Stockton Charity Cup

Stockton Football Club was founded in 1894, a local amateur side, originally set up by the Stockton Working Men’s Club, a club that has always produced exceptional teams over the years in both Saturday and Sunday League Football.

Our motto “SANGUIS ET TONITRUS” stands for Blood and Thunder.

Cup History

Stockton FC are very proud to run one of the oldest cup competitions in the country, The Stockton Charity Cup, played for annually by Invited teams with the final always being held on Easter Monday.

The Silver Cup originated from Moreton Morrell and was called The Garland Cup. It was donated by the Garland family to be played for annually by all local amateur football teams, the finals were to be played at Moreton Morrell and the first year it was competed for was in 1906.

The Garland family said that if any team could win the cup for three consecutive years, the cup would then become the property of that club.

Stockton astounded everyone by winning the cup for the first three years in 1906, 1907 and 1908. On receiving the trophy for the third time, Stockton said that they would offer this cup as a Charity Cup to be played for annually and all gate receipts would be donated to local Charities, and so it was re-named The Stockton Charity Cup.

The first Stockton Charity Cup Final was contested the following year between Ryton and Long Itchington and played down the Napton Road in the field kindly loaned by Mr. W. Maskall (local Coal Merchant).

In order to make this a special match and to encourage the players to give of their best the committee decided to purchase medals for the 22 players.

Ryton won the first Cup Final 3 - 1, in front of a crowd of over 1,000 people.

After the game, the Long Itchington Band led the procession from the football field to the village to the strains of ‘The Conquering Hero’; the captain of the winning team was carried shoulder high, holding the cup aloft, back to the Barley Mow, where teas were served. On that occasion the gate money was £11 2s 2d [£11.11p] which went to charity, as has all the money since 1909, was the first time that Stockton played in the final of their newly-acquired cup,
but they lost to Wolston 0-3. There was a change of band to as Southam Town Band had the privilege of leading the victorious team back to the village.

In the early years, as it became more widely known and talked about, the Final would regularly draw crowds of between 1500 and 2000 spectators who cheered the teams on with huge celebrations carrying on well into the night.

The referee in these first finals at Stockton was a Mr. George, and in 1915 Mr. Johnny Round refereed the first of his many Stockton Charity Cup finals. He was a small man but by all reports a very brave one, and refereed without fear or favour for anyone. He is alleged to have led off by the ear offending players twice his size from the field of play!

In 1930 a memento was given to Mr. Round for refereeing fifteen consecutive finals.

How the Cup became the Stockton Charity Cup

STEP BY STEP ON HOW THE GARLAND CUP BECAME THE STOCKTON CHARITY CUP.

(extracted from the Leamington Spa Courier)

Saturday 17th Feb 1906
Stockton Football Club hosted the first game in the Garland Cup against Moreton Morrell. A very exciting game ensued in which the home team were victorious by 2 goals to 1.

Saturday 24th March 1906
The semi Final of the Garland Cup was contested between Stockton and Tachbrook FC. Stockton won the toss and played with the wind. The first goal was scored by Bradford for Tachbrook. Immediately after, Windsor and Warner scored for Stockton. After changing over Windsor scored the third goal, and soon after Rawbone scored the fourth.

Final Score Stockton FC 4, Tachbrook FC 1.

Monday 16th April 1906 - THE FINAL
Stockton Lifted the Garland Cup for the first time. Played at Moreton Morrell between Stockton FC and Ufton FC, a crowd of over 1500 witnessed a well contested game.

Hall of Ufton, scored the first goal minutes into the game and that's how it remained through the first half.

After the change over, Windsor scored Stockton’s first goal, which was quickly followed by a second from Noon. Windsor then scored the third goal from Stockton completing a 3-1 victory.

After the match the cup was presented to the captain (Mr C Bicknell) of the victorious team, by Mr Berry of Moreton Morrell.

Monday 1st April 1907 - THE FINAL
The Final of the Garland Cup was played on the Polo Ground at Moreton Morrell between Stockton FC and Tachbrook FC.

Over 1000 people assembled to witness the match. In the first half play was mostly in the Stockton quarters, but no goals were
scored.

On resuming Smith scored for Stockton and, continuing the pressure, Smith scored his second which was quickly followed by a third from Noon. The Tachbrooks still hoping to score, pressed, but were unsuccessful. The game ended with the result at Stockton FC 3, Tachbrook FC 0

Stockton team:

T Rawbone, goal;

C Bicknell and J Bladon, backs;

H Warner, W Noon and H Greenfield,

half-backs; G Baldwin, S Rawbone, Smith,

E Windsor and W Rawbone, forwards.

The Cup was presented by Mr C T Garland. Stockton are now holders of the Garland Cup and the Southam Charity Cup.

Saturday 4th April 1908
Stockton faced Snitterfield in the Garland Cup at Moreton Morrell. After a very hard fought game Stockton came off victorious by four goals to two.

Monday 20th April 1908 - THE FINAL
On Easter Monday a very exciting match was played on the Moreton Morrell ground between current holders, Stockton FC and Whitnash for the Garland Invitation Cup, in front of a very large crowd.

From the commencement of the game Stockton showed their old form, and by quick passing, scored a goal within three minutes. Whitnash then had a look in, but Rawbone, the goalkeeper, was ready for them, and soon put the ball a midfield.

A few minutes later Stockton scored a second goal, and through a penalty off a Stockton man Whitnash scored an easy one.

Score at half-time: Stockton 2, Whitnash 1

On resuming play, Whitnash pressed, but Stockton soon retaliated, and the goalkeeper, saved several goals attempts.

Whitnash then made several rushes but Warner and Bladon put in some good play to stop the danger, Whilst Gulliver, Rawbone and Smith looked dangerous in attack.

During the last 20 minutes Stockton remained on the defensive, although Windsor made several shots which narrowly escaped goal. No score was made by either side during the second half.

Result Stockton 2, Whitnash 1.
After the match Mr C T Garland presented the Cup the the Captain of the winning team, and said he was glad to hear that Stockton propose to give up the cup in aid of charity.

He wished the team every success and said he had a surprise for them, which was a medal to each player of the winning team.

Both teams drank out of the cup amidst much cheering for Mr Garland, the crowd then carried Windsor (Captain) off the field.

At Stockton much rejoicing took place on Tuesday when the Garland cup was brought home. In the evening a large crowd, with the football team and the Long Itchington Excelsior Brass Band, paraded the village with the Captain and Cup carried shoulder high.

After the procession they adjourned to Mr John Chater’s clubroom where an enjoyable evening was spent.