The day the football REALLY did not matter

The idea, I think, was to have a bit of fun, & to raise some money for the family of a chap called Stephen Benjamin. Who was he? I have no idea, simply an ordinary bloke who had a heart of gold. One of the wide family of footballers, who no matter where we are, or who we are, we all have an affinity.
Stephen played for Old Westminster Citizens 6th XI, & tragically collapsed & subsequently died early this year, aged only 35.
There is a moving tribute website in his name: www.stephenbenjamin.co.uk

On Easter Saturday his Club, Old Westminster Citizens, of the Southern Amateur League, held a tournament in his memory, and as a benefit for the young family he left behind.

We were invited through Ian Gannon, who is an OWC’s man, and with the co-operation of Dawn Taylor, fielded a mixed team with Peckham Village Womens Football Club. They provided more of the squad, understandably as most of us had been playing down at Worthing the day before, and we supplied out Pink ‘n’ Blue kit, which seemed a fair sort of ‘compromise’ to do. There was a suggestion that we’ve never been ‘prettier in pink’, not necessarily my view though! ;-)

We didn’t know what to expect standard wise, but were under the impression there were to be a number of mixed sides in the tournament. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be the case, & we were the ONLY mixed side there, which put us under a severe handicap! Though the outcome didn’t matter one iota, it would have been nice to have been on a level playing field! And whilst the actual pitches were flat & reasonable to play on, you couldn’t quite be so complimentary about the weather! There was some sunshine, but not much! Mostly strong winds, rain & even hail! Boy oh boy was it cold!

We were in Group A & matches were of a quick turnaround. 25 minutes a match, I think it was, & almost straight back on. Which wasn’t a bad thing, it actually ran extremely smoothly, all credit to the organisers.

Our first match was against a team called Accentuate The Passion, where we held out for a no score draw, our only point. I’m not sure who this team was, but I think they were made up of friends & family of Stephen. Our next match was a 2-0 reverse against Champions 06/07, who were the Old Westminster Citizens 6th XI team that won their league last season, & the actual team that Stephen turned out for. It was fitting that they went on to win the tournament, defeating RAF Icarus one nil in the final.
Our last clash was against Old Wilsonians. A somewhat calamatic first half saw us turnaround three goals down, but we battled on and managed to ‘win the second half’ one nil with a well taken goal from Villager Lizzie Cameron.

So that was the end of the group games, but the competition wasn’t over for us, despite aching limbs wanting it to be. We were due a couple of play-off games, though there were no complaints when one team had gone straight home after their elimination, so it was just the one against a fellow supporters’ team, & Internet Football Association rivals, Hampton & Richmond Borough, who were generously stopping off on their way to our own Champion Hill to paly out senior tenants Fisher Athletic, to take part this morning. By now we were so knackered that we were running on an empty tank, & were well beaten-six goals for no reply.

And so it was time to get changed and jump into cars, taxis or public transport, & head back to the comfort of a warm & welcoming ‘East Dulwich Tavern’!

Hopefully we will be able to enter again next year, if Dulwich Hamlet fixtures allow. Though I hope that it will be a solo Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Team, and not a mixed one. Though I had no problem with the mix it did put us at a distinct disadvange, having falsely been led to believe that there were other mix & match sides taking part. That’s not a slight on any of the Peckham girls, some of whom could easily slot into a ‘Rabblers’ team, especially the strong & powerful Terri Warren. Not so much a ‘she-man’; more of a Sherman Tank!

Combined squad for the day:

“The Rabblers”: Matt Hammond; Ferenc Morath; James O’Shaughnessy; Phil Doyle; Jason Cobb & Dawn Taylor (who, of course is also part of Peckham Village!)

Peckham Village: Oli Cole; Terri Warren; Liz Cameron; Sarah Keane; Reanne Jones; Vicky Ross Jen Radman & the aforementioned Dawn.

Peckham Village lads: Ben Woodroffe; Dave Hamill & Stan Pezic.


As an afternote, Ian Gannon, as one of the tournament organisors, received a lovely letter on behalf of Stephen’s family, from Jean Gulley. It read as follows:

Dear Ian,
On behalf of Sarah & other members of the Benjamin/Gulley family I can’t say how much I appreciated the arranging of Saturday’s event and your thoughtfulness in naming the tournament after Stephen, and providing certificates for all the participants. Somehow ‘thank you’ cannot express how I feel about all you have done and the resultant debt we owe you, and all involved in the event.
I was deeply touched by the high attendance and the level of commitment shown by all to making the day a success, especially given the ghastly weather. It just goes to show the measure of people in the football family, and I was humbled and honoured to be present.
Once again thank you Ian.
Kind regards,
Jean.


That moving letters shows exactly why it is right to participate in such events, & I hope everyone who was there on the day appreciated that.

It was only a couple of days ago that I actually took a look at the Stephen Benjamin site, which I mentioned earlier. Included on it is a guest book, for tributes to him. I somewhat belatedly posted one myself, in both my name & “The Rabblers”. I repeat it below, & I hope I echoes the right measure of sympathy on behalf of you all:

I never met Stephen, in fact I'd never even heard of him, barely knew even about Old Westminster Citizens FC. But one of your members Ian Gannon has refereed Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' FC, & as a result now watches our First Team & turns out for us now & again. Somehow when someone dies young it hits you so much more if they are from your extending 'footballing family', rather than say being knocked down by the proverbial bus, silly as that sounds. When Ian mentioned this tournament we had no hesitation in entering a joint team from ourselves, "The Rabblers", and Peckham Village Womens FC, who one of our supporters' plays for & runs.The weather was awful, but it didn't matter. Perhaps Stephen was playing a little joke on everyone as he looked down from the comfort of the clouds above, 'in revenge' for all the muddy & wet wintry days he had to 'endure' turning out for you lot over the years!It was fitting, and moving, that his own team won the competition. He sounded a wonderful bloke, and I'm sure all of those who knew & loved him will cherish the memories of his life, as time goes by the hurt will fade, but never disappear, and as the tears dry the laughter will come back as you remember him.I've worn the t-shirt a few times, & a couple of people have asked me what it's all about. And all I can say is that it's a dedication to a wonderful man I never knew.Deepest sympathy to all his family & friends, both in football & beyond. On behalf of both myself, & all at the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Football Team.