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Celebs battle for Warren's cup

Kathryn Ryan
24/ 4/2008

THE annual Forever Bury charity match had extra poignancy this year when the first ever memorial trophy to director Warren Flood was won.

Warren, 42, of Kingswood Park, Prestwich, died earlier this month as he was coming round from a routine back operation.

Other members of Bury FC’s supporters’ trust decided to honour his memory with the Warren Flood Memorial Trophy.

Warren’s dad Arthur was there to see the trophy presented last weekend to the Soccer AM team who were winners of the charity match with Forever Bury.

Arthur was also introduced to some of the celebrities from the team who won 10-3, including former Manchester United player Lee Sharpe, former England sprinter Darren Campbell and former Manchester City player Peter Beagrie.

Dave Giffard, Forever Bury chairman, said: "It was a fitting tribute to Warren and I’m really pleased that we could set up some lasting way to remember him for all the hard work he put into Forever Bury.

"It was also very pleasing to have so many ex-players giving up their time to support us, so many companies sponsoring the event, and getting a great response from the people of Bury."

The trophy was taken away by the Soccer AM team and will be featured on their show this Saturday, although it will soon be returned to Gigg Lane.

The club has also decided to hold an annual memorial day on the last home game of every season to remember Warren and another fan Peter Doodson who died the week before Warren.

The first memorial day will be held on Saturday, April 26, when the club will hold a minutes’ applause during half-time of their match against Rochdale.

Dave added: "It’s obvious that you couldn’t mark the occasion for every fan that died so we suggested a Memorial Day to be held on the last home game of every season. Names will be gathered and displayed in the match programme and also on the electronic scoreboard.

"At half time we will hold one minutes applause in recognition of all those no longer with us.

"It’s also a fitting time to remember all our servicemen, policemen, families, etc.

"Hopefully, the Rochdale fans will take it on board and join in as an act of respect to any of their fans who have passed on."

Cheques for just over £1,000 raised from the charity match will also be presented to representatives from Stepping Stones, Fairfield Baby Unit and MacMillan’s Cancer Care.