finals, defeating Port Adelaide and Sturt, and Cambridge won the 1910 and 1911 finals, becoming outright winners in the competition's fifth year. After becoming the permanent owners of the trophy, the Cambridge club presented it to the South Australian British Football Association for it to be contested perpetually and to be known as the Cambridge Cup. [3]

From 1926 until 1954, the cup was presented by Victorian clothing brand Pelaco, as the Cambridge club had folded years prior. In 1955, South Australian tabloid newspaper The Advertiser took over presentation rights. In 1961, eight clubs broke away from the federation and contested their own version of the cup, known as the Jaxen Cup. Following the reamalgamation of the South Australian Soccer Federation, the cup was renamed as the Federation Cup, and has since had different sponsors, including Willis, P.G.H., Dairy Vale, Mutual Community, West End, Best Pavers, Top Corner and Coca-Cola.

Since 2014, the competition has also decided the South Australian representatives in the Australia Cup. Adelaide City qualified for the inaugural season of the competition after defeating rivals West Adelaide 4–1 in the final. [4] Since 2020, the two finalists have qualified for the Australia Cup after South Australia earned a second slot due to an increase in preliminary round participants. [5] [6]

Format

The competition is a single-elimination tournament. Depending on the number of teams that enter the competition, it may begin from various stages. The first round of the competition includes all teams excluding the 11 eligible National Premier Leagues South Australia teams, unless necessary. The teams who are drawn last receive byes to the second round. All teams play from the second round onwards. The semi-final and final are played at a neutral venue, as decided by Football South Australia.

The 2025 competition began from the 2025 Australia Cup third preliminary round, with 57 teams participating, and the 11 eligible National Premier Leagues South Australia teams entering in the following round. [7]

2025 Format
Federation CupAustralia CupNo. of teams
First roundThird preliminary round57
Second roundFourth preliminary round32
Third roundFifth preliminary round16
Quarter-finalsSixth preliminary round8
Semi-finalsSeventh preliminary round4
Final2

Eligible teams

All Football South Australia affiliate clubs are required to participate in the competition. Teams outside of FSA competitions may apply to enter. Adelaide United Youth are ineligible to participate, as youth teams cannot play in the Australia Cup preliminary rounds. [8]

Football South Australia affiliate clubs
Non-affiliate clubs

Venues

All matches are played at the venue of the home team, who is always the team that is drawn first. The semi-finals and final are played on a neutral ground, which since 2022, has been the State Centre for Football. [8] Excluding 2015 and 2021, which used The Parks Football Centre as the neutral venue, the cup final was historically played at Hindmarsh Stadium.

From 2025 onwards, if a Football South Australia affiliate club is drawn against a non-affiliate club, the latter will host the fixture, unless the match is to be played at a neutral venue. [9]

List of finals

No.YearCup NameDateWinner(s)ScoreRunner-upVenue [10]
11907Webb-Harris24 AugustCambridge2–0HindmarshHindmarsh Oval
2190815 AugustHindmarsh4–1 Port Adelaide Hindmarsh Oval
3190928 AugustHindmarsh4–1SturtHindmarsh Oval
419108 OctoberCambridgeSouth Adelaide Forestville
5191112 AugustCambridge2–0 Port Adelaide Alberton Oval
61912Cambridge7 SeptemberAdelaide2–1Tandanya Jubilee Oval
719136 SeptemberAdelaide3–0HindmarshHindmarsh Oval
8191419 SeptemberAdelaide2–1HindmarshHindmarsh Oval
919154 SeptemberHindmarsh4–1Cheltenham Park 18
1916–18No competition due to World War I
101919Cambridge23 AugustHindmarsh
Sturt [a]
1–1Hindmarsh Oval
1119204 SeptemberCheltenham2–1South AdelaideHawthorn Oval
12192117 SeptemberSouth Adelaide3–2CheltenhamHindmarsh Oval
13192216 SeptemberCheltenham1–0Sturt Kensington Oval
14192313 OctoberProspect2–1 (rep.)South Adelaide Jubilee Oval
15192418 OctoberHoldens United1–0 ( a.e.t. )ProspectCamden Oval
16192519 SeptemberWest Torrens3–1Sturt Jubilee Oval
171926Pelaco25 September Port Adelaide 2–1Sturt Jubilee Oval
1819271 OctoberWest Torrens4–3West AdelaideHindmarsh Oval
19192815 SeptemberWest Torrens2–1West UnitedHindmarsh Oval
20192914 SeptemberWest Torrens3–2RailwaysMortlock Park
21193013 SeptemberRailways3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Port Adelaide Hindmarsh Oval
2219313 OctoberLancashire4–2 (rep.) Port Adelaide Hindmarsh Oval
2319321 OctoberLancashire2–0Railways Jubilee Oval
24193316 September Port Adelaide 2–1West TorrensHart Street Reserve
25193415 SeptemberPort Thistle3–2West TorrensHindmarsh Oval
26193514 SeptemberKingswood4–2Port ThistleHindmarsh Oval
27193612 SeptemberSturt4–2 Port Adelaide Hindmarsh Oval
28193711 SeptemberSturt3–2Port ThistleHindmarsh Oval
29193824 SeptemberBirkalla Rovers2–0KingswoodHindmarsh Oval
30193930 SeptemberWest Torrens2–0Birkalla RoversHindmarsh Oval
31194028 SeptemberWest Torrens5–1South AdelaideHindmarsh Oval
32194127 SeptemberSturt3–1Birkalla RoversHindmarsh Oval
1942No competition due to World War II
331943Pelaco25 SeptemberNorthumberland & Durham2–1British Tube MillsMortlock Park
34194416 SeptemberBirkalla Rovers2–1Northumberland & DurhamAllenby Gardens Reserve
35194529 September Port Adelaide 3–2Birkalla RoversAllenby Gardens Reserve
36194628 SeptemberWest Torrens4–3KingswoodRailway Oval
37194711 October Cumberland United 3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Port Adelaide Rowley Park
1948–49Not held
381950Pelaco7 OctoberBirkalla Rovers4–1 Port Adelaide Mortlock Park
39195129 SeptemberBirkalla Rovers1–0 Juventus Mortlock Park
40195227 September Polonia Adelaide 3–1 Beograd Woodville Norwood Oval
4119533 October Juventus 4–3Prospect United Alberton Oval
4219549 October Polonia Adelaide 3–1 Juventus Mortlock Park
431955The Advertiser Juventus 2–1 Polonia Adelaide
441956USC Lion3–2 Cumberland United
451957 Juventus 5–1USC Lion
46195827 September Juventus 1–0 Polonia Adelaide
471959 Juventus 1–0 Adelaide Croatia Norwood Oval
481960 Adelaide Croatia 4–0 Cumberland United Hindmarsh Stadium
491961The Advertiser (SASFA)
Jaxen (SASL)
7 October (SASFA)
30 September (SASL)
Victoria (SASFA)
USC Lion (SASL)
2–1
3–2
Enfield City (SASFA)
Orange (SASL)
501962Federation Adelaide Croatia 2–1Burnside Budapest
51196314 September Adelaide Juventus 5–1 West Adelaide Hellas
52196424 October West Adelaide Hellas 6–2 (rep.) Polonia Adelaide
53196525 September Adelaide Juventus 1–0 ( a.e.t. ) Enfield City Olympic Sports Field
54196624 September Polonia Adelaide 1–0Victoria Hindmarsh Stadium
55196723 September West Adelaide Hellas 3–0 Adelaide Juventus Hindmarsh Stadium
56196828 September Polonia Adelaide 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Adelaide Juventus Hindmarsh Stadium
57196920 September Adelaide Juventus 4–1USC Lion Hindmarsh Stadium
58197029 August Adelaide Juventus 3–2 West Adelaide Hellas Hindmarsh Stadium
59197118 September Adelaide Juventus 1–0 West Adelaide Hellas Hindmarsh Stadium
6019722 September Adelaide Juventus 2–0 West Adelaide Hellas Hindmarsh Stadium
611973Willis1 September Adelaide Juventus 1–0 West Adelaide Hellas Hindmarsh Stadium
6219747 September Adelaide Croatia 4–3 Cumberland United Hindmarsh Stadium
6319756 September Polonia Adelaide 2–0USC Lion Hindmarsh Stadium
64197618 September Adelaide Juventus 4–0 Campbelltown City Hindmarsh Stadium
6519773 September Adelaide Croatia 1–0 Campbelltown Budapest Hindmarsh Stadium
661978Federation2 September Cumberland United 3–0 Campbelltown Budapest Hindmarsh Stadium
6719799 September Port Adelaide 2–0 Eastern Districts Azzurri Hindmarsh Stadium
68198027 September Beograd Woodville 4–0 Enfield Victoria Hindmarsh Stadium
691981 Eastern Districts Azzurri 3–0 Polonia Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium
701982 Adelaide Croatia 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Para Hills Hindmarsh Stadium
711983P.G.H.17 September Beograd Woodville 1–0 Salisbury United Hindmarsh Stadium
721984 Eastern Districts Azzurri 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Campbelltown City Hindmarsh Stadium
7319857 September Campbelltown City 3–2 (rep.) Cumberland United Hindmarsh Stadium
7419866 September Eastern Districts Azzurri 0–0 (5–4 ( p )) Para Hills Hindmarsh Stadium
7519875 September West Torrens Birkalla 1–0 Campbelltown City Hindmarsh Stadium
761988 Adelaide Croatia 3–2 Polonia Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium
7719892 September Modbury Jets 2–0 Para Hills Hindmarsh Stadium
78199031 August Adelaide Croatia 4–2 West Adelaide Hellas Hindmarsh Stadium
791991 Adelaide Croatia 1–0 Salisbury United
801992Federation Adelaide Croatia 3–1 Eastern Districts Azzurri
811993 White City Woodville 1–0 Olympians
821994Dairy Vale Campbelltown City 3–0 Salisbury United
831995 Adelaide Blue Eagles 4–2 ( a.e.t. ) (rep.) Port Adelaide Lion
841996Mutual Community White City Woodville 3–0 Croydon Kings
8519979 June Adelaide Blue Eagles 2–1 West Torrens Birkalla Thebarton Oval
8619987 June Adelaide Blue Eagles 3–1 Adelaide Raiders
871999West End17 October West Adelaide 2–1 Elizabeth City Hindmarsh Stadium
88200022 July Croydon Kings 1–1 (7–6 ( p )) North Eastern MetroStars Marden Sports Complex
8920011 September Playford City Patriots 3–0 Adelaide Blue Eagles Hindmarsh Stadium
90200226 June Adelaide Galaxy 3–0 Croydon Kings Hindmarsh Stadium
912003Federation5 July Adelaide Raiders 5–2 North Eastern MetroStars Hindmarsh Stadium
9220042 October North Eastern MetroStars 5–2 Modbury Jets Hindmarsh Stadium
93200520 August White City Woodville 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Adelaide Raiders Hindmarsh Stadium
94200624 September Adelaide City 4–1 Adelaide Blue Eagles Hindmarsh Stadium
952007Best Pavers25 August Adelaide City 1–0 North Eastern MetroStars Hindmarsh Stadium
96200823 August North Eastern MetroStars 1–0 Adelaide City Hindmarsh Stadium
972009Top Corner15 August Cumberland United 0–0 (5–4 ( p )) Campbelltown City Hindmarsh Stadium
982010Federation21 August Adelaide Blue Eagles 3–2 North Eastern MetroStars Hindmarsh Stadium
992011Coca-Cola20 August Western Strikers 1–1 (6–5 ( p )) Adelaide Blue Eagles Hindmarsh Stadium
100201225 August North Eastern MetroStars 3–1 Para Hills Knights Hindmarsh Stadium
101201310 August Adelaide City 1–1 (5–4 ( p ) White City Woodville Hindmarsh Stadium
102 2014 31 June Adelaide City 4–1 West Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium
103 2015 Federation28 June Croydon Kings 2–0 Adelaide City The Parks Football Centre
104 2016 25 June North Eastern MetroStars 1–0 Adelaide Comets Hindmarsh Stadium
105 2017 24 June North Eastern MetroStars 2–0 Adelaide City Hindmarsh Stadium
106 2018 11 June Adelaide Comets 2–1 Croydon Kings Hindmarsh Stadium
107 2019 22 June Adelaide Olympic 3–2 Adelaide City Hindmarsh Stadium
2020 Not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia [12]
108 2021 Federation14 July Adelaide Olympic 2–1 Adelaide City The Parks Football Centre
109 2022 16 July Adelaide City 5–0 Modbury Jets State Centre for Football
110 2023 24 June North Eastern MetroStars 3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Campbelltown City State Centre for Football
111 2024 6 July Campbelltown City 3–0 Modbury Jets State Centre for Football
112 2025 12 July State Centre for Football
  1. Hindmarsh and Sturt shared the cup in 1919, with both teams holding it for 6 months each, as they were unable to organise a replay. [11]

Statistics

Teams

Most successful teams
RankTeamWinsLast
1 Adelaide City 182022
2 Adelaide Croatia Raiders 102003
3 Adelaide Blue Eagles 72010
West Torrens1946
5 Croydon FC 62015
North Eastern MetroStars 2023
West Torrens Birkalla 2002
8 FK Beograd 52005
9Hindmarsh41919
Port Adelaide 1979
Sturt-Orange1941
Most finals appearances
RankTeamAppsLast
1 Adelaide City 272022
2 Croydon FC 152018
3 Adelaide Croatia Raiders 142025
4 Adelaide Blue Eagles 122011
Port Adelaide 1995
6 North Eastern MetroStars 112025
7 Campbelltown City 102024
West Adelaide 2014
West Torrens Birkalla 2002
10Sturt-Orange91941

Venue

Finals hosted
RankVenueNo.Last
1 Hindmarsh Stadium [a] 642019
2 Jubilee Oval 51932
Mortlock Park51954
4 State Centre for Football 42025
5 Alberton Oval 21953
Allenby Gardens Reserve21945
Norwood Oval 21959
Olympic Sports Field [b] 21965
The Parks Football Centre 22021
Unknown16
  1. Includes Hindmarsh Oval.
  2. Includes Kensington Oval.

References

  1. "The Observer, Adelaide". The Advertiser. 27 July 1907.
  2. "South Australia Webb-Harris Cup 1907 – Results". Socceraust. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022.
  3. Harlow, Denis (2003). History of Soccer in South Australia. pp. 4–5. ISBN   0975060902.
  4. "Adelaide City claim 2014 Coca-Cola Federation Cup Final". Gameday. Football South Australia. 31 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024.
  5. "Football South Australia secure a second FFA Cup spot". Football South Australia . 17 December 2019. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019.
  6. "FFA Cup 2020 preliminary rounds to commence this weekend alongside regular live streaming initiative". Australia Cup . 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020.
  7. "Last chance to enter the 2024 Australia Cup South Australian Preliminary Rounds". Football South Australia . 15 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Senior Men's – Cup Competitions Operating Regulations – 2024 FINAL" (PDF). Football South Australia.[ needs update ]
  9. "Last Chance to Register for the 2025 Hahn Australia Cup South Australian Preliminary Rounds". Football South Australia . 29 January 2025. Archived from the original on 29 January 2025.
  10. Peppas, Dimitri. "South Australian Football Honours" (PDF). safootballstats.com.
  11. "South Australia Webb-Harris Cup 1919". Socceraust.
  12. "Coronavirus forces FFA Cup to be cancelled". The World Game . SBS. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.