Workington Reds won the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy last night, beating Whitehaven 5-0 at the County Ground.
It proved a good night for Darren Edmondson’s men but an even better one for nine-year-old Finn Holmes.
The youngster had travelled through with his grandfather Ged Holmes, Kenny Wallace, who had a grandson playing for each side and Cumbria Crack writer John Walsh.
A pupil of Dearham Primary School he became intrigued by the trophy which was being readied by Whitehaven stalwart Billy Robson for the end-of-match presentation.
When young Finn asked if he could present the trophy – and with no-one lined up to do it – Billy readily agreed.
So, with both sets of supporters wondering who was doing the honours Finn proudly handed the silverware to the Workington skipper Dav Symington.
The trophy is played for annually by Whitehaven and Reds, with both clubs meaning a lot to Shaun who was a keen supporter of both.
It was a rather unique occasion, too, for Kenny who was watching his two grandsons on opposing sides. Tom Fowler played in goal for Whitehaven while Ciaran Casson was in midfield for the Reds.
It represents and continues a fine footballing pedigree as Kenny and his father before him both played in the Football League for the Reds.
Kenny senior was full-back in the very first game Reds played in the Third Division North in 1951 and was the star later in the season when Workington lost 1-0 at Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Kenny junior played near the end of Reds League days and was actually in the side which lost the very final game in the Fourth Division at Newport County in 1977.
Whitehaven and Reds have been playing the pre-season game in memory of Shaun since he died 14 years ago and always make a donation to British Polio.
Last night’s game raised £900 for the charity.
