Monday 26th December 2011 - K/O 10.30am

Radcliffe Olympic XI - Radcliffe Olympic Vets

There has been a football match held in Radcliffe on Boxing Day for over 30 years with different teams within the village competing. It was not until 1996 that the teams competed for a trophy and that money has been raised in aid of charity. The cup was donated by friends and colleagues from the Co-operative bank in Nottingham in memory of Steven Watts, a former player of Radcliffe Olympic FC.

Since 1995 over £10,300 has been raised for such charities as NSPCC/Headway/Growby Stamford Memorial Fund/The Brendan Richardson Trust Fund, The Huntington's Diseases Association and Back-Up a charity founded to encourage sporting and recreational pursuits for people with spinal injuries.

This year the two charities nominated to benefit will again be Macmillan Cancer Care and Haematology Research Dept. based at the Nottingham City Hospital.

The money raised is mainly from players on both sides who forego their Boxing Day lie-in, many still suffering from the previous night's celebrations and make generous donations for the privilege of playing. Also, contributions are made former players, friends, spectators, program sponsors and a match day raffle.

Since 1996 the Radcliffe Veterans have competed against the Radcliffe Lions team (now disbanded) or a Select Radcliffe team for the Cup. The cup has changed hands a number of times and is currently led by the Veterans team after they regained the trophy following their victory in 2010.

The match is traditionally held at the Recreation Ground at Wharf Lane. Following the match, the players and spectators retire to the Black Lion where the trophy now resides. The Cup is presented to the winning captain before being filled and passed around for everyone to maintain the tradition of drinking from the cup and for celebrations to continue.

We would like to thank all those who participate in and support the match and wish everyone a happy 2012.