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Gareth Fullerton

West Belfast football club to hold tribute match for 'much-missed' legends

A West Belfast football club has organised a special tribute match in memory of two of its "much-missed" legends.

Willowbank XI will take on an Irish League select side next Saturday, June 11 at Coláiste Feirste (12pm kick-off).

The memorial match will pay tribute to former player James Moore and late chairman Geordie McCabe.

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Ex-player and youth coach James died suddenly back in July 2017, his death sending shockwaves throughout the community.

Legendary Willowbank chairman Geordie died last December, leaving behind a legacy felt both on and off the pitch following a 40-year association with the Amateur League club.

James Moore (Belfast Boxers, Facebook)

Current first-team captain Eamonn Hughes says both men left an indelible imprint on everyone they met, and continue to be sorely missed around the club and surrounding community.

"It is five years since Jamesy passed away, and we would usually hold a game in his memory every year," Hughes told Belfast Live.

"Jamesy is missed just as much today as when he died in 2017. He was a brilliant fella, and it is a day by day thing as we come to terms with his death.

"Then we lost Geordie last December, and he was just the lifeblood of Willowbank. The word legend gets bandied about too easily, but those two lads deserve to be called just that.

"The people of Willowbank, and West Belfast, knew them so well, so we thought it would be nice to rename the game in memory of both men.

"They were two stalwarts of the club and were a massive part of the community and are much-missed.

Mr McCabe devoted his whole life to his local community (Willowbank YC/FC)

"We have arranged this memorial match for Saturday, June 11 against an Irish League XI. It should be a great game and will bring back a lot of memories.

"A couple of people at the club asked could be play a game in honour of both Jamesy and Geordie, so that is what we will do going forward."

Hughes added: "The calibre of player we have been able to attract to the game shows you how much people thought of Jamesy and Geordie.

"Anyone we asked was happy to come along, and it should be a great game. We will then put on a bit of a spread in the Red Devil after the game and some music."

And Hughes says a number of current and former Irish League players have confirmed their attendance for next Saturday.

"We have Danny Wallace from Glenavon, Aaron Traynor from Coleraine, Paddy McNally from Portadown and a couple of the Newington lads," he added.

"We have some former players like Pat McShane and Barry Johnston who will hopefully pop along. Ciaran Caldwell, Darren Murray, Stephen McAlorum are all coming, too.

"It should be a great day, and we plan to have a couple of bucket collections for charity. We will let the families of both me decide where the money should go."

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