The Women’s FA Cup is the longest-established national competition for women’s football in England. The competition was founded in 1970 as the Mitre Challenge Trophy. The first winners were Southampton, who beat the Scottish team Stewarton Thistle 4-1 at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, in London. There were 71 entrants, including teams from Scotland and Wales.
The WFA ran the competition for the first 23 editions, during which time Southampton won the cup eight times. The Football Association (FA) began administering English women’s football in mid-1993.
WFA Cup Winners and Runners-Up 1970-79
Season | Winner | Runner-Up | |
Southampton | Stewartson Thistle | Emgals (3rd) | |
Southampton | Lee's Ladies | Emgals (3rd) | |
Southampton | Westthorn United | Emgals (R4) Leicester City Supporters (R2) Rainbow Dazzles (R1) | |
Fodens | Southampton | Emgals (QF) Leicester City Supporters (R?) | |
Southampton | Warminster | Emgals (SF) | |
Southampton | Queen's Park Rangers | Emgals (R4) Leicester City Supporters (R2?) | |
Queen's Park Rangers | Southampton | Emgals (R4) Leicester City Supporters (?) | |
Southampton | Queen's Park Rangers | Emgals (SF) Leicester City Supporters (R3) | |
Southampton | Lowestoft Ladies | Emgals (R4) Leicester City Supporters (?) | |
St Helens | Preston North End | Emgals (R3) Leicester City Supporters (?) |