Tribute night to remember

More than 300 people turned out at a jam-packed Sidley Sports Club on Saturday and a staggering 11,231 was raised for the Gullivers stand extension that will be named in honour of the two young footballers who died in a car crash in October, last year.

The auction of some sparkling items was, as anticipated, the main source of income. The extreme generosity of the tremendous gathering, allied to the cajoling of star of the evening Aaron Dean, a trainee auctioneer with Gorringes, scooped a phenomenal total of 5,920 - way above the anticipated figure of 2,500. Top lot was the 500 paid for the VIP day out for two at Stamford Bridge.

The combined total of admission, which was just 1 per head, and the raffle reached 3,811 while the haul was completed by donations of 500 from each of the PFA, Premier League and Kevin Martin of the Abbey FC. The Sidley Sports Club bar also scooped record takings, eclipsing their previous best by around 600.

The only sombre note on a night awash with positives was the tragic circumstances behind the event actually taking place.

Sidley United joint manager Peter Heritage, as ever the heart and soul of the entertainment calling the shots on the raffle, enthused: "It was a fantastic night to be honest. I want to thank everyone who donated prizes and supported it, it was a great night. But I wasn't really surprised by how many people were down there because they had a lot of friends and there was a lot of interest in it. There were some unbelievable auction prizes as well and I really did enjoy it."

Another man who revelled in the occasion was Brighton & Hove Albion star Paul Watson who told the club it was the best night he'd had in ages. Fellow Albion special guest Dean White showered similar superlatives in the direction of the club.

The evening was organised by Sidley and Glenco Football Clubs.