Royal Marines Football

In 1903/4 Major J.E. Pink Mayor of Portsmouth presented the Inter Port Cup to the Royal Navy Football Association. The first Inter Port Cup competition winners were Portsmouth who in 1905 defeated Devonport 4-0 at Fratton Park Portsmouth. With the exception of the War years 1914-1918 & 1939-1944 this competition was played annually until 1946. Then in 1947 changes within the Royal Navy particularly were Command structures were concerned, the Inter Port competition was renamed the Inter Command competition. This allowed for the introduction of Naval Air Command & for Chatham & Devonport to be renamed NORE & Plymouth Commands respectively.

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In 1961 a decision was made to make the Royal Marines a Command for Sporting purposes from the 31st March 1961 (see page 94 Globe & Laurel April/May edition 1961)  So in 1962, the Royal Marines  were invited to join the competition effectively replacing NORE Command. The Royal Marines winning the competition that first year beating Plymouth 3-2.  Further changes saw Scotland Command & Fleet Command enter the competition.

 

 In 2006 Fleet Command were replaced by the Royal Navy U21's team so they could prepare themselves in time for their Inter Service competition. In 2008 the Royal Navy U21's increased the age limit and became the Royal Navy U23's to come into line with their Army & RAF counter parts. Also at this time Plymouth were renamed Western Region, Scotland renamed Northern Region and Portsmouth were renamed Eastern Region.

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As of 2021 the six participating teams are Eastern Region, Western Region, Naval Air Command, Northern Region, Royal Marines & Royal Navy U23's.