Fans who always handle the FA Cup

by Paul Burnell
BBC News Online, Manchester

Phil Lennon and George Quinn have handled the FA Cup several times

A pair of Manchester United followers have more than a fan's interest in their team's lap of honour should they win the FA Cup on Saturday.

Phil Lennon and George Quinn have handled the Cup and the Carling Premiership trophy almost as many times as Reds' boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Both trophies have been repaired several times in their workshop in Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

"When they pick it up we're praying somebody will drop it," said Phil.

Dented prizes

The game's biggest prizes have a habit of getting dented.

And when they reside in Manchester the jewellers charged with repairing them send the cups to silversmiths Phil and Geoff for their specialist touch.

Whether it is repairing a dent, restoring engravings or adding a touch of silver plating, they apply the same care to a local darts league cup as they do to the Carling Premiership Trophy.

Mention of the Premiership Trophy of course, which once needed a grapefruit-size dent repairing, is a touchy subject at present - owing to its departure from Old Trafford to north London.

Although their work can see them tackle anything from church chalices to a bass tuba, George Quinn admitted he becomes as wide-eyed as any fan when asked to repair and polish the FA Cup.

"It's different when you get something like that."

The Premiership Trophy before it was fixed

Although letting a trade secret slip he maintained he has actually repaired two different versions of the trophy.

"When you repair an item more than once you can tell the work you have done before," said George.

The FA however maintains an enigmatic silence on the issue. "We may or may not have more than one FA Cup," a spokesman told BBC News Online

Lennon and Quinn's work, however, is just as vulnerable to world events or economic downturn.

Even the foot-and-mouth epidemic hit business. They still have silver plated cutlery from a brewer in Cumbria which placed an order just before the epidemic drastically reduced the tourist trade.

Ten Commandments

But their "religious" trade is as busy as ever.

Among their current commissions there are two tabernacles, a candle rack and a miniature version of the Ten Commandments.

"We do them all, Catholic, Protestant or Jew," said Mr Quinn.

Mr Lennon added: "I once told a priest I should be all right when I get to the Pearly Gates and he said, 'they'll probably ask you to take back them back down to polish'."

Antique Renovating Company was founded 40 years ago in Hulme, Manchester, by Mr Lennon's father.

George Quinn is the last of a line

Mr Quinn, 45, went into the trade straight from school working for Phil Lennon's father and is now a partner in the business.

His path to learning to be a master craftsman included the time-honoured "brewing up for everybody else."

Mr Lennon, 53, who had worked in the catering trade most of his life, only took over from his father 13 years ago.

"It is quite difficult to pick up when you are 40 years of age."

But it seems they are a dying breed.

"We're the last of our trade in Manchester," said Mr Lennon.

"I studied this at school but it is not taught anymore - they don't even do metalwork; it is all 'technology'," added Mr Quinn.

Both men are truly content in their work, but lament the passing of their craft.

"What are people going to do in 10 years time if they need our kind of skills," said Phil.