In the 1957-8 season, the league introduced a new scratch competition called ‘The Jay Trophy’.
The trophy was donated to Derek Parmenter for the league by a league member who wanted to remain anonymous. Many articles in the Knutsford Guardian tried, and failed, to trace this benefactor.
The benefactors name (Jack Hart) only came to light in a set of scribbled league minutes found in 2009. However, the name ‘Jay’ was decided whilst Derek and the generous donator
Were thinking what they could call the cup. As they were looking out over the bowling green at Ilfords, a bird landed and the question was asked by the benefactor: "what kind of bird is that". Derek replied "its a Jay" and the name was born.
The Trophy is Pewter based and in the last few years was re-conditioned rather than replaced and, alongside the Rotary Cup and division 1 winners trophy, is amongst our most historic and prized league possessions.
It is the only scratch non-team competition in the league and anyone winning it is rightly accepted by their peers as the best in that given period of time.
A straight forward knock-out competition with no seeding involved and with each round having best of 3 frame matches off scratch. The final is normally a best of 3 frame match and is the climax of each and every season.
