Memorial Trophy set for a big kick-off

Gobowen Playing Field hosts this year’s first games on Sunday.

The prestigious Graham Edwards Memorial Trophy is set to make its return this weekend.

The first matches of the annual charity football tournament take place at the Gobowen Playing Field on Sunday.

This year marks the tournament's 52nd anniversary, with the event continuing to raise money and awareness for leukaemia research.

The tournament is named in memory of promising local footballer Graham Edwards, who died from leukaemia in 1974, aged 21.

Founded in 1975, the competition has become one of the country's longest-running charity football tournaments and has raised more than £200,000 for leukaemia research over the past five decades.

Eight teams will compete this year, split into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout semi-finals, with the final scheduled to take place later this month.

The opening fixtures on Sunday see West Felton take on Whitchurch Alport 1946 before Cross Foxes Gobowen face Ellesmere United.

Organisers are encouraging supporters to attend and are also appealing for volunteers to help with the running of the tournament.

All proceeds from the event will go towards leukaemia research. Anyone wishing to volunteer or find out more can contact competition secretary Richard Hardy on 07922 427302 or David Figg on 07719 954727.