Weekend for veterans

IT was a footballing veterans' weekend at Fakenham and Wells.The Fakenham club staged a highly successful Friday night re-union to mark its 125th anniversary and the next day Wells Town stalwarts played in a match to help the Seasiders' broken leg victim Craig Rutland.

IT was a footballing veterans' weekend at Fakenham and Wells.

The Fakenham club staged a highly successful Friday night re-union to mark its 125th anniversary and the next day Wells Town stalwarts played in a match to help the Seasiders' broken leg victim Craig Rutland.

Fakenham Town Football Club had a surprise in store for long-serving Brian Woodhouse.

He was invited to unveil a plaque which revealed that the Clipbush Park clubhouse would be named after him in appreciation for all his work for the club, and county football, over the years.

From manager of a highly successful under-18 team, Mr Woodhouse went on to become club chairman and then chairman of Norfolk County FA.

Fakenham vice-chairman Paul Wright thanked Mr Woodhouse for all he had done for the club at a packed re-union which it is now hoped to repeat on a regular basis.

At Beach Road, Wells, on Saturday supporters turned out to back a charity football match that included players for whom it was at least 20 years since they ran out onto the Wells turf.

A Wells Veterans side played a Select Veterans outfit, and it was certainly a blast from the past.

Players such as Steve Askew, Stewart Woodhouse, Simon Barnes, Phil West, John Musgrove, Mark Greenacre, Mark Dewson, Craig Yarham, Chris Hitchings and Mark King were just a few who turned out.

Thanks went to all local shops who gave raffle prizes, along with a signed Norwich City shirt which was auctioned.

A total of �650 was raised on the day.