Splitz stage memorial event

OVER two Sundays Splitz United staged a contest in memory of Christopher Thorne at their home ground, Beetley Playing Field, for the Chris Thorne Invitational Shield for which Beetley FC, Cockers FC - last year's winners - and Colkirk, who took part last year, were again invited

This year Cockers beat Colkirk 3-0 and Splitz United beat Beetley 3-2 with a penalty in the last couple of minutes.

On Sunday, Beetley beat Colkirk 1-0 to take third place.

In the final, Cockers came out very strongly against a defensive Splitz United. The pressure worked and Cockers took a 2-0 lead. Splitz had a reprieve with a Chris Fuller goal to make it 2-1. Within minutes Cockers saw the goalkeeper come off his line and got the ball over him to make it 3-1, extending it to 4-1 by half-time.

In the second half, Splitz converted a penalty through Fuller and late pressure pressure saw Fuller complete his hat-trick to make it 4-3.

With five minutes to go, Cockers converted a penalty for 5-3 to again win the Shield.

Chris Thorne was a Splitz United FC co-founder and was manager for their first season in 2006. He also managed for part of the 2007 season. The club has gone on to be well established in the Crown Fire Central and South Norfolk League.

The Splitz United secretary Kevin Foran commented: “The contest was set up to help achieve what our good friend Chris always strived for - to promote fair play and enjoyment of the game. This year's competition certainly did this.”

Chris's wife Jacqueline presented the Shield to the Cockers' captain Alex Brown. Jackie later commented: “Even though Chris isn't here to present the trophy, he is still very much with us.”