Millwall Supporters Club 0
Middlesbrough Supporters South 1

 

Charity match in memory of Finlay Cooper (Colin and Julie Cooper's son who tragically died aged just 2).

Squad
GK Matt Jones

LB Russell Weedon
CB Paul Welch (Captain)
CB Danny Barber
RB Ben Webster

LW Leigh Searle
CM Mark Wardell
CM Trevor Smith
RW Aaron McEvoy

CF Kevin McEvoy
CF Geoff Williamson

Substitutes (all used)
Neil Richardson
Nick Bone
Jason Pickering
Ricky McMinn
Paul Morrison
Dave Plumb
Ian Toal (Player Manager)

Ref: Alan Webster

This was a match and a day that should never have happened. The idea of the match was brought about by Jason Pickering speaking to the Middlesbrough fans on the internet following the tragic death of Finlay Cooper (son of former Lions legend Colin and his wife Julie). Finlay died aged just 2, four weeks ago choking on a toy. Jason wanted to show support for the Coopers as the Colin was a rock for Millwall and never shirked anything. The match took a hell of a lot of planning from both the Millwall and Middlesbrough camps. Constant pressure was kept up on the press with a lot of success along with organizing what charities the match was to be in aid of. The Cooper's wanted to support a couple of local charities as the local community had supported them so well, St Mary's Church and Goldsborough Hall were the chosen two. Donations can still be made to the addresses below. Media interest grew as details appeared on London Tonight, Radio 5 Live, Talk Sport, Capital Gold and Capital Radio, BBC London Live, The Sun, The People, The Evening Standard, Sport First, Southwark News and the South London Press to name but a few. A special programme was put together in a short space of time by Geoff Williamson.
What really made the day special was the news on the Friday before the match, that the Cooper's would be traveling 4 hours down to attend the match as they wanted to be there after all the effort put in by all concerned. As kick-off approached a decent crowd of both Millwall and Middlesbrough fans numbering around 150 had gathered to watch the match. A minute's silence was observed before the match kicked-off.
The weather conditions, although sunny were pretty bad as it was very windy which made it as cold as any winters day and might well have taken a few people off the crowd. Add to this the pitch was bit cut-up after the heavy rain in the week, it made passing football nigh on impossible. Millwall kicked-off with the wind at their backs and struggled to link up with the front two as Matt Jones's goal-kicks sailed over the forwards heads through to his opposite numbers arms. Jones had to be alert to save at the feet of the lively 'Boro forwards on a couple of occasions. Aaron McEvoy took a knock on 15mins and had to be substituted by Neil Richardson. The Lions had a couple of efforts wide before 'Boro had a goal ruled out for offside, which looked a correct decision. Kevin McEvoy then had the best chance of the game but blazed over from 8 yards with just the keeper to beat as the ball bobbled.

Millwall were coming into the game and had a 15 minute spell where they began to tear 'Boro apart with McEvoy and Searle causing problems down Millwall's left side. Then just on half-time a free-kick was conceded about 25 yards out on the right, the ball was swung in well and it was volleyed in from close range to put 'Boro 1-0 up.

Ht score 0-1

At half-time presentations of flowers were made to Julie and Colin Cooper and Colin gave an emotional speech about how genuinely grateful he was to all concerned for the show of support.

A few more substitutions were made at half-time insuring that everyone played a part in the match. Ricky McMinn showed few good touches in the middle of the park as did Nick Bone who made a few charges forward from the back to help to build attacks. The Lions problem was whenever they got into a good attacking position they made their runs a fraction too early and ended up offside. Neil Richardson played well on the left-wing as he used his skill to beat his marker on a number of occasions. Both sides done their best to carve out chances but they were few and far between. Trevor Smith done his best to break Millwall's duck but a couple of last-ditch challenges kept him and the rest of the Lions out. The MSC fired their first blank of the season and lost 1-0, but in the end there were things far more important than football that day.

After the match an auction and Raffle was held. The Auction prizes went to:

Signed Colin Cooper Shirt £110 Jase Pickering
Signed England Cricket Shirt £80 Paul Welch
Signed Charity match Programme £170 Ian and Gordon Toal
Signed Framed Millwall Photo £260 Trevor Smith

The Raffle had many excellent prizes including:

Signed Nethercott Shirt
Signed Middlesbrough Shirt
Signed Alan Boksic Shirt
Signed Millwall and Middlesbrough Footballs
Signed Nottingham Forest Football
A Five Year Subscription to The Lions Roar
Plenty of Beers and Spirits

In all around £2200 has been raised from the day with plenty more promised.

There are so many people to thank who all played their part to make the day special - especially Colin and Julie Cooper who stayed till the end talking to us all. To see a smile on both their faces made everything worthwhile.

Finlay Cooper R.I.P.

Charity Details:

All cheques should be made payable to either St Mary's Church (for their repair fund) or Goldsborough Hall (also repairs). These are both based in the village where the Coopers live and they are keen to help the community that has been very supportive of them.

Donations to be sent to: W Bowers, Birstwith Road, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 2UE.

Next MSC FC matches:

Sat 16th March Away to Cybury Gooners (Arsenal) - Regents Park - KO 10:20
Sun 24th March Away to Gillingham - Venue & KO TBC