Celebration Events

Centenary Club Day

The first event of the 2008/09 season to celebrate the Centenary was a Club Day on Saturday September 6th 2008 at Wadham Lodge. The aim was to bring as many old and new members together to play some football and kick start the season with style. Three matches took place – an Over 25 v Under 25 game, a veterans game featuring a Steve Wilks Legends XI v the Danny O’Connell Superstars XI and Old E’s 1st XI vs Hale End Athletic, our neighbours at Wadham Lodge.

Unsurprisingly, the games were extremely competitive, particularly the intra-club matches as ex-team mates settled a few scores! There were some outstanding displays in the vets game, so much so one or two players were encouraged to rejoin the current playing membership. Overall, it was a fantastic day that continued well into the night at Wadham Lodge.

Results

Centenary Club Supper

The next event on the Centenary calendar was the Club Supper. Held at the Ilford Golf Club on Friday 28th November 2008 almost 100 Old E’s members and guests, including SAL and AFA Officials, enjoyed a night of good food, good wine and good company. The highlights of the evening were the outstanding speeches by our speakers, Steve Wilks (Old Esthameians) and Bob Leeds (Old Finchleians). With so many Old E’s in the room there was plenty of material to keep the audience entertained and Bob deserves a special mention for managing to conjure up an Old E’s Choir.

SAL XI vs Old E’s 1st XI

The celebrations continued into 2009 and on Sunday 15th March, Old E’s welcomed the SAL squad to Wadham Lodge. The game was competitive but played in good spirit and we saw some great football.

The first half saw Old E’s struggle to exert any authority and the SAL dominated. The SAL went ahead from a penalty and the scoreline stayed at 1-0 until half time. The start of the 2nd half saw Old E’s come back into the game pushing hard for an equaliser but the SAL looked dangerous on the counter. The game evened out midway into the 2nd half and the SAL went 2-0 up following some poor defending by Old E’s. Old E’s came on strong in the final stages of the match and Dan Steele pulled one back for Old E’s. Despite some intense pressure from Old E’s in the dying minutes, in an attempt to score a second, the SAL held fast and came out winners 2-1.

Special thanks go to the SAL squad and management for the match especially given the amount of games they have had this season.

Centenary Golf Day

Wednesday 15th April 2009 saw about 60 of the clubs best golfers compete for a variety of awards at the course in Upminster. 9 holes were played in the morning and following lunch a further 18 holes. Following an excellent meal awards were presented the for longest drive, longest putt and the Old E’s ‘Golfer of the Century’. The Old E’s golf day is an annual event and we hope that many of the new players will continue to take part.

Centenary Club Dinner

The final event in the Old E’s Centenary Calendar was held at the Prince Regent Hotel on Saturday 9th May 2009. Over 200 Old E’s members and guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment. Vic Brooks did an outstanding job as Master of Ceremonies, keeping the evening moving along; Steve Wilks and Charlie Roots gave speeches picking out some memorable events and characters from the last 100 years and on top of the standard end of season presentations the title and honour of ‘Vice-President’ was bestowed upon John Roger and Romeo McIntosh for their ongoing service to the club.

A fitting end to our 100th season.

Special thanks need to go to the Centenary Committee who made it all happen, Steve Wilks, Alan Deighan, Joe Widdows, Danny O’Connell, Gary Biney and Howard Tidd.