This May bank holiday we encourage football fans from across the county to head to Mexborough for a historic cup final that is over 120 years in the making!
The Montagu cup was first formed in the 1896-1897 season; founded on the need to generate revenue for the Montagu Cottage Hospital which was opened in 1890 on Bank Street, Mexborough. At that time, anyone who sustained injures had to be treated in their own homes with the more seriously hurt being transported, usually by horse drawn trap to the Doncaster or Rotherham Infirmaries. With local industry developing rapidly at the time, so was the frequency of injuries and accidents. Consequently, the time had come for the establishment of a local hospital.
The local competition has been played almost every year since 1897, only taking two years out due to the first World War. With so many finals played there has been a number of memorable moments for the competition over the years. In the 1945 final Manvers Main and Broomhill could not be separated after extra time.
The committee decided that the game would be won by whoever won the next corner! Can you imagine how that changed the teams tactics!
Other notable moments include 1937 in which supporters braved an Easter blizzard to watch on as Conisbrough North Cliff triumphed 4-1 in the final against Station Lane.
Current Chairman of Maltby Main Wilfred Race is a legend when it comes to the Montagu Cup. He has won the trophy 7 times in total, 3 as a player and 4 as a manager. Wilf’s Denaby & Cadeby team dominated the competition in the mid ninetines winning it consecutively in 95, 96 and 1997
This year’s final will be contested between Joker FC and Swinton Athletic. Swinton are looking for a successful defence of the cup after defeating Westville 5-2 in last years final. A win for Athletic would be historic seeing them crowned champions for an unprecedented 8th time. 2019 winners Joker FC equalled the largest post war winning margin defeating Wombwell Main 6-0, that winning margin only equalled by this year’s fellow finalists Swinton Athletic. It is sure to be an excellent game and we encourage football fans across the region to get to the game and support a historic competition!
Kick off is 11am on the 31st May 2021 at Hampden Road, Mexborough. Adults £3 and Concessions £2. Programmes are also available. Please bring cash as card facilities are not available.
With the 125th anniversary of the competition approaching local football historians are keen to uncover players memories, pictures, and reports of the competition. Everything that has been collected thus far can be found at the following link: www.montagucup.com/results
More information on the competition can be found at the following address. The website is a treasure trove of footballing history and is highly recommended. https://www.montagucup.com/
If you have anything that could be contributed to the collection, feel free to get in touch with organisers at the following places:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/montagucup
Email - montagucup@gmail.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/montagucup
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