After the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, the search for coal escalated dramatically in the West Auckland area, and the population increased as a consequence with the promise of employment.

The Trophy was initiated by businessman and sporting enthusiast Sir Thomas Lipton, who wished to see a competition between the leading football clubs of Europe.

The often told story was that the Football Association of England refused to nominate a club and Woolwich Arsenal F.C., addressing it to W.A.

The unspecific address caused the letter to be sent to the wrong team, West Auckland A.F.C, and thus the eclectic group of coal miners pawned their belongings and duly made the journey to Turin.

Two years later, West Auckland returned, and after beating FC Zürich 2–0, won 6–1 in the final over future Italian giants Juventus.

An exact replica of the cup now stands in a more secure cabinet in the West Auckland Working Men's Club.