THE Cumberland FA is celebrating its 'huge landmark' 140th anniversary. 

The county association was founded on Tuesday, November 5 1884 following a meeting of the Association Club in Cumbria at the Queen Temperance Hotel in Wigton. 

Six years later in February 1890, the newly formed Cumberland FA agreed in a committee meeting to affiliate with The Foot

140 years after its formation, The local organisation which aims to 'connect, support, and develop grassroots football' in the area is still going strong.

As Cumberland FA marked its 140th anniversary, CEO Ben Snowden, said: "Today is a huge landmark for the Cumberland FA.

"I am hugely grateful to Barry Hoggarth, who is becoming our county football historian, for alerting us to the fact that the anniversary was today.

"By recognising the 140 years, we are also paying tribute to all those who have gone before us and have worked as custodians of the game within Cumberland.

"It also allows me personally to recognise all those county secretaries who have gone before me including Ed Smith, Bob Johnson, Albert Murphy, and Geoff Turrell, whose shoulders I am well and truly standing upon.

"It is also quite scary to know that you are in a company that has been around for 140 years but at the same time also recognising the tremendous honour and privilege that is bestowed upon you when being part of a team that leads and develops football within the County.

"Most of all though reading the old minutes books it is clear that whilst 140 years may have passed not everything has changed and the work around the game still includes cup competitions, referees, affiliation, and dealing with discipline."