The 1961 NSW Federation Cup was the fifth edition of the NSW Soccer Federation's premier soccer cup. This was the third tournament sponsored by W.D. & H.O. Wills and called the "Craven 'A' Cup" after their popular cigarette. The cup was contested by all twelve first division clubs and four second division clubs. The £1000 prize money was divided among the first four placings, with first place receiving £600, second place £250, third place £100 and fourth place £50.
Bankstown were the defending champions, having beaten Canterbury-Marrickville 2–0 in last year's final. They were eliminated by Auburn in the quarter-finals.
The final was played on 15 October 1961 between Sydney Hakoah and Canterbury-Marrickville. Hakoah won the match 2–0 to claim their second title.
Format and clubs
Round Clubsremaining Clubs advancing fromprevious round New entriesthis round Main match dates First Round 16 N/A 12 clubs from NSW First Division 4 clubs from NSW Second Division 10 June 1961 Quarter-finals 8 8 winners from First Round none 4–8 Oct 1961 Semi-finals 4 4 winners from quarter-finals none 11 Oct 1961 Third place playoff and Final 4 2 losers from semi-finals enter Third place playoff 2 winners from semi-finals enter Final none 15 Oct 1961
First Round Tie Team 1 Score Team 2 Kick-off Date Venue 1 Budapest 2–2 Gladesville-Ryde 13:00 AEST 10 June 1961 Wentworth Park, Glebe 2 Sydney Hakoah 4–3 Pan Hellenic 15:00 AEST 3 Polonia-North Side 6–2 Blacktown BSK 13:00 AEST 10 June 1961 Drummoyne Oval, Drummoyne 4 A.P.I.A. 4–2 Yugal 15:00 AEST 5 Bankstown 1–0 Sydney Austral 13:00 AEST 10 June 1961 Arlington Oval, Marrickville 6 Auburn 4–2 Croatia 15:00 AEST 7 Balgownie 2–2 Prague 13:00 AEST 10 June 1961 Wollongong Showground, Wollongong 8 South Coast United 1–2 Canterbury-Marrickville 15:00 AEST replay Gladesville-Ryde 0–1 Budapest 19:15 AEST 5 September 1961 E.S. Marks Field, Kensington replay Prague 1–1 Balgownie 21:00 AEST replay Balgownie 0–3 Prague 19:45 AEST 20 September 1961 Wollongong Showground, Wollongong
Finals Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Third place playoff
Final
NSW Federation Cup1961 ChampionsSydney HakoahSecond Title
References General and specific