Welcome to the thrilling journey of the FA Youth Cup from its inception in 1952-53 all the way to the 2018-19 season! This is where legends are born, where the likes of George Best, Ryan Giggs, and Phil Foden first showcased their dazzling skills. The FA Youth Cup is the ultimate proving ground for young talent in English football, a tournament that has given us countless memorable moments and future stars. From the dominance of Manchester United’s ‘Busby Babes’ in the early years to the recent supremacy of Chelsea’s youth, the competition has always been a hotbed of exciting talent. So, lace up your boots, adjust your shin guards, and get ready to dive into the rich history of the FA Youth Cup. Whether you’re a die-hard football enthusiast or a casual fan, you’re in for a treat as we relive some of the most iconic moments and players this prestigious tournament has produced. Let’s kick off this incredible journey!
| Year | Winners | Score | Runners-Up | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Manchester United | 9-3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | |
| 1954 | Manchester United | 5-4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | |
| 1955 | Manchester United | 7-1 | West Bromwich Albion | |
| 1956 | Manchester United | 4-3 | Chesterfield | |
| 1957 | Manchester United | 8-2 | West Ham United | |
| 1958 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 7-6 | Chelsea | |
| 1959 | Blackburn Rovers | 2-1 | West Ham United | |
| 1960 | Chelsea | 5-2 | Preston North End | |
| 1961 | Chelsea | 5-3 | Everton | |
| 1962 | Newcastle United | 2-1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | |
| 1963 | West Ham United | 6-5 | Liverpool | |
| 1964 | Manchester United | 5-2 | Swindon Town | |
| 1965 | Everton | 3-2 | Arsenal | |
| 1966 | Arsenal | 5-3 | Sunderland | |
| 1967 | Sunderland | 2-0 | Birmingham City | |
| 1968 | Burnley | 3-2 | Coventry City | |
| 1969 | Sunderland | 6-3 | West Bromwich Albion | |
| 1970 | Tottenham Hotspur | 4-3 | Coventry City | |
| 1971 | Arsenal | 2-0 | Cardiff City | |
| 1972 | Aston Villa | 5-2 | Liverpool | |
| 1973 | Ipswich Town | 4-1 | Bristol City | |
| 1974 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2-1 | Huddersfield Town | |
| 1975 | Ipswich Town | 5-1 | West Ham United | |
| 1976 | West Bromwich Albion | 5-0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | |
| 1977 | Crystal Palace | 1-0 | Everton | |
| 1978 | Crystal Palace | 1-0 | Aston Villa | |
| 1979 | Millwall | 2-0 | Manchester City | |
| 1980 | Aston Villa | 3-2 | Manchester City | |
| 1981 | West Ham United | 2-1 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
| 1982 | Watford | 7-6 | Manchester United | |
| 1983 | Norwich City | 6-5 | Everton | after extra time |
| 1984 | Everton | 4-2 | Stoke City | |
| 1985 | Newcastle United | 4-1 | Watford | |
| 1986 | Manchester City | 3-1 | Manchester United | |
| 1987 | Coventry City | 2-1 | Charlton Athletic | |
| 1988 | Arsenal | 6-1 | Doncaster Rovers | |
| 1989 | Watford | 2-1 | Manchester City | after extra time |
| 1990 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3-2 | Middlesbrough | |
| 1991 | Millwall | 3-0 | Sheffield Wednesday | |
| 1992 | Manchester United | 6-3 | Crystal Palace | |
| 1993 | Leeds United | 4-1 | Manchester United | |
| 1994 | Arsenal | 5-3 | Millwall | |
| 1995 | Manchester United | 1-1 | Tottenham Hotspur | after extra time; 4-2 on penalties |
| 1996 | Liverpool | 4-1 | West Ham United | |
| 1997 | Leeds United | 3-1 | Crystal Palace | |
| 1998 | Everton | 5-3 | Blackburn Rovers | |
| 1999 | West Ham United | 9-0 | Coventry City | |
| 2000 | Arsenal | 5-1 | Coventry City | |
| 2001 | Arsenal | 6-3 | Blackburn Rovers | |
| 2002 | Aston Villa | 4-2 | Everton | |
| 2003 | Manchester United | 3-1 | Middlesbrough | |
| 2004 | Middlesbrough | 4-0 | Aston Villa | |
| 2005 | Ipswich Town | 3-2 | Southampton | after extra time |
| 2006 | Liverpool | 3-2 | Manchester City | |
| 2007 | Liverpool | 2-2 | Manchester United | after extra time; 4-3 on penalties |
| 2008 | Manchester City | 4-2 | Chelsea | |
| 2009 | Arsenal | 6-2 | Liverpool | |
| 2010 | Chelsea | 3-2 | Aston Villa | |
| 2011 | Manchester United | 6-3 | Sheffield United | |
| 2012 | Chelsea | 4-1 | Blackburn Rovers | |
| 2013 | Norwich City | 4-2 | Chelsea | |
| 2014 | Chelsea | 7-6 | Fulham | |
| 2015 | Chelsea | 5-2 | Manchester City | |
| 2016 | Chelsea | 4-2 | Manchester City | |
| 2017 | Chelsea | 6-2 | Manchester City | |
| 2018 | Chelsea | 7-1 | Arsenal | |
| 2019 | Manchester City | 1-1 | Liverpool | 3-5 on penalties |
| 2020 | Manchester City | 3-2 | Chelsea | |
| 2021 | Aston Villa | 2-1 | Liverpool | |
| 2022 | Manchester United | 3-1 | Nottingham Forest | |
| 2023 | West Ham United | 5-1 | Arsenal | |
| 2024 | Manchester City | 4-0 | Leeds United | |
| 2025 | Aston Villa | 3rd May | Watford or Man City | |
| Rank | Club | Wins | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Manchester United | 11 | 4 |
| 2nd | Chelsea | 9 | 4 |
| 3rd | Arsenal | 7 | 3 |
| 4th | Manchester City | 4 | 8 |
| 5th | Liverpool | 4 | 4 |
| West Ham United | 4 | 4 | |
| 6th | Aston Villa | 4 | 3 |
| 8th | Everton | 3 | 4 |
| 9th | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | 2 |
| 10th | Ipswich Town | 3 | 0 |
| 11th | Crystal Palace | 2 | 2 |
| 12th | Millwall | 2 | 1 |
| Sunderland | 2 | 1 | |
| Watford | 2 | 1 | |
| Leeds United | 2 | 1 | |
| 16th | Newcastle United | 2 | 0 |
| Norwich City | 2 | 0 | |
| 18th | Coventry City | 1 | 4 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1 | 4 | |
| 20th | Blackburn Rovers | 1 | 3 |
| 21st | Middlesbrough | 1 | 2 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 1 | 2 | |
| 23rd | Burnley | 1 | 0 |
| 24th | Birmingham City | 0 | 1 |
| Bristol City | 0 | 1 | |
| Cardiff City | 0 | 1 | |
| Charlton Athletic | 0 | 1 | |
| Chesterfield | 0 | 1 | |
| Doncaster Rovers | 0 | 1 | |
| Fulham | 0 | 1 | |
| Huddersfield Town | 0 | 1 | |
| Nottingham Forest | 0 | 1 | |
| Preston North End | 0 | 1 | |
| Sheffield United | 0 | 1 | |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 0 | 1 | |
| Southampton | 0 | 1 | |
| Stoke City | 0 | 1 | |
| Swindon Town | 0 | 1 | |
| Totals | 72 | 72 | |
The FA Youth Cup, a prestigious tournament for Under-18 teams, has been a platform for young footballers to showcase their talent since its inception in the 1952-53 season. The finals of this tournament are played over two legs, home and away, with the aggregate score determining the champion. This format has led to some thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments in the history of youth football.
Over the years, some clubs have managed to achieve the remarkable feat of winning both the FA Cup and the FA Youth Cup in the same season. These “Doubles” are highlighted in BOLD in our records, signifying the extraordinary accomplishment of these clubs in nurturing young talent while also achieving success at the senior level.
The FA Youth Cup Table of Merit is a testament to the clubs that have consistently excelled in youth development. This table ranks clubs based on their performance in the FA Youth Cup, reflecting their commitment to nurturing the next generation of football stars. It’s a fascinating insight into the youth systems of clubs, and a great way to track the rise of future footballing powerhouses.
