A Day to Remember at Hartshill*
What a day. If you were at the Hartshill Open Charity Day, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, our club wasn’t just a place to play football; it was a masterclass in community, camaraderie, and chaotic fun.
With over 70 people in attendance, the energy was electric. We set out to prove what makes Hartshill special, and every single one of you delivered.
The “Reg Rules” Revolution
Planning this was no small feat, and the 6-a-side Round Robin was the centerpiece.
Under “Reg Rules ,” we saw it all: double points for hat-wearers, double goals for the ladies, and the over-65s, plus the strategic (and sometimes questionable) use of Jokers.
A massive thank you to Sue Holland and Carol Watts , our fantastic referees from the Worcestershire FA and BCWFA respectively. They gave up their day to manage our “mob” with total autonomy. Whether it was making foulers run laps or awarding penalty goals against teams, they kept us on our toes and kept the smiles on our faces.
Overall Winners: Congratulations to Couch Potatoes, who walked away as the undisputed champions of the day!
Crossbar Challenge :
In a high-stakes playoff, _Bob D_ took the crown, narrowly beating out Liam and Dave A. The “old boys” certainly showed the youngsters how it’s done hitting it 3 out of 4 times each.
Moments of Magic
We had highlights that will be talked about for seasons to come:
The Shock: “Golden Boy” Danny R missing a penalty—and yes, we have it on film!
The Screamer: Jules Kendrick’s 30-yard rocket past Macca. In front of the whole crowd, it was the undisputed Goal of the Day. Take a bow!
The Women’s Session:
After the mixed event, the Hartshill Women’s teams took center stage for more “fun and frolics,” culminating in their own Crossbar Challenge won by Dee Finney , with Kaz and Gail as valiant runners-up.
The Raffle: Possibly the longest raffle in history, but seeing almost everyone walk away with a prize made it worth every minute.
Why We Play:
This day was about more than just football. We came together for three vital reasons:
To Save Lives : We raised money for the British Heart Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Awareness. These organisations do incredible work, and your generosity ensures they can continue to support families when they need it most.
To Build Community: To showcase the spirit and heart of Hartshill.
To Stay Fit: Continuing to promote health and activity in our local area.
The Result: I am staggered to announce that together, we raised almost £800 in just four hours. For ” little old Hartshill,” that is an incredible achievement. Wow.
A Personal Note
As I approach the end of my first year as Chairman, I’ve been reflecting on our journey. Across our seven men’s and women’s teams, we’ve had a mixed bag of results—plenty of wins and plenty of learning opportunities. The committee has had to make some tough calls, but every decision is made with the club’s best interests at heart.
This is your club. You decide the direction. On a personal level, this club saved me four years ago after my heart bypass surgery. Without this community, I doubt I’d be here today. Seeing 70 of you laughing and competing reminds me why I’m so “proper proud” to be part of this family.
Special Thanks
A huge shout-out to the team behind the scenes:
Jay: For being the relentless engine behind the raffle tickets and fundraising and support and organisation.
Reg: For the meticulous planning, the laptop sessions, and keeping us on schedule with those “easy” rules.
Jo: Our Secretary Supremeo, posting notes, organising my committee and me.
Dave A: Our Treasurer, creative accountant 101
Sue & Carol: Our referees, for their time and great humour.
Looking Ahead
The summer is in front of us! I invite more of you to join our sessions on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. We welcome all ages and all genders—and to the Hartshill Women, after today’s performance, you’ve proven you can hold your own in any session we run.
Let’s keep pushing ourselves, let’s keep challenging the status quo, but most importantly, let’s keep having fun.
Thanks for a brilliant day, everyone.
Rich Prestidge Chairman, Hartshill
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