East Manchester Reunion Review

About a 100 people attended EMFC's 50th celebrations with a re-union night at Denton Golf Club.
Players and comittee from each of the past decades enjoyed a social evening and hot pot supper, 2 founder members Bob Bowden and Tony Healey were present to witness how the club had progressed through the years.
Both met past and current, players and committee who had served the club with pride and distinction in the amateur game.
The evening opened with Alan Warner (chairman for the last 25years) giving an address and reciting a humorous rendition prepared John Wilkinson to an attentive gathering.
Following on secretary Dave Wilkinson then gave acknowledgements to a number of individuals.
He started by giving heartfelt thanks to ALL managers who, he conceded had served the club with total committment and enthusiasm, through the years.
Players commended by him through the 50 year history were Barry Hockey and Billy Butt from the 70's double winning team, goalkeepers Dave Mills and Graham Dillnutt, noted contributions made by Dave Noble in the 80's, a progressive period for the club.
Also acknowledge was the success brought to the club by player managers Chris Harford, Ged Coyne and Tommy Martin in the 90's.
A particular mention to Darren Lyons who in early 2000's had greatly assisted the club through its most precarious period in its history.
A special tribute was reserved for John Wilkinson.
John is the clubs longest serving player still adding to his record number of appearances, in a playing career spanning 41 years.He is also all time leading goalscorer with over 500 goals in over a 1000 appearances.
John was rightly proclaimed the clubs most valuable player in 50 year its history.
Other mentions were given to Paul Kirkham and Mark Sertori both of whom had progressed through the club to attain note in the professional game.
Dave concluded by thanking his family for their involvement stretching back 48 years.
The evening also included the clubs annual presentation awards for the season 2009/10.
A souvineer programme, produced by the chairman, highlighted the clubs sponsors through the years and this important contribution was rightly applauded.
To continue this theme the club are currently seeking new sponsors to promote it in the forthcoming years.
Finally it was rightly noted the clubs longevity was matched by a hardworking time- honoured committee, who between them have over 250 years service

EMFC