In 1877, despite reservations within the
Rugby Football Union, the committee of the Yorkshire County Football Club (composed from the clubs of
Bradford FC,
Huddersfield FC,
Leeds FC,
Hull FC and
York FC) sanctioned a knock-out tournament - the first of its kind in the UK. The notion of competing for a trophy appealed to the public of Yorkshire as much as it appalled the guardians of amateurism. The proceeds from the final were distributed among local charities.The trophy itself is known as "T'owd Tin Pot", pronounced with a Yorkshire
accent. In the first season, 16 teams battled it out for the T'owd Tin Pot, with York eventually losing out to Halifax in the final. In its early years the competition was dominated by clubs who now play rugby league. Since the
schism of 1895 which led to the formation of the
Northern Rugby Football Union and the development of
rugby league football, the cup has been competed for by clubs who remained with the Rugby Football Union or were founded after 1895. According to the Hallmarks on the trophy it was made by Martin, Hall & Co. Sheffield and London, in 1877. It is made of Sterling Silver .925. The trophy was won by
Morley Rugby Club in the two seasons prior to the
Second World War, and was kept "in a drawer under the secretary's bed" for the duration of the war. ==Finals==