Champions have been crowned in British ice hockey since 1898. Many of the English Club Championships were awarded to the team that had the best results in games versus other squads at the end of the season. Some years a final match was arranged to crown the champion. If no challenger appeared, the winner from the previous season would retain the championship "unchallengd". Beginning with the first championship in 1898, the club champion was awarded the Admiral Maxse Challenge Cup (also referred to as the Prince's Cup), donated by Princes Ice Hockey Club owner, Admiral Maxse.