May 2017 Football Tournament for local Homeless Organisations

See You Next Year ??

The Annual Tommy McLafferty 5-a-side Football  Tournament went with a swing again this year and all the games were played with a great sporting atmosphere.  The weather was glorious and everyone had a good time.  The competition was very close and the police team squeaked a win in the end.  Emmaus came a well deserved second.

The Abbey Sports Centre astro turf area, behind the pool, Newmarket Road, Cambridge was a great site yet again - our thanks go to the City Council for donating their space for the day.  First Aiders are always on site plus the Pool attendants - with charged mobile phones ready to call an ambulance.  Toilets in the pool building nearby.

Rotary Banners and signs showed the way and many spectators came to enjoy the event.

Helpers arrived 9am

Registration started at 11am and kit was claimed.

The Referees got everyone well warmed up.

Refreshments available for players & helpers throughout from 451.

Play started at 1pm - come and cheer the 66 plucky players !

10 Teams taking part included Link Up, Winter Comfort, Jimmys Night Shelter, the Cyrenians, Emmaus, Riverside, Open Door, Cangle Foyer (CP Warriors), Cambridge Housing and the police.

            click on the poster !

The Day ended with Medals and Trophies and an open air meal for all the tired but satisfied teams, supporters and helpers - this year its Mexican Food from Nanna Mexico !

Julian Huppert MP and President Duncan presented the prizes and congratulated the deserving players :

Player of the Tournament was Patrick Coffey (Link Up)

The Brian Turner Trophy for Goalie of the Tournament was presented to John Meddows (Jimmys)

Many thanks to our Sponsors - Cambridge United Football Club, Cambridge South Rotary Club and Link-Up.  Also our thanks go to our volunteer qualified Referees who gave up their time to be there.

An official presentation to our winners will follow at the Cambridge City Football Ground during a Match - Date - 16 Sep 2017 3pm.

Background to the Event.  
Rotarians, including our organiser Mike Smith, heard about the Homeless World Cup at a Rotary conference and decided to arrange a local tournament in Cambridge.
When Tommy McLafferty died homeless on the streets of Cambridge in 2009, friends who had met him there decided that the event (a 5-a-side football tournament) should carry his name. because of his love of the game and the time he spent as a successful coach with the Scottish giants Celtic.

Amazingly, the Player of our 2010 Tournament went on to captain the England team at the Homeless World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.  see link