Each August Bank Holiday the club holds a memorial game to remember Jim Clarke. Jim was the first player to join the newly-formed Earlswood Junior section when set up in the 1980s. He progressed into the senior teams representing the 1st XI for many years until he tragically died in 2001 when only in his mid 20s.

Every year there is a game involving ex-players and members that knew Jim. As time passes by though the number of players from those days has also sadly reduced but the club remains steadfast on keeping the memorial day as an important part of what we are. It's a great day for bringing old and new members together and is always well supported.

We have decided to change the format this year to try to involve more people so that newer members can also understand what this means to the club and its history. A nine-a-side tournament will take place on Sunday 29th August involving six teams drawn from members of the club new and old. A big thank you to Dan Dixon for coming up with the original idea and to David Evison, Alex Laud, Ken Rae, Arron Snipe and Martin Williams for their organising work in the background of what promises to be an excellent day.

Six companies have very generously sponsored teams in the event providing kits for each:

Anthony Collins Solicitors
Ometis
Rubix
Sellweb
Specsavers Alcester
Trueline and RH Partitions

We will be doing an article on each team and their sponsor in the days leading up to Sunday so please watch out for those.

Hayley Group are sponsoring a "Prosecco Tent" on the day which I am sure will be well attended!

Two weeks ago the clubhouse was packed for the "draft" at which the Team Captains and Directors selected in turn a player for their team including a "Premium" player and an Earlswood Legend. The teams drafted are as follows:

ACS Aces
Nick Clarke - Director
Alex Laud - Captain
David Smith - Legend
Callum Bennett - Premium
Harris Ajaz
Geoff Brown
Joe Bussey
Noah Massey
Laura Smitten
Jamie Yates

Ometis Outliers
Mark Mansell - Director
Amy Weir - Captain
Guy Massey - Legend
Gary Maynard - Premium
Ben Fitzgerald
Shaun Jenkins
Ryan Moore
Ben Reaney
Neil Thorne
Harvey Williams

Rubix Rebels
Mark Dixon - Director
Dan Dixon - Captain
Steve Smith - Legend
Elliot Weir - Premium
James Guest
Momin Hussain
Jacob Rock
Natasha Smitten
James Thorne
Holly Whitfield

Sellweb Superstars
Ken Rae - Director
Chris Harrison - Captain
Darren Branch - Legend
Sardara Narotra - Premium
David Evison
Paul Fitzgerald
Oscar Henrick
Joe Pietrafesa
Steve Shale
Mick Weir

Specsavers Supersonics
Dave Snipe - Director
Arron Snipe - Captain
Marvin Rice - Legend
Colby Snipe - Premier
Bobby Banerjee
George Calkeld
Jamie Edwards
Abhi Lal
James Massey
Jake Mcgrory

Strongbow Supernova
Nigel Snipe - Director
Richard Jackson - Captain
Adam Smith - Legend
Callum Hasset - Premier
Chris Empson
Harry Empson
Josh Massey
Joe McGovern
Emily Perrin
Leo Ward

The six teams have been split into two groups of three that will play each other with the two group winners progressing to the final.

Group 1: Sellweb Superstars, Specsavers Supersonics, Strongbow Supernova
Group 2: ACS Aces, Ometis Outliers, Rubix Rebels

The first fixture will be at 10:00 and subsequent fixtures at 70 minute intervals with the final planned at 17:00.

10:00-11:00 - Strongbow Supernova v Sellweb Superstars
11:10-12:10 - Ometis Outliers v ACS Aces
12:20-13:20 - Specsavers Supersonics v Strongbow Supernova
13:30-14:30 - Rubix Rebels v Ometis Outliers
14:40-15:40 - Specsavers Supersonics v Sellweb Superstars
15:50-16:50 - Rubix Rebels v ACS Aces

17:00-18-00 - FINAL

Before the first games begin there will be teas, coffees and bacon rolls available from 9:30am kindly cooked by Mamie Kelly and a barbecue in the afternoon and of course the bar will be open!

The bar and the Hayley Group Prosecco Tent will be fully stocked and there will be a raffle with some great prizes.

We look forward to seeing you all there.