FOUNDED 1968
1968, England were world champions, Sunday football was a new conception, the Coventry and Tamworth leagues had been in existance for five or six years, the Nuneaton league was in its infancy, just two years old. A group of men sat in the Pheasant public house, Camp Hill, football was the general topic of conversation as all were active members of The Pheasant Football Club, who at that time played in the Tamworth League. The men concerned were Malcolm Sherriff, Graham Roberts, Phil Griffiths, Roy Jones and Gordon Fletcher. After a while, and a few beers, someone suggested running a charity cup from the pub, this was agreed and the Pheasant Cup was borne. In the first season, only eight clubs took part and fittingly Pheasant Football Club won the competition beating Baddesley Red Lion by three goals to nil at the Stockingford AA Pavilion.
The competition only lasted a few years and was allowed to lay idle until one night in Church Road W.M.C.it became the topic of conversation when the question was asked, "what happened to the Pheasant Cup". The men in question on this occasion were Phil Griffiths, Les Wood, Des Knight, Gordon Fletcher, Keith Lenton and Roy Jones. It was agreed to restore the competition changing the name to The Church Road Cup. Les Wood, Des Knight, Phil Griffiths and Keith Lenton set off to Bulkington to the Rule and Compass, last known winners of the Pheasant Cup, in search of the trophy, which was a solid silver Rose Bowl, the trophy was not found but a good night out was had by all.
A Committee was set up with Les Wood as Secretary and Phil Griffiths as Chairman, Ted Wicks became President and he supplied a new winners trophy, this trophy is still in use as the man of the match trophy. Keith Lenton, Des Knight and Roy Jones formed the rest of the Committee, the competition was now a sixteen club competition.
1982 saw the last Sunday morning final when Ansley Common saw off local rivals Chapel End Social by three goals to nil. The next final, 1983, is still regarded by many as the best final ever seen locally. Rose United played Attleborough Mills, neither side had been beaten all season, everyone wanted to watch this spectacle, television, radio and all the local papers were taking an interest it was agreed to accomodate the interest, the match would be played on a Sunday evening with a 6.00p.m. kick off. It was estimated that a crowd of over eight hundred spectators packed the Ansley Road venue to witness the spectacle. As the drama unfolded, Rose United went into a two goal lead only to be pulled back to level terms until Dave Williams unleashed a spectacular twentyfive yard volley into the Mills net to win the game for the Rose. This set the seal for Sunday night finals.
The competition gained popularity and was extended to twenty clubs in 1988, all the previous seasons sem-finalists gained byes into the second round, 1989 saw the entrance again extended to twentyfour clubs.
1990 saw the competition move away from Church Road W.M.C. after a disagreement and new headquarters and ground were found at Griff & Coton, Heath End Road, the competition name was changed to accomodate the move. This arrangement was not to everyones taste, Phil Griffiths and Des Knight resigned. The move to Griff & Coton only lasted three years. Keith Lenton who was now Secretary and Roy Jones, Treasurer were approached by the Stockingford AA Chairman, Mick Adams and Secretary Jeff Thorpe, with a view to moving back to Stockingford. After a meeting with all concerned, the move was agreed. The club provided a new cup and Keith Lenton provided a new runners up cup, all the founder members names are engraved on this cup. The competition was now called The Stockingford AA Invitation Charity Cup. The competition was now open to thirtytwo clubs by invitation.
On the field all was going well but behind the scenes there were numerous problems, from 1998 the Committee got smaller and smaller until 2002 when only two members remained, Keith and Ginny Lenton. It now looked as if the competition would finally fold and overtures were being made from one league official to take over the running of the cup. Thankfully, Mick Adams and Jeff Thorpe heared of our plight and took a closer interest in the competition and became Chairman and President, Mel Sutton and Craig Deemimg also came on board after hearing of our problems. Everything looked healthier now and it was to get better, 2005 saw the arrival of Shaun Bivens, who is now Referees Secretary, Andrew Stickley joined a year later to make up a now very strong committee.
2005-2006 season saw the first ever match played under floodlights when Coventry Rangers took on New Dolphin at the pingles arena on Friday 6th. January 2006, Coventry Rangers winning by three goals to two after extra time.
2007-08 Season saw the £1000 barrier broken for the first time when a total of £1300.00 was paid out to local charities.
The fortieth Aniversary Final in 2009 was for the first time not represented by a Nuneaton team, The Coventry League sides had dominated and Poplar Athletic played Coventry Jaguar, The Pop winning by three goals to two in a thrilling encounter, Lee Galvano came off the subs bench and stole the night with a stunning hat trick and was rightly voted man of the match. Again over £1000.00 was raised for local causes.
2010, Ridge Lane won the trophy for the first time for eighteen years, overcoming Coventry Rangers who were making their first appearance in the final, having only been in the competition for four years. Lee Smith kept up the family tradition by following his uncles Brian and Paul by being named man of the match.