Trophy Collection
Horsham Blue Star Harriers Trophies
Horsham Blue Stars have been gifted a considerable number of trophies over the years. The collection is recorded here, and for most there is a description of previous and current use. In 1980 the HBS Committee decide to reallocate some of the trophies as originally, they were mostly for road and Cross-Country races and mostly for men. The reallocation resulted in an equal split in cups for women and men, and more trophies for track and field events. Only a selection of the trophies is now awarded and in 2022 these were reallocated to be used in the current HBS Annual Awards. Some of the trophies are not in the HBS collection today; as it was originally stated in 1925 that for several cups, ‘if a cup was won either twice in succession or three times in all, the cup was awarded outright’ and so is now just part of HBSH history. The categorisation below is following the 1980’s list. The Mercury trophy which is a Sussex County trophy is also included due to its association with HBSH.
Mercury Trophy
The Mercury Trophy is awarded to the senior men’s team winners at the annual Sussex Athletics Cross Country Championships, the trophy belongs to Sussex County AA. Horsham Blue Star has won the trophy 30 times over the years, the last being in January 2023 at Bexhill.
The 24-inch Mercury was presented to Sussex County Athletics Association by the Royal Corps of Signals. Mercury is the emblem of the Signals (the silver winged messenger) and at that time they were stationed at Maresfield. Military personnel were allowed to compete in county events and in the first year the signals won the trophy. Only four Sussex teams have their names engraved on the trophy. John Luxford has been in the winning Horsham team 10 times, including the notorious snowbound event at Stanmer Park of 1963.
Ernie Gough Memorial Trophy – Presented by one of the founder members of the reformed Horsham Blue Star club, Ernie Gough was elected Secretary in 1925, a post he held for 38 years. Currently awarded to a member who has provided a significant contribution to the club.
Cross Country
The Alfred Shrubb Memorial Cup
Presented to the newly reformed HBSH by Alf Shrubb in 1925. He wanted the cup to be awarded for a 3 miles championship race on the track and it was awarded as the ‘Shrubb Challenge Cup’. It was reallocated in 1980 to the 7.5-mile championship race. The cup is used to this day and is now awarded to “best athletic performance during the athletic season by an individual, team or group”.
Winterton Cup - First awarded in the 1920’s for a 5 miles handicap Cross – Country race run at Denne Park. Reallocated in 1980 to senior men based on results from three league races.
Lady Burrell Cup – Presented by Lady Burrell J.P. First awarded in the 1920’s for a 7.5-mile 3 lap Cross Country Race run in Denne Park for men. Reallocated in 1980 to Inter / senior women based on a championship race.
Warren Cup – Cup first awarded in the 1920’s for a 10-mile Cross Country race. Reallocated to Inter / senior women based on results from three league races.
Road
Riley Memorial Cup – Presented by A.W. Riley Esq. in memory of his father the first president of the club. This was for a 3-mile handicap road race which in the 1920’s was often run from the Bishopric, passing the Shelly Arms in Broadbridge Heath and back again. After that for a 3-mile championship race but not on this course.
Ratley Cup (s) – Laurie Ratley was president of HBSH in the 1970s, the cup was awarded for a boys / youth’s race.
Colin Baker Cup – Senior men 10-mile championship race (within the Horsham 10-mile Race).
Shaw Cup – Originally awarded for a 2-mile handicap road race in the 1920’s. This race was often run from the Bishopric on a Wednesday evening in the dark.
Selby Cup - Handicap Race best 3 performances over 4 league races.
Cassidy Cup – Presented by Father Cassidy an original member of the club in 1925. Originally presented for a men’s 4-mile handicap race reallocated to a championship race for inter / senior women.
Track and Field
Margaret Cup – Best performance for decathlon (junior / senior men)
Laughton Cup -– Best performance for the HBS 5-star award tables (colts/boys/youths)
Upward Cup – awarded for the club’s pentathlon championship (Long Jump, Javelin, 200m, Discus) in the 1970’s (inter/senior women).
Styan Cup – Colts / Young athletes handicap race. Reallocated Best performance for the HBS 5-star award tables (girls / Junior women).
Blue Star Cup – Leading men’s points scorer in the Southern Men’s League (Youths/ Junior/senior men).
Ernie Allen Cup - Leading women’s scorer in the Southern Women’s League (Youths/ Junior/senior women).
Others (not now in the HBS collection)
Latilla Cup – Presented by Mrs Latilla for a 10-mile race run in the 1920’s which started in West Street going through Roffey then along the Crawley Road to the turning point at Faygate Brickyard, and then back again.
Awcock Cup – This was a road handicap race run over 10 miles.
Stan Smith Cup – This cup was awarded to the most improved Boy.
Presidents Cup – This took the form of a holiday abroad and was awarded to the active running member (elected by ballot) who in the opinion of his fellow members has done the most for the benefit of the club during the year.
Oddie Challenge Cup – Presented by N Oddies Esq. for a series of races on the track.
Horstmanns Challenge Cup – Presented by Messrs Horstmanns Ltd for the school gaining the highest aggregate of points of a series of races on the track.
Carter Challenge Cup – Presented by J.H.Carter Esq. for a series of 5 Races on the road for juniors.
Carter Gold Medal - Presented by S.Carter Esq. for a 2-mile sealed handicap for juniors.
John Bull Challenge Cup - Presented by J. Bull Esq for a 2-mile handicap race on the road for juniors.
Baker Challenge Bowl – Presented by A. Baker Esq. for the winner of the club 100 yards handicap.
Baker Gold Medal - Presented by A. Baker Esq. to the winner of the ‘Lady Burrell’ cup.
Alexander Clark Challenge Cup - Presented by Alexander Clark Esq. for the 3-mile club championship (track).
Complied by Ron Shannon
April 2025
