Muratti Vase

From Jerripedia

Muratti Vase

The captains shake hands before the 1979 match

The Muratti is the annual men's football competition, inaugurated in 1905, between the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney, the prize for winning being a trophy called the Muratti Vase, donated at the outset by a cigarette company of that name

Crowds in Bath Street, St Helier to listen to a Muratti final broadcast from Guernsey via the Evening Post offices in the 1950s. The match has always attracted large crowds, and continues to do so. Some older islanders would proudly say that the only time they ever set foot outside their native island was to visit the sister isle to watch a Muratti final

England internationals Matthew Le Tissier and Graeme Le Saux both played in the Muratti for Guernsey and Jersey respectively. Since its inception, the final has been held in Jersey and Guernsey in alternate years, with the away side competing against Alderney for their place in the final. The match has only been cancelled between 1915-1919 and 1940-1946 during the First and Second World Wars, and during the Covid pandemic in 2020-2021. The teams wear their island colours of green and white (Guernsey), red and white (Jersey) and blue and white (Alderney). The competition now includes Ladies and Junior trophies.

The tournament consists of a semi-final and a final. Before the Second World War the draw for the semi-final rotated between the three islands, but since then Jersey and Guernsey have taken turns to play Alderney in the semi.

Results

Jersey's team in 1949

Jersey have won the competition 51 times, Guernsey 42, and Alderney once (in 1920), with one title shared between Jersey and Guernsey. Alderney have not reached a final since 1938.

Records

Jersey hold the record for longest run as champions, having held the title for 8 years between 1958 and 1965.

Guernsey's longest unbeaten run was a stretch of 5 finals between 1932 and 1936. They were prevented a 6th straight win by a tie in 1937, the only year the title has been shared. Ironically, Guernsey won it in 1938 meaning they held the trophy for 7 years albeit one of those shared.

The biggest victory margin is an 18-0 win to Jersey over Alderney in the 1994 semi-final. Jersey also beat Alderney 10-0 in 2000, 10-0 in 1987 and 11-0 in 1971. Guernsey beat Alderney 10-0 in 1993, 12-0 in 1978 and 10-0 in 1966.

The biggest victory margin in a final was 7-1 in 1926 when Jersey beat Alderney. Guernsey have won 5-0 on 3 occasions, in 1979, 1935 and 1929 (the latter two against Alderney)

The highest scoring final was in 1957 when Guernsey beat Jersey 6-4

Up until 2005 a drawn final would be replayed. Seven finals were decided on a replay. Since 2006, the game has been decided on the day and 3 matches have gone to extra time since then, with all these matches being decided on a penalty shoot out.