The Bolton Chartiy Cup

The Bolton Charity Cup has had a somewhat chequered career since it was orginised in 1882. It was first competed for by the leading clubs in the district. After a time, the compititon lay in abeyance for several years, but was subsequently revived as a compititon amongst the local junior orginisations.

It was on February 8th, 1882, that representatives from various clubs in Bolton district were convened by messrs. Peter Parkinson, president of the Wanderers, and Nathan Yates, to a meeting at the Saddle Hotel to consider the question of rasing funds for a charity cup for compititon amongst the foremost clubs in the district. This suggestion met with aproval, and the mayor (Mr T Glaister), was elected first president, Mr Yates Hon Secretary, and Mr J J Bentley(who presided over the meeting) Hon. Treasurer, whilst among the vice presidents were Col. R H Ainsworth, Rev. W Chaytor, Messrs. A L Briggs, Arthur Greg, A T Holden, James Kay, Wm Nicholson, and Peter Parkinson. The cup was to cost 50 guineas, and towards this amount the Bolton Wanderers contributed £21, 19s, 3d, and Halliwell £6, whilst £5 was raised at the Saddle Hotel Meeting.

Although the competition was to be an open one, it was decided to curtail the first contest to eight clubs which were chosen and drawn as follows:-

Turton V's Bolton Wanderers
Great Lever V's Eagley
Halliwell V's Bolton Olympic
Astley Bridge V's All Saints

The two left in for the first final were the Bolton Wanderers and Astley Bridge. The match was played at Pikes Lane, and there was much excitement as the the game was nearing is close for the visitors were leading by a goal. Almost on time half a minute, acording to Jno. Fielding the Bridge goal keeper and a full minute according to Jimmy Atherton, the Wanderers' diminutive outside left the Wanderers won a corner. The referee, it is stated shouted to the Bolton men to be quick, and as the ball was middled Atherton met it with his head and scored the equalizer, and immediately afterwards the final was sounded. Old residents of Astley Bridge, who were present at the match, still contend that time was up before the corner was taken. The replay took place on the Manchester Road ground (YMCA now), and Billy Struthers said, just before the game, "now boys, we must not hold them two cheap again." Needless to say, they ran The Bridge off their feet and scored 6 goals to Astley Bridge 1. The latter club was dubious of "Titch" who was one of there best defenders, as The Wanderers, in the interval between the two games had engaged him to play for them the following season. As he was not playing up to his usual standard in the second game, Fielding asked him to retire, and they would play with 10 men, but he refused. Feilding, however, admitted to the writer that Bolton were the better team and deserved the victory on this occasion, altough he said, with a twinkle in his eyes "we were really the first winners of the cup, as we beat The Wanderers in the first game."

Subsequently The Wanderers won the cup in the following season by defeating Gilnow rangers 2 - 0, Eagley fc won it in 1884, Bolton Wanderers the two following seasons, then Halliwell in 1887. Wanderers in 1888, and there reserve team in 1889.

The wanderers entered there "A" or third team for the charity cup in 1925-26 season, and they had a run of successes which carried them to the final, but unfortunatly this could not be played off owing to the numerous compititions in progress, and it was postponed untill the opening of season 1926-27, when there opponents will be Breightmet Utd.