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A football tournament held in memory of a former
Clifton Rangers' Player was supported by hundreds of young soccer
enthusiasts.
The Dominic O'Loughlin Anniversary Soccer Festival
organised by Clifton Rangers, was held at Brighouse High School.
Dominic, who was a captain of Clifton Rangers'
under 11's team, died aged 11, in 1994 from a previously undiagnosed heart
condition and since then the Clifton Rangers have made regular donations to
the charity CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Teams from Calderdale, Kirklees and Leeds took
part in the six-a-side matches and Margaret Alen, club secretary, said it
had been a fantastic day's sport.
"All the teams that entered had a great day and
participated well without any problems. They joined in the spirit of
the occasion and made it a very special day.
"Many of the matches were won on penalties which
added to the excitement."
This year's event was even more poignant with the
death of Dominic's father, Barry O'Loughlin, in September last year - just a
few days after the soccer festival had been held.
His wife, Fiona, and daughters Francesca and Mez,
were at this year's event to accept a cheque for £1,000 for the charity CRY
from Clifton Rangers' chairman Andrew Sykes and treasurer Mike Cresey.
Mrs Allen said the event was a credit to the
memory of Barry and Dominic O'Loughlin.
"I would like to thank the managers and parents
who helped on Friday night setting up at the high school and also the
parents who helped all day Saturday and cleared the site on Saturday night.
Without their help it couldn't have happened," said Margaret.
Refreshments were available throughout the event,
as well as hair-spraying, face-painting, a penalty shoot-out, a bun and cake
stall and special photographs that could be purchased on the day of the
children taking part.
It is hoped the event will have raised more than
£2,000 which will go back into the club to help benefit the children playing
for Clifton Rangers.
Winners were: Under-nines, Norristhorpe;
under-10s, Hepworth; under 11s, HAFC; under-12s, Clifton Rangers 'C' team;
under-13s, Brighouse B team; under-14s, Rastrick 'A' team.
All the under-seven and under-eight teams received
participation medals.
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