Sport silverware in all its glory

SOLID silver . . . the presentation of the Summerscales Cup, left, and the Howell Cup with, from left, Youth Mayor Liam Turner, Mayoress Jean Jones, Oldham Amateur Rugby League chairman Ray Hicks, Mayor Councillor David Jones, Council leader Councillor Howard Sykes and Nicholas Howell from Howell Jewellers

A HAT-trick of glorious treasures of Oldham’s sporting history have been reunited for display.

The intricate Joseph Howell and Summerscales trophies, used by Oldham Amateur Rugby League, are now on show at the Civic Centre for all to enjoy.

They join the ornate Oldham Standard Challenge Cup, first lifted by Heyside in 1904, in the silverware cabinets after being loaned to Oldham Council.

The solid silver trophies cost too much for the league to insure so are being displayed with the borough’s other civic silver outside the main council chamber.

The Joseph Howell Cup was insured four years ago for £12,000 and is worth even more today.

It was presented to the League by the jeweller Joseph Howell, who was based in Mumps, in 1920/21, and was competed for by B- teams.

Little is known about the Summerscales Cup, which is worth around the same amount.

League secretary Nigel Hollingsworth believes it was presented by Bert Summerscale, who used to be the league chairman in the 1950s.

The Oldham Standard Challenge Cup, worth more than £15,000, was presented by the Oldham Evening Standard, now the Evening Chronicle. It was loaned to the council in May.

Mr Hollingsworth said: “We have not used the trophies for 15 to 20 years.

“It got to the point where clubs were taking them away and could not get them insured so were handing them back again. We had replicas made instead and the orginals sat in the bank.

“I think they are too nice not to go on show. They are both solid silver and to have them stuck in a box is criminal.

“They should be on display where people can see them. They are in the right place now and people can go and look at them. They are lovely cups.”