Played at St George’s Park, the ‘Home of English football’ was also hosted to a high-scoring charity match between a Pub Trade team and a side representing TNT Sports, which raised £2,750 for the sector charity.
Hundreds of teams entered the TNT Sports Pub Cup, resulting in 16 finalists playing on the day in the men’s and women’s competition, after winning a place at regional heats in London, Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle.
Stockton-on-Tees pub the Moline Cross was crowned the champion in the women’s tournament while Tyneside pub the Mauretania were the winners of the men’s competition.
Both winning pubs received free TNT Sports for a year as well as a £1,000 voucher while the runners up received a £500 voucher each.
The Moline Cross took home the women’s trophy after a penalty shoot out win against Suffolk’s the Three Tuns following a scoreless final.
Delighted and proud
On the win, pub manager Kendra Bertram said: “We are absolutely delighted and so proud of our amazing girls.
“They are regulars here so this is fantastic for us – as is having free TNT Sports for the year.”
Furthermore, the Mauretania stormed to a 2-0 victory in the men’s final against Preston’s the Wishing Well, who were the runners up in last season’s tournament.
Maureen Pearce has run the Trust Inns pub for more than a decade and said she was proud of the team.
She added: “They are like family to us and are in the pub supporting us all of the time. We have had the trophies on display on the bar and they’ve had a wonderful celebration.”
Meanwhile, the charity match saw the TNT Sports team win 9-2 against a Pub Trade Select team, which included representatives from Punch Pubs and Marston’s as well as licensees, trade media and suppliers.
Vital funds
Former England international goalkeepers David James and Siobhan Chamberlain alongside defender Phil Jagielka helped coach the two sides. Moreover, for every goal scored, £250 was donated to the Licensed Trade Charity.
TNT Sports director of commercial customers Alasdair Collis said: “The TNT Sports Pub Cup is an exceptional way of celebrating the vital link between pubs and their communities.
“This year we were delighted to be able to use the world class facilities at St George’s Park for a charity game to raise funds and awareness for the Licensed Trade Charity at a time when many people need support more than ever before.
“Congratulations to all of those who took part in the charity game and the tournament itself, especially our champions for this year, the Mauretania and the Moline Cross.”
Former England international goalkeeper David James, who said he has always loved grassroots football, labelled the standard of play during the match as “exceptional” and stated some performances could rival the top level.
Meanwhile, Licensed Trade Charity head of marketing Paula Smith said: “We’re delighted TNT Sports chose to support the Licensed Trade Charity.
“Every goal scored in the charity match will raise vital funds to help us provide emotional support, specialist guidance or a financial grant to people in the drinks business confronted with challenging times so we were cheering every goal that went in!”