Graham Edwards Memorial Football Trophy 2014

[Simple Simon 36]

A long running popular local football tournament based in Gobowen, which raises money for charity marks its 40^th year of existence when this year’s competition kicks off in July.

 

The Graham Edwards Memorial Trophy is named in memory of a promising young footballer from Gobowen who played for Gobowen and Weston Rhyn who sadly died of Leukaemia aged just 21 in 1974. The tournament was set up the following year and the impressive trophy was paid for with £100 raised at a dance.

 

It is one of the longest running charity tournaments in the country and a sign of its longevity is that sons and even grandsons of players who played in the first tournament 40 years ago have played in the tournament in recent years.

 

The tournament is competed for by 16 teams (all by invitation) and played as a straight knockout during late July and early August, leading up to a grand final on the second Sunday in August. Although the ultimate aim is raising money for charity, it is officially recognised by the Shropshire FA and is used by clubs as a good guide to their pre-season build up to their local leagues.

 

The tournament had always been held at Gobowen Playing Field but in 2007, the committee made the decision to switch to the excellent facilities on offer at the newly built The Venue at Park Hall. With only a very small number of helpers to undertake various jobs such as marking the pitch, putting nets up, man the tea bar, etc for each game, The Venue had all that already in place.

 

However, the tournament is now returning to its original home in Gobowen by popular demand. A new committee is in place but we are still in great need of volunteers to either join the committee or help out on matchdays. Anyone who can help will be made very welcome.

 

With the move back to Gobowen, we would like to appeal to supporters old and new to come down and show their support.

 

One feature of the grand final is that the trophy has always been presented by a footballing celebrity and over the years, we have been fortunate enough to get Steve Sutton (ex Derby, Nottingham Forest), Duncan McKenzie (ex Leeds, Everton), Steve Bull (ex Wolves, England), Dixie McNeill (ex Wrexham) and ex England striker Gary Lineker to name but a few. It is not known at the time of going to press who is likely to present the trophy this year.

 

In addition to money raised at the matches, there is also a grand raffle which is drawn immediately after the end of the final. One of the conditions of entry for each team is that during the tournament, they are required to sell a minimum of 50 books of tickets, which raises an additional £800. The top 3 prizes this year are 1^st. £100 cash, 2^nd. A spa day for 2 people, 3rd a hamper, plus there are many more prizes.
 

The committee would like to thank in advance anyone who has kindly donated any of the prizes but we would appeal to any individuals or businesses to donate prizes – any donations would be very gratefully received.

 

The dates of matches for this year’s tournament are:-

 

FIRST ROUND – Sunday 20^th July (3.00pm and 6.30pm), Monday 21^st July (6.30pm), Tuesday 22^nd July (6.30pm), Wednesday 23^rd July (6.30pm), Thursday 24^th July (6.30pm), Sunday 27^th July (3.00pm and 6.30pm).

2^ND ROUND – Tuesday 29^th July (6.30pm), Thursday 31^st July (6.30pm), Sunday 3^rd August (3.00pm and 6.30pm).

SEMI FINALS – Tuesday 5^th August (6.00pm), Thursday 7^th August (6.00pm).

FINAL – Sunday 10^th August (3.00pm).

 

All money raised from the tournament goes to Leukaemia Research and over the years, over £100,000 has been raised. However, more money is needed to continue research into beating a disease which claims so many lives so please give the tournament your support and help raise money for a very good cause.

 

For further information or to offer help in any way, please contact competition secretary Wayn Martayn on 01691 671364.

 

David Figg (Press Officer for Graham Edwards Memorial Trophy)