JW Hunt cup comes home to Molineux

The JW Hunt cup, of which Sir Jack was a big supporter, is held annually with its final at Molineux.

The trophy, contested for by local non-league football clubs, is being inducted at Wolves' home in its 90th year of existence.

Alex Hamil MBE, president of the Cup, the Wolverhampton Referees Association and the Wolverhampton Sunday Junior League, was delighted that the piece of silverware will now have a suitable home.

"All of the memorabilia from 1926 is being inducted into the Steve Bull Stand at the Molineux," Hamil said.

"There will be medals, cups, badges and photos going back almost a century.

"We've invited about 150 former players and officials from the competition. Anyone that is associated with the clubs that participate is welcome.

"It'll be a good night and it's always nice to see old faces. People have been coming for many many years.

"Those that play in the final have had dads, uncles and grandads that have played in the Hunt Cup.

"It's a big thing for them to play at Molineux."

A total of £8,000 will also be donated to the Beacon Centre for the blind, the competition's charity partner.

The competition originated in 1925 with a meeting at the Molineux Hotel, a former public house some 50 or 60 yards from the stadium.

It was contested in the 1926/27 season for the first time and has been held every season since.

The cup, silver-plated and valued at £5,000 some years ago, is currently held by Tividale FC - who won last season's final in May.

But due to the value of the trophy, clubs are prohibited from taking it back to their ground.

Mr Hamil said: "We approached Wolves and they were extremely keen to have it off our hands and induct it into the stadium.

"Sir Jack said it was 'a part of Wolverhampton's history' and he was always interested in how the competition was and who had won.

"The late Jack Taylor, a former World Cup final referee was our vice-president for 50 years."

The cup was designed by former engineering company Chillington Tools, whose unique design had crocodile symbols engraved onto the handles.

"It's a unique trophy and special design," the president added.

"Those kind of craftsmen aren't around anymore.

"The Steve Bull reception area looks fantastic. Everything is done, we've just got one more cabinet to get up before the big day."