THE winners of a historic football tournament will be crowned for the 50th time today.

The Ayresome Park Cup Final will take place at the Riverside Stadium this afternoon between the under 15 boys of Middlesbrough and Stockton.

The final is the 50th staging of the event, which first took place in 1958 with Middlesbrough and Langbaurgh battling it out for the title.

Hartlepool won the competition last year.

Dave Prothero, chair of Cleveland Schools FA, said: "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first final back at the old Ayresome Park in 1968.

"It is fantastic that for the last 50 years that Middlesbrough Football Club have been kind enough for Cleveland Schools FA to host our showcase final, both at Ayresome Park, and more recently at The Riverside.

"Back in 1968 our long serving member Malcolm Danby was a referee in one of the semi finals, and Malcolm continues to support CSFA as Vice Secretary and has been a great help in organising tonight’s final.

"We wish both sets of players the best of luck."