On the ball for tragic Stephen
Teen footballer’s pals raise charity cash in his memory
The mum of a popular Paisley teen has hailed a the success of a football tournament aimed at keeping his memory alive.
Family and friends of talented footballer Stephen Roy, 18, who tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2016, got into the competitive spirit with a special five-a-side tournament.
Stephen’s pals, including professional players St Mirren star Kyle Magennis, Scott Tiffoney of Morton, Kyle Bradley, who is on loan at Clyde from Rangers, and Aaron Millar from Clyde battled it out for top spot before enjoying a party.
Money raised from the event at Paisley Power League raised a magnificent £ 2,000 for bereavement charity The Brightest Star, an organisation close to Stephen’s mum Helen’s heart.
“It was a really great evening and we raised £ 2,000 for the Brightest Star charity, who have been such a help since Stephen passed away,” she explained.
“It was such a good night, the place was packed out. It was full of Stephen’s friends and everybody seemed to have a good time.”
And although the football was meant as a bit of fun, Helen says it was also very competitive.
She said: “It was boys playing football – so it was always going to be competitive. But everyone had a great time and everyonewho took part seemed to enjoy themselves.”
After the frantic football action, involving eight teams, it was inside for a money-spinning disco and raffle.
Aded Helen: “I can’t thank everybody who donated enough. Lots of local businesses gave prizes with the minimum of fuss. When they heard it was for Stephen, they were all keen to take part.”
And after the success of the event, plans are already underway for next year.
“We are already thinking about next time. We will learn from this one, though there wasn’t much to learn because it went so smoothly,” Helen explained.
Helen thanked Diane and Alec Goodwin, Stephen Giles, Nicola Whittaker, her daughter Nicola Roy, Ryan McLeod, Lesley Verner, Gordon and Tricia Wallace and everyone else involved in organising the event.
Stephen, a Glenvale under-19 goalie, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2015.
He had surgery to remove the tumour and chemotherapy, but he suffered a massive cardiac arrest while helping coach kids at the Harmony Row playing fields in Glasgow.
He recovered, but was once more struck down by the disease.
He passed away in July 2016, but his family are determined to keep his spirit alive.
It was a really great evening and we raised £2,000 for the Brightest Star charity