Sir Jack Hayward and the non-league institution that he helped to grow

In many ways, Sir Jack represented what many of us dreamed we would be like in his shoes – pursuing his passions, acting with benevolence and an air of charming chaos.

He was, without doubt a true champion of Staffordshire and a man to whom many – and supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers in particular – owe a great deal.

I suspect there are several books full of anecdotes about things Sir Jack did and helped with, and one gets the feeling the ones that have cropped up in the wake of his death are only the tip of a very fascinating iceberg.

In the greater scheme of things, it may only be a footnote, but now is as good a time as any to bring up the key part Sir Jack played in helping one of the local non-league's most famous institutions.

The JW Hunt Cup has been running now for almost 90 years, a straightforward season-long knockout competition between local amateur sides from the Black Country, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and occasionally further afield.

Since it was first held in 1927 – contested between Short Heath United and Cannon Iron – the competition has helped to raise almost £300,000 for the local blind, as envisioned by the founder, businessman and benefactor John William Hunt.

In recent decades, the focus of the fundraising has been the Beacon Centre for the Blind, a charity of which both Sir Jack Hayward and his father, Sir Charles Hayward, were passionate supporters.

Although a charity competition and therefore carrying no prize money, the JW Hunt Cup does have one particularly appealing proposition to clubs and players alike, with the final hosted at Molineux.

To amateur footballers, the opportunity to play on the carpet-like pitch at Molineux is without doubt a career highlight, and Sir Jack, upon taking over Wolves in 1990, ensured this continued.

Given the demands placed on modern-day playing surfaces and the need for perfection, this is no small concession on the part of the club.

The competition's president, Alex Hamil OBE, explained: "The final has been played at Molineux since it started, and except for a period under Bhatti Brothers has continued to be played there.

"Sir Jack played a huge part in supporting both the JW Hunt Cup and the Beacon Centre, and even after he sold the club to Steve Morgan he insisted the club continue to host it."

Over the last few years, Molineux has played host to some crackers in the JW Hunt Cup.

The 2014 final saw Tividale mark a fantastic season under manger Ian Long by adding the trophy to their Midland Football League championship title, coming from behind to beat Sporting Khalsa 2-1.

The year before, Black Country Rangers and Wolverhampton Casuals battled out a seven-goal thriller, with Rangers coming out victors by the odd goal.

This year's competition is looking interesting at the quarter final stage with Khalsa and Tividale due to fight out a yet-to-be-scheduled rematch from last year's final, while Black Country Rangers, Wolverhampton Sporting Community, Alvechurch, Trysull, AFC Wulfrunians, Causeway and Old Stone Alleynians are still in it.

It is well worth finding out the next match in your area and getting along to a cause of which Sir Jack was a strong supporter.

You can keep up to date with the competition moving towards what is sure to be an emotional final in May - given the passing of Sir Jack - at www.simplesite.com/jwhuntcup or @JWHuntCup on Twitter.