John Strawbridge Cup

Strawbridge Cup

UCU Belfast & District League Division 2 winners

The Belfast Junior Chess League was set up in October 1934. Its original members were 37th Old Boys (now known as Fisherwick), Belfast Deaf, CIYMS, Hilden and Queen's University and its first year of competition was 1934-35. The competition was suspended for only three seasons during the Second World War and when play resumed in the 1944-45 season the League was renamed Division 2. In 1959 H. H. McNeilly presented a solid silver cup on an oak base for the competition. Unfortunately something must have happened to the McNeilly Cup, because the winners since the 1980-81 season have been awarded the John Strawbridge Cup.