IT has remained a sworn secret for 23 years, but the Evening Press can reveal that the world famous rugby league Challenge Cup trophy would not be what it is today if it wasn't for some tinsmiths at York's Rowntree factory.

The revered century-old silver trophy had an accident in York back in 1981 and, but for those tinsmiths, would have been ruined for ever.

It has been kept secret since, but today, Heworth ARLC stalwart Peter Ulliott finally came clean.

He explained that Heworth's then year-old junior section had the chance to carry the cup on their float during the Lord Mayor's Parade, and some workers at Rowntrees, near to where the float was kept, became aware the trophy was soon to be close at hand.

Mr Ulliott takes up the story: "The trophy arrived and these chaps came across to have their photos taken with it. One of them in his excitement lifted it up as if he was the winning captain, and the lid fell off - and the famous statuette on the top became detached."

This, let's not forget, is the priceless Challenge Cup. Not only that, but Mr Ulliott added: "It was 11am, the parade was to start at 1.30pm and everybody was expecting the trophy to be there. But if we took it as it was, people would have noticed it was damaged - but how the hell were we to repair it?"

That's where the tinsmiths come into it. Mr Ulliott said: "Someone suggested we take it down there - and they did a great job."

A great job indeed, for no one has ever noticed. "Nobody twigged it," he said. "But maybe it's time to let it out of the bag."

Nowadays the trophy resides at the Rugby Football League's headquarters at Red Hall, Leeds. A new trophy - an exact replica - has been in use since 2002, after silversmiths deemed the original, first used in 1896-97, had become too fragile.

The original, though, is shortly to go on display at Red Hall - so if anyone gets the chance to have a look, try to spot the handywork of the Rowntrees tinsmiths.

Meanwhile, the Rugby Union World Cup is expected to continue its Sweet Chariot tour in Yorkshire, by visiting York Rugby Club on Wednesday.

Updated: 10:47 Saturday, February 28, 2004