Annual charity football match raises thousands for cancer charity

Pitchside media screen showing a Andrew Scoffin Memorial Match graphic (1)

A fifth annual charity football match at the Mornflake Stadium has helped raise thousands of pounds for cancer charities, writes Jonathan White.

Crewe Alexandra FC hosted the “Andrew Scoffin Memorial Match” in honour of their former stadium announcer and lifelong fan.

Andrew organised the first one to raise funds for The Christie, where he was being treated.

He died later that year and the event was named ‘The Andrew Scoffin Memorial Match’ by his two sons, Ashley and Warren Scoffin, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

There was a minute’s applause prior to kick-off in memory of Andrew with all match officials and players standing around the centre circle.

Players paid £20 each to play with the game consisting of 45 minutes each way.

The teams were split into ‘Crewe Alex Home Shirts past & present’ and ‘Crewe Alex Away Shirts past & present’ and were captained by Ashley and Warren respectively.

The compere for the evening was Crewe Alex Stadium Announcer, Adam Goode. The match photographer and community journalist was Jonathan White.

Alex Away Shirts beat Red Alex Shirts beat 4-3 in a tight game, played in dry and sunny conditions.

Ashley Scoffin (left) with brother Warren Scoffin after full-time (1) — Ashley Scoffin (left) with brother Warren Scoffin after full-time

On full-time, winning team captain Ashley Scoffin of Alex Away Shirts received the Andrew Scoffin Memorial Trophy and sprayed a bottle of non-alcoholic bubbly in celebration. All players received a Macmillan Cancer Support medal.

The game raised £3,357 of much needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Warren said: “Well done to Ashley for yet another win. If we had five more minutes, I think we would have pinched it!

“Once again, I’d like to thank Crewe Alexandra Football Club for the use of the facilities, means a lot to be back.

“I’m not going to singularly name everyone because there is too many to mention, but thank you to each and every one of you who still make this happen, and keeps the match alive and kicking for the old man.

“Good turn on spectators again and a massive £590 was raised in bucket collections on the night, which is our largest amount for on the night so far.

“This gives us a final figure of £3,357 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“Here’s to yet another successful year! Hopefully, we go again next year. Thank you everyone!”

(pics by Jonathan White)