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The history making first ever Cheltenham Rugby Festival on Friday May 2 at the Prince of Wales Stadium will be spearheaded by a high level delegation of dignitaries and notables.

Neal Coupland, Festival Director and Producer of the Super League Show, is proud to refer to the assembled leaders as " a fine balance of law and order".

The All Golds Cup and 1908 Cup will be presented respectively by John Rawson,the Spa town's Mayor,and Martin Horwood,the Liberal democrat MP,who represents Cheltenham at Westminster.

A further pleasing theme of the Festival is the return to the sport - as Event Manager - of Gloucestershire CID officer Trevor Moss.

A lifelong St.Helens supporter Trevor was one of the key figures in the phenomenal rise of the Summer Rugby League Conference when,as adminstrator, he assisted Lionel Hurst and the RFL in charting the fledgling competitions early formative years.

Trevor is delighted to be back in the sport he admires and thinks " that the Festival has all the ingredients to become a firm favourite with all followers of the greatest game."

Cheltenham Borough Council is an excellent partner in the venture and notably Ken Jennings and Angie Rowlands of the Tourist Information Centre.

According to Tourism Manager Angie: " Everything is in place for a great and entertaining day on Friday May 2.

"We are very happy to be part of this historical innovation and have no doubt that all is set fair for a colourful and vibrant future for the Cheltenham Rugby Festival."

The presence of Ken and Angie on the day will enable the RL world to thank them both personally for all they have done to bring the Festival to fruition.

Martin Roddy MBE has served the Gloucestershire Police and the Community with distinction for many years.

Martin, who is an avid fan of Warrington Wolves, had no hesitation in supporting and funding the 1908 Cup for local schools. He said: "It pleases me greatly to provide financial and other help for the schools element of the Festival. Rugby League has a great future in the county of Gloucestershire."

The Oldham club is one of the sport's originals, having been present at the famous meeting at the George Hotel in Hudderfield in 1895 that led to the birth of Rugby League.

The club was also richly represented - on both sides - when the New Zealand All Golds overcame England 8-5 on February 15 1908 in the game's first  ever deciding international.

The person voted player of the tournament in the 1908 Cup will receive the Arthur Smith Award.

The Oldham club's chief executive Chris Hamilton said: "We were honoured and thrilled to attend the plaque unveiling  to commemorate the centenary of the great  match of 1908.

"The vision shown by the Festival organisers in naming the player of the 1908 Cup after one of our star players at the time, Arthur Smith, further cements the Oldham club's place in sporting history."

Chris Wilson, the Festival Media Manager, completes the picture when adding: "Arthur Smith was an outstanding Gloucestershire rugby player who was signed by Oldham. He went on to have a distinguished career and indeed returned to his home county to represent England on that fateful day in Cheltenham in 1908."

The final word comes from the Cheltenham Rugby Union Club, who were not only fine hosts in 1908 but will also seek to repeat that memorable hospitality at their new ground - the Prince of Wales Stadium - during the Festival on May 2.

Steve Ratcliffe, the club chairman, states: "We have had a good relationship with Rugby League for many years and are naturally very pleased that we were selected to host the Festival.

"Our wish is that it will become a major annual event and will also bring about the creation of the Cheltenham club's own Rugby League team to play in the Summer months alongside our excellent Winter Rugby Union side."

Thus the scene is set for a rousing and great day in Regency Cheltenham  - the Festivals capital of the country.