The Southern League Cup is a knock-out cup competition organised by the Southern Football League. For the 2017–18 season, the competition was known as the BigFreeBet.com Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons. It is understood that the majority of funds from the sponsorship deal are being put into developing English grassroots football.

History

Winners

Season Champions Result Runners-up Ref.
1932–33 Plymouth Argyle Reserves (WD)
1933–34 Plymouth Argyle Reserves (WD)
1934–35 Folkestone (ED)
1935–36 Plymouth Argyle Reserves (WD)
1936–37 Newport County Reserves (SL)
1937–38 Colchester United (SL)
1938–39 Not completed
1939–40 Worcester City (WS)
1945–46 Chelmsford City (SL)
1946–47 Gillingham (SL)
1947–48 Merthyr Tydfil (SL)
1948–49 Yeovil Town SL)
1949–50 Colchester United (SL)
1950–51 Merthyr Tydfil (SL)
1951–52 Hereford United (SL)
1952–53 Headington United (SL)
1953–54 Headington United (SL)
1954–55 Yeovil Town (SL)
1955–56 Gloucester City (SL)
1956–57 Hereford United (SL)
1957–58 Cheltenham Town (SL)
1958–59 Hereford United (NW-D)
1959–60 Chelmsford City (PD)
1960–61 Yeovil Town (PD)
1961–62 Cambridge United (PD)
1962–63 Guildford City (PD)
1963–64 Burton Albion (D1)
1964–65 Cambridge United (PD)
1965–66 Yeovil Town (PD)
1966–67 Guildford City (PD)
1967–68 Margate (PD)
1968–69 Cambridge United (PD)
1969–70 Wimbledon (PD)
1970–71 Telford United (PD)
1971–72 Barnet (PD)
1972–73 Weymouth (PD)
1973–74 AP Leamington (D1N)
1974–75 Kettering Town (PD)
1975–76 Wimbledon (PD)
1976–77 Dartford (PD)
1977–78 Gravesend & Northfleet (PD)
1978–79 Bath City (PD)
1979–80 Kidderminster Harriers (MD)
1980–81 Bedford Town (MD)
1981–82 Wealdstone (MD)
1982–83 Alvechurch (PD)
1983–84 AP Leamington (PD)
1984–85 Fisher Athletic (PD)
1985–86 Bromsgrove Rovers (MD)
1986–87 Waterlooville (SD)
1987–88 Dartford (PD)
1988–89 Dartford (PD)
1989–90 VS Rugby (PD)
1990–91 Chelmsford City (PD)
1992–93 Stourbridge (MD)
1993–94 Sudbury Town (SD)
1994–95 Hastings Town (PD)
1995–96 Nuneaton Borough (MD)
1996–97 Burton Albion (PD)
1997–98 Margate (SD)
1998–99 Sutton Coldfield Town (PD) 2-1 aggregate Cambridge City (PD)
1999–00 Burton Albion (PD)
2000–01 Worcester City (PD)
2001–02 Dorchester Town (ED)
2002–03 Crawley Town (PD)
2003–04 Crawley Town (PD)
2004–05 King's Lynn (PD)
2005–06 Hitchin Town (PD)
2006–07 Tiverton Town (PD) 1-0, 2-2 Hemel Hempstead Town (PD)
2007–08 Hillingdon Borough (PD) 1-1, 3-0 Clevedon Town (SW)
2008–09 Atherstone Town (MD) 2-1, 3-1 Bridgwater Town (SW)
2009–10 Cambridge City (PD) 1-0, 0-1 (4-2)p VT (SW)
2010–11 Hednesford Town (PD) 2-1, 3-0 Hemel Hempstead Town (PD)
2011–12 Clevedon Town (SW) 0-0, 2-1 Banbury United (PD)
2012–13 Arlesey Town (PD) 1-0, 1-1 Frome Town (PD)
2013–14 St Neots Town (PD) 0-0, 1-0 Tiverton Town (SW)
2014–15 Poole Town (PD) 1-1, 0-0 Corby Town (PD)
2015–16 Merthyr Town (PD) 5-1, 2-0 Cambridge City (PD)
2016–17 Hayes & Yeading United (PD) 1-1 (4-2)p St Ives Town (PD)
2017–18 Hitchin Town (PD) 1-0 Didcot Town (DOW)
2018–19 Stratford Town (PDC) 1-0 Cinderford Town (DOS)
2019–20 No winner
2020–21 No winner
2021–22 Royston Town (PDC) 2-0, 5-0 Taunton Town (PDS)
2022–23 No winner
The England Southern League Cup is an esteemed knockout football tournament that showcases the competitive spirit and talent of clubs within the Southern League, one of the prominent tiers of the English football pyramid. Established to provide teams from the Southern League with an opportunity to compete for silverware, the tournament features clubs from both the Premier Division and the Division One, creating an exciting platform for emerging talent and established players alike.

The tournament typically kicks off in the early stages of the season, with teams vying for glory in a series of thrilling matches that culminate in a grand final. Each round is characterized by intense competition, as clubs aim to secure their place in the next stage while also striving to build momentum for their league campaigns.

The Southern League Cup not only offers clubs a chance to win a prestigious trophy but also serves as a vital opportunity for players to gain valuable experience in high-pressure situations. Fans can expect to witness passionate displays of skill, determination, and sportsmanship as teams battle it out on the pitch.

With its rich history and tradition, the England Southern League Cup remains a highlight of the football calendar, drawing attention from local communities and football enthusiasts across the region. Whether it's a thrilling upset or a showcase of top-tier talent, the tournament promises to deliver unforgettable moments and a celebration of grassroots football in England.