Fundraisers pitch in
By TMX Archives on 15th Nov 07
BURNHAM Football Ground, near Slough, was once again the venue for the annual Remembrance Sunday Solo versus Sidecar charity football match, reports Tracy Thacker.
After a good battle, the Solos took a 3-1 victory.
It has to be said that although this event is a ‘friendly' there wereprobably more injuries at this one event than you see at a motocrossmeeting.
By the end of the day most of the sidecar team were limping, but moreseriously Mark Eastwood from the Solo team badly damaged his knee andone his team-mates suffered a dislocated shoulder and ended up atA&E.
Both teams played well, with the Sidecars, led by Grant Peacockdominating the start of the game, but as they tired the Solos, led bycaptain Craig Elwell, took advantage and stepped up the pace to grabthree goals in the second half. These matches were started by thesidecar supporters back in 1987 to raise funds for sidecar passengerGeorge Skeates who broke his back while racing.
This year's fundraising was to help Michael Hubbard who, like George,is being treated at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital after a seriousaccident at Culham this year left him with no feeling in his lower body.
The entrance fee for the match, an auction and raffle raised £2,100 forMichael, which was topped up by MC Events to make a grand total of£2,600.
Michael was able to attend the event to hand out the medals and wastouched by the efforts of all those who attended. After the prizegivinghe thanked everyone for their generosity.
Result: Solos 3 - Sidecar 1
Referee: Craig Burt
Solos: Steve Dixon, Craig Elwell (capt), Neil Sheppard, David Willet,Mark Eastwood, Jeff Perrett, Kevin Harris, Matt Bates, Jordan Shehar,Simon Swan, Fred Barrott, Dan Trace, Dan Neeves, Danny Smythe andJordan Talbot.
Sidecars: Dean Hyde, Rob Batten, Alan Lyne, Colin Philpott, GrantPeacock (capt), Eric Maguire, Jason Foyle, Andy Heighes, John Lyne,Martin 'Pikey' Hutchins, Alex Watkins, Greg Wernham, Danny Sears andMark Kinge.