BACK in the black and white days of the late 1940s, when heavy boots pushed panelled leather footballs around muddy pitches and legends like Tommy Lawton, Len Shackleton and Wilf Mannion plied their golden trade for meagre wages, a plan emerged to stage a philanthropic football competition, writes DAVID HODGKINSON.

Using foolscap paper, pen, ink and stencils, George Lee - an enthusiast from Bolton Road, Atherton - produced enough posters for pubs, clubs and shops in the town.

He wrote to Frank Swift, the England and Manchester City star, asking that he kick off the first final. But he wanted £100.80 for one boot of the ball!

Instead, George turned to Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Stan Hanson; he did the job for nothing - and gave a donation from his own pocket.

Those were the days!

So was born the Atherton Charity Cup.

Fifty years on the competition is one of the highlights of the local sporting calendar, raising much-needed cash for local charities.

Some £200 was raised in that first year of 1948; the committee in 1959 patted themselves on the back for a worthy £1,300 raised in the first 10 years.

Last week secretary Joyce Armistead said: "In the last 10 years we have donated £12,050."

Although the competition is now in its 50th year, this will be only the 49th knockout. In 1979 wretched weather caused the event to be abandoned - the only hitch in 50 illustrious years.

The idea for an end-of-season tournament may have been spawned in 1946. On May 3 that year Mr A Parkinson and Mr H Worthington of LUT Transport organised a charity match between the LUT and Burnley Transport, the proceeds going to the Burnden Disaster Fund.

The same two men were on the first Atherton Charity Cup committee.

Those were the days!

It all began with great excitement culminating in that first Cup Final when some 5,000 spectators paid £55 to watch Blakemores (Atherton) face Albion Social (Leigh) at Alder House. The match ended 0-0, a late headed goal from White (Blakemores) ruled away for offside.

The replay was set for two days later. But the entire Albion team was away watching the Cup Final at Wembley (Manchester United beat Blackpool 4-2) and Blakemores were thus awarded the first-ever Charity Cup.

Those were the days! The tournament's biggest attendance came on April 25 1952 when Lowton St Mary's beat Atherton Central before 6,000 fans, probably there, in part to see Rugby League legend Jimmy Ledgard.

Those were the days!

A souvenir booklet, outlining the history of the competition, is now selling at 50p. Contact Joyce Armistead or any member of the committee.

Meanwhile, back to the present: Punch Bowl 2 Hindsford Youth 2 (Hindsford won 5-4 on penalties), Church Inn 2 Union B 2 (Church won 4-3 on penalties), Howebridge A 3 Hindsford A 3 (Hindsford won 7-6 on penalties).

Quarter-finals - Tonight (May 1): Hindsford Youth v Hindsford A; May 2: Church Inn v Atherton Town B.

Semi-finals - May 5: Church Inn or Atherton Town B v Hindsford Youth or Hindsford; May 7: Bulls Head v Union.

All matches (7.15pm) at Alder House.

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