Gresley & District Charity Cup

The Gresley & District Charity Cup (worth 30 guineas) for “association football teams within a 30 mile radius” began in 1893. The semi-finals and finals for the inaugural competition were played in Gresley. Arrangements were made with the Sports Committee of the Swadlincote FC  and the Swadlincote Cricket Club for letting the ground to them. The Charity also entered into negotiations with railway  companies for cheap trains into Swadlincote on all important  matches. The cup committee negotiated with railway companies for cheap trains into Swadlincote on all important occasions. The cup – “a magnificent specimen of the blacksmith’s art” – went on public view at Mr Smith’s shop, Church Gresley in late September 1893 and subsequently in the shop of a Swadlincote tradesman; and then shown at Peel Croft ground prior to the of the match between Burton Swifts and Derby County.

The English Football Association approved Church Gresley and District Charity Football Association Charity cup competition in September 1893.

Although newspaper reports were published for the semi-finals and the finals, only a handful have been found to date for earlier rounds. The only cup draw currently known is for the 1899-1900 season.

Winners and Runners-Up