The Onagawa Cup is here, via Whitley Bay

THIS glittering prize

will be handed to the winning side in the Writers vs Fans game at the Northern Leagues United event taking place from 1pm on Saturday July 9th 2011 at the Birtley Sports Ground near the Angel of the North.

The story of how this magnificent trophy was born is an impressive tale of footballing solidarity. Whitley Bay fans sourced it, Andrew Watchman (local football fan, FIFA-licensed agent and one of the sponsors of the Northern League Day poster) was the major donor, and the Bay fans chipped in with the rest. Andrew’s company name is on the bottom. He’s on Twitter at @daddywatchy. Andrew will be at the game on the 9th and his son, Jack, is playing for the Northern League Fans’ Team. The writers and fans will play for the cup on July 9th and it will be on display in Birtley’s clubhouse afterwards.

This is promising to be a fund-raising event to remember, and we hope it will bring a smile to a few faces in Onagawa as well.

７月９日にノーザンリーグクラブ主催で二つのチャリティ対抗戦が行われることは以前に報告しました。それはスポーツ記者とフアンの試合、さらに２クラブによる戦いです。そこで、やっぱり、勝ったからには勝利カップが欲しいな、またそれを女川カップとして記念に残したいなどの声が盛り上がり、ウイットリー　ベイのフアン達とアンドリュウ　ウオッチマンさんがカップを購入寄贈しました。カップの台座には、女川カップの銘が刻まれています。また、このカップはノーザンリーグクラブの一つ、バートリクラブハウスに記念として残ります。