Swans Win Inaugural Aaron Winstanley Memorial Shield
7th August 2019| Barton Town Reserves | 4-0 | Brigg Town CIC Reserves | Attendance |
| J. Finnis 10, Woodforth 74, Meffen PEN 88, H. Finnis 90 | 332 |
Barton won the shield, but Aaron’s Battle is the real winner!!
On Friday evening The Easy Buy Stadium, home of Barton Town FC, played host to the inaugural Aaron Winstanley Memorial Shield. Which saw the accumulation of a months worth of pre-season games played in a group format all to raise funds for the charity “Aaron’s Battle.”
A bumper crowd of 337 packed in to watch Barton Town Reserves take on Brigg Town CIC Reserves in a battle to be the first name on the Shield.
Barton and Brigg both sported the famous Aaron’s Battle t-shirts (Sponsored by SH Industrial supplies) to stand and make a statement for the charity as they warmed up prior to the game , this also saw Aarons wife , Saraya open up the newly presented “ Aaron Winstanley Memorial Honours Board” (Sponsored by MD Signs) at The Easy Buy Stadium.
Prior to the game the whole stadium paid tribute to Aaron with a minute’s applause.
Whilst lots was going on around the ground to make money for the charity including entertainment act (Gray Hodgson), and some fantastic raffle prizes (Sponsored by Easy Buy & donations from clubs), Barton and Brigg were involved in a game. It was Barton who took an early lead through Jack Finnis in the 10th minute after he was played in from a wide angle.
Barton found Brigg’s ‘keeper in inspired form as he pulled off 2/3 good saves in the first 45 minutes.
Brigg were pressing Barton and breaking at pace in numbers but the Barton defence restricted Brigg to long range efforts.
A nasty clash of heads saw a player from each side withdraw from the game, and in keeping with the charity both side’s physios worked together to fix the wounded.
At half time Barton went in 1-0 up…
The real entertainment was the raffle prize winners, and thanks to all the efforts of those who bought tickets we raised a fantastic £420 from the raffle towards the charity. We hope the the winners are happy with their prizes.
The second half was another finely matched contest and again chances were few and far between. That was until legs started to tire and space opened up for Barton’s wide man to run into Brigg’s goalkeeper, again in inspired form!
Barton doubled their advantage when captain and the Man of the Match Robin Woodforth rose highest from another set piece to head home in the 74th minute.
Goals number three and four came late on in the game with Scott Meffen converting an 88th minute penalty when Jack Finnis was brought down, and a well deserved goal for his sibling Harry Finnis in the last moments as he arrived late at the back post to convert into the Brigg goal.
Following the game the presentations of The Shield (Sponsored by The Money Box) was awarded by Saraya (Aarons Wife) and she selected and presented the night’s man of the match award (Sponsored by Lindsey Relay).
The night then saw live music and a beer raised by all in Aaron’s memory.
Tournament organiser Liam Graham has this to say…
“Firstly Thank you to everyone who supported the event over the course of the month’s worth of games. To get over 300 people down here tonight was just fantastic, I’m so happy with the turn out and I’m sure after speaking with Saraya, Aaron will be looking down on us all tonight and feeling a huge sense of pride and happiness.
I have to say a huge thank you to all of the sponsors whose generosity and donations were so key in putting this event together with it being the first year of it running, your support has been outstanding.
Another thanks must go to the Match Officials who have given up their time over the course of the month and tonight. It’s a difficult job so your efforts are much appreciated.
Most of all thank you to the support of Saraya and all those who have come and supported not just tonight’s game but any game and had chance to raise money and remember a fine young man.
We are yet to confirm the final total of what has been raised with some auction assets still to sell but it’s clear that we have raised well over a £1100 for the good of the charity which will help others immensely so to everyone involved including the 6 clubs and army of volunteers who have helped you should be extremely proud of your efforts.
We hope to bring you a presentation giving the charity the money raised soon.
We hope that next year and the year after will be just as successful and give you your opportunity to remember Aaron once again.
Thank You!”
Liam Graham
There are still auction items available, including signed shirts from Hull City, Hull FC, Derby, Middlesbrough, Wolves, Wigan, Barnsley and Scunthorpe to auction.
