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Why is there a Middlesex Charity Cup?
In Middlesex, it was not always the case that capitalism held sway. In former times, it was considered good to give money or do things for people who were less fortunate than oneself. Since the potential for receiving huge sums of money from the turnstiles of football grounds had been established, it was natural for the people involved in football's administration to think about how they could get some of these riches into the pockets of more unfortunate people.
Thus the Middlesex Charity Cup came into existence.
How Old is the Middlesex Charity Cup?
The Middlesex Charity Cup was presented in 1901 by C.S. Goldmann, Esq. It was first played for in the 1901-1902 season, and the first winners were Clapton Orient, who have since changed their name on various occasions, and are currently called Leyton Orient, unless they changed their name again without anyone telling me.
The Full Name of the Middlesex Charity Cup
Everyone calls it the Middlesex Charity Cup. Sometimes it is called the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup to distinguish it from Intermediate or Junior competitions. In fact, it's full name is the Middlesex County Football Charity Challenge Cup. Well, that certainly is a mouthful!
What is the Middlesex Charity Cup made of?
Although the trophy was presented by C.S. Goldmann, both the lid and the cup itself are actually made of silver.
The Importance of the Middlesex Charity Cup
The Middlesex Charity Cup has been described as the little brother of the Middlesex Senior Cup. This, however, is connected with the overwhelming importance given to capitalism in today's society. The competition was first played for one hundred years before Enfield Town FC had been formed. Between 1942 and 1945, the importance of the Middlesex Charity Cup was such that the finals were played at Wembley Stadium. The results of these four finaly were:
Wealdstone 5 RAF Uxbridge 2 after extra time
Finchley 1 Southall 0
Tufnell Park (later Edmonton, now Haringey Borough) 3 QPR Juniors 2
Golders Green 4 Tufnell Park 1
In 1988, the final was again played at Wembley Stadium, and Hendon beat Wembley 2-0.
Among the more recent winners are Edgware Town, who beat Wembley 4-1 in the 1967 final, Harrow Borough, who won it in 1980 and again in 1983, Hampton, who defeated Waltham Abbey 2-1 in the 1998 final at Uxbridge, and Chelsea, who included Vinni Jones, Dave Beasant and Dennis Wise in their team when they defeated Edgware Town 3-1 in 1993.
Unfortunately, the perceived importance of the Middlesex Charity Cup has fallen so far, that, after four first round matches had been played in the 2000-2001 season, the competition was abandoned. Normally one would think that the less fortunate in our society would need more support when the weather is as bad as it was last season. No! The football authorities decided that no more matches would be played.
The 2001-2002 season's competition was completed very successfully as far as Enfield Town are concerned. Their victory in the final completed an incredible treble of cups in their very first season.
Middlesex Charity Cup as Qualifying Competition
The winners of the Middlesex Charity Cup compete in The George Ruffell Memorial Trophy or Middlesex Super Cup.
The George Ruffell Memorial Trophy has only been played for three times before, and is a fairly new innovation.
The trophy was instigated after the sad passing of the MCFA Treasurer George Ruffell, the pre-season match being just an experiment - the game being arranged by agreement with the two clubs winning the respective competitions.
The Middlesex F.A. decided on pre-season so as not to interfere with the early league and cup programme each season.
From the 2002-2003 season onwards however, the Middlesex F.A. plans to complete the Middlesex Charity Cup earlier and play the George Ruffell Trophy match at the very end of the season, about when the Middlesex Charity Cup Final is being played at present.
The first game was Hampton & Richmond Borough versus Hendon at Hampton in 1999. Hampton & Richmond Borough won 4-2.
This season there will be two finals. The first match was between Hendon and Enfield Town. Hendon won the closely fought cup final 1-0.
Enfield Town's Full Record
Season 2001-2
Enfield Town played their very first match in this competition on 21st February 2002, away to Hampton & Richmond Borough. Not only did they win this historic match against their illustrious opponents by the comfortable margin of 3-0, but Daniel Clarke scored yet another hat-trick.
Their second match was originally scheduled to be played away to Southall in the quarter-final. Southall agreed with Enfield Town to switch the match to Goldsdown Road, and it was played on Monday, 22nd April, 2002. Enfield Town won 1-0, the goal being scored by Martin St. Hilaire.
The third match was originally scheduled to be played away to Ashford Town (Middlesex), the holders, in the semi-final on 30th April, 2002. It was postponed because of heavy rain, and was played on Thursday, 2nd May, 2002. Enfield Town won a thrilling encounter 3-2, the goals being scored by Bradley Brotherton, Daniel Clarke and a penalty from Stuart Snowden.
The fourth match was originally scheduled to be played against Wealdstone at Brook House in the final on 6th May, 2002. It was postponed because of the Ancient Order of Foresters League Cup final, in which Enfield Town beat Leyton, and was played on Thursday, 9th May, 2002 (Ascension Day). Enfield Town won another thrilling encounter in a penalty shoot-out.
The score after regular time was 1-1, with John Ridout scoring Enfield Town's goal. There were no further goals in extra time.
The penalty shoot-out ended 4-3, with Snowden and Ridout scoring, Brotherton missing, and Clarke and St Hilaire scoring for Enfield Town.
Enfield Town were not drawn at home in this competition in the inaugural season 2001-2, but they played a home match, because Southall switched their tie.
Season 2002-3
In the first round, Enfield Town received a bye.
The second round match was the first time Enfield Town had been drawn at home, and it was against Ashford Town (Middlesex). On Thursday, 14th November, a cold and rainy evening, Enfield Town went down by three goals to one, with Stuart Snowden scoring what would prove to be merely a consolation goal from the penalty spot in the eightieth minute. Because that goal brought the score back to 2-1, it had seemed at the time to usher in another late revival, but it was not to be.
Summary
Season 2001-2
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 Enfield Town 3
Enfield Town 1 Southall 0
Ashford Town (Middlesex) 2 Enfield Town 3
Enfield Town 1 Wealdstone 1 after extra time at Brook House, Enfield Town won the penalty shoot-out 4-3
Season 2002-3
Enfield Town 1 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 3
Daniel Clarke is therefore Enfield Town's leading scorer in this competition with four goals to his credit.
Webmaster
This page was created by Colin Moore on 18th January, 2002.
The last update was on 15th November, 2002.
My e-mail address is webmaster@etfc.freeservers.com
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