'Shorty' Malcolm football tourney kicks off today

Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer

LUCEA, Hanover:

Defending champions Haughton Gardens Football Club will take on Barbary Hill FC in the second match of a double-header when action gets under way in the Steve 'Shorty' Malcolm/Denton 'Melwood' Samuels football tournament at the Lords Football Field in Lucea, today.

The opening match at 3:30 p.m. will see Brissett FC facing Church Street.

A total of 20 teams will participate in the tournament, which is being staged by the Hanover Sports Development Council (HSDC) over a four-week period.

DaCosta Cup champions Rusea's High School, former champions Prosper Football Club, Cross Road, Elgin Town, Johnson Town, Lucea Old Road, 2009 champions HQ, Jericho, Clifton, Main Street, Richmond, Grand Palladium, Kew, Hog Bush, Esher and Hanover Fire Department complete the list of teams.

Coach of Haughton Gardens, Nicholas Barrett, said he would be fielding a much younger team this year, as most of his defenders had transferred to other teams but noted that his team was as strong as ever.

Cash prize

In the final set for Sunday, January 30, teams will vie for the championship trophy named in honour of the two deceased men and the championship cash prize of $50,000. The runners-up will receive a cash prize and a trophy. Sectional prizes will also be awarded to the top goalscorer and the most valuable player.

The competition was first staged in 2005 in memory of the late former Rusea's High School and national footballer, Steve 'Shorty' Malcolm, and the late Denton 'Melwood' Samuels, also a former Rusea's and national under-23 player.

The tournament is being spearheaded by the HSDC and sponsored by Hanover-born Lloyd 'Bagga' Stewart who grew up in the community of Johnson Town before migrating to England.