FA Community Shield

Lore & Background

The Community Shield evolved from the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, introduced in 1898, which was originally contested between teams of professionals and amateurs. The Football Association Charity Shield was created to replace the Sheriff of London Charity Shield after leading amateur clubs became estranged from the FA. The inaugural match in 1908 was played between Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers. After a 1–1 draw, United won 4–0 in the replay, the only occasion requiring a second leg. The format varied in early years; in 1930 it settled into pitting league champions against FA Cup winners. In 2002, the Charity Commission ruled that the FA had failed to fulfil its charitable obligations, leading to the competition being renamed the Community Shield. Arsenal won the first edition under the new name, defeating Liverpool 1–0.

In Their Own Story

Liverpool struck first in the 4th minute when Hugo Ekitike fired a low shot into the right corner. Crystal Palace responded swiftly; after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaïla Sarr in the box, Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a penalty into the net on the right side in the 17th minute. Jeremie Frimpong restored Liverpool's lead just four minutes later at the 21st minute, his cross-shot from the right looping over the far post and into the net. The game remained tense until the 77th minute when Ismaïla Sarr equalised for Palace, converting a through-ball effort that hit the post before going in from the right. With scores locked at 2–2 after normal time, the match headed to penalties. Dean Henderson became the hero for Crystal Palace, saving shots from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott after Mohamed Salah had already struck over the bar. Justin Devenny sealed the victory with a penalty to the right of the net, sending Crystal Palace to their first-ever Community Shield title.

Reader's Guide

The rules are generally the same as those of the Premier League, with a team of 11 starting players and 9 substitutes. Teams are permitted up to six substitutions. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout determines the winner. If a team wins both the Premier League and the FA Cup, the runners-up from the Premier League will be the opposition. The match is held at the start of the season since 1959. Since 1974, the Shield has been at a permanent home: Old Wembley Stadium (1974–2000), Principality Stadium (2001–2006, 2026), and New Wembley Stadium (2007–2011, 2013–2021, 2023–2025).

Did You Know?

• The most successful teams are Manchester United (17 outright wins, 4 shared), Arsenal (17 outright wins, 1 shared), Liverpool (11 outright wins, 5 shared), and Everton (8 outright wins, 1 shared).
• The highest scoring game was Manchester United's 8–4 win against Swindon Town in 1911.
• Brighton & Hove Albion are the only club to win just the Shield (in 1910), never the FA Cup or the League.
• Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Pat Jennings scored against Manchester United from his own penalty area in the 1967 Charity Shield, which was shared at 3–3.