STONEHOUSE TRIUMPH IN 40th. SIX-A-SIDE
England were soon to win the world cup, Harold Wilson was Prime Minister and the Kinks were at number 1 with Sunny Afternoon.
Apparently it certainly wasn’t, when the first ever Leonard Stanley six-a-side tournament took place in 1966. Referee Brian Stevens recalled, “The weather was appalling that day with persistent rain throughout the whole event.” Brian, a former Leonard Stanley Football Club secretary who helped with the organising and refereeing at that first tournament, refereed this years final between Kings Stanley and Stonehouse in glorious sunshine. His refereeing career has taken him to far grander places since that day but his service to the tournament was acknowledged by LSFC Chairman Stuart Craddock at the presentation. He has officiated at all but three throughout the last 40 years.
Also acknowledged and thanked by the club was the Gardiner family who initiated the competition as a tribute to founder member and former Stroud League chairman Cyril Anderson. Not forgotten either was the hard work that Roly Wilkes had put into the event during his many years as secretary. Mrs Marjorie Gardiner then presented the runners-up trophy to Kings Stanley captain Adam Smith and the Cyril Anderson Shield to Stonehouse captain Hadyn Murray who’s team had narrowly won the final 1- 0. Stonehouse were also the first winners 40 years ago.
The final was the tenth match of the day for the two teams after a total of forty-eight from all over the county had battled it out throughout the day. Sixteen teams made it to the second round with Cashes Green, Leonard Stanley, Stonehouse Robins and Abbeymead making it to the quarter-final stage. Hardwicke and Barnwood Utd. were knocked out in the semi-finals.
Leonard Stanley FC would very much like to thank all the teams for entering along with the thirteen referees who kept things running smoothly. Also a big well done to the club’s players, WaGs, friends and relatives for their hard work in making the day a success.
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