Liverpool reserves have a busy week ahead as they aim to get one step closer to sealing a cup double in two of world football’s oldest competitions.
The Liverpool Seniors Cup and Lancashire Seniors Cup both in their day featured Liverpool’s first team, until the arrival of more competitions such as the League Cup and European Football meant that it provided an opportunity for a new Liverpool reserves side to show what they were capable of.
Liverpool Senior Cup
The Liverpool Senior Cup (started in 1883) is a competition obviously dominated by Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere – the three full professional football clubs on Merseyside.
It is perhaps the tournament that AFC Liverpool, the recently formed local side, have the most chance of meeting Liverpool FC in – although not this season. AFC Liverpool lost to semi-finalists Skelmersdale United in 2nd round.
Liverpool beat Ashton Town 4-0 away in the Quarter Finals and take on Tranmere Rovers tomorrow night at the Kirklands Stadium, Birkenhead for a place in the final (KO 7.45pm). Everton and Skelmersdale Utd contest the other semi final.
Liverpool are the defending champions and have a record of 39 victories, 6 behind local rivals Everton who top the table.
Lancashire Senior Cup
A week later (17th March) and the reds travel to Wigan Athletic in the semi final of the Lancashire Seniors Cup (an even older tournament first played in 1879). Having already knocked out Manchester United and Bolton the reds will be hoping to get to the final – in a tournament that the reds have not won for 37 years. The last victory coming in the 1972/73 season.
Blackburn Rovers have the most titles with 17, with Man Utd just behind with 15 (including their days as Newton Heath). Liverpool have 10 titles in the long history of the tournament.
We’d like to wish the reserves the best for both semi-finals, and hope that as many fans as possible turn out to support our future stars.