The Sussex Royal Ulster Rifles Charity Cup is the original Cup which was presented to the Sussex County FA in 1897 by the Officers and men of the Royal Irish Rifles (subsequently Royal Ulster Rifles). The 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles won the Sussex Senior Cup, Brighton Shield, Charity Cup and Vernon Wentworth Cup in 1895–96 and were recognised as ‘Sussex Champions’. The trophy was presented as a permanent memento of their achievement and to raise money for charity.
Since its inception in 1896–97, the Sussex (R.U.R) Charity Cup has had many different formats from an end of season invitation competition to its present knockout style. A third of all gate receipts from the matches played in the competition go to the SCFA Benevolent Fund for injured players.
Winners and finalists 1896–1914 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes11896–97SouthwickNorth End Rangers3–2Beach House Park, WorthingN/A21897–98Brighton AthleticSouthwick2–1at Brighton Hornets F.C.N/A31898–99Brighton AthleticWorthing2–1at Littlehampton F.C.N/A41899–1900HorshamHastings & St. Leonards2–0Beach House Park, WorthingN/A51900–01Hastings & St. LeonardsHorsham4–1The SaffronsN/A61901–02Hastings & St. LeonardsHorsham5–2ShorehamN/A71902–03ShorehamHastings & St. Leonards4–3Central Ground, HastingsN/A81903–04WorthingHastings & St. Leonards3–2Worthing Sports GroundN/A91904–05NewhavenShoreham3–2 aetCentral Ground, HastingsN/A101905–06ShorehamNewhaven2–0WorthingN/A111906–07WorthingEastbourne St. Marys5–2Goldstone GroundN/A121907–08WorthingRock-A-Nore7–0Goldstone GroundN/A131908–09SouthwickNewhaven3–0Goldstone GroundN/A141909–10WorthingNewhaven7–2The Dripping PanN/A151910–11SouthwickLewes1–0UnknownN/A161911–12Vernon AthleticNewhaven3–0UnknownN/A171912–13St Leonards AmateursWorthing3–2UnknownN/A181913–14WorthingLewes4–1UnknownN/A
1919–1940 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes–1915-1919No competition - World War I191919–20Brighton & Hove AmateursEastbourne2–1The SaffronsN/A201920–21WorthingBrighton & Hove Amateurs2–0The Sports Ground, WorthingN/A211921–22Vernon AthleticRoyal Corps of Signals?UnknownN/A221922–23Vernon AthleticSouthwick3–2at WorthingN/AContested by the top 4 of County League231923–24Royal Corps of SignalsVernon Athletic1–0Fort RoadN/A241924–25SouthwickHastings & St Leonards2–1Fort RoadN/A251925–26SouthwickEastbourne2–1The Saffrons2,300261926–27WorthingHastings3–0Fort RoadN/A271927–28SouthwickHaywards Heath8–1UnknownN/A281928–29SouthwickWorthing2–1Goldstone GroundN/A291929–30SouthwickWorthing7–1Goldstone GroundN/A301930–31HorshamWorthing3–1Goldstone GroundN/A311931–32HorshamWorthing6–1Goldstone GroundN/A321932–33EastbourneHorsham5–4Goldstone GroundN/A331933–34Horsham & Worthing (Shared Trophy)1–1Goldstone GroundN/A341934–35Horsham2nd Battalion R.U.R.5–2Goldstone GroundN/A351935–36HorshamWorthing9–0Goldstone GroundN/A361936–37HorshamSouthwick6–1Goldstone GroundN/A371937–38Horsham & Southwick (Shared Trophy)2–2Goldstone GroundN/A381938–39Hastings & St. LeonardsWorthing6–1Goldstone GroundN/A391939–40WorthingHastings & St. Leonards1–1 aet 4–1UnknownN/A
1941–1945 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes–1940–41No competition - World War II401941–42WorthingHaywards Heath3–1Victoria Park (Haywards Heath)N/A411942–43Brighton & Hove Albion JuniorsWorthing4–3Goldstone GroundN/A421943–44Haywards HeathR.A.F. XI4–3Victoria Park (Haywards Heath)N/A431944–45WorthingBrighton & Hove Albion Juniors3–1UnknownN/A
1945–1960 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes441945–46HorshamEastbourne4–1UnknownN/A451946–47Littlehampton TownHastings & St Leonards2–0UnknownN/A461947–48EastbourneHorsham5–3Goldstone GroundN/A471948–49Horsham & Worthing (Shared Trophy)1–1Queen StreetN/A481949–50EastbourneHaywards Heath6–0Goldstone GroundN/A491950–51HorshamHaywards Heath5–2Queen StreetN/A501951–52HorshamHaywards Heath3–2UnknownN/A511952–53WorthingChichester City5–1Goldstone GroundN/A521953–54WorthingShoreham5–2Culver RoadN/A531954–55Whitehawk & Manor Farm Old BoysEastbourne United1–0Goldstone GroundN/A541955–56Eastbourne UnitedEastbourne6–0The Oval, EastbourneN/A551956–57HorshamWhitehawk & Manor Farm Old Boys2–0Hanbury ParkN/A561957–58Bexhill Town AthleticShoreham7–1Hanbury ParkN/A571958–59WhitehawkBognor Regis Town4–2Woodside RoadN/A581959–60Brighton & Hove AlbionArundel6–0Woodside RoadN/A
1960–1975 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes591960–61Brighton & Hove Albion & Chichester City (Shared trophy)?UnknownN/A601961–62LewesHaywards Heath4-2UnknownN/A611962–63LewesChichester City3–2UnknownN/A621963–64Chichester CityEastbourne2–0UnknownN/A631964–65LewesShoreham4–2UnknownN/A641965–66LancingRye United3–0UnknownN/A651966–67Haywards HeathSeaford Town8–1UnknownN/A661967–68Rye UnitedHaywards Heath3–1UnknownN/A671968–69ArundelSouthwick3–1Woodside RoadN/A681969–70Littlehampton TownRye United2–05–3The Dripping PanN/AFirst game abandoned691970–71Littlehampton TownRingmer1–0Old Barn WayN/A701971–72Bognor Regis TownChichester City1–0at LittlehamptonN/A711972–73ArundelSouthwick3–0Woodside RoadN/A721973–74Bexhill TownSeaford Town1–0UnknownN/A731974–75Haywards HeathEast Grinstead4–1The Dripping PanN/A
1975–1990 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes741975–76Haywards HeathWick2–0Queen StreetN/A751976–77SouthwickLittlehampton1–0Woodside RoadN/A761977–78Peacehaven & TelscombeBurgess Hill Town1–0Old Barn WayN/A771978–79ArundelRingmer2–0Old Barn WayN/A781979–80ArundelHastings Town1–0The Caburn GroundN/A791980–81Steyning TownPeacehaven & Telscombe2–1 aetCulver RoadN/A801981–82Peacehaven & TelscombeLittlehampton Town2–1Culver RoadN/A811982–83Three BridgesHastings Town3–2Culver RoadN/A821983–84Littlehampton TownSouthwick2–1Culver RoadN/A831984–85Steyning TownPortfield1–1 aet2–1Culver RoadN/A841985–86Eastbourne TownSteyning Town3–0Culver RoadN/A851986–87Eastbourne TownArundel1–0Culver RoadN/A861987–88Three BridgesHailsham Town2–1Culver RoadN/A871988–89PaghamLittlehampton Town1–0 aetCulver RoadN/A881989–90WickPeacehaven & Telscombe3–0Culver RoadN/A
1990–2005 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes891990–91WhitehawkPeacehaven & Telscombe2–1Culver RoadN/A901991–92Burgess Hill TownRingmer2–1Culver RoadN/A911992–93Peacehaven & TelscombeLancing2–1Culver RoadN/A921993–94NewhavenPagham4–0Culver RoadN/A931994–95Peacehaven & TelscombeSTAMCO1–0Culver RoadN/A941995–96Peacehaven & TelscombeSaltdean United1–0Culver RoadN/A951996–97Peacehaven & TelscombeShoreham3–34–0Culver RoadN/A961997–98WickShoreham3–2Culver RoadN/A971998–99WickBurgess Hill Town1–0Culver RoadN/A981999–2000Burgess Hill TownSaltdean United3–0Culver RoadN/A992000–01Horsham YMCABurgess Hill Town3–0Culver RoadN/A1002001–02SelseyArundel2–0Culver RoadN/A1012002–03SouthwickSidley United2–1Culver RoadN/A1022003–04East Grinstead TownThree Bridges4–0Culver RoadN/A1032004–05RingmerChichester City United1–0Culver RoadN/A
2005–2020 Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes1042005–06Hailsham TownWhitehawk2–0The SaffronsN/A1052006–07Chichester City UnitedWhitehawk2–0Culver RoadN/A1062007–08Three BridgesSelsey4–0Culver RoadN/A1072008–09Eastbourne United AssociationRustington4–1Culver RoadN/A1082009–10Peacehaven & TelscombeWick6–1Culver RoadN/A1092010–11Crawley Down GatwickAFC Uckfield Town2–0Culver RoadN/A1102011–12Rye UnitedSelsey2–0Culver RoadN/A1112012–13East PrestonBroadbridge Heath1–0Culver RoadN/A1122013–14Horsham YMCAEast Preston0–0, 5–4 pensCulver RoadN/A1132014–15Eastbourne TownLoxwood2–1Culver RoadN/A1142015–16NewhavenChichester City4–2Culver RoadN/A1152016–17NewhavenCrawley Down Gatwick5–0Culver RoadN/A1162017–18Chichester CityPagham4–0Culver RoadN/A1172018–19Peacehaven & TelscombeHaywards Heath Town3–0Culver RoadN/A–2019–20Competitions cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020– Season WinnersRunners-upFinal resultVenueAttendanceNotes–2020–21Competitions cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic1182021–22Littlehampton TownSaltdean United2–0Culver Road7821192022–23Peacehaven & TelscombeBroadbridge Heath1–0Culver Road3021202023–24Horsham YMCAHaywards Heath Town 1–1, 11–10 pensCulver Road3141212024-25Crowborough Athletic F.C.Eastbourne United A.F.C.3-1Culver Road2801222025-26Haywards Heath TownWorthing United3-0Culver Road524
Records Most wins: 14: Worthing (1904, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1914, 1921, 1927, 1934, 1940, 1942, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1954) Most consecutive wins: 5 Horsham (1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938) Most appearances in a final: 23 Worthing Most consecutive appearances in a final: 8 Horsham (1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938) Most defeats in a final: 9 Worthing Haywards Heath Town Biggest win: 9 goals: Horsham 9–0 Worthing (1936) Most goals in final: 9: Worthing 7–2 Newhaven (1910) Southwick 8–1 Haywards Heath (1928) Eastbourne 5–4 Horsham (1933) Horsham 9–0 Worthing (1936) Haywards Heath 8–1 Seaford Town (1967)
Statistics Performance by club Club Winners Runners up Winning years Worthing 14 9 1904, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1914, 1921, 1927, 1934, 1940, 1942, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1954 Horsham 13 4 1900, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1946, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1957 Southwick 11 6 1897, 1909, 1911, 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1938, 1977, 2003Peacehaven & Telscombe 9 3 1978, 1982, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2010, 2019, 2023 Eastbourne Town 6 5 1933, 1948, 1950, 1986, 1987, 2015 Haywards Heath Town 5 9 1944, 1967, 1975, 1976, 2026 Littlehampton Town 5 3 1947, 1970, 1971, 1984, 2022 Chichester City 4 5 1961, 1964, 2007, 2018 Newhaven 4 4 1905, 1994, 2016, 2017 Arundel 4 3 1969, 1973, 1979, 1980 Whitehawk 3 3 1955, 1959, 1991 Lewes 3 2 1962, 1963, 1965 Wick 3 2 1990, 1998, 1999 Brighton & Hove Albion 3 1 1943, 1960, 1961 Three Bridges 3 1 1983, 1988, 2008 Vernon Athletic 3 1 1912, 1922, 1923 Horsham YMCA 3 0 2001, 2014, 2024 Shoreham 2 6 1903, 1906 Burgess Hill Town 2 3 1992, 2000 Hastings & St Leonards 2 3 1901, 1902 Rye United 2 2 1968, 2012 Eastbourne United 2 1 1956, 2009 Steyning Town 2 1 1981, 1985 Brighton Athletic 2 0 1898, 1899 Bexhill United 2 0 1958, 1974 Hastings United 1 5 1939 Ringmer 1 3 2005 Pagham 1 2 1989 Selsey 1 2 2002Bognor Regis Town 1 1 1972 Brighton Amateurs 1 1 1920 Crawley Down Gatwick 1 1 2011 East Grinstead Town 1 1 2004 East Preston 1 1 2013 Hailsham Town 1 1 2006 Lancing 1 1 1966 Royal Corps of Signals 1 1 1924 St Leonards Amateurs 1 0 1913Crowborough Athletic F.C.102025 Broadbridge Heath 0 2 – Seaford Town 0 2 –Worthing United01 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles 0 1 – AFC Uckfield Town 0 1 – Loxwood 0 1 – Portfield 0 1 – Royal Air Force XI 0 1 – Rustington 0 1 – Saltdean United 0 3 – Sidley United 0 1 – STAMCO 0 1 –
See also Sussex Senior Cup Sussex County Football Association Sport in Sussex
References
External links The RUR Cup page on the Sussex FA's official site