Wayne Clark's cup stays with his family
A TROPHY won by a tragic Wear Valley teenager will stay in the family after Craussiemoor Wanderers won the Wayne Clark memorial tournament.The tournament was held to raise money for a memorial bench dedicated to 19-year-old Wayne Clark who died tragically last year, and it was to his mother’s great relief that the team her husband played for triumphed on Saturday.
Liz Simpson said: “The trophy was won by Wayne when he was 14 and I really wanted it to stay in the family. It was really good of Craussiemoor Wanderers to let my husband Craig lift the trophy, and I’m so pleased it will be coming home with us.
“I was not best pleased when Craig’s team were knocked out before, especially as they were all in the pub before their match. It was unfortunate that snow stopped play on that day, but it meant we got to take the trophy home with us then and it’s fantastic that we will finally be able to keep it.”
The 10 team tournament had originally been held on Sunday, April 6 at Crook town’s Milfield ground, but heavy snow stopped play, and the remaining games including the semi-finals and final had to be played last Saturday.
Craig made a mid tournament transfer from Clarky’s Crew to eventual winners Craussiemoor Wanderers, who also boasted the cup’s best goalkeeper and scorer. Michael “safe hands” Sanderson didn’t conceded a goal, and Paul “Tucker” Bailes scored in every round, including the 3-0 win over Rakey rovers in the final.
Co-organiser Anne Reed said: “Something good has come out of something truly horrible. “There is talk of making this an annual event and I think that would be a nice idea, though I think we’ll wait until May next year so that the snow won’t affect the games. People in Crook are very generous, and they have proved that with the support they have shown throughout this tournament.”
Liz said: “People have given us so much in order to raise money for the bench, and while that has been paid for, the money we receive will still go to a good cause. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us during this difficult time, and it’s amazing just how generous people really are.”
