Organisers of the Upper Eden Waitby Cup have appealed for players to support the historic football competition in its 100th year to prevent the final whistle sounding due to a lack of interest.
It was in 1922 that Great Asby beat Crosby Garrett in the inaugural final to lift a trophy which was donated by Waitby school teacher Harry Blades who had originally bought the trophy for acricket competition which never materialised.
Players from nine villages around Kirkby Stephen initially took part, and that number was later increased to 16.
Only the Second World War, the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak and the COVID pandemic, in 2020 and 2021, has prevented the competition from taking place.
But a marked lack of interest has sparked fears that the tournament could soon be relegated to the history books.
A lack of interest among would-be village players, along with a reduction in hired lad farm workers, people from outside the area purchasing second homes, rocketing property prices which force first-time buyers out of the area and even a shortage of referees has prompted concerns from committee members.
“There’s just not the lads in the villages. They’ve all got other things to do,” said long-serving secretary Martin Burrell, of Crosby Garrett, whose grandfather, Leonard, was in Great Asby’s 1922 cup winning side.
“Harry Blades wanted to set up a competition for lads who literally would kick a tin or something around the local village streets in clogs, and I believe they used to play in clogs for the first god knows how many years.
“It’s got a little bit of a tale about it. It’s been reputed as being quite a tough game of football. It does generate quite a bit of interest once you get the games going. It’s that initial impetus to get the lads interested — it’s difficult at the moment.
”Previously an 11-a-side and, latterly, a seven-a-side competition, it will have a six-a-side format for 2022 with consideration being given to merging small groups of players from different villages to form one team.
“We’d prefer not to, but the interest isn’t there in sufficient quantity to allow each village to play in its own right,” said Martin.
A meeting at Upper Eden Rugby Club will be held this Wednesday, May 11, at 7.30pm.
All prospective team players are invited to attend and express their interest in the 2022 competition, after which it is hoped that a draw can take place and game dates arranged.
For more information or to register interest contact Martin Burrell on 07812515843, email burrellm@aol.com, theWaitby Cup Facebook page or a member of the governing body.
