A Festival of Football……

The season may have finished on May 7^th but there was still plenty of football to be played at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.

On Friday 13^th we ran our first Charity tournament, where the winners would take home the inaugural “Les Turnbull Memorial Trophy”.   In front of four generations of the Turnbull family, 6 teams lined up, including a team made up on the night of men and COGs (Crawley Old Girls), ready to play 5 games of 6 a side.  All teams had a minimum of 2 men and 2 women on the pitch at the same time; the rest of the team selection was up to them!

The ladies, especially, really enjoyed some competitive football but the whole event was played in the spirit of fair play and there was some good skill on show.  Maybe, Dermot Drummy and Matt Gray, who came along to support the fans, saw some talent for the future!

Each player was asked to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £20, although there were some who went way over that amount! Well done to them.  The total raised from the evening was an amazing £1048, so thank you to everyone who contributed.

With all the teams finished apart from 2, it was the final League game which had everyone off their seats and what a cracker it was!  The Fit Fans played against GH1 and had brought the score back to 3-3 when in the final moments GH1 scored to make it 4-3. We think that may have been one of the most exciting games seen at home this season!

With the semi-finals being won by the Community team and Bra & Kickers, the Final was a tense game and ended in a draw so it had to be decided on penalties.  Bra & Kickers came out the winners and took home the Cup, which was presented by Audrey Turnbull.

The evening was great fun and thanks to everyone who played and supported.  We aim to make this an annual event so if you didn’t enter this year, you have another year to get organised!

The money raised will now be split between The Stroke Association (in Les’ memory), Chestnut Tree House and the Community Foundation.

Thanks go to Craig Bratt as well, for being roped in to play, referee and take all the photos!

Finally, on the 15^th May, the CTSA Supporters team held a tournament for the supporters of MK Dons, Leyton Orient, Stevenage and Gillingham.  This tournament is now in its third year and always marks the end of the season playing in the IFA League.  This event has had some great feedback from the other teams.

After playing 4 x 30 minute games each, our own lads made it through to the Final, against Stevenage, but the Stevenage boys were just too strong and came out eventual winners.   Another great weekend of football for supporters came to an end with everyone having enjoyed themselves.

Same time next year……..