Initially, this competition was called the "Cup of the Belgian Provinces". The winner received a silver challenge cup from H.R.M. King Albert of Belgium, who was Prince at that time.
The cup was organised for the first time in 1907/1908 by teams from every province where clubs were registered in the 1st and 2nd national divisions. In 1911/1912 the rules were changed : the challenge cup was competed for by immediate knock-out and was renamed "Belgium Cup"; it has also been called "The King's Cup".
The First World War of 1914/1918 ended the cup adventure. Cup competition took off again only in the 1926/1927 season, in accordance with a new formula, consisting of two phases : a provincial round and then a national round between the provincial winners.
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In 1927/1928 the "Belgium Cup" was restructured : it was played in three categories (higher divisions, lower divisions and junior divisions) with an overall ranking. In 1929/1930 this competition was reduced to two categories (junior and "scholieren" (youth) divisions) with an overall ranking. In 1931 the challenge cup ceased to exist.
In the early '50s the interest in a "Belgium Cup" competition was rekindled. Practical complications clearly had the upper hand.
According to some, the organisation of such a competition jeopardises the drafting of the fixtures list. During the monthly meeting held by the Association of Clubs van Higher Divisions on March 29, 1952, a Belgium Cup with a one-year trial period was voted in favour of. The group proposed to organise a competition with an immediate and progressive knock-out system, bearing the name of "Belgium Cup". The basic principles concerned the calendar, organisation and finances. This resulted in long discussions, as evidenced by the text published by "The Sporting Life" in its edition of April 30, 1952 : "It is not possible to dwell on these details with the danger of overlooking the fact that all clubs, the media, committees and the public at large have clearly and spontaneously expressed their sympathy for the "Belgium Cup". The proposal was placed on the agenda of the General Meeting, taking effect from the 1952/1953 season onwards. The General Meeting of July 2, 1952 decided to approve the organisational principle of the Belgium Cup with a one-year trial period. However, it would only take effect from the 1953/1954 season onwards, considering the numerous arguments raised.
The 1954, 1955 and 1956 editions were won by Standard, Antwerp and RC Tournai, respectively.
In 1956 the conclusions of research conducted by the National Research Commission into the continuation of the Belgium Cup in its present form were formal : the continuation of the Cup was indeed rejected by 55.5 % of the votes. The pressure exerted by the Association of Clubs of the Higher Divisions proved to be fruitful. It was thus decided to suspend the Cup for one season to allow the Executive Committee to study a new project which everyone could accept or reject.
Unfortunately, the Cup was no longer played for eight years. It saw the light of day again with the foundation of the Cup of Cup Winners which offered the possibility to qualify on a European level. La Gantoise was the first Belgian representative in the "C2" Cup in 1964/1965.
Club Brugge currently has the finest Belgium Cup record. The blue and black team has won the trophy 10 times, followed by RSC Anderlecht (8) and R. Standard de Liège (5).
FH/Comm.
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