On the evening of Thursday 13th October, East Grinstead Town Football Club were host, once again, to the 18th annual ‘Adam Dabell Memorial Cup and Trophy’ football match between Imberhorne and Sackville Sixth Forms – in celebration of the life of our son Adam and to raise voluntary contributions to the charity ‘CRY’ (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

In front of a large crowd of mainly our Town’s wonderful young people, Imberhorne took the Cup and Trophy, beating their Sackville friends 4 – 3 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, entertained us all with 90 mins of terrific football.

 Liam Dunbar the Imberhorne Coach reports:-

“ I thought from start to finish both teams played in good spirit and showed respect for both each other and the event as a whole. For the Imberhorne boys, I cannot fault their work rate at all. Playing off of the back of defeats over the last couple of years, it was great to see the boys come out and not let that affect them at all. To be 2-1 down at half time as well and continue to battle right from the beginning of the second half allowed Imberhorne to get the early equaliser which definitely gave us the momentum for the remainder of the game playing a key role in the further two goals being scored. With some of the boys showing fatigue towards the end, Sackville kept it exciting for the spectators by scoring a third, but the resilience shown by Imberhorne kept the score line at bay resulting in an Imberhorne win.

Imberhorne goals scorers: Own goal (first), Alex Tidy (second), Reegan Jeffery (third), Harry Standen (fourth)

MOM: Harry Standen”

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 10 : 8 in the overall head to heads

but things are hotting-up.   Watch this space!

Mims Davies our MP and Adam, 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 and also Steve Hill, the West Sussex Sports Coordinator, who, with Simon Bunn, the idea of the Match originally was, Mims, Adam 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 18 years since the death of Adam to an un-diagnosed heart condition.

Indeed, Steve himself was diagnosed with just such a heart condition and, very thankfully, is now fully recovered, following an operation to rectify.

Voluntary contributions on the night of the match, plus donations from friends and Adam’s family, raised  £600 for  CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young.

http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/ – for which we are very thankful.