Stuart Dale match 2022
Posted on: April 29th 2022School News
MGS held its annual fundraising football match for Macmillan Cancer Support, after two years of cancellations due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Every year, eager football players gather at the school to compete for the Stuart Dale Memorial Trophy in memory of the school staff member, who died from cancer in 2005.
This year’s fixture, between school staff and an All-Star team ended up 3-2 to the All Stars, which included ex-Northern Ireland International Colin Murdock and ex-Blackburn Rover player Matt Jansen.
The match was played on the football fields in the sunshine, and was also supported by a non-uniform day for school pupils.
Sixth Form pupil Oscar completed a match report as follows: "An exasperated jut of the keeper’s chin towards Wilson, met by a dismissive wave of his arms was a microcosm of the 2022 Stuart Dale Charity Football Match. After an impressively contested first fifteen, the sight of a pass-back rolling into the net of the Staff-Side changed the dynamic of the game, getting the All-Stars on the board. Despite impressive work rates from the All-Stars leading to two additional goals from Schweiger and Jansen, the one with the asterisk next to it will doubtless be the one occupying most minds, alongside, of course, thoughts of Macmillan Cancer Support for whom the game was played.
"Another emotional high point of the game included a confrontation between the referee and an unidentified All-Star player who, after two team goals from the Staff, decided to hit back at Mills. An inside source has confirmed that said player has, post-game, confirmed he was ‘playing into the crowd’ consolidating a fan-favourite moment as one that was generally amicable.
Oscar concluded: "The Final score, 3-2 All-Stars, was deemed to be a fair reflection of the game. A competitive match and a commercial success for the charities committee, who sold out everything at the stalls (other than a few packs of crisps) made for a successful afternoon for the school’s contribution to Macmillan Cancer Support".
Well done to every member of staff who was involved in the match, and to everyone who attended the game in support of Macmillan! We look forward to next year's match!
