Stew FC 2011

STEW FC 3rd September 2011

It is now almost 11 years since the tragic car crash which claimed the lives of Chris George and Gareth Stew. A group of their friends once again met at the school last Saturday to mark the occasion – and to catch up with each other.

Stew FC, the occasional football team made up from friends of the two boys in their memory, has played against a side from the School almost every year for the last 10 years. The nature of the side and the games is more in the spirit of the ‘Rec Soccer Activity’ than of the Football League: enthusiasm is more important than talent.

So it was on Saturday. The game, though the focus of the weekend, is not the be-all and end-all. It was preceded, as always, with a minute’s silence in memory of Chris and Gareth and was played with great enthusiasm and spirit. Talent was appreciated; incompetence was patiently tolerated. The well-matched opposition was provided by a team of staff players. The standard varied greatly on both sides. There were moments of great skill and passages of play which were exciting, almost inspired. But these were balanced by farcical sequences which resulted either from incompetence or exhaustion. For the most part the standard was very good, considering most players have played only once a year for the last ten years. There was a general sense of relief when the final whistle went.

The score? In a way the score did not really matter. Both teams led at different times during the game. But two rapid goals from Stew FC when the staff side changed goalies proved to be the difference between the sides. A perfect result then: Stew FC 5, St Bede’s Staff 3.

It was a very good occasion. It was lovely to see Chris’s parents, Barry and Anna George, together with his younger sister, Ellie May both at the game and afterwards in ‘The Plough’. The players and spectators enjoyed the chance to meet and catch up and there was general enthusiasm for another return fixture at the same time next year.

Next game: Stew FC v St Bede’s Staff Saturday 1st September 2012, 11:30 am.