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On
19th April 1994 our Ladies team was rocked by the tragic news
of the death of our co-founder and Secretary Sue Sharples. Sue had been
involved with the Greater London Women's League for a number of years and
it was decided that the cup competition for teams in the lower divisions
and reserve teams would be renamed the Sue Sharples Memorial Trophy, a
collection was made from friends, colleagues and other clubs and a
magnificent trophy not unlike her favourite FA Cup was purchased.
The
first final was to be played in May 1995.
It was deemed that Tottenham Hotspur Reserves would reach the
final and took on Wembley Mill Hill 3rds at Leyton Pennant FC in
Walthamstow.
I
had spent a good part of the season out with an injured ankle and really
should not have played at all. It was decided that I would play the
second half ... luckily as goalkeeper I was a member of the “good, I
don’t have to run too much in goal” school of thought.
The score at half time was 0-0 and our first half keeper Tracy
Clay had made some good saves, so it was a tough act to follow.
I remember making a couple of saves including a one on one with
Rachel Yankey who is now a professional with Fulham and an England
international. I think it
was in the last 15 minutes or so when our strikers Julie Maile and Lucy
Pinnock scored to give us a 2-0 win.
The
elation at the final whistle was immense and I just ran towards the
centre circle and the rest of the team, as I got about ¾ of the way I
just stopped in my tracks as the enormity of the occasion hit me. I
collapsed in heap and cried. My pride being completed when I was invited to collect the
trophy alongside skipper Allyson Browne.
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