Match for brigade stalwart Jim, 88
AFOOTBALL match will take place in memory of James ( Jim) McGuinness. Jim, 88, was Vice-President of the Southport & District Battalion, The Boys’ Brigade. He passed away after a short illness earlier this year.
Jim was involved with The Boys’ Brigade in Southport for over 60 years, working in five local companies.
He was an expert at drill and his lads were justly named the ‘Military Set’ when they won numerous competitions over many years.
Matthew Kerr, who joined the Boys Brigade while he was at school some 20 years ago, has organised the match. He said: “Jim coached and mentored us for years, he was a brilliant man.
“We wanted to do something to pay tribute to him so we’ve rounded up the old boys’ team to do just that.”
Brian Heaton, who knew Jim through his work with the brigade, said: “Jim was a lovely chap with a very dry sense of humour.
“He worked tirelessly for the Brigade, he never got married and was BB through and through, even when he retired he was still involved with the football team.
“He really got on with the lads and saw the best in everyone, he had a knack for bringing out the best in the boys, so they really made something of themselves.
“He will be sorely missed.”
The football match will be played at JMO Sports Park in Skelmersdale on Saturday (August 6).
The game is expected to kick off shortly after 11am and is open to members of the public.