competition history

The competition was founded in 2008 and was the brain child of Rob Parker and Onur Gokdemir. Having identified a lack of charity focused football competitions in the local area, particularly for Sunday teams, they successfully created this inter-league competition and it proved to be a big hit in its first season. Since then the competition has grown and raised hundreds of pounds for charity.

The competition started with 9 founder clubs who were involved from the Sunday Independent League, The Essex Sunday Corinthian League and the Essex Sunday Combination League.

The first match in the competiton’s history took place on the 30th November 2008 between Esprit and St. Antony’s with Esprit's Micheal Kirby settling the encounter with a single goal. Lonsdale reached the final without conceding a goal that season, but the competition was eventually won 1-0 by Eyehurst Eagles who won their 4 games, 2 of them on a penalty shoot-out.

Lonsdale however didn't have to wait too long to get their hands on the prestigious trophy as they stormed into a second consecutive final and won 3-2 after extra time over Gold FC the following season at Brentwood Town.