The FA Cup: The oldest competition in the world with a surprisingly young trophy

English FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world. It has a proud, long tradition, many legends and stories attached to it. But the Cup itself, the one the winners get to lift in celebration, the one people have known for over a century – it was actually made in 2014.

FA Cup started in 1871/72 season under the name The Football Association Challenge Cup. It's difficult to believe that there were no football competitions prior to that. All matches were friendlies, and there were no prizes awarded, no league tables and no trophies to cherish. But the all-important change came 150 years ago.

The FA Cup trophy used between 1895 and 1911 (©Gallo Images)

The very first trophy was nicknamed 'little tin idol'. It was considerably smaller than the trophy we know today, but it was huge in importance. It was passed between the victorious clubs for more than 20 years until Aston Villa won the Cup in 1895. Later that year, it was stolen from the window of a Birmingham shop - where the club had agreed to display it so their fans could see it up close - and was never seen again.

An exact replica of the stolen Cup was made in 1895, and it lasted 15 years until 1911. This was a pivotal year in the famous competition's history because it's when the Cup got the design we all know today. It was made by a jeweller in Bradford, in the north of England – but its design wasn't exactly original. It was nothing but a modified champagne cooler. Yes, that's right. What we know as the FA Cup today was once a fancy ice bucket.

That nice-looking bucket was used for nearly a century. Two world wars, the Kenyatta tenure and the career of Elvis Presley all came and went while the 1911 FA Cup was in use. Ah, if it could only speak. Think of the stories it would tell.

An ice bucket with rich history (©Gallo Images)

With so much history in its handles, the FA decided it was wise to preserve the 1911 trophy, and a replica was made in 1992 to ensure the former enjoyed a future free from risk of damage. Ironically, as this trophy began a life where it was more accessible to fans than it had been previously, it had a far shorter life span than its predecessor. Just 22 years after it was first awarded, it had been bumped and knocked about enough to warrant a replacement - even though a copy had been made alongside it in case anything unfortunate happened to the official trophy.

The FA Cup doesn't spend as much time in the trophy cabinet these days. The trophy regularly tours schools and shopping centres, with the public encouraged to get closer to it. That means more wear and tear. So, when the fifth incarnation of the trophy was designed five years ago, measures were put in place to ensure a sturdier future. It stands at the same height as the 1911 and 1992 versions but, at 6.3kg, it's a lot heavier and able to take a few more knocks if it has to.

The modern FA Cup was made in 2014 but it looked almost exactly the same since 1911 (©Gallo Images)

Fewer clubs were competing for the Cup in the early days, and those teams did not feature professional players. Football was so different. Winning the FA Cup is a lot more complicated today than it was back then – and it's heavier to lift.

Think of all the men who gave their all over the years to reach this piece of silverware. And prepare for another FA Cup final!