Alumni contributions | 27
After Rich passed , the club retired the number 6 shirt , and the Varsity Man of the Match Award is named after him to remember his contribution to sport at Keele .
On matchday this year , play was between a team from Rich ’ s hometown , Peterborough , and a Keele alumni team ( with players who studied at Keele from around 1998 to 2008 ). The two teams met on the first team football pitch , fondly known by current and past students as ‘ Wembley .’ After a hard-fought battle , Peterborough scored a late winner to win the match 3-2 .
“ It was fantastic to return to Keele and remember a great friend , teammate and captain . Rich McPartlin played a huge part in shaping participation and success in sport at Keele . He was First team football captain , represented English Universities , Sportsman of the Year and , together with the late Keith Harrison ( honorary graduate ), developed the first ever Varsity match , in which he scored the winning goal . We are all proud to have known him and it was fitting to see so many people return to Keele and remember a wonderful person .”
Mark Spinks ( 1st XI Captain 2002-03 )
Approximately £ 650 was raised at the event , and donated to Dougie Mac and The Donna Louise Trust , charitable hospices in the Stoke-on-Trent area .