John (Ugg) Clifford’s sister, Rosie. presenting Paddy Stanley, captain of Parma, the first ever winners of the Jon Ugg Clifford Memorial Cup.
The first ever Jon (Ugg) Clifford Memorial Cup, held in memory of the founder of Tristar Football Club, proved a resounding success.
Hundreds turned up at St Columb’s College on Buncrana Road in Derry yesterday for the event organised as part of Tristar’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
The trophy was won Paddy Stanley’s Parma team who defeated Gavin Doherty’s Getafe in the final while Michael Bradley’s Marseille team finished as “OAP” champions.
The late Jon (Ugg) Clifford.
Seventeen teams, split into four groups, featured players from Ugg’s first ever team from 1974 right up to his most recent team, took part in the event organised by Ryan Horner and Gavin Doherty.
Speaking afterwards, Ryan thanked everyone for turning out and said Ugg would have been proud of the day
He also paid tribute to those who have continued running the club, which has gone from strength to strength over the past three years carrying on the “big man’s” legacy.
Frankie Fleming, Ugg’s nephew, said the turnout proved what people thought of his late uncle.
He said: “The day itself was a great mark of respect for our mentor and the turnout proved how much Ugg meant to so many people and the effect that he had on their lives.
“As we all know, Ugg took young kids off that streets in times of hardship and as yesterday showed, he didn’t just make them good footballers, he made them friends for life, that was his legacy.
“Ugg was not only their coach but he was their protector, their father figure that they could look up to and turn to in times of need.”
Frankie concluded: “A great day was had by all that will only get bigger and better moving forward.”
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