WATCH: Historic JW Hunt cup comes home to Molineux

More than 150 people, including former players, managers and referees crowded into the reception of the Steve Bull Stand to witness the unveiling of the JW Hunt cup exhibition, which organisers said was 'long overdue'.

The famous silver-plated trophy, with its iconic crocodile handles, was valued at around £5,000 five years ago and has always been deemed too valuable for winning teams to keep for the year.

Somewhat fittingly it will now be kept permanently at the home of the Wolves which hosts the finals of the contest every year.

"The big accolade was that you were going to play at Molineux in the final," said Allan Meddings, the oldest living former player to attend the unveiling on Saturday.

The 88-year-old is a three-time finalist of the competition in 1944, 1950 and 1955 playing for the likes of Marandola and Stafford Road.

He also refereed in the contest for many years.

Mr Meddings added: "It has always been the premier cup for amateur football in this area.

"There have been some very good teams played in it. The standard was very high."

The late Sir Jack Hayward was also a big supporter of the tournament calling it a part of the city's history.

The cup was donated in the name of John W Hunt, founder of Chillington Tools who designed it, and the competition began when a group of referees met at the former Molinuex Hotel pub in 1925.

The first contest was launched a year later and the whistle used by referee Arthur David in the final is one of many historic artefacts that have been donated to the exhibition.

Photos of teams that have competed throughout the decades adorn the walls as do the faces of the referees who have officiated the finals including the likes of the late Jack Taylor who also refereed the 1974 World Cup final and was the Hunt cup's vice-president for 50 years.

Bob Harris, assistant secretary of the cup, said: "It is a fabulous competition. It is unbelievable to think it was started by a few referees who wanted to raise a bit of cash. It is one of the most prestigious amateur tournaments now, everyone wants to get into it and win.

"This exhibition is certainly long overdue."

Also on display are medals, trophies and tankards from people who have been involved in the tournament as well as badges sent from clubs and competitions from around the world.

Until now all of the memorabilia had been stored in the home of cup president Alex Hamil MBE, who also leads the Wolverhampton Referees Association and Wolverhampton Sunday Junior League.

He said: "I am very proud of the exhibition it is has taken 90 years to build up.

"The cup is very important for local football and people must support it and keep it going."

The opening also saw £8,000 donated to the Beacon Centre for the blind which the cup has been supporting since day one.

The charity estimates it has benefitted from more than £300,000 due to the tournament unwavering partnership.

Arwyn Jones, chief executive at Beacon Centre, said: "The JW Hunt cup is an outstanding part of Wolverhampton's history.

"It is long overdue for them to have a permanent exhibition where all of the silverware can actually be shown off and it is long overdue recognition.

"It is probably one of the oldest amateur competitions in the country and utterly unique in just supporting one charity all of the way through.

"Without them we would not be able to provide the services we do."