Sergio Busquets, a renowned footballer, was once a precocious talent in Barcelona’s youth team. At the ripe age of 17 in 2005, he was showcasing his prowess in the north coast, particularly in a competition widely known and fondly referred to as the Milk Cup. This turned out to be no ordinary event as, fewer than four years later, Busquets was an integral part of the Xavi-Iniesta Barcelona midfield that clinched the Champions League title in Rome, following a victorious campaign against Manchester United.
The Milk Cup, since renamed the SuperCupNI, has a history of displaying raw talent, some of whom have risen to incredible heights. Case in point, Busquets’ youthful team were the champions of their section in 2005, overcoming Chelsea’s youth team in the final showdown. Interestingly, the Chelsea squad was mentored by a then 32-year-old Brendan Rodgers, who himself had previously participated in the competition as a lad.
The tournament has always been a spectacle, with stars such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Damien Duff gracing the playing field before Busquets and Rodgers did. Post their era, football has seen the likes of Arjen Robben, Robbie Brady, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohammed Kudus, among others, profit from the Milk Cup/SuperCup platform. This event has always been a stepping stone for aspiring teenagers who have gone on to become established footballers revered across the globe.
Historically, the tournament was inaugurated by Alex Ferguson in 1994, emulating the legendary Peter Doherty, a treasured football icon for Ferguson’s father. In 2012, David Moyes was at the forefront of the event, mirroring the path of his mother Joan from Portrush.
Currently, the competition is poised to relaunch between July 21st-26th. The list of participating teams includes previous winners Celtic and West Ham United, in addition to Manchester United, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, and West Cork Academy, who are set to face Barcelona’s Dubai Academy to mark their competition debut.
The Dundalk Schoolboys League, famed for featuring Steve Staunton, are slated to play against Premier League Brighton. A separate girls’ section is gradually gaining more attention. If you can, you should make your way to the north coast to catch the action live.
In Belfast, a call with Jim Weir reveals his apprehension. One of the three initiators from Coleraine in 1982, Weir remains actively involved four decades later.
“We are just scraping by,” he confesses.
While they are financially prepared for 2024, the 2025 event is what worries them.
“We need sponsorship to ensure the tournament meets the necessary standards,” he stresses. “Previously, the Dairy Council were excellent sponsors for the Milk Cup. But the restructuring of the dairy industry led to the dissolution of the Dairy Council in its original form and we’ve struggled to find a replacement.”
Weir points out a lesser-known fact: despite most teams covering their own travel and stay, some elite clubs insist on flight and accommodation coverage, thereby limiting the event’s possibilities.
“We too aren’t immune to the effects of Covid – it’s impacted organisations universally. We’re under a rebuilding phase now, with a fresh, young tournament management team. While promising, we do need a bit of support.”
Weir acknowledges the competitiveness surrounding sports sponsorship, citing examples of Casement Park and Dalymount Park. Nonetheless, he subtly expresses their claim to support is well-deserved.
Anyone from the Willowfield Boys, Arrows, or Swifts squads from east Belfast during the 70s and 80s would identify Jim. Year after year, he successfully managed team after team from Woodstock Road. Even the coordinators of Belfast’s youth leagues admitted this city was challenging to navigate, particularly during the Troubles. Proposing an international tournament seemed a tall order.
But Weir and Victor Leonard remained hopeful. When they encountered Bertie Peacock, the former Celtic and Northern Ireland player, in Coleraine, he gave his approval. Thus, amidst nine sectarian deaths in July 1983, the “Northern Ireland Cup” made its debut. The inaugural competition was an U-16 event, with Motherwell securing the first victory. The programme, priced at 60p, featured greetings in five languages.
Jim reflects on the challenging period of the Troubles, remarking on how arduous it was drawing teams to Northern Ireland during these turbulent times. Not long after the country had been compelled to host their “home” matches in locations like Goodison Park, it continued to be a struggle to assure incoming teams of their safety. The tense situation, often reported in England, made many clubs hesitant about sending their young players. Everton was the first team to take the plunge, setting the difficult initial course in motion.
External support was greeted with great relief during this period, particularly from long-standing supporters like the Dundalk Schoolboys League, who rallied around them. Despite facing the same distressing news, they, along with Home Farm and Cherry Orchard, remained loyal. Manchester United also stood by them, influenced by Alex Ferguson’s trust in Bertie Peacock. Teams like United instilled a sense of prestige into the tournament, which in return offered them substantial competition and invaluable experience for their young players.
What is salient about the competition’s reputation is apparent from the list of past winners, with renowned clubs like Barcelona celebrating victory in 2005, followed by Spartak Moscow in 2006, and Fluminense of Rio de Janeiro in 2007. A testament to the tournament’s esteem was Federico Macheda’s Manchester United team reigning supreme in 2008, as well as Everton’s junior team – with Ross Barkley at the fore – securing a triumph.
Across 18 different locations, manned by volunteer workers manning buses and handling laundry tasks, it makes a comeback. The entry passes won’t break the bank. On the date of July 22nd, in the town of Ballymoney, one can witness a match between United’s Under-16’s and a Co Fermanagh select (a team that once boasted Kieran McKenna) or alternatively, in Limavady, a face-off between Celtic and Charlton Athletic. It’s an experience that you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.