Hethersett Athletic

Former Hethersett Athletic players from all parts of the United Kingdom and even Germany returned to the club for a special match in memory of player Lee Thompson who died in a road accident in 1999.

Over 40 players returned for the match between the club’s County Cup Final team and a team of former players. The match also featured some members of the current first team squad.

Many of the players were friends and teammates of Lee who played 49 times for the club but who also played for a number of other Hethersett youth teams.

Glorious sunshine meant the game had to be stopped on numerous occasions for the players to take on water and at the end they all agreed with one voice that it had been an excellent way of keeping Lee’s memory alive. The match was followed by a barbecue.


	Click on the photos to enlarge

For the record the Norwich Sunday Senior Cup Final team won the game 5-2 with goals from Chris Claxton, Nick Appleton, Danny Self, Ben Thompson and Mark Appleton. The former players’ goals came from Chris Sutcliffe and Paul Murdoch.

Lee’s memory also lives on in the Lee Thompson Memorial Trophy which annually goes to the person or persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the club. The 2009 trophy went to mother and son Vicky and Ross Potter for their work over many years as first team physio and manager. Both have retired from their posts and Ross was presented with a signed match ball after the game. The Lee Thompson Plate is also contested annually by one of the club sides and invited opponents.


*Above left the barbecue and right Ross Potter pictured with Ray Thompson.*