Midhurst football club to tribute to 'three huge club names' with massive memorial game

Midhurst and Easebourne Football Club is all set to tribute three of the biggest names in its history with a massive memorial game, Sussex World can report.

The game, which is set for the 24th of August KO 2pm, will raise money for three separate benches intended to memorialise long time club members Timmy Dummer, Stuart Groves and Andy Claydon.

Tim, who sadly passed away in 2023, joined the club when he was just a young boy, he went on to play for the 1st Team, worked the gate and clubhouse right through to the end of his life. Stuart, (Groover) another long-serving member, passed away in 2008 after a cancer diagnosis, Stuart also played for the club and went on to manage various roles with the youth & men’s set up, And Andrew, passed away last month, served several years at the club playing and also worked as a pre-season fitness coach, working hard to keep the boys sharp ahead of big games.

Speaking to Sussex World, club chairman Tom Merritt-Smith said that each man left a large and indelible mark on the club, adding that the benches should make for a fitting tribute to three men who gave so much of their lives to the club.

"There’s no two ways about it, it’ll be a very, very emotional day,” he added. “But this is the club’s way of giving back to these guys, showing that we appreciate all their hard work and commitment to Midhurst & Easebourne Football Club.”

One of the two teams taking to the pitch this summer will be led by former first team manager Andrew Ewan, who left Midhurst to join Pagham FC earlier this year, alongside assistant Jake Trussler. The other team, meanwhile, will be led by several former Midhurst and Easebourne FC players, Bomber Stevens, Micky Farr and Derek Curwood – meaning football fans are in for an exciting generational clash come kick off.

"Midhurst is a very close-knit community, everyone here knows everyone, so there’s already a lot of interest,” Tom said. “I already know some of the younger players will be keen to get involved, and there’s a lot of interest from some of the older guys who want to chip in, too.

"The idea is we play the game, open up the club to the public and put all the proceeds aside to get these benches made, “Remembering great memories “and then these lads who’ve lost their dads have something to remember them by.”