The Mexborough Montagu Cup, thought to be the oldest football competition to still be played at its original venue, is hoping for a bumper occasion to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year.

Just like that long-ago first final back in 1897, the 2022 final will be played at Mexborough’s Hampden Road ground and, as usual, it will be on Easter Monday. Mexborough team Dog Daisy United will face debut entrants ScawthorpeAthletic on April 18th (11am kick off) with the biggest crowd for years expected.

Competition organisers have invited all past finalists to attend a special “Meet at the Mont” event on the morning of the final in the Mexborough Athletic Club adjacent to the ground. Among those expected is the oldest-surviving winner, Rex Trickett at 93. Also in attendance will be Albert Burrows, now 94, whose team, Broomhill, lost the 1945 final in extra-time when the winner was decided by a bizarre ‘next corner wins’ rule.

“We are expecting over 100 former finalists and it will be a great occasion with an opportunity for old friends and colleagues to get together again - some of whom may not have seen each other for years - and reminisce about winning or how they shouldn’t have lost,” said a spokesperson for the Montagu Cup Committee.

Attending the final will be Elizabeth Robledo, daughter of 1950s Chile international and former Barnsley and Newcastle United star George Robledo who scored in the 1944 Montagu Cup Final and, eight years later, scored the FA Cup Final winner for Newcastle against Arsenal at Wembley in 1952.

She has flown over from Chile to attend the blue plaque unveiling four days earlier at the former home of George and international footballing brother Ted, at 97, Barnsley Road, Wath-on-Dearne.

Local celebrities Geoff Salmons, Dennis Priestley and Tommy Joyce are expected to attend the ‘Mont’ final and with a crowd well over 1,000 likely, spectators are advised to arrive early as parking congestion is expected.

Admission will be just £3 (£2 concessions) via the New Oxford Road entrance.

For more information visit www.montagucup.com