Cup Finals

MID LANCASHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

CUP FINALS

As the season draws to a conclusion the Mid Lancashire Football League has its two cup finals this week.

The first of these is the Lancastrian Brigade Cup Final for teams in the 2nd and 3rd Divisions of the League and this season features a local derby between Hoole United FC Reserves and Walmer Bridge Reserves. The match will be played at the home of Bamber Bridge Football Club at Irongate on Wednesday 25 April with a kick off time of 7.30pm. Hoole and Walmer Bridge have a strong local rivalry and the game has all the making of a close competitive fixture between the two villages.

Walmer Bridge were founded in the early 1920s so will soon be celebrating their centenary. They are a Charter Standard Club with an extensive Junior Section. They are managed by player/manager Graham Jones and assistant Tom Cafferkey and play in Division Three of the League.

Hoole United FC, whilst not as old as Walmer Bridge, have been going for nearly 50 years having been founded in 1972. They are managed by Dave Tynan and assistant Mark Wearden and play in Division Two of the League.

The Lancastrian Brigade Cup can trace its roots back to 1932 when it was known as the Shanghai International Trophy of 1932, however it didn’t become the Lancastrian Brigade Cup until the mid 1960’s when it was handed over to the League by Fulwood Barracks where it had rested for over 30 years.

The referee for the game is Paul Jackson with assistants Josh Ridley and Peter Fuller with Tony Alty as fourth official. Josh, Peter and Tony have all been promoted in their refereeing careers by the Lancashire Football Association this season so congratulations to them on their achievement.

The second final is the Guildhall Cup Final which is open to all clubs in the League. This year it features the holders of the cup and current leaders of the Premier Division, Southport and Ainsdale Amateurs against their nearest rivals Preston Wanderers. The match will be played at the headquarters of the Lancashire Football Association at the County Ground in Leyland on Friday 27 April with a kick off time of 7.30pm.

Southport last year won the league and cup double but have a new manager in Kevin Mawdesley and some new players who have continued their success of recent years. Preston Wanderers under their manager Gary Duboulay and his assistant Phil Cain, have emerged as a real force this year and have been serious challengers to Southport’s recent dominance. This promises to be an excellent encounter. Wanderers will be looking to avenge their recent League defeat to Southport which has made Southport odds on to retain their League title.

Southport were founded in 1937 although they only joined the League in 2001. They are a Charter Standard Club with an extensive Junior Section. Preston Wanderers are over 50 years old having been founded in 1963. Both teams are previous winners of the Guildhall Cup.

The Guildhall Cup was first played for in 1905 , a year after the League was formed when it was known as the Preston and District League, and has been played every year since with the exception of the war years and the years of the Great Depression in the 1920s/1930s. The cup was presented

to the League by the owners of the Grand Clothing Hall who were based in Guildhall Street in Preston.

The referee for the game is Tony Hawkes with assistants Craig Power and Alan Stuttard with Kevin Roberts as Fourth official.

Admission prices for both games are £4 for adults and £2 for concessions.