The Empire Exhibition Trophy was a football competition held in 1938 in conjunction with the Empire Exhibition, Scotland in Glasgow. It was held to commemorate the Exhibition, then underway in Bellahouston Park, and the prize was a solid silver model of the Tait Tower.
Four teams from Scotland and four from England contested the straight knock out competition. Brentford took the place of fellow London club Arsenal, who elected to withdraw. Celtic defeated Everton 1–0 in the final, on 10 June 1938, with a goal from Johnny Crum in extra-time. The final was watched by a crowd of over 82,000 at Ibrox Park. This tournament, like the later Coronation Cup, was held in very high regard at the time as it gave teams the opportunity to test themselves against teams from other leagues in the days before European football.
Participants Team Achievement Aberdeen 1936–37 Scottish Division One runners-up Celtic 1937–38 Scottish Division One champions Heart of Midlothian 1937–38 Scottish Division One runners-up Rangers 1936–37 Scottish Division One champions Brentford 1937–38 First Division 6th place Chelsea 1937–38 First Division 10th place Everton 1937–38 First Division 14th place Sunderland 1936–37 FA Cup winners
Quarter-finals Celtic 0 – 0 (a.e.t.) Sunderland Aberdeen 4 – 1 Chelsea Everton 2 – 0 Rangers Hearts 1 – 0 Brentford
Replay Celtic 3 – 1 (a.e.t.) Sunderland
Semi-finals
Final
Match details GK Joe KennawayRB Bobby HoggLB John MorrisonRH Chic GeatonsCH Willie Lyon (c)LHGeorge PatersonOR Jimmy DelaneyIR Malky MacDonaldCF Johnny CrumIL John DiversOL Frank Murphy
GK Ted SagarRB Billy Cook (c)LB Norman GreenhalghRH Joe MercerCH T. G. JonesLHJock ThomsonOR Albert GeldardIR Jimmy CunliffeCF Tommy LawtonIL Alex StevensonOL Walter Boyes
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 Saint Mungo Cup, similar tournament in 1951 Coronation Cup (football), similar tournament in 1953 Football World Championship, the first tournament featuring English and Scottish teams.
References