The Bootiful Game Issue 2 The Bootiful Game Issue 2 | Page 28

which was fitting as he was the
player that Ralph sponsored.”
This Sunday sees a Garforth
Town Legends side take on
local side Bird in Hand to raise
money for the Yorkshire Cancer
Centre Appeal.
Players such as Brett Renshaw,
Darren Kelly, Lee Connor, Jamie
Price, Andy Rowan, Duncan
Bray, Ben Hunter, Nick Black,
Milton Turner and Jassim Alali
are turning out to play for
Ralph. There are others who
have yet to be revealed, but will
be in the run-up to Sunday.
“The response has been
fantastic,” Close added.
“Most players who have spent
a bit of time with the club will
remember Ralph because he
regularly talked to them. I really
hope we get a massive turnout
and raise lots of money
because Ralph deserves it. I
am sure it will be an emotional
afternoon too.”
“James Grayson has done very
well in gathering the (Garforth
Legends) squad. I know he has
spoken to a lot of players,
including a few who would
have played, but are on holiday
on the day of the game.
“I just hope he doesn’t hand
me his phone bill.”
The Match
Garforth Town Legends won
the inaugural Ralph Backhouse
Memorial Cup, but most
importantly helped to raise lots
of money for the Yorkshire
Cancer Centre Appeal.
Ralph, whose ashes were
scattered on the J.S White
Community Stadium pitch
afterwards, was a massive
Miners supporter and he was
well known in the area. His
passing in February was a big
shock to the club along with
the community of Garforth.
Ralph would have been proud
of the effort shown by the
sides. Nick Black scored four
times for Garforth, with man of
the match Lee Connor chipping
in with two – including a
sensational long range
screamer which went down as
the goal of the day. Jassim
Alali, Milton Turner, Jack
McCarthy, Harrison Lightowler
and Chris Fisher also found the
net.
The Legends were on
top early on, but it took
25 minutes for the
opening goal to be
scored. The Miners had
a terrifying attack in
Duncan Bray and Andy
Rowan and the pair
carved the Bird in Hand
up with ease. Rowan
was a Miners player for
a long time in the
2000s and he is best
known for scoring
against Tadcaster in
2004, the game made
famous for Brazilian
Legend Socrates’
appearance. Former Pontefract
Colls boss Bray was a prolific
goal-scorer for Garforth in the
early part of his illustrious
career.
Tireless Bray was at the fore-
front of every attack,
contributing six assists in the
process. He also rolled back
the years by winning a penalty
late-on.
Bray’s pass enabled Black to
open the floodgates with the
opener. Legends manager
James Grayson then made an
inspired substitution as he
brought Alali on and he scored
with his first touch. It was
definitely a goal for Ralph as
Alali was the last player that
Ralph sponsored before his
passing.
Danny Furlong scored twice for
Rangers, in between a powerful
Turner drive after a marauding
run from his right-back slot.
McCarthy was given a
thunderous heroes return from
the Miners supporters when he
came on as substitute so his
goal received a huge cheer.
Issue 02 @TheBootifulGame 28