MAIN CENTENARY CELEBRATION

A village celebration to mark 100 years of Heacham Football Club was enjoyed by all at the Sports Field on Saturday, 13 October 2007.  Everything that the Centenary Committee had planned was achieved: FUN, FETE, FOOTBALL, even the weather was good.  Villagers turned out to take in the all day Car boot, Hog Roast, Refreshments, Local Clubs with their various stalls, and to support four games of football.

School children from both Heacham Junior and the Infant Schools took part in the opening game, which was started by Mr F Williman, former Headmaster of Heacham School.  (Heacham School also celebrating their centenary this year.)  Mr Williman blew the same whistle which he had used during his time as Headmaster.  This was followed by two games involving Heacham Minors.  The main match was Heacham Football Club (current players) v "The Veterans".  These came in all shapes, sizes and ages, some with shirts that stretched the material to the limit and some that found that "the mind was willing but the body was lacking"!

After the friendly photographs were taken, Len Hudson, who is the oldest surviving former Heacham FC player, aged 90, kicked off the match.  The the "young legs" of the current players took over and the goals flowed at regular intervals and the final score ended 13-3 in favour of the current players.  Presentation to the winning side of the "Harold Burgess Memorial Trophy" was made by Dave Burgess in memory of his father who was Chairman and then President of the Club for quite some time and was well known by most ex-players of the 1970s/1980s era.  Players from both sides then each received a Centenary Medal which was presented by Chris Lewis.  These were sponsored by Keith Barnes, Chairman of Heacham Minors, to remember the day.

The past and present players attended a Reunion Celebration and Presentation in the evening at Heacham Public Hall with many of them feeling the aches and pains of their day's efforts.  Presentations were then made to Len Hudson, who received a "Silver Salver" as the oldest Centenary Committee, for his outstanding contribution to the event.  Len Hudson unveiled a plaque dedicated to all those involved with Heacham Football Club over the last 100 years (sponsored by Courage Brewery).  A few words were said by Colin Garwood, former player, who went on to play professional football at Peterborough United and Oldham; Chris Lewis, Sports Producer at the BBC and a great supporter of Heacham; Ray Vennimore, Chairman of North West Norfolk Football League; and Marcus Liddington, on behalf of Heacham Minors.  Dave Page, past player and Centenary Committee Member, recalled some stories of past exploits both on and off the field.  A big thanks was made to the Centenary Committee, which made this celebration so successful.