Manchester United Win First Charity Shield Match

The first F.A. Charity Shield match was contested in 1908 and was played by Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers. Held at Stamford Bridge, the match resulted in a 1-1 draw. A replay (unique in the history of the trophy) four months later at the same venue was won 4-0 by United.

Born out of the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, introduced in 1898-99 to be contested by teams of professionals versus amateurs, the new Charity Shield was originally intended to provide a showpiece encounter at the end of the season betwen the Football League champions and the champions of the Southern League.

From 2002 the competition has been known as the F.A. Community Shield.

To date the most successful teams in the competition are: Manchester United (15 outright wins, 4 shared), Liverpool (10 outright wins, 5 shared), Arsenal (11 outright wins, 1 shared).

A complete list of all matches can be found at:  http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engsupcuphist.html

Further info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Community_Shield

1908 match card: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterunitedman1/2140325489/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterunitedman1/8203521137/in/photostream/

Daily Graphic newspaper feature of 1908 replay: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterunitedman1/8203680733/

1908 match programme: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterunitedman1/8203533917/in/photostream/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterunitedman1/8203534057/in/photostream/

1908 medal: http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/CommunityShield/1907-08CharityShield.htm