POLICE and sporting officials are appealing for information after the disappearance of a league championship trophy, which has been a prized offering for more than 80 years.
The Llandyrnog and District Village Football Summer League is seeking the safe return of the Behrens Cup, which has gone missing from the Hawk & Buckle Inn, in Llannefydd.
Summer League champions have been presented with the Behrens Cup ever since the competition’s first season, back in 1927.
League chairman Tudor Jones said: “It’s been with us a long time and it’s been through many pairs of hands.
“The cup is in nice condition and it’s a lovely cup.”
Jones said that the league usually expected silverware from the previous season to be handed over around June time and he added: “We had a sort of trophy man, who used to chase them (clubs), but unfortunately he left and nobody wanted the job.”
That position has now been resurrected, with Noel Jones taking on the task of keeping an eye on the league’s silverware and prizes.
The disappearance of the cup first came to light last week.
Officials were keen to see the return of the trophy in time to be presented to new league champions Llandyrnog last Thursday night.
“Really it was this week and we were waiting to get the cup back from Cefn,” added the league chairman.
“I must admit, I thought we had had it.”
Cefn FC won the trophy for the sixth time in 2010 and as is the tradition, the champions took the trophy back to their local community and in Cefn’s case, it was displayed in the Hawk & Buckle Inn, Llannefydd from where it went missing.
A Cefn representative said that the club and its committee were devastated that such a prestigious trophy had gone missing while entrusted to the club.
The matter has been reported to the North Wales Police and Cefn Football Club is offering a reward of £250 for the safe return of the championship trophy.
A North Wales Police statement said that the silver cup was stolen sometime between January 28 and Monday, August 1 of this year.
Police and the Llandyrnog and Village Summer Football League are calling for the safe return of the trophy and are appealing to anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the cup to contact the investigation support team at North Wales Police immediately on 101 (if in Wales), 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) or 0845 6071002 (English language line).
Alternatively, individuals with information can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or call Summer League chairman Tudor Jones on 07971 193656.