FOOTBALL: Hunt for Institute heroes of the past
Swineshead Institute are celebrating 100 years of football with a weekend of games and special events - and they are looking for past players to join them.
The football club has fielded at least one team every year since 1919 - even one of the few who played during World War II.
Club chairman Peter Sharman said: "Over the years hundreds - maybe thousands - have played for or against Swineshead teams and we are inviting them all along to our Weekend of Celebrations over the Spring Bank Holiday, May 24-27, with all events at The Causeway, off South Street, Swineshead.
"We are particularly wanting to contact anyone who has been connected to the club over the last 100 years – the oldest player we have found to date is 93 years old – and ask them to come along to meet up for a grand reunion on Sunday, May 26."
Entrance will be free to the family event, where there will be live bands, memorabilia, side shows, bouncy castle, a veteran’s match, barbecue and a licensed bar.
Entrance will be free of charge – the event starts at noon and will continue until around 8pm.
Other events include a Sportsman Dinner featuring former England and Arsenal star Ray Parlour on Friday, May 24 – there are just a handful of tickets left at £40 per head
On Saturday 25, the Swineshead Cup Final will kick-off at 2pm and is followed in the evening by a dance with live band Just for Kicks together with Silver Dollar Disco and a hog roast – tickets £10 each - including hog roast - now on sale.
On Bank Holiday Monday, there is a Mini Tutes football tournament and a walking football exhibition.
A book written by George Wheatman on the history of the club is now nearing completion and it is hoped it will be available for sale at the weekend events – the price will be no more than £10 per copy and you can reserve a copy now with a £5 deposit.
For more information visit Swineshead Inst FC Centenary on Facebook or contact Peter Sharman – email peterajsharman@hotmail.com or call 07767 421118.
