CCFPA full and associate members were well represented amongst up to 3000 people who turned out to both watch and play in a Charity football match during a fun-filled afternoon at the Ricoh Arena last Sunday (1st December 2013). They turned out to show support for the Teenage Cancer Trust on behalf of the family of Ross Emslie who lost his battle with leukeamia a couple of months ago and reportedly have raised up to £7,000 for the charity.
The game served as a fitting memorial for the fervent teenage Sky Blues fan who had developed a close affinity with many staff at CCFC in the months before his death. A Sky Blues Legends team comprised predominantly of Association members including current Sky Blues gaffer Steven Pressley took on Team Rossy (managed by CCFC skipper Carl Baker) containing many of Ross’s mates and family. By all accounts, in a very friendly but competitive game, the Legends were 12-7 victors.
Featuring for the Legends XI during the game were Association members (in alphabetical order) Claus Bech Jørgensen, Dave Bennett; Dave Busst, Willie Carr, Lee Carsley; Paul Culpin, Dean Emerson, Bobby Gould, Micky Gynn, David McNamee, Steve Ogrizovic, David Phillips, Steven Pressley and Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts. Celebrity supporter, TV star and CCFPA Associate member Graeme Hawley and Geoff Foster of BBC CWR were also seen on the green Ricoh turf wearing Sky Blue (as well as Ross’s dad Dave Emslie, who had scored for ‘Team Rossy’ before swapping sides for the last few minutes). See who you can spot in the team photo above! Memorably former Sky Blues goalie ’Big Oggie’ could also be seen strutting his stuff as an outfield player whilst former CCFC striker (and twice manager) Bobby Gould sought to emulate his son Jonathan between the sticks! The Association’s vice Chairman Billy Bell acted as master of ceremonies for the Day and everyone obviously had a great time.
The Coventry Telegraph quoted Ross Emslie’s dad Dave and other participants as follows,
Dave Emslie: “It’s a celebration of Ross’s life….The game’s been played in the right spirit. I’m sure Ross would have loved it….His smile will have been shining down so brightly. Saying that, I’m sure he would have been laughing at his old man. It would have been better to have him out there on the left wing, but it wasn’t to be.”
Carl Baker said he was delighted to be involved in such a brilliant cause. “It’s been great, the lads have been really good with me. It’s been interesting to be on the other side for a change – maybe I won’t give the gaffer so much stick next week. I don’t think having a shot of whisky before kick off was a particularly good move, but I managed to keep the lads off the beer at half time.”
Lee Thomas, Ross’s former Coventry Saracens coach and one of the men behind the game, said: “It’s been amazing….Everybody from the club, the Ricoh Arena, Billy Bell and all the supporters have been great. They didn’t have to help out, but they didn’t hesitate.”
Thanks to the Telegraph website for the photo. Many others can be seen in the web gallery attached to their report of ther game at http://t.co/wDqaFKP7Qx http://t.co/Euve5lCgKF.
