By Paul Yarden | 9th Aug 2025
Tomorrow, Crystal Palace and Liverpool will contest the FA Community Shield, England’s traditional curtain-raiser to the new football season. This clash at Wembley is not just a showpiece event—it is a meeting of history and hope, legacy and ambition.
Historical Context
The Community Shield, formerly known as the Charity Shield, dates back to 1908. It has evolved from a contest between professional and amateur teams, with its format changing over the decades before settling into its current incarnation: the match between the reigning Premier League champions and the FA Cup holders. For more on this rich heritage, see the detailed order of Charity Shield / FA Community Shield order of merit and chronological list of Charity Shield / FA Community Shield results, winners and runners-up on MFF.
- Liverpool are veterans of this competition, having lifted the Shield on 16 occasions—shared five times, outright winners eleven times. Their first outright victory came in 1966 after beating Everton. They have a history of memorable matches here, including the first Wembley Shield game in 1974 (a 6-5 win on penalties over Leeds United). Notably, Liverpool’s most recent triumph in in the Community Shield was in 2022.
- Crystal Palace arrive with history freshly written. Their dramatic FA Cup win in May—their first-ever major trophy—earned them a place in this season’s Shield and marked a defining moment for the South London club. As manager Oliver Glasner recounted, the emotional victory over Manchester City brought tears and celebrations, illustrating the significance of this achievement for Palace’s fans and players.
What Makes This Match Significant
For Liverpool, the Shield is an opportunity to reinforce their status among England’s elite, adding to their impressive tally and beginning the season with silverware. For Palace, it represents another chance to build on their historic FA Cup triumph and make further club history—a first appearance in the Community Shield, with Wembley set to be alight with their fans’ passion.
The full list of winners and runners-up, as detailed in the Charity Shield Order of Merit, highlights how remarkable Palace’s journey has been compared to the established pedigree of the likes of Liverpool.
Key Stats and Storylines
- Liverpool have won the Charity/Community Shield 16 times, shared on five occasions, and have lost only 8 finals.
- Crystal Palace, after six appearances at Wembley, continue to ride a wave of optimism following their maiden FA Cup win in 2025.
- The Shield, while not usually counted among major honours, holds a special place as a symbolic start to the English season—a chance for silverware and momentum.
For in-depth historical tables and background, reference:
Tomorrow’s game is more than a match—it’s a celebration of football’s enduring traditions and a new chapter for Crystal Palace. Can Palace make history again, or will Liverpool add to their glittering Community Shield legacy?
Paul Yarden is MFF editor.
Charity Shield Trivia: When was the last time the FA Charity/Community Shield was shared?
