SCCU County Championships
1 April 2026
Subject to ongoing research and checking - E&OE
Where the records refer to a season straddling two consecutive years, we simply show the second year, i.e. the one in which the competition and trophy were actually won. Thus 2024/25 is abbreviated to 2025. We submit that this saves space and gives a cleaner look. DL
David Lewis writes: The website of the Southern Counties Chess Union has an interesting and entertaining article on the history of the SCCU's many trophies: the fruits of the unnamed author's prodigious research among insurance valuations, other sources and the trophies themselves. Some were lost or irreparably damaged, then reincarnated under the same name. Others have been associated with different competitions at different times. I am currently (August 2025) in temporary possession for engraving and delivery purposes of the Stevenson Trophy and the Montague Jones Cup, the latter being the Union's oldest surviving trophy dating from 1923. Won by SCCU County teams in 2025, these precious artefacts record a century of great deeds on the chessboards of southern England and I consider it a privilege to host them in my home for a few short weeks.
Years emboldened may require a final check ex abundante cautela.
The trophies shown for each competition are those currently awarded, save where otherwise stated. Explanatory information is provided where available and comprehensible.
No competitions held
1940-1945, 1915-1919
Open Competition winners
Known as Division 1 between 1970 and 1992.
Shannon Trophy (1935-)
2023, 2014, 2013, 1989, 1987, 1980, 1979, 1974, 1972, 1969, 1967, 1965, 1963, 1959, 1956, 1955, 1953, 1952, 1950, 1949, 1947, 1946, 1937, 1936, 1935
No trophy was awarded between 1894 and 1935, but SCCU County won the Open in these years:
1934, 1932, 1931, 1928, 1927, 1925, 1923, 1914, 1913, 1910, 1909, 1908
Open Competition runners-up
Stevenson Trophy
Note. According to The SCCU's Trophies, "By the fifties the [Stevenson] trophy had already for some time been awarded on the basis of the league competitions, usually to a winner from the non-Metropolitan counties. This continued into the sixties (on a handicap basis, from 1966)."
2025*, 2022*, 2016*, 2019*, 2016*, 2009*, 1962* (see note)
*Verified from inscriptions on Trophy.
Under 2050 Competition
Known as Division 2 between 1970 and 1992.
Montague Jones Trophy (1925-)
2025*, 2019*, 2018*, 2015*, 2012*, 1993*, 1992*, 1990*, 1986*, 1985*, 1984*, 1977*, 1976*, 1974*, 1973*, 1967*, 1914, 1913, 1910, 1909, 1908
*Verified from inscriptions on Trophy.
Under 1850 Competition
Known as Division 3 between 1970 and 1992. Divisions 3 and 4 were sometimes combined, with both trophies awarded.
Amboyna Trophy
2023, 2016, 2014, 2007, 1993, 1992, 1986, 1980, 1973, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1963, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1956, 1955, 1953, 1952, 1950, 1949, 1947, 1946, 1937, 1936, 1935, 1934, 1933, 1928, 1927, 1926, 1925
Under 1650 Competition
Known as Division 4 between 1970 and 1992. Divisions 3 and 4 were sometimes combined, with both trophies awarded.
Harry Woolverton Trophy
2013, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 1995, 1988, 1987, 1981, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1957, 1935, 1934, 1933, 1929, 1928, 1927, 1926, 1923, 1922
Under 1450 Competition
David Smith Trophy
2024
