The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played from 1955 to 1971.
The idea came from Ernst Tommen, FIFA Vice President, Ottorino Barassi, President of the Italian Football Federation, and Stanley Rous, English Football Association secretary. The initial idea was to use the competition to promote international trade fairs. There had been a number of friendlies between clubs who held fairs so this was a way to evolve the competition. As a consequence, only cities that held fairs could participate, at least in the beginning.
Until 1964, the clubs that played were either chosen by their Federation or invited by the organisers.
The first edition of the tournament took place over three years between 1955 and 1958 and because of the rule “one city-one club” many cities were represented by a type of “best of”. There was a group stage with away and home games. The final was won by Barcelona XI who beat London XI 8-2 on aggregate. The Barcelona team featured 10 players from Barça and one from Espanyol compared to the London XI which featured players from 11 different clubs. The second competition lasted two years and was based on a knockout system, but there were still “best of” teams. Inter (9th in the 1957-58 Serie A) and Roma (5th) were chosen to play the cup regardless of their standing in Serie A. It was won by Barcelona who beat Birmingham City 4-1 on aggregate.
From 1960, the tournament was held over a single year. Again Inter (4th in 1959-60) and Roma (9th) were invited and the Giallorossi won beating Birmingham City 4-2 on aggregate. There were still teams made up of mixed representatives of city clubs (Belgrade, Basel, Zagreb, Koln).
Starting from 1964, the teams that played the Fairs Cup were based on League position and the competition looked more like what the UEFA Cup would become.
In the last four years of its existence, 1967-1971, the Cup was won by English clubs (Leeds United twice, Arsenal and Newcastle once). Once it was abolished, no club had won the trophy permanently so a play-off was played between the first winner, Barcelona, and the last, Leeds. Barcelona won 2-1 at the Camp Nou.
Can Roma claim to have a European trophy?
As mentioned, Roma won the 1960-61 edition. Ever since they have claimed that it was as if they had won a UEFA Cup. Well, not really. Since it was by invitation only, it was on the same level as the Cup of the Alps, even though much more competitive. So, a prestigious trophy but not like the UEFA Cup at all. Those teams that won from 1964 onwards, when the qualification was based on merit, could however make that claim and quite rightfully too.
Fairs Cup Winners
Season | Winner | Runner-Up |
1955-58 | Barcelona XI | London XI |
1958-60 | Barcelona | Birmingham City |
1960-61 | Roma | Birmingham City |
1961-62 | Valencia | Barcelona |
1962-63 | Valencia | Dinamo Zagreb |
1963-64 | Real Zaragoza | Valencia |
1964-65 | Ferencváros | Juventus |
1965-66 | Barcelona | Real Zaragoza |
1966-67 | Dinamo Zagreb | Leeds United |
1967-68 | Leeds United | Ferencváros |
1968-69 | Newcastle United | Újpest FC |
1969-70 | Arsenal | Anderlecht |
1970-71 | Leeds United | Juventus |
Sources
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