Last updated at 21:58, Thursday, 09 August 2012

A memorial football match between West Cumbria’s top Sunday league sides will be played in honour of Graham Caton.

Graham Caton

The 59-year-old’s death in April stunned the amateur game, and as a mark of respect, an annual match between the Workington & District premier division winners and their Egremont & District counterparts will take place.

Known fondly as Father Cato, he managed Portland FC, which later became Hall Park Hotel FC, to the treble in 2003 and a league-and-cup quadruple in 2008.

His former club held talks with the Cumberland Football Association about remembering Mr Caton’s dedication to the sport he loved.

County chairman Fred Conway approved the plans, and on Sunday, the first Graham Caton Memorial Challen-ge fittingly takes place between Hall Park Hotel and their biggest rivals Clea-tor Moor Celtic.

Graeme Peers, of Hall Park Hotel, said it was only right Mr Caton’s former club was involved in the inaugural game.

He said: “The match will now act as a curtain raiser to the start of the local Sunday league scene.

“Graham was keen to get some inter-league competition going between the Workington league and the Egremont & District competition but it never quite got off the ground.

“We have arranged this game as a tribute to Graham.”

It is hoped the event, which this year is held at Mirehouse FC, Whitehaven, and kicks off at 1pm on Sunday, will grow into a major fixture in the football calendar, with money eventually being raised for Kidney Research UK.

Mr Caton was the Workington league’s fixtures secretary when he died.

He was also a former chairman of the Cumberland branch of the Everton Supporters’ Club, and owned Silica Discs record shop on Finkle Street, Workington.

A keen speedway fan, Mr Caton supported Workington Comets for more than 40 years, and was the team’s supports’ club chairman in 1970.

His sons Graham junior and Kevin played in the Sunday league, and he also left behind daughter Sarah and partner Val.

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk