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.
