Many bemoan the sapping of tradition in modern football, but the Community Shield has remained a part of the English calendar for more than a century.
Like many domestic competitions, the annual fixture has dissipated in significance over the years. Now, the contest is regarded by some to be no more than a glorified friendly and the unofficial curtain-raiser for the new season. Crystal Palace, however, certainly savoured their Wembley triumph over Liverpool to become the latest side to lift the trophy.
The Community Shield has taken on an array of forms since its 1908 inception. It wasn’t until 1930 that the bout pitted the league champions against the FA Cup winners, with the concept we are now very much familiar with being established by former FA Secretary Ted Croker in 1974.
It may not breach the ’major trophy’ threshold, but Community Shield victories are nonetheless tallied by clubs in their list of historical honours.
Here are the most successful teams of this annual clash.
