Friends of the late Mike McCullagh, and Trustees of his Trust Fund, very kindly followed up their donation of 2008 with similar generous sponsorship for this year’s School’s Football Tournament (reported in the July issue of the Voice), for which the organisers were very grateful. The Trustees have also kindly donated a splendid silverware cup, ‘The Mike McCullagh Memorial Cup’ (“in pursuit of excellence”) which will be awarded on a yearly basis at future competitions, to the ‘School of the Tournament’, the school judged to have completed all aspects of their entry into the competition in an exemplary way, from submission of the initial entry form, arranging teams, fulfilling the commitment to attend on the day, punctual arrival, correct completion of relevant forms, attitude and behaviour throughout, appearance, sportsmanship, and of course the example set by parents and supporters.

Mike McCullagh was a very well known man: born and bred in Middlesbrough, he had a real passion for the area. A highly respected businessman, he developed Marske Machine Company into a multi-disciplined company, was director at Middlesbrough Football Club for 15 years serving as Chairman from the early to mid eighties; he was also involved with the Dept of Trade and Industry regionally. He was a member of the board of visitors to Holme House Prison and was appointed to the Cleveland Police Authority. In addition to this, he was a team leader and Brancardier assisting the sick and handicapped in Lourdes over many years. A devoted family man, Mike was a devout Catholic who supported and encouraged the development of this very competition in its early days. He died in January 2004 aged 68 and has been much missed by friends and colleagues alike. We are pleased to introduce this new aspect to our competition which we feel will become a prestigious award, and will encourage those ideals which Mike held so dear. “The pursuit of excellence” was Mike’s approach and is the reason we have chosen to honour his memory in this way.

After deliberation by the judges, it was St Bede’s, Marske (perhaps quite fittingly) who were the winners. The Mike McCullagh Memorial Cup was presented to Head teacher Mrs Karen Siedle at a school assembly. She commented, “We are delighted to have been given this award which recognises our approach to the competition, and which we will treasure for the next year”. A smaller replica of the Cup was also provided by the Trust Fund which St Bede’s will be able to keep permanently.