PHOTO: 14-year-old twins Kasey and Ella Basso proudly hold the Cyril Mayo Cup that was first awarded in 1958 in memory of their great grandfather. Cyril’s youngest son and the girl’s grandfather, Terry Mayo, watches on with delight.
Tradition runs deep in the “Cyril Mayo Cup” that was first won in 1958 and has been awarded every year since, to the highest Men’s Division Grand Final Soccer Champions in this region.
Colloquially known as “Cyril” and warmly embraced by some of the best local players and teams to have played the game, few are however aware of the origins of this much treasured trophy.
Cyril Mayo emigrated from England as a 17 year old in the early 1900’s along with other young lads from the United Kingdom who were to become known as the Dreadnought Boys, with many learning valuable skills at the Wollongbar Experimental Farm. Cyril’s search for a brave new world saw him traverse a path to Kyogle where he met and subsequently married the love of his life, Lucy. The young family would have four children, Craig, May, Joy and Terry, before Cyril was tragically killed in a car accident in 1957 that left a shattering scare on the family.
Cyril had been a very competent soccer player and Lucy offered the opportunity for his legacy to be enshrined in a trophy that has become the most sought after piece of silverware in local soccer. Cyril’s grandson Norm Snow was part of the winning Italo Stars team in 1988, only 2 years after Lucy had passed, however the family connection with the trophy was to lapse soon after until 2016 when fate would again intervene. A picture published in the Northern Star heralding the inaugural Men’s Premier Division win by Bangalow was viewed by Cyril’s daughter May Spearing and initiated a renewed excitement amongst the family who were not aware that the trophy was still being presented.
Twin 14 year old great granddaughters Kasey and Ella who played for Bangalow this season, including in the Summer Youth League competition, were thrilled to learn about their great grandfather’s legacy with local soccer. Along with other members of the family, the girls attended the Bangalow club presentation in October where the Cyril Mayo Trophy took pride of place amongst the impressive array of silverware.
