Saints Win The Bert Trautmann Trophy
Sun 22nd November 2009 | St Helens Town | By Ian Templeman
Sunday 15th November saw St Helens Town take on a Manchester City Legends XI for the inaugural 'Bert Trautmann Trophy' at the Regional Athletics Arena, City of Manchester Stadium.  The game was part of the club's celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the transfer of legendary 'keeper Bert Trautmann from Town to the sky blues back in October 1949.
Town eventually ran out 6-5 winners, recovering from being 5-4 down just two minutes from time, with Jamie Foster eventually securing the silverware with the last kick of the game.Â
Club Chairman John McKiernan said, 'It was a brilliant afternoon with City stars of yesteryear including Peter Barnes, Neil Pointon, Andy Dibble, Andy May, Kenny Clements, Frank Carrodus, Ian Brightwell and David Brightwell among those who took to the field. We were also privileged to welcomed Joe Corrigan, David White and Paul Lake who turned up to support the event.'Â
The event also commemorated a personal landmark for the Manchester City Secretary, Bernard Halford, who celebrates 50 years with the Eastland's outfit this year. He marked the occasion by being presented to both teams prior to donning his boots and kicking off the game. Also among the presentation party was guest of honour, Steve Fleet, who was Bert's understudy for much of his time at Maine Road. Other guests included a former City team-mate of Bert, striker Johnny Williamson as well as Fred Eyre who also played for both clubs.
John said, 'It was a great experience for the Town lads to be on the same pitch as the Legend's side. There was a great deal of quality play as well as some cracking goals and the high skill level was still evident among the City players, despite some aging legs!'
He added, 'Sky Sports commentator John Gwynne kept the crowd entertained with his pre-match introductions and regular interjections as the match proceeded. The fun continued as the second half of the match started without the referee or his assistants; saw Town players swap sides and the City outfit play with 12 men as Andy Dibble turned make-shift striker!'
'No-one seemed to mind and it added to the celebratory nature of the occasion. It was an excellent way to mark the 60th anniversary and although Bert wasn't able to make the trip from his home in Spain, I know he's looking forward to the match report and photographs.'
Town produced a commemorative programme that included articles written by Bert's charity - the Trautmann Foundation, City legend Mike Summerbee and a special interview with Bert undertaken by the St Helens Star newspaper. The programme also included 'reproductions' of two late 1940s match programmes. The first, a P.O.W. v Haydock FC charity match in which Bert featured.Â
The second, Bert's final game for St Helens Town on 1st October 1948 when the Hoghton Road side entertained Bangor City in the FA Cup (Town lost 0-3). Dave Wallace, editor of the 'King of the Kippax' City fanzine, the Manchester City Centenary Supporters' Association and fellow Vodkat League outfit Maine Road FC also feature in the programme. Copies are still available by sending a cheque for £2 (includes postage and packaging) to John McKiernan, 35 Roysten Gardens, St Helens WA9 1RJ.
John added, 'A significant amount of time went into the planning of this game and I must thank the City players and their manager Derek Partridge for their considerable efforts. I also must say a big thank you to Danny Wilson, Rebecca Firth and Andy Derbyshire at Manchester City for their guidance, support and resources that ensured the day was so successful. We must also thank referee Alan Clayton and his assistants Martin Howe and Phil Broadbent for their services on the day along with Dave Miller and our friends at Maine Road FC for their assistance in selling programmes and raffle tickets; not forgetting my own committee colleagues.'
'I would also like to express my appreciation for the sizeable financial support of a number of sponsors, especially Gareth Shone, General Sales Manager of Johnsons Toyota Liverpool who were the game's match sponsor; Barry Hayton of Hayton's Executive Travel our match ball sponsor and Paul Keen at 438 Marketing who sponsored the commemorative programme '
'We are now in the process of collecting all the sponsorship and advertising monies, adding them to gate receipts and raffle proceeds and we will then be in a position to make presentations the Trautmann Foundation and the Manchester City Centenary Supporters' Association Sierra Leone project, the City Legends' nominated charity. Manchester City also donated a shirt signed by the current squad, including 24 autographs, which we are now looking to raffle or auction.'
Another good piece of news for Town was the attendance at the game of stalwart club committee member and Town Director, Gordon McDonald. Gordon was taken ill during the summer break and has had lengthy spells in both Wythenshawe and Walton hospitals.
John said, 'It's been strange not having Gordon at games this season, his attendance on Sunday was a nice surprise and hopefully as his health improves we'll see (and hear) a bit more from him. Everyone at the club wishes him well.'
For those interested in the details of the game Matt Martin's excellent 'Town Blog' (http://thetownblog.blogspot.com) has a comprehensive match report, squad details, scorers, photographs and HD video highlights of the game - all of which make excellent viewing.
Town captain on the day, Dougie Pitts, is pictured below being presented with the trophy by Steve Fleet.
Saints Win The Bert Trautmann Trophy
Sun 22nd November 2009 | St Helens Town
By Ian Templeman
Sunday 15th November saw St Helens Town take on a Manchester City Legends XI for the inaugural 'Bert Trautmann Trophy' at the Regional Athletics Arena, City of Manchester Stadium.  The game was part of the club's celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the transfer of legendary 'keeper Bert Trautmann from Town to the sky blues back in October 1949.
Town eventually ran out 6-5 winners, recovering from being 5-4 down just two minutes from time, with Jamie Foster eventually securing the silverware with the last kick of the game.Â
Club Chairman John McKiernan said, 'It was a brilliant afternoon with City stars of yesteryear including Peter Barnes, Neil Pointon, Andy Dibble, Andy May, Kenny Clements, Frank Carrodus, Ian Brightwell and David Brightwell among those who took to the field. We were also privileged to welcomed Joe Corrigan, David White and Paul Lake who turned up to support the event.'Â
The event also commemorated a personal landmark for the Manchester City Secretary, Bernard Halford, who celebrates 50 years with the Eastland's outfit this year. He marked the occasion by being presented to both teams prior to donning his boots and kicking off the game. Also among the presentation party was guest of honour, Steve Fleet, who was Bert's understudy for much of his time at Maine Road. Other guests included a former City team-mate of Bert, striker Johnny Williamson as well as Fred Eyre who also played for both clubs.
John said, 'It was a great experience for the Town lads to be on the same pitch as the Legend's side. There was a great deal of quality play as well as some cracking goals and the high skill level was still evident among the City players, despite some aging legs!'
He added, 'Sky Sports commentator John Gwynne kept the crowd entertained with his pre-match introductions and regular interjections as the match proceeded. The fun continued as the second half of the match started without the referee or his assistants; saw Town players swap sides and the City outfit play with 12 men as Andy Dibble turned make-shift striker!'
'No-one seemed to mind and it added to the celebratory nature of the occasion. It was an excellent way to mark the 60th anniversary and although Bert wasn't able to make the trip from his home in Spain, I know he's looking forward to the match report and photographs.'
Town produced a commemorative programme that included articles written by Bert's charity - the Trautmann Foundation, City legend Mike Summerbee and a special interview with Bert undertaken by the St Helens Star newspaper. The programme also included 'reproductions' of two late 1940s match programmes. The first, a P.O.W. v Haydock FC charity match in which Bert featured.Â
The second, Bert's final game for St Helens Town on 1st October 1948 when the Hoghton Road side entertained Bangor City in the FA Cup (Town lost 0-3). Dave Wallace, editor of the 'King of the Kippax' City fanzine, the Manchester City Centenary Supporters' Association and fellow Vodkat League outfit Maine Road FC also feature in the programme. Copies are still available by sending a cheque for £2 (includes postage and packaging) to John McKiernan, 35 Roysten Gardens, St Helens WA9 1RJ.
John added, 'A significant amount of time went into the planning of this game and I must thank the City players and their manager Derek Partridge for their considerable efforts. I also must say a big thank you to Danny Wilson, Rebecca Firth and Andy Derbyshire at Manchester City for their guidance, support and resources that ensured the day was so successful. We must also thank referee Alan Clayton and his assistants Martin Howe and Phil Broadbent for their services on the day along with Dave Miller and our friends at Maine Road FC for their assistance in selling programmes and raffle tickets; not forgetting my own committee colleagues.'
'I would also like to express my appreciation for the sizeable financial support of a number of sponsors, especially Gareth Shone, General Sales Manager of Johnsons Toyota Liverpool who were the game's match sponsor; Barry Hayton of Hayton's Executive Travel our match ball sponsor and Paul Keen at 438 Marketing who sponsored the commemorative programme '
'We are now in the process of collecting all the sponsorship and advertising monies, adding them to gate receipts and raffle proceeds and we will then be in a position to make presentations the Trautmann Foundation and the Manchester City Centenary Supporters' Association Sierra Leone project, the City Legends' nominated charity. Manchester City also donated a shirt signed by the current squad, including 24 autographs, which we are now looking to raffle or auction.'
Another good piece of news for Town was the attendance at the game of stalwart club committee member and Town Director, Gordon McDonald. Gordon was taken ill during the summer break and has had lengthy spells in both Wythenshawe and Walton hospitals.
John said, 'It's been strange not having Gordon at games this season, his attendance on Sunday was a nice surprise and hopefully as his health improves we'll see (and hear) a bit more from him. Everyone at the club wishes him well.'
For those interested in the details of the game Matt Martin's excellent 'Town Blog' (http://thetownblog.blogspot.com) has a comprehensive match report, squad details, scorers, photographs and HD video highlights of the game - all of which make excellent viewing.
Town captain on the day, Dougie Pitts, is pictured below being presented with the trophy by Steve Fleet.