New book to tell story of 100 years of Don and Dearne schools football

The publication marks the centenary of the Totty Cup competition but will also take in other Don and Dearne primary school competitions such as the Barlow-Salmons, Clarke Shield as well as newer ones like the Don & Dearne Girls, Gordon Swann and Brian Hyde tournaments.

Don & Dearne representative teams that were virtually football academies will be highlighted as well as successful secondary school teams such as Mexborough Grammar School, who won the English Schools Cup in 1972.

Those who pre-order before September 30 can have their name or that of a loved one included along with other subscribers.

Before the same date, the book can be pre-ordered at the reduced price of £10, a big reduction on the normal price.

The book, entitled “The Totty Cup — a Century of Schools Football in the Don & Dearne Area 1923-2023,” will also feature players who made it at an elite level from each of the local towns.

Out in December, the publication has been put together by the same team behind the popular Montagu Cup centenary book released earlier this year. However, the latest book is expected to carry more than 50 per cent more pages.

All proceeds will go to the Don & Dearne Schools Sports Association. Pre-orders can be made upstairs at Pettits in Mexborough or online.

There is no older primary school football competition than the Totty Cup. It was started back in 1923 in Goldthorpe by cinema owner Russell Totty in the days before primary schools – initially competed for by 13-14-year-olds.

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