The Coronation Cup was a one-off football tournament to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, between four English and four Scottish clubs, held in Glasgow in May 1953. This tournament, like the Empire Exhibition Trophy, was held in very high regard by football clubs, as at the time it allowed teams to test themselves against teams from another country in the days before European football.
Celtic and Hibernian met in the final at Hampden Park, Celtic coming out the winners 2–0 before 117,000 spectators.Celtic: Coronation Cup win paved way to European Cup glory, Mike Henson, BBC Sport, 5 May 2023 Celtic's victory meant that they became the unofficial champions of Britain.
Entrants Team Achievement Aberdeen 1952–53 Scottish Cup runners-up Celtic 1938 Empire Exhibition Trophy winners(unofficial reigning British champions) Hibernian 1952–53 Scottish Division One runners-up Rangers 1952–53 Scottish Division One championsand Scottish Cup winners Arsenal 1952–53 First Division champions Manchester United 1951–52 First Division champions Newcastle United 1950–51 and 1951–52 FA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur 1951–52 First Division runners-up
Quarter-finals Celtic 1 – 0 Arsenal Manchester United 2 – 1 Rangers Newcastle United 4 – 0 Aberdeen Hibernian 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) Tottenham Hotspur
Replay Hibernian 2 – 1 (a.e.t.) Tottenham Hotspur
Semi-finals Celtic 2 – 1 Manchester United Hibernian 4 – 0 Newcastle United
Final
GK John BonnarRB Mike HaughneyLB Alex RolloRH Bobby EvansCH Jock Stein (c)LH John McPhailOR Bobby CollinsIR Jimmy WalshCF Neil MochanIL Bertie PeacockOL Willie Fernie
GK Tommy YoungerRB Jock GovanLB Jock PatersonRH Archie BuchananCH Hugh HowieLHBobby CombeOR Gordon SmithIR Bobby JohnstoneCF Lawrie Reilly (c)IL Eddie TurnbullOL Willie Ormond
See also 1888 Glasgow Exhibition Cup, similar tournament in 1888 Glasgow International Exhibition Cup, similar tournament in 1901 Edinburgh Exhibition Cup, similar tournament in 1908 Empire Exhibition Trophy, similar tournament in 1938 Saint Mungo Cup, similar tournament in 1951
References