Football Cup.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 149, 6 December 1895, Page 2

Football Cup.

As there appears a misunderstanding amongst footballers about the cup presented by Mrs Kennedy for tition between Opunake and Ake Ake Clubs, we. republish the following information which will put the matter straight:—On Tuesday, July 23rd, we published the following paragraph :■ — “ We have been shown a very handsome cup, which is presented by Mrs Kennedy for competition between the Opunake and Ake Ake football clubs. The trophy stands about 12 inches high and is beatifully chased. The conditions, we understand, are that it is to be competed for between the above named clubs, and if won twice in succession or three times at intervals will become the absolute property of the victors. This should cause both teams to put their best foot forward to become possessed of such a handsome and beautiful trophy.” Statements Irve been made that the cup was to be ci apeted for only in the one season, and the Ake Ake’s having won it last season that it becomes their property ; but as will be seen by the above paragraph containing the terms on which it was offered, footballers who had this idea will see that they were laboring under a mistake. The first match was played on Saturday, 20th, and ended in a draw, so that on the day the terms were published neither side had any claim to it, and if either club was dissatisfied with the terms it should have retired from the contest. It is customary when such a trophy is won for the winning club to appoint a time for the formal reception of their hard fought for honors at which the vanquished may be invited to attend. The winning club then holds the cup till the following season, and if they cannot uphold their laurels the opposing team gets it presented to them, to hold it in like manner till decisively won. It is Mrs Kennedy’s wish, owing to some very ungenerous remarks which have been made, that some neutral ground should be chosen for the presentation of it. The cup has been very nicely engraved, having the object for which it has been presented on one side, and on the reverse side “ Ake Ake, 1895.”