Founded 1877 Most successful club(s) Kilmarnock
(43 titles) | Region Ayrshire (Scotland) | |
Current champions Kilmarnock
(1997-98 last competition) | ||
The Ayrshire Cup was an annual association football regional competition in Scotland. The cup competition was a knockout tournament between football clubs in the historic county of Ayrshire. The Ayrshire Cup was first held in 1877–78, with the first winners being Mauchline.
The competition was most recently held in the 1997–98 season, when it was won by Kilmarnock. Although the Cup has not been competed for since, discussions have taken place between all the major participating clubs (Ayr United, Girvan and Kilmarnock) who have stated that they would welcome the return of the Ayrshire Cup.
History
The first time the Ayrshire Cup was competed for was in 1877–78, with the first winners being Mauchline. 26 clubs entered the first year of the competition, consisting of Catrine, Largs Western, Beith Thistle, Dalry Rangers, Kilmarnock, Kilbirnie, Ayr Academicals, Kilmarnock Cricket and Football Club, Kilmarnock Portland, Kilmarnock Dean, Kilmarnock Hawthorn, Kilmaur Floors, Irvine, Mauchline, Burnfoothill Ramblers, Maybole Carrick, Tarbolton, Beith, Maybole Ladywell, Cummnock, Rankinston Mountaineers, Lanemark, Stewarton, Kilmarnock Star, Vale of Irvine, Girvan, Hurlford.
The number of entrants for the cup peaked prior to World War II at over 40, however by 1946 Ayr United and Kilmarnock were the only entrants. In 1978–79 Girvan joined the competition, however the last winner outside the 'big two' (being Ayr United and Kilmarnock) was Beith in 1926–27.
Penalty shoot-outs were introduced in 1970–71.