Under 14's Play For Richard Knight Memorial Shield
Posted: Thursday 9th September 2021
Middleton Cheney’s U14’s took part in the Richard Knight Memorial Match this week (Wed 8th Sept) playing against new club & friends Southam Albion FC.
The annual shield fixture is held to remember club stalwart Richard Knight father of previous club coach Paul (Polly) Knight and grandfather to former player Matthew and Jamie.
Son Paul Knight speaking about his Dad said “Dad was introduced to sport at a young age by his uncle - Dick Knight - who was a sports journalist working for the Birmingham Mail, Sports Argos and later the BBC - he would sit with him in the press box and chose to follow Birmingham City as the atmosphere at St Andrews was better than at Villa Park, The Hawthorns and Molineux! He also became a great lover of Warwickshire CC.
He began football coaching in 1975 when his lads were 8 years old, starting initially with the local Cub Scout team before volunteering to help coach at Middleton Cheney Primary School where he helped for just under a decade.
He also formed an Under 12 side for MCFC in 1979, who he managed until they joined senior football level in the mid-80s before becoming club chairman - a position he very proudly held for seven years.
In addition he volunteered to run the line for Middleton FC first team, a chore he carried out for 15 years. As anyone who’s ever run the line will testify - a thankless task - but a task he carried out with great integrity - a common cry that could be heard virtually every Saturday afternoon across the 90s was “Richard - get that bloody flag up” - but he wouldn’t cheat for anyone !
Dad was a lovely, mild man - a true gentleman who gave so many hours to ensure that boys from the village had a chance to get out and play the game we all love”
Richard sadly passed away in 2014 at the age of 70 to prostate cancer.
The game was held at Southam Albions new ground at Southam RFC and Middleton Cheney U14’s had the distinct honour of being the first ever opponent of the newly formed club which Manager Adam Sweeney and his family have recently formed after much hard work over the summer to provide local young people the opportunity to take part in football to support their physical and mental wellbeing.
Speaking on the event Middleton coach Wayne Goss said “ It was a real honour to play for the Richard Knight Shield this year on a warm late summer evening against our friends from Southam Albion and as Richard Knight would have expected the game was played in the right spirit by both teams throughout with some excellent football on show from both sides.
There was also a good turnout of spectators supporting both teams which made for a really special evening and all in attendance were treated to a superb advert for local youth football.
We are also honoured to have been the very first opponents of Southam Albion and we wish Adam Sweeney, his coaching team and players all the best for their coming season”
The game finished in a 2-0 win for Middleton meaning the shield will be travelling back to South Northants for another year until it is played for again next pre-season.
