League’s 50th anniversary is set to be nice one for Cyril
AS the Lazarou Cardiff Sunday Football League approaches a landmark 50th anniversary in 2020, it will be a remarkable occasion for one man in particular.
That’s Cyril Murphy, a true hero and legend of Sunday parks football, who has been involved from the very start when the Cardiff Sunday League was formed back in 1970.
Cyril played a key part in getting the league established and in the years proceeding 1970, so he has already completed a remarkable 50-year association with Cardiff Sunday parks football.
The 86-year-old has not only has been a League Management Committee member throughout this time, but in the early days, also played for Cadbury, one of 20 founding member clubs of the league.
He was an enthusiastic and tenacious player and often still speaks fondly of many great memories from his playing days with Cadbury, including reaching two finals in the league’s first season.
While Cyril has seen many changes over the years, with clubs coming and going, the Lazarou Cardiff Sunday Football League is still going strong today almost 50 years on, which is a testament to all his hard work and dedication. His commitment and love of Sunday football is unsurpassed and he has been an inspiration to many others.
He has occupied a number of positions, but, probably his greatest contribution to Sunday football was his regular attendance on the parks every Sunday morning without fail, come rain or shine. Not to be forgotten also, has been Cyril’s leading role and passion for organising the league trophies each season for the respective competition winners, arranging with Everson Trophies, then presenting some of the trophies himself both at cup finals and at annual presentation events held over the years.
Remarkably though, he is not a great follower of professional football away from the local parks in Cardiff and indeed, his great sporting passion is rugby union, both Cardiff Blues and Wales.