FA Community Shield: Know history, records and winners of every edition

The FA Community Shield is a yearly competition in English football played between the winners of the Premier League and the FA Cup from the previous season. It acts as the curtain-raiser for the new football season ahead. 

In case the winners of the aforementioned trophies are the same, the opponent changes to the league runners-up.

Manchester United won the first Community Shield match in 1908, beating Queens Park Rangers 4-0 in a replay.

The Community Shield, formerly known as the Charity Shield, has undergone several changes in its format. To begin with, from its inception in 1908 until 1912, the match was played between the winners of the Football League and the Southern Football League.

Traditionally, the venue of the Community Shield match has been the home of English football, the Wembley Stadium. That, however, wasn’t the case until 1974 as several stadiums, including Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge and Manchester United’s Old Trafford, were used.

Which team has won the most Community Shield?

Record Premier League champions Manchester United hold the record for winning the most FA Community Shields. The Red Devils have done so on 21 occasions since its inception. They have also made the most appearances in the Community Shield (30) and have most defeats (9) in the contest.

Second on the list is Arsenal with 17 Community Shields, followed by Liverpool (16), Everton (9), Tottenham (7) and Manchester City (6).

Community Shield records

Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992-93, Eric Cantona has scored the most goals in the Community Shield. The former Man United striker has scored five goals in four appearances.

Ray Clemence, Ashley Cole, Eric Cantona and Petr Cech are the most successful players in the history of the Community Shield, winning the trophy a record six times.

The highest scoring game, in regulation, in Community Shield’s history was played between Manchester United and Swindon Town in 1911. The match ended 8-4 in United’s favour.

Manchester United also hold the record for most consecutive losses in the Community Shield (4).

Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge has hosted the most Community Shield matches (10) after Wembley.

Community Shield winners list

Featured photo: AFP / Adrian Dennis