Archived News from May 2006
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MORE ON THE CHARITY GAME: OVER £2400 RAISED
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The Stephen McIntyre Memorial Trophy - Sunday 30th April 2006.
A marvellous crowd of over 460 turned up at Carnarvon Street, the home of Teversal FC to witness a game between, FTYBR FC, a team of Mansfield Town Supporters and a Mansfield Town All-Star side made up from Ex-players from over the past 30 odd years. A marvellous afternoon was enjoyed by all, the All-Star Stags side winning the Memorial Trophy by 9 goals to 3. The all Star goals were scored by, Ryan Williams x 3, Chris Greenacre x 2, Jamie Walker x 2, Mark Kearney and Mick Laverick. The FTYBR FC goals scored by Ian Hoult, Craig Ploughman and Dave Baxter. The total of money raised came to a fantastic total of £2,484.88p which will be presented to the Nottingham City Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Unit within the next couple of weeks. Joint organiser Steve Hartshorn was more than pleased by the turn-out. “I've got to admit that I was a little worried about how many people would turn up because we all only began organizing it all about 4 weeks ago, so for there to be around 500 odd people there was truly marvellous and a credit to the people of the area.” He was also 'over the moon' by the amount of Ex-Stags players and Managers who supported the event. “From Billy Deardon to Chris Greenacre, to Kevin Bird to Sandy Pate, I can't speak highly enough of the Ex-Stags stars who have given their support to the event. Many had never met each other for a number of years, so for them to come together again made a great day for them all. Jim McCaffrey was swapping phone numbers and Chris Greenacre said how much he had enjoyed the day coming back to Mansfield. Kevin Bird on collecting the Trophy added that it would be a smashing idea if the game would now become an annual event and Steve Wilkinson added that he would be willing to support anything like the event again.” Steve was also pleased by the generosity of the public and businesses of the area. “Everyone was keen to help. Abacus Lighting were the official match sponsors and Hero of Pinxton really did us proud by donating a complete strip for the All-Star side, which each player signed and we auctioned off afterwards and raised over £600. I would have been pleased to raise about a thousand, so to reach almost two and a half thousand was purely fantastic. The were a number of items also in the auction and raffle that had been donated by West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, Lincoln City, the SSA, Pete Thompson, Hopkins Solicitors, MJS Logistics, North Midland Construction, Tesco and our very own, Mansfield Town Football Club. Other organisations also helped by either donations of cash or other items like Premier Trophies of Sutton in Ashfield who donated the trophy and Mansfield District Council who handled the teamsheets and who also made a donation. Some of Allison's friends at Tesco's even baked cakes and raised almost £120. Teversal Football Club, especially Kev Newton have been great in their help also, providing full facilities for spectators and players alike.” The main aim of the day was achieved which pleased Steve the most. “The aim of the day was to play a game in the memory of Stephen McIntyre and to raise money for Notts City Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, both of which were achieved and I feel proud to have been associated with it all. I would like to thank my wife, Emma who throughout the whole organisation of the day was a great help and also James Brunt, who without his help the game would have never happened. To be honest, the whole day proved a great success and that is down to the good natured people of this area. Like I have said, just to be part of it all was for me a complete honour. People have thanked me, whereas I should be thanking them.” Before the game each team member was introduced to the crowd by Stags PA, Alan Wilson and they were also introduced to three guests of honour, as Steve explains, “Ex-Crystal Palace and England midfielder, Geoff Thomas, who is undergoing treatment for Leukaemia and who had spent several months in the next hospital bed to Stephen McIntyre kindly turned up for the game as did Lord Mayor of Mansfield, Tony Eggington and Stephen's Mother Allison. All of whom were introduced to each and every player. The money raised will be presented to the Notts City Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Unit ward. “We are now waiting for promised money to come in, when it is all in the bank we will be sorting out a big cheque and along with members from both sides, we will be presenting it on the ward.” (Date will be released). The Ex-Stags players enjoyed the day so much, there is talk of the day becoming an annual event. “There is talk of doing the whole thing again next year. Obviously more people will know about the event this time, so there could be an even bigger crowd and another great chance of raising money for Charity. It would be fantastic if we could all sort it out again.” Ex-Stags Stars who came along to support the event. Billy Dearden, Stuart Watkiss, Neil Richardson, Ryan Williams, Simon Coleman, Ian Bowling, Chris Greenacre, Mark Kearney, Kevin Bird, Colin Foster, Mick Laverick, Jim McCaffrey, Sandy Pate, Jamie Walker, Les McJannet, Steve Spooner, Steve Wilkinson. |
Latest | May 2006