Teams ready for Charity Cup shootout

But Phoenix, founded in 1910, will have to put the skids under form boys Grove Social, who are looking to become only the tenth side to complete a Charity and Mexborough Montagu Cup double.

Phoenix have just finished mid-table in the Central Midlands League Premier Division, hoping to put behind them a turbulent season at the club. Both their County Senior League and South Yorkshire Amateur League teams have folded recently due to lack of players.

Phoenix are now the oldest team playing in Rotherham, having been formed during the 1910s. In those days they played under the name Steel, Peech and Tozer with only their junior team playing as Phoenix FC.

They have appeared in three previous finals, losing in 1949 before winning the competition in 1963 when they beat Sunnyside WMC 2-1 in the final. Their second win came in 1997 when they beat Parkgate 3-1.

Conisbrough outfit Grove,who play in the Mexborough Sunday League Premier Division, are looking to make it a bank holiday special after they won the Montagu Cup on Easter Monday, when they beat Wombwell 2-1.

It is the first time that they have appeared in the Charity Cup final.

Monday’s final at Parkgate kicks off at 7pm.