Beacon Cup - the history
The Beacon Cup was first competed for during the 1980-81 season, with the first ever winners of the trophy being Claughton, who defeated League Champions Wobaston 6-3 after extra time.
Extra time has been required on six occasions to settle the outcome. As well as the 1981 final needing an additional half hour, the 1994 final saw Netherton Colts Old Boys beat Monmore 4-2. In 1997 the match between Dell Sports and Battle ‘87 was tied at two goals a-piece after the extra period with Battle going on to win the penalty lottery by three goals to two. One year later, favourites AFC Codsall suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Penn Fox & Goose in the final played at Brinsford Stadium.
The first ever goalless final and a major shock happened in 2011 when divisional strugglers Wombourne Wanderers toppled league runners up, Dynamo Dragons - penalties again decided the outcome, with Wanderers recording a 5-3 triumph. In 2014, Navigation United won a ten goal thriller, finally brushing aside the challenge of Bushbury EMB Rovers by six goals to four.
Another surprise was captured in 2001, relegated Northway Cabin getting the better of first division champions Rock FC 2-1 in the final played at Aldersley Stadium.The 2003 final at Willenhall Town saw Red Star Rangers trounce opponents Halecroft 7-1. The same two teams contested the final of the competition the following year but it was a different story as Halecroft gained revenge with a 4-2 win.Royal Tigers are the only team to win the trophy twice. Success came in 1987, beating Coseley and they retained the title the following year with a 4-1 win over Tudor Athletic
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