THE prestigious Valentine Cup, which has been revived after a 14-year hiatus as part of the City of Salford’s centenary celebrations, will involve a double-header at the CorpAcq (Salford Community) Stadium this Sunday (October 25).
Cadishead Rhinos will meet Langworthy Reds in the Valentine Shield at 11.00am, while Folly Lane and Salford City Roosters will clash at 1.00pm for the Valentine Cup.
Debeau Performance are sponsoring the Cup, while the Shield is backed by the Dog and Partridge in Eccles.
Admission is free, with junior games also involved.
Eccles (now Salford City Roosters) are the current holders, having beaten Irlam Hornets 26-20 in the 2012 final.
The inaugural winners, in the 1902-03 season, were Egerton. The Salford side topped the standings in a league (rather than a knockout) competition which was then known as the Manchester and District Rugby League Championship Cup.
Subsequent champions included the likes of Cadishead & Irlam, Pendlebury, Radcliffe Rangers, Seedley Rangers, Swinton St Peter’s, Langworthy, Folly Lane, Irlam Hornets and Eccles.
The four current clubs have, through grant funding facilitated by the Valentine Cup Steering Committee via Salford City Council’s Centenary Fund, each been able to select two local schools which from next January will benefit from free Rugby League sessions.
The eight participating schools are All Hallows RC High, Beech Street Primary, Cadishead Primary, Irlam Primary, Light Oaks Junior, Mossfield Primary, St Augustine’s CE Primary and St Gilbert’s RC Primary.
Meanwhile, the man of the match in each of Sunday’s game will be presented with the Don Preston Trophy, sponsored by Salford Rum Company.
Preston, a former coach and chairman of England Schoolboys Rugby League, particularly in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, nurtured such as Lee Briers, Sean Long, Nathan McAvoy, Adrian Morley, Paul Sculthorpe and Kevin Sinfield.
He coached, at professional level, Rochdale Hornets, Salford City Reds and Swinton Lions while leading amateur clubs who benefited from his guidance include Folly Lane and Langworthy Juniors.
Jack Youd of the Valentine Cup Steering Committee said: “The Valentine Cup is one of the most important trophies in the history of community Rugby League in Salford and we’re incredibly proud to be bringing it back.
“For generations it brought together clubs, players, volunteers and supporters from across the city.
“This year’s event celebrates that heritage, but it’s also about inspiring the next generation.
“Alongside the competition, we’re working with schools across Salford to introduce more young people to Rugby League and strengthen links between schools and their local community clubs.
“Each of the four competing clubs have partnered with local schools to provide free coaching sessions and create opportunities for children to get involved in the sport.
“Community clubs are the lifeblood of Rugby League. They rely on volunteers, coaches and local families, and they play a vital role in bringing people together.
“If the Valentine Cup is going to have a future, it can’t simply be about putting four teams on a pitch once a year. It has to be about creating opportunities for young people to discover the game and build a connection with their local club.
“Every club taking part have worked with local schools because we know that’s where the next generation of players, coaches, volunteers and supporters will come from.
“The trophy may be more than a century old, but the future of Rugby League in Salford depends on the children picking up a ball for the first time.
“We hope this Sunday will not only be a celebration of everything Rugby League has given Salford over the last century, but also the beginning of a new chapter that inspires the next generation of players, volunteers and supporters.
“I’d encourage people from across the city, whether they have followed amateur Rugby League for years or have never watched a game before, to come down.”
