FA Trophy

FA Trophy
Founded1969
RegionEngland
Number of teams320 (including non-entries)
Current championsFC Halifax Town (2nd title)
Most successful club(s)Scarborough
Woking
Telford United
(3 titles each)
Television broadcastersTNT Sports
(final only)
WebsiteFA Trophy
2023–24 FA Trophy

The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a men's football knockout cup competition run by and named after the English Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams. The competition was instigated in 1969 to cater to those non-league clubs that paid their players and were therefore not eligible to enter the FA Amateur Cup.

Eligibility rules have changed over time, but from 2008 onwards the competition has been open to clubs playing in Steps 1–4 of the National League System, equivalent to tiers 5–8 of the overall English football league system. This covers the National League, the Southern League, Isthmian League, and Northern Premier League.[1]

The final of the competition was held at the original Wembley Stadium from the tournament's instigation until the stadium closed in 2000. The final has been played at the new Wembley Stadium since its opening in 2007. The record for the most FA Trophy wins is shared by Woking and two defunct clubs, Scarborough and Telford United, with three victories each.

The Trophy is currently held by FC Halifax Town, who beat Gateshead in the 2023 final held on 21 May 2023.

  1. ^ "Rules for the FA Challenge Trophy". thefa.com. The Football Association. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.

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