Watney Cup
The Watney Cup (full name: Watney Mann Invitation Cup ) was a short-lived English soccer cup competition from the early 1970s. It was financially supported by Watney Mann , a brewery company, and was one of the first tournaments in English football with such a sponsorship background.
Between 1970 and 1973 the competition, which was also broadcast on English television, was started shortly before the official start of the Football League season . Two teams from each of the top four professional leagues of English football ( First Division , Second Division , Third Division , Fourth Division ) were eligible to participate . Teams that had otherwise qualified for a European club competition or were promoted as second, third or fourth division were excluded. From the rest of the pool, the clubs with the most goals scored in the previous season qualified.
The total of eight participants played the winner in a simple knockout system , with one match being decided in just one game and, in the event of a draw, the decision on extension and, for the first time in English football, a penalty shoot-out . The final did not take place in a neutral place; one of the finalists always had home rights.
Title winner
Final results
| year | winner | Final opponent | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Derby County | Manchester United | 4: 3 | Baseball ground |
| 1971 | Colchester United | West Bromwich Albion | 4: 4 (4: 1 i. E. ) | The Hawthorns |
| 1972 | Bristol Rovers | Sheffield United | 0: 0 (7: 6 on behalf ) | Eastville Stadium |
| 1973 | Stoke City | Hull City | 2-0 | Victoria Ground |