Emmanuel Church FC Celebration

After eight years, our church football team - Emmanuel Church FC - has folded. Over that time, the team has played in the North East Christian Fellowship League - twice winning promotion and once winning a cup.

A stunning 99 young men have played for the team in that time. Some have become Christians - all, we pray, have enjoyed fellowship.

To celebrate the club's achievements, a All Stars match was staged at Chester-le-Street Riverside on Saturday 20th May, with a Legends XI taking on a Current XI. Despite going in 1-0 down at half-time to a smart strike by Michael Hogg, the Legends came out 2-1 winners, with goals from Chris Kane and a last-gasp winner from Andrew Elliott.

Afterwards, an awards ceremony with buffet and speeches was held. In a fitting end, the All Time Club Man Award went to Ben Westerman - with everyone eligible to vote, except Ben himself, voting for him. 

A huge thanks to Ben, Ryan Marklew and others who have run the club, Dave Blackett, Glenn Jones and Vic Bellas who have coached the team, all the players and everyone who has supported the club in any way.

Football at Emmanuel will continue: with anyone welcome to join a social kickabout at Chester-le-Street Riverside on Thursdays from 8pm to 9pm. For more information, see Ben, Ryan, Mike Elliot or Mark Tallentire. #bluearmyforever

ECFC success

Our church football team Emmanuel Church FC may have been defeated in the Memorial Cup final last weekend, but the lads still picked up honours at the North East Christian Fellowship League annual awards night on Friday.

ECFC won the Fair Play Award - a great credit to the lads' attitude on and off the pitch. Well done to all involved.

And if you'd like to show your support for the lads, tickets are available for the ECFC End of Season Awards at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham on Saturday 4th June. There will be dinner, presentations and an auction in aid of County Durham Foodbank. See Ben Westerman or Mark Tallentire for tickets.

ECFC Cup Final

Our football team Emmanuel Church FC contested the Memorial Cup final today.

It was a great performance by the lads, but unfortunately they lost 2-1 with a very late goal in extra time.

Having gone 1-0 down in the second half, the lads equalised through a great strike by Steven Ferguson, meaning after 90 minutes the score was 1-1.

It looked as though the match would go to penalties when NCLC United claimed the win with a scruffy goal from a corner.

But it's been a great season for the team, winning promotion back to the North East Christian Fellowship League Premier Division. Well done to everyone. And thanks to everyone who came along to support the lads.

And everyone is invited to the club's End of Season Awards at the Radison Blu Hotel in Durham on Saturday 4th June. For more information, see Ben Westerman.