Winners on merit

Alas, the prize eluded them. But even as runners-up they were feted -- and treated to free fish and chips.

For the old Cherry Tree C of E School's side were the no-hopers of schoolboy soccer in the old Blackburn Rural District. But they staggered everyone by getting to the final of the Wilkinson Cup in 1933 -- after having gone the entire season without a win or draw in all their inter-school matches.

But, says team member Bill Officer, who lent the picture above, there was a good reason for their poor performance.

"Most boys left our village school at the age of 11 to go to secondary schools in Blackburn. However, at many of the other local elementary schools outside the borough, it was quite common for boys to stay on until the age of 14," Bill explains.

"This meant that their football teams were generally made up of boys who were bigger and stronger than those who represented Cherry Tree."

It meant a no-win situation in every sense -- and the side coming in for a lot of mickey-taking from local shopkeepers and other villagers who followed its fortunes.

"It was generally agreed that if we ever did win a match, some sort of celebration would be in order," adds Bill, of Preston Old Road, Feniscowles, pictured seated first left in the group.

And the opportunity arrived when at last Cherry Tree found themselves on a level playing field -- in the end-of-season, knock-out contest for the Wilkinson Cup, from which older boys were barred. To everyone's surprise, they beat Knuzden 1-0 in their first match.

"There was quite a buzz at the school the next day, but before any sort of celebration could be arranged, we were in the next round and playing Feniscowles. They usually defeated us by about 10-0. However, this time their 'big boys' were sidelined, although their team did include one boy who went on to play for Blackburn Rovers," Bill recalls.

Cherry Tree won 2-1 -- again, to everyone's amazement -- and were put through to the final against Mellor.

"By this time, the excitement was at fever-pitch," Bill adds. "Ronnie Chadwick, our headmaster, who was very keen on sport, did go a little over the top at morning assembly on the day of the match. He promised the school an extra half day's holiday if the team won the Cup that evening. "We had a team talk in the afternoon and then it was off to Wilpshire for the big game. In those days, the elementary schools in the borough played their finals at Ewood Park on the afternoon of Shrove Tuesday, but no such privilege was granted to those of us who attended schools beyond the borough boundary."

The Wilkinson Cup final was played on the pitch behind the Blackburn Orphanage, with Cherry Tree bringing quite a lot of support with them as they kicked off in their cherry-red shorts and white shorts. Sadly, they lost 1-3.

"We were all terribly disappointed," Bill says. "But those who had for so long regarded us as 'no-hopers' felt that our success in reaching the final deserved some reward. The proprietor of the local fish and chip shop entertained us all to supper one evening. Another gave us all some extra spending money and we had celebratory teas at the homes of two of the boys in the team."