Who was Valentine?

The Valentine Cup is recognised as the most prized trophy amongst the Manchester amateur rugby league fraternity. Manufactured by the world-famous Fattorini and Sons (manufacturer of the Challenge Cup and the FA Cup), this magnificent piece of silverware began life in the 1902/03 season as the ‘Manchester and District Rugby League Championship Cup’.

Until the Second World War, it was awarded to the league champions, beginning with the Salford-based Egerton club in 1902/03. Subsequent champions are clubs no longer existing including: Pendlebury, Radcliffe Rangers, Seedley Rangers and Swinton St Peter’s.

Following the Second World War, the number of local teams diminished and the Manchester & District Rugby League appears to have gone into decline, with local clubs such as Langworthy competing instead in the Warrington or Oldham district leagues. Consequently, the trophy became known as the Valentine Cup, being competed for as a knockout trophy between the area’s surviving clubs. The exact date of this metamorphosis is unclear, although there was certainly a Valentine Cup contest in 1952/53, with Salford Juniors claiming the prize.

The intriguing question, though, is exactly who is the ‘Valentine’ after whom it is named?

Opinion is divided between two candidates, both named ‘J. Valentine’! A popular idea is that it is, in fact, Jim Valentine, the most legendary player in the history of the Swinton club, who captained them to Northern Union (later ‘Rugby League’) Challenge Cup glory over Salford in the 1900 final at Fallowfield. An England rugby union international, he appeared in the Lions’ first team from 1883 until 1901. His life ended prematurely in 1904 when he was struck by lightning. If ever a Swinton player warranted a trophy in his name, it would be the great Jim Valentine.

The other contender is Joseph Valentine, who was the vice-chairman of the Manchester & District Rugby League from 1902, taking on the role of secretary in 1904, a position he held until the outbreak of war in 1939. In fact, his name is inscribed on the trophy in his capacity as vice-chairman, one of several officials whose names were etched into the cup when it was originally manufactured. Following the Second World War, a new name appeared as the league’s secretary in 1946, at a time when Joseph Valentine would have been aged 72. Was his 37 years’ service recognised by the trophy being named after him?