One of the East Riding’s oldest football competitions is set to return for its 103rd anniversary season, with organisers of the Tanton Cup again hoping to raise money for good causes in the Hornsea area.
The Hornsea & District Hospital War Memorial Challenge Cup, more popularly known as the Tanton Cup after P C Tanton, who donated the trophy in 1922, was set up all those years ago to provide funds for Hornsea’s War Memorial Hospital and was first competed for in the 1922-23 season.
It is contested by local football clubs from North Holderness and remains a popular competition among local players and spectators. Brandesburton are the current cup holders.
The president of the competition is Stuart Kemp, who, along with committee members Ian McLane, Louise Newton and Phil Ashcroft, keeps this grand old competition going.
Historically, it was run in aid of Hornsea Cottage Hospital, with funds from the competition going towards buying daily papers for patients and, occasionally, extras such as a television for the day room.
Unfortunately, the hospital ward is now closed, so in recent years the money raised has been donated to various local charities. Last season, the competition supported Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Hornsea First Aid Centre and Hornsea Inshore Rescue, and was also able to help Aldbrough Primary School with a contribution towards purchasing new goalposts.
The committee is pleased to announce that this season, thanks to help from local veterans’ teams, it will also be running a competition for the more “senior”, but still young at heart, players.
The committee and clubs competing in the competition are looking forward to helping raise more funds for worthy causes this season, and thanks go to Whitehead’s Fish & Chips for once again sponsoring the competition.
Thanks also go to Dean Chew for offering to help with sponsorship.
The Tanton Cup final is scheduled to be held on Friday, May 29, at the Hollis Recreation Ground, with a 6.30pm kick-off.
The Tanton Cup Veterans Final will be held a week earlier, on Friday, May 22, at Leven Sports Field, also with a 6.30pm kick-off.
The committee looks forward to seeing friends and supporters, old and new, as the games progress and appreciates their support in helping raise money once again for local charities.