Community-owned clubs lift pre-season silverware

Every pre-season the FSA marks its commitment to community-owned clubs with a series of fixtures, bringing together teams who might not otherwise meet in competitive fixtures and celebrating the cause of fan-ownership.

The Brian Lomax Cup, an annual fixture to celebrate community-owned clubs, was first held back in 2002, when AFC Wimbledon beat Enfield Town 3-2.

The trophy is named after Brian Lomax, considered to be the founding father of the supporters’ trust movement, who sadly passed away in 2015.

As the ranks of our community-owned clubs has swelled, the trophies have increased in number, too – with three annual fixtures now in the form of the Brian Lomax Trophy, Supporters Direct Shield, and the FSA Women’s Trophy competed for on an every summer.

In the first game for the Supporters Direct Shield on 13th July, Bangor 1876 paid a visit to the DCBL Stadium in Widnes to face City of Liverpool FC, and overcame their hosts 2-0, with goals scored by Liam Morris and Corrin McGonigle. The trophy was presented by FSA National Council member Nick Duckett, and held aloft by Bangor captain Tomos Clarke (pictured above).

The other two trophies were competed for in a double-header at Enfield Town’s Dave Bryant Stadium on 27th July, with Enfield playing host to the men’s team from Hendon and the women’s team from Clapton CFC.

Unfortunately for Enfield, the day ended in double disappointment. In the Brian Lomax Cup, Hendon ran-out 3-0 winners, after two first half goals and a late third from Excellence Muhemba to cap off a convincing win.

Making it a hat-trick for the away teams in this year’s fixtures, in the FSA Women’s Trophy Clapton CFC retained the silverware they won last year with a 3-1 win, including two goals from Emily Link.

• For more on our work around fan-owned clubs, check out the FSA’s Annual Review…