On the evening of Thursday 2nd October, East Grinstead Town Football Club were host, once again, to the 21st annual ‘Adam Dabell Memorial Cup and Trophy’ football match between Imberhorne and Sackville Schools/Sixth Forms – in celebration of the life of our son Adam and to raise voluntary contributions to the charity CRY.
In front of a large crowd of mainly our Town’s wonderful young people, Sackville took the Cup and Trophy this year, beating their Imberhorne friends 2 – 1 in another gripping game.
Once again the crowd looked forward to enjoying an evening of great sportsmanship and the two teams did not disappoint. Coming out at the start of the evening looking evenly matched and, with the great skill we have come to expect, both sides entertained us all with 90 mins of terrific Football.
Mr Jake Endersby of Sackville Reports:-
“With the 21st anniversary of this special fixture and event for East Grinstead town happening this year, it was with added emotion that some of the parents of the Sackville players informed me that they had known Adam and had gone to school with him.”
“Sackville started well and had a few chances on target but could not convert them into goals. Imberhorne then came back into the game strongly and could have scored a goal before half time. Goals from Finley Wigmore and an own goal secured Sackville’s first win in the memorial game since 2021.”
“It was a double special evening for Sackville, having won the inaugural Mayor’s Cup match earlier, when the U15 Girls team came out 4-1 winners against their Imberhorne counterparts.”
Mr Neil Collyer of Imberhorne reports:-
“For the 21st time Imberhorne and Sackville competed for the Adam Dabell Cup and Trophy on a perfect night for football and, following the wonderful girls match, the boys took the field and didn’t disappoint. In an even first half, where both sides should have scored, it stayed 0-0 at half time. The second half started and again both sides missed chances early on until a break-away goal led to Sackville taking a 1-0 lead. After countless substitutions from both sides 1-0 became 2 -0 in what could only be described as comical – the ball cannoning off the keeper onto a post and then onto the extremely unlucky Aldridge. This pressed Imberhorne to playing full-on attacking football and, with another piece of luck, Georgiou found himself unmarked for a free header from a yard out, 1-2 and for the next 10 minutes Imberhorne tried absolutely everything to find a much-deserved equalizer and Tidy nearly found that late on but hit his shot wide, the whistle blew and Sackville took the honours 2-1. But football was the big winner of the night.”
“Big Thanks to Jim who officiated both games!”
A fantastic effort from both teams! Thanks also once again to the young fans who cheered encouraged and showed respectful support throughout.
Another hugely successful evening for both schools and indeed the local Community as a whole; physical and skilful. Imberhorne are currently still leading 11 : 9 in the overall head to heads but things are hotting-up. Watch this space!
Mims Davies our MP and John Belsey, our Town Mayor, had photos taken with both teams and presented the Cup, Trophy and medals at the end.
As is always the comment, we had all been most impressed with the standard of the football and by the fantastic spirit of the young people of our Town, attending this now well-known Community Event.
In thanking, as always, Richard Tramontin and EGTFC , for their kind support of this annual memorial event in memory of Adam, Mims, John and I spoke briefly to declare the event another huge success and asked that everyone dig deep in support of the CRY charity.
It is now 21 years since the death of Adam to an un-diagnosed heart condition.
Voluntary contributions on the night of the match, plus donations from friends and Adam’s family, raised £600 for CRY for which we are very thankful.