Successful Fundraiser At Ashton Athletic
Wed 20th August 2014 | Ashton Athletic | By Ian Templeman
A charity game at Ashton Athletic on Sunday in aid of Cancer Research raised almost £2000.
The idea for the event came from former Ashton Athletic and Atherton Colls striker Paul Townshend, who has raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK over the past few years, and the centrepiece of the day was a game contested between two over 30s teams from Ashton Athletic and Garswood.
The winners were awarded the Nina Pilling Memorial Trophy, in memory of the wife of Atherton LR assistant manager Steve Pilling, who lost her battle with cancer in October last year.
Steve, who spent many years as a player and had a spell as assistant manager at Ashton Athletic, said the day had been a great success.
"We are pleased with the way the day went", he said. "The weather stayed good, there were various stalls at the side of the pitch while the game was going on. We took just under £1000 in cash on the day, and once other sponsorship money has been collected, we should end up with at least £1800, and hopefully we will hit the £2000 mark".
As well as Steve and current LR manager Ross McNair, the Ashton Athletic team was filled with players who have played and worked Steve during his time at Ashton Athletic, Ashton Town and Atherton Collieries, and have hundreds of appearances in the NWCFL between them. Among the familiar names were Paul Townshend, Karl and Paul Atherton, Steve Wallace, Mike Rhead and Andy Paxton.
The game itself had a dramatic ending when Ashton were losing 6-5 and were then awarded a penalty in the last minute. Steve takes up the story.
"I was standing inside our half and when we got the penalty the shout went up for me to take it. It must have been the longest run up to a penalty in history, but I just kept running and smashed it. The keeper got a hand to it but the ball ended up in the net, and then John the referee blew up for full time.
"We were going to go to penalties but we decided it would be better to share the trophy".
Steve presented the Man of the Match Trophies to Ashton's Paul Atherton and Garswood's Kevin Picton, and also presented the trophy in memory of Nina to both captains Paul Townsend and Karl Addison to share until next year's encounter.
After the game Ashton Athletic Chairman Jimmy White said: "As a club we felt privileged that Steve requested to play this game at Brocstedes Park. Steve has played and managed here and is a well liked person on the amateur football scene and we were all affected by Nina's passing.
"Today was a fantastic occasion and I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed it. Special thanks has to go to Paul Townsend for all the hard work organising this event and more thanks to all the volunteers who have helped out in making today a great success".
Steve is pictured above with mascot Spike O'Brien prior to the game. Photo courtesy of Mark Parkinson Photography and the Ashton Athletic website.
Successful Fundraiser At Ashton Athletic
Wed 20th August 2014 | Ashton Athletic
By Ian Templeman
A charity game at Ashton Athletic on Sunday in aid of Cancer Research raised almost £2000.
The idea for the event came from former Ashton Athletic and Atherton Colls striker Paul Townshend, who has raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK over the past few years, and the centrepiece of the day was a game contested between two over 30s teams from Ashton Athletic and Garswood.
The winners were awarded the Nina Pilling Memorial Trophy, in memory of the wife of Atherton LR assistant manager Steve Pilling, who lost her battle with cancer in October last year.
Steve, who spent many years as a player and had a spell as assistant manager at Ashton Athletic, said the day had been a great success.
"We are pleased with the way the day went", he said. "The weather stayed good, there were various stalls at the side of the pitch while the game was going on. We took just under £1000 in cash on the day, and once other sponsorship money has been collected, we should end up with at least £1800, and hopefully we will hit the £2000 mark".
As well as Steve and current LR manager Ross McNair, the Ashton Athletic team was filled with players who have played and worked Steve during his time at Ashton Athletic, Ashton Town and Atherton Collieries, and have hundreds of appearances in the NWCFL between them. Among the familiar names were Paul Townshend, Karl and Paul Atherton, Steve Wallace, Mike Rhead and Andy Paxton.
The game itself had a dramatic ending when Ashton were losing 6-5 and were then awarded a penalty in the last minute. Steve takes up the story.
"I was standing inside our half and when we got the penalty the shout went up for me to take it. It must have been the longest run up to a penalty in history, but I just kept running and smashed it. The keeper got a hand to it but the ball ended up in the net, and then John the referee blew up for full time.
"We were going to go to penalties but we decided it would be better to share the trophy".
Steve presented the Man of the Match Trophies to Ashton's Paul Atherton and Garswood's Kevin Picton, and also presented the trophy in memory of Nina to both captains Paul Townsend and Karl Addison to share until next year's encounter.
After the game Ashton Athletic Chairman Jimmy White said: "As a club we felt privileged that Steve requested to play this game at Brocstedes Park. Steve has played and managed here and is a well liked person on the amateur football scene and we were all affected by Nina's passing.
"Today was a fantastic occasion and I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed it. Special thanks has to go to Paul Townsend for all the hard work organising this event and more thanks to all the volunteers who have helped out in making today a great success".
Steve is pictured above with mascot Spike O'Brien prior to the game. Photo courtesy of Mark Parkinson Photography and the Ashton Athletic website.