On Bank Holiday Monday there were two matches at our Mayesbrook Park home in to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Below is a report of the day's proceedings:
Chairman's foreword - Rob O'Brien writes "This was an excellent day thanks to the great efforts of
our fixture secretary Sue Jones who planned it, kept things ticking over on the day and was also photographer, PA announcer, auctioneer, raffle drawer, project manager, treasurer and Old boys team manager. Sue also wrote this report ".
17 year old West Ham striker Dylan Tombides (pictured top) was recently diagnosed with Testicular cancer and is currently receiving treatment at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. He will continue further treatment in the coming weeks.
Dylan attended Barking Abbey School along with several of the current Barking FC squad. One of the players, Sam Jones, in support of his good
friend, was attempting to raise £1,000 for the Cancer Research UK Charity - Men's Cancer by shaving his hair off on the day.
Also Manor House FC of the Essex Sunday Corinthian League Senior Division participated in two friendly matches against Barking Reserves and a Barking Veterans team. All funds raised went towards helping Sam reach his target.
REPORT OF THE DAY
Match 1 -
Barking Reserves 1 Manor House 3
Jake Mallett was first on the score sheet putting Manor House into the lead from the edge of the box. The equaliser came early in the second half by Sam GROSS who struck home first time with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. The match progressed into quite an evenly fought contest. Manor House manager, Barry Jones, introduced his two sons at half time, which paid dividends as Ben Jones cut the ball back for Sam to slot home. The third goal came when Lewis Payne chased down a lost cause to set the ball back to
Sam Jones, who then whipped it in first time to the back post for his brother Ben to slot home with a bullet header to make the final score 3-1.
Dylan and his family were there on the day and after the first match Dylan took hold of the clippers and began the shaving of Sam's hair. Alan Dickens also gave assistance in helping Dylan with the final touches.
Then followed the auctioning of some great prizes; £40 was raised for the child's West Ham signed football shirt, £400 for a week's holiday in sunny Paphos, Cyprus and finally £500 was raised for a Dinner for four in The Colony Restaurant/Casino in Mayfair plus a limo taxi to and from home for the lucky guests.
Match 2 - Barking Veterans 1 Manor House 3
It was then time for the All Star Veterans to don the shirts and show the younger generation how the game should be played.....or not as the case may be! Barking Vets played Manor House Vets. Dylan started the kick-off for this match (and then left the field). Mid way through the first half Manor House Vets was awarded a penalty only for the referee to change his mind and instead give a corner. From this the ball fell to first team manager, Steve Munday who changed defence into attack and hit a 50 yard diagonal pass straight into the path of Rob O'BRIEN who miraculously plucked it from the air, ran half the length of the pitch and as cool as a cucumber slotted it into the back of the net. Marcus Richardson, the Barking reserve goalkeeper, was left rooted to the spot and could only stand and applaud the goal scorer. With a change of personnel 20 minutes from the final whistle, managers Sue Mallett and Sue Jones brought on the dubious looking veterans
(young ones) causing a u-turn and they scored two consecutive goals. The second goal being 'a mile off side', and after Munday and O'Brien throwing their toys out of the pram, the goal stood. Shortly before the end of the game Barking Vets had a great chance to equalise after a well flighted ball came in from the right and ex-professional footballer Alan Dickens could not capitalise on the opportunity. Barking Vets goalkeeper Jeff Sears did some TV saves but was dumped onto the seat of his pants when another younger vet broke through and made it 3-1 to the Manor House team.
FINAL WORD....
The whole day was a huge success and what started out as a 'Shave for the Brave' sponsor attempting to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK - Men's Cancer, ended in raising in excess of £2,000 (still to be totalled up). Sue Jones, the event organiser, says 'First and foremost we wanted to raise awareness amongst the younger male generation that testicular cancer is not just diagnosed in the older man. Self-examine and if in doubt - check it out!'
'I would like to thank everyone who sponsored Sam and supported the event on Monday. The generosity received from friends, family & colleagues has been overwhelming. Last but not least a big thank you goes to Barking FC and staff for hosting the event.'
' We wish Dylan all the very best in a speedy and healthy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch as soon as possible!'
Below are some photos taken on the day by Sue Jones - please click on any image to enlarge
