Last updated : Sunday, 26 November 2023
Introduction
The Hospitals Charity Cup is an amateur football league in England that was founded in 1889. It is one of the oldest football competitions in the world. The cup is contested by teams from hospitals and other healthcare organizations. The proceeds from the competition are donated to charity.
History
The Hospitals Charity Cup was founded in 1889 by a group of doctors and nurses at the Royal Free Hospital in London. The first cup was won by the Royal Free Hospital team. The competition has been held every year since then, except during the two World Wars.

The Hospitals Charity Cup has been won by a variety of teams over the years. Some of the most successful teams include the Royal Free Hospital, St. Thomas' Hospital, and Guy's Hospital.
Format
The Hospitals Charity Cup is a knockout competition. The competition is open to teams from all over England. The teams are divided into regional groups. The winners of each regional group progress to the next round. The final is played at a neutral venue.
Recent winners
- 2022: Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital
- 2021: King's College Hospital
- 2020: Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
- 2019: Barts Health NHS Trust
- 2018: Royal Free Hospital
Sources
- Into the Light: A Complete History of Sunderland Football Club
- A Contemporary History of Women's Sport, Part One: Sporting Women
- Something to Shout About: The History of Forest Green Rovers FC
