From September 2026, the Mexborough Totty Cup qualifying event will have a new trophy – the Bennett Cup.
The inspiration behind this was Daniel Garrett, who wanted to honour the great Walter Bennett of Mexborough.
Walter (aka Cocky) was the top scorer in the Sheffield United side who were crowned Division One Champions in 1898. He also played in the FA Cup finals of 1899, 1901 and 1902, being on the losing side only in 1901.
Walter also played twice for England.
Daniel has already taken the lead in refurbishing Walter Bennett’s grave in Mexborough Cemetery.
When Daniel heard about the Barlow-Salmons Shield – which honours two former Sheffield United players, Frank Barlow and Geoff Salmons – he suggested having something similar to honour Walter.
Walter was part of an amazing sporting family, detailed below, which made it more appropriate to call the trophy the Bennett Cup, rather than the Walter Bennett Cup.
The most influential person in Mexborough football during the 20th Century was Bob Bennett, who steered Mexborough School to become Champions of England in 1972.
So, if we are going to have a Bennett Cup for football in Mexborough, Bob is certainly worthy of inclusion – at least until someone comes along and organises a competition specifically in his name.
And perhaps that’s exactly what should happen one day.
The trophy was kindly donated by Linda Carlton of Mexborough Athletic JFC. Our local silversmith, Bob Lamb, came out of retirement once more to renovate the fine cup.
Walter’s amazing family – The Bennett family of Mexborough
Walter’s brother, William (aka Micky) Bennett played in the 1890 FA Cup final for The Wednesday. Two of his other brothers also played elite football – Harry (aka Tip) and George both played for Barnsley (124 and 11 appearances). George’s son, Walter, also played for Barnsley (40 appearances).
Walter’s father William Bennett himself played with several of his sons in the same Mexborough team that knocked Barnsley FC out of the FA Cup. (yet to be verified)
Walter’s sister Anne had a son James William (Hague) who in April 1909 became the British Heavyweight Champion. Known as ‘Iron’ Hague, he lost his title in April 1911.
Lastly from this incredible Mexborough family, Walter’s mother Johanna Bennett could have been the first person to receive a football banning order after running on to the pitch and assaulting a Barnsley player. (LINK MISSING).
Tip Bennett captained the Mexborough team to the 1899 Montagu Cup before joining Barnsley FC. In 1905 Tip sent a message to Barnsley that he wasn’t fit to play against Lincoln. Five days later, word reached the club that Tip succumbed to a bout of pneumonia had passed away at his home at the age of 34. Barnsley and the whole of South Yorkshire football was in mourning and four thousand people witnessing his interment in the Mexborough cemetery.
Walter Bennett’s last match for Sheffield United was away at The Wednesday in October 1906 – tragically just 18 months later he died in a rockfall at Denaby Main Colliery in 1908 aged just 34.
More on Bob Bennett
Bob’s school teams were crowned Champions of Yorkshire four times (1968, 1972, 1974, 1981) and Champions of England in 1972.
More than ten players passed through Bob’s teams and went on to professional clubs. In the 1979 FA Cup semi-finals, two of Bob’s alumni were involved – Peter Kitchen (Orient) and Alan Sunderland (Arsenal). Sunderland went on to score a dramatic winner in the final against Manchester United.
Other elite players that will remember Bob as their teacher: Geoff Salmons, Frank Barlow, Stephen Kulic, Peter Hart, Ian Banks, ?Shaw, Dean Whitehouse, Martin Catlow, Dylan Kerr.
Bob’s teams had other successful runs in the English Schools Cup – reaching the semi-finals in 1975 and 1977. On two other occasions Mexborough lost to the eventual winners of the English Schools – 1976 and 1980.