The Scottish Women's Football League First Division Cup is a cup competition in Scottish women's football, a competition only open to teams in the Scottish Women's First Division, the second highest division in women's football in Scotland. There are four rounds, including the final.
Contents
Background
The trophy was originally called the Scottish Women's League Cup. Along with the foundation of the Scottish Women's League, the competition began in the 1972-73 season. Westthorn United won the first edition of the competition. They won as part of the treble along with the Scottish Women's League and Scottish Women's Cup.
High street store Sports Connection became the sponsor of the Scottish Women's League and Scottish Women's League Cup in 1997. It was the first time either competition would have an official sponsor. Premier Division clubs broke away before the start of the 2002-03 season to form the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL), the new top level of league football for women's football clubs in Scotland. The Scottish Women's Premier League Cup, a competition only open to teams in the Scottish Women's Premier League was also introduced. With the top division in Scotland now having its own exclusive League Cup competition, the competition became the equivalent to the men's Scottish Challenge Cup, a competition only open to lower league clubs.
In 2012, the SWF launched separate cup competitions for First and Second Division teams. So the trophy is now an exclusively all First Division competition. Since 2009, women's football in Scotland has adopted a summer season which now runs from March to November each year.
List of winners
Winners so far are:
The competition began in season 1972-73. Edinburgh Dynamo LFC have won it seven consecutive times.
1972 - 2002
From 1972 to 2002, cup was a competition open to all league clubs.
2002 - 2011
From 2002 to 2011, cup was a competition open to all league clubs below Premier League.
2012 - Present
Since 2012, cup has been a competition for all First Division clubs.