THE historic JW Hunt Cup has made a triumphant return to the football field and helped to raise £14,000 for Beacon Centre for the Blind in the process.

Having first kicked off way back in 1926, this long standing competition was forced to halt play for the first time in their history during 2020 following the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Thankfully the competition resumed in September 2021 with a total of 32 teams taking part from across the Black Country, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

As a result, the 96th JW Hunt Cup Final took place at Wolverhampton’s Castlecroft Stadium where Lye Town eventually ran out 2-1 winners after beating rivals Boldmere St Michaels in a tightly fought contest.

JW Hunt Cup President Alex Hamil MBE said: “It’s wonderful that the cup has returned this year, especially with so many teams taking part and finishing with such a fantastic final.

“We’re really happy to have raised such a huge amount for Beacon, who we know have struggled in recent years because of the pandemic and who we have supported ever since the competition began..

Beacon Centre chief executive Lisa Cowley also added her thanks and said: “ The continued support that we receive from the JW Hunt Cup means the absolute world to us.

“We deeply value our almost 100-year relationship with the competition.

“After such a difficult few years for the charity, to receive £14,000 will give everyone such a boost and go a long way towards helping us to provide support to local people with sight loss.

“We are grateful to everyone involved with the JW Hunt Cup."

The competition is named in memory of founder John William Hunt, who was the owner of the Chillington Tool Company, who died before the inaugural competition was completed.

The competition even has its own museum housed at Molineux within the Steve Bull Stand.