Swansea in the Welsh Cup

 The Football Association of Wales Challenge Cup was instigated in 1877, and has been the major knock-out trophy for teams in Wales. Originally contested mainly by teams in the north, where football was stronger than rugby, it was not until 1912 that a South Wales team won the Cup – Cardiff City!  Swansea Town won the competition in 1913 in their first professional season.

For many years victory in the Cup has brought entry to  European competition, currently to the Europa League. Up until 1995 English clubs in the border counties played in the Welsh Cup, but the highest-finishing Welsh club would go forward into the European competition if an English club lifted the trophy.

Since 1996 only clubs playing in the Welsh football league system have been allowed to enter the Welsh Cup. This rule excluded the six Welsh clubs who played in the English football league system: Swansea City, Cardiff City, Newport County, Wrexham, Colwyn Bay and Merthyr Tydfil/Town.

Swansea’s record in the competition is the third-best in Wales, having contested 18 finals, winning 10. Wrexham is the most successful club, having played in 45 Welsh Cup finals.

Swansea’s wins:

	Opponent	Venue	Score (Swansea first)
1913	Pontypridd	Ninian Park, Cardiff	0-0
1913	Pontypridd  (replay)	Tonypandy	1-0
1932	Wrexham	Racecourse Ground, Wrexham	1-1
1932	Wrexham (replay)	Vetch Field, Swansea	2-0
1950	Wrexham	Ninian Park, Cardiff	4-1
1961	Bangor	Ninian Park, Cardiff	3-1
1966	Chester (1st Leg)	Vetch Field, Swansea	3-0
1966	Chester (2nd Leg)	Sealand Road, Chester	0-1
1966	Chester (play-off)	Sealand Raod, Chester	2-1
1981	Hereford United (1st Leg)	Vetch Field, Swansea	1-0
1981	Hereford United (2nd Leg)	Edgar Street, Hereford	1-1
1982	Cardiff City (1st Leg)	Ninian Park, Cardiff	0-0
1982	Cardiff City (2nd Leg)	Vetch Field, Swansea	2-1
1983	Wrexham (1st Leg)	Racecourse Ground, Wrexham	1-2
1983	Wrexham (2nd Leg)	Vetch Field, Swansea	2-0
1989	Kidderminster Harriers	Vetch Field, Swansea	5-0
1991	Wrexham	National Stadium, Cardiff	2-0