Howzat! World’s oldest cricket trophy on display
Ayr relic is theirs to keep
It’s the oldest trophy of its kind in the world.
And proud members of Ayr Cricket Club have put it on display on the eve of Saturday’s big Ayrshire derby against table- topping Prestwick.
The Eglinton Trophy was first played for 150 years ago when Ayr and Thistle met on the Low Green.
And when Ayr Cricket Club became the first team to win it three years in a row, they were told to keep it as per the rules of the competition.
Club stalwart Norman Simpson who has researched the history of cricket in Ayr is excited at the trophy’s past.
Norman, 75, said: “Following a thorough investigation at home and abroad, this is surely the oldest inter- club cricket club trophy in the world.
“In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the first match, the trophy will be on display in the window of Logan the Jewellers in Alloway Street, Ayr, from Friday, August 4, to Friday, September 1.
“The trophy is a silver gilt claret jug with two goblets in a case with the Eglinton crest on the lid.
“It was made in London by Stephen Smith, a top quality silversmith in 1865. It was a Neo- Classical design and hand engraved.”
The trophy was launched in 1865 when the 14th Earl of Eglinton and 2nd Early of Winton said he would donate silverware for the clubs of Cunninghame ( including now East Ayrshire) and Kyle and Carrick.
The Earl stipulated the final would be at Eglinton Castle where he had his own cricket ground.
Ayr won the trophy in 1873 and 1874. When they beat Cumnock in the 1875 final, it was never to be played for again.
Cricket clubs had been forming for a number of years around this time including Ayr Cricket Club who played on Low Green in 1859.
They later moved to the Cattle Market Field ( Beresford Ter ra c e ) , Falkland Park, Northfield Park, Dam Park and Cambusdoon before r e l o c a t i n g t o New Cambusdoon in 1997.
Norman added: “Cricket was booming around the 1870s and 1880s when there were five clubs in Ayr – Ayr Cricket Club, Ayr Eglinton, Ayr Thistle, St Andrews and Ayr Victoria.
“The sport gradually declined when the benefactors who put in the money disappeared.”