It was a pleasure and a privilege to be present at the Eastern Counties Cup Finals on Sunday 1st July.
It commenced at 9.00am, finished at 8.00pm, but what a day!
Apart from the Cup Finals for all the age groups, we had the Ivan Cook Under 9,s Championship running through the day, in which 6 teams competed for the coveted trophy.
All games throughout the day were highly competitive with several going to a golden goal and/or penalty shoot out to decide the winning team.
The crowd were amazing.
From the very start of the day there were loads of spectators cheering on their teams which made the atmosphere fantastic.
Although it was a long day and people were coming and going throughout, the number of spectators never diminished and by the start of the presentations Bushfields Sports Centre was packed.
As we had a lot of people together and no National Training Weekend this month, we took the opportunity to carry out the second 600 Club draw.
This was won by number 89, purchased by Mrs P. Hillard from Kings Lynn, whose daughter was able to take her home a cheque for £150.00.
I would like to congratulate all the teams on their performances and in particular the winners of the various Leagues and Cups, not forgetting Steve Taylor, who won the Referee of the Year Award, which was voted by the Clubs.
I would like to thank Billy Wells, who we got out of retirement, to come and help out on the day by selling raffle tickets, 600 Club memberships and by presenting most of the awards for us.
I would like to publicly thank, on your behalf, all those on the E.C.R.H.A. Executive who have all worked very hard all season to maintain the position of our Region as the largest and strongest in the Country and to make this Cup Finals day so memorable.
But most of all we have to thank all the players, from the youngest right up to Ivan Cook for providing great entertainment and lasting memories of a superb day.
Keith Allen
President
