Tag: Willow Wood Hospice Cup

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Mossley make it hat-trick of Willow Wood Hospice Cup wins

Mossley AFC lifted the trophy for the third successive year as the Willow Wood Hospice Cup match raised £409.05 in support of patient care.

The Lilywhites beat Curzon Ashton 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Seel Park on Tuesday evening (21st July) as both teams continued their pre-season preparations.

Kyle Campbell – son of the late former Arsenal, Everton and Nottingham Forest striker Kevin – opened the scoring in the 35th minute for hosts Mossley, who play in the Northern Premier League West Division.

Curzon – who were relegated last season to the Northern Premier League Premier Division – turned the game around to lead before the break with two goals in as many minutes, first from Brad Holmes and then Alex Curran.

Substitute Matt Kadacz levelled five minutes into the second half for Mossley, who converted each of their spotkicks to overcome their higher-division opponents.

Lilywhites captain Mark Lees and his Mossley team-mates were presented with the cup on the pitch after the final whistle.

Supporters of both teams were able to donate in collection buckets at the ground, enter a raffle and take part in a fun sweepstake.

It was all to support the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, which cares for patients with any life-limiting illness in Tameside and Glossop and those closest to them.

The Willow Wood Hospice Cup was an annual fixture in the local non-league football calendar for a number of years.

After a hiatus, it was revived last year by former Dukinfield councillor and Civic Mayor of Tameside, Brian Wild, and fellow long-time supporter of the Hospice, Chris Smith.

Mossley hosted the occasion for the second year in a row after beating Droylsden 4-2 on spotkicks 12 months ago following a goalless draw. They also won 2-0 at Glossop North End when the cup made a triumphant return in 2024.

The Hospice would like to thank both clubs; Brian Wild, Chris Smith and Roger Dilkes for organising and supporting the occasion; and everyone who attended and donated.

Hospice patron Brian Wild said: “It was a great game with some fantastic goals and we saw another penalty shootout to determine the winner. Congratulations to Mossley for a hat-trick of cup wins!

“Thank you to everyone at Mossley and Curzon Ashton for their generosity, getting behind the match so brilliantly and supporting the vital services that the Hospice provides to our local community.”

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Local rivals to battle for Willow Wood Hospice Cup

Two of Tameside’s non-league football clubs will go head-to-head as Mossley AFC host Curzon Ashton FC in the Willow Wood Hospice Cup.

The pre-season clash will take place at Seel Park on Tuesday 21st July, with kick-off at 7.45pm, as current holders Mossley AFC look to lift the trophy for the third successive year.

The annual fixture has long been a feature of the local football calendar and was revived in 2024 by former Civic Mayor of Tameside and Willow Wood Hospice patron Brian Wild, alongside fellow long-time Hospice supporter Chris Smith.

This year’s match carries extra significance after Curzon Ashton FC recently chose the Hospice as its Charity of Choice for the 2026/27 season.

Brian said: “The recent targeted support for the Hospice by Curzon Ashton FC has given a real spark to this year’s cup game and Curzon will want to win this one.

“However, Mossley AFC will be keen to lift the trophy and make it a hat-trick of wins, having beaten both Droylsden AFC last year and Glossop North End AFC the year before.”

Mossley AFC chairman Stephen Porter commented: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Willow Wood Hospice Cup game again this year and proud to continue our support for the work the Hospice does.

“I want the spectators to enjoy a good game and the Hospice to receive some donations for their work, but I hope our lads get the cup to stay at Seel Park for a third year, even though it will be hard against a good Curzon Ashton team.”

Curzon Ashton Community Foundation Manager Mike Smith said: “We really want to win this cup. Our club hopes to make a real difference through the partnership with Willow Wood Hospice and winning this cup will be a great start.

“We’re pleased to partner with the Hospice to help raise awareness and valuable funds. We hope that we can enhance the great work already being done by everyone at Willow Wood and look forward to working with them.”

Joanne Lees, Partnership Development Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “We are absolutely delighted that Curzon Ashton FC has chosen us as its Charity of Choice for the 2026/27 season. But we continue to enjoy the support of Mossley AFC as they host this game. I hope the best team wins.”

As well as providing an entertaining local derby, the match will raise vital funds for Willow Wood Hospice through collection buckets around the ground.

Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Willow Wood provides specialist, compassionate care for people living with any life-limiting illness across Tameside and Glossop, supporting patients both at the Hospice and in their own homes.

It costs around £11,200 every day to provide its services, with just 22 per cent of its annual funding coming from the government. The remaining 78 per cent must be raised through the generosity of the local community.

The match also serves as an important part of both clubs’ preparations for the 2026/27 season. Alex Craddock’s Mossley AFC will compete in the Northern Premier League West Division, while Adam Barton’s Curzon Ashton begin life in the Northern Premier League Premier Division following last season’s relegation from the National League North on goal difference after an 11-year stay.

Mossley lifted the revived Willow Wood Hospice Cup in both previous editions, beating Glossop North End AFC 2-0 in 2024 before defeating Droylsden FC 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw at Seel Park last summer.

Admission for this year’s fixture is £7 for adults, £5 for concessions, £1 for 12 to 17-year-olds, with free entry for accompanied under-12s.

The winning team will be presented with the Willow Wood Hospice Cup on the pitch immediately after the final whistle.

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Spotkick success sees Mossley retain Willow Wood Hospice Cup

Mossley AFC lifted the trophy for the second successive year as the Willow Wood Hospice Cup match raised £252.17 in support of the Hospice.

After a goalless 90 minutes at a sunny Seel Park, the Lilywhites came out on top 4-2 in a penalty shootout against Droylsden FC as both teams continued their pre-season preparations last Saturday (12th July).

Supporters were able to purchase raffle tickets and make a donation in collection buckets at the ground to the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, which cares for patients with any life-limiting illness in Tameside and Glossop.

The Willow Wood Hospice Cup was an annual fixture in the Tameside and Glossop non-league football calendar for a number of years.

After a hiatus, it was revived last year by former councillor and Civic Mayor of Tameside, Brian Wild, and fellow long-time supporter of the Hospice, Chris Smith.

Mossley hosted the occasion this year after beating Glossop North End AFC 2-0 last year at the Asgard Engineering Stadium as the cup made a triumphant return.

Brian Wild (left) and Roger Dilkes representing the Hospice at Mossley AFC.
Brian Wild (left) and Roger Dilkes representing the Hospice at Mossley AFC.

Lucy Ta’ati, Community and Events Fundraiser, said: “A huge thank you to both clubs, our patron Brian Wild and Roger Dilkes for representing the Hospice, and everyone who attended for their support.

“We’re grateful to all those who bought a raffle ticket or dropped a donation in the bucket. Every contribution helps us continue caring for our patients and those closest to them.”

Brian Wild, patron of the Hospice, commented: “We didn’t see many goals but, on a sweltering hot day in Tameside, it was a brilliant game of football. Thank you to Mossley AFC for their excellent hospitality.

“I’m so pleased to see the Willow Wood Hospice Cup growing in momentum again. It’s more than about football – it’s about the community coming together to support an important local cause.”

Stephen Porter, Mossley AFC’s chairman, added: “We were delighted to host this year’s Willow Wood Hospice Cup match and proud to continue supporting the amazing work the Hospice does for local people.

“Thank you to fans of both teams for their generosity and getting behind the occasion.”

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Tameside rivals to face off in Willow Wood Hospice Cup clash

The Willow Wood Hospice Cup will be up for grabs again when Mossley AFC face Droylsden FC in a pre-season friendly.

The local Tameside rivals will meet on Saturday 12th July at Seel Park on Market Street (postcode OL5 OES), with kick-off at 3pm.

The shiny trophy will be presented to the winning team on the pitch at the end of the game.

Admission will be £6 for adults, £4 for concessions, £1 for 12 to 17-year-olds and free for accompanied Under-12s.

There will be a raffle and collection buckets on the day around the ground, which will help to raise funds for the Hospice.

The match is not only an important part of the teams’ preparations for the 2025/26 campaign but also an opportunity to show their support for Willow Wood, which cares for patients from their local community.

The Willow Wood Hospice Cup was a key feature of the Tameside and Glossop football scene for a number of years.

After a hiatus, it was revived last year by former councillor and Civic Mayor of Tameside, Brian Wild, and fellow long-time supporter of the Hospice, Chris Smith.

Mossley AFC beat Glossop North End AFC 2-0 at the Asgard Engineering Stadium so now it’s their turn to host the occasion.

Former Glossop and Mossley player Ben Richardson presenting the cup to Mossley captain Mark Lees in 2024
Former Glossop and Mossley player Ben Richardson presenting the cup to Mossley captain Mark Lees in 2024.

Brian, who is a patron of the Hospice, said: “We’re delighted that the Willow Wood Hospice Cup is back for the second successive year and, after Mossley’s victory last year, they will be looking to win the trophy again.

“The match is a brilliant way to bring the community together and support Willow Wood. Please come along to the game if you can and look out for the collection buckets. Every penny you can give will be greatly appreciated and help make a difference to patients cared for by the Hospice.”

Willow Wood Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients with any life-limiting illness from Tameside and Glossop and those closest to them.

It costs the Hospice around £10,000 a day to keep providing its vital services – 70 per cent of which are provided by its Community Services team at the Hospice and in a patient’s own home.

Willow Wood only receives 24 per cent of its annual income from the government – the remaining 76 per cent must be raised through the generosity of the local community through donations, organising or supporting fundraising events, donating or buying goods in the Hospice’s eight charity shops, or playing the weekly lottery.

Mossley AFC, now under new manager Alex Craddock, will compete in the Northern Premier League West Division when the campaign begins.

Meanwhile, Dave Pace’s Droylsden team will once again play in the North West Counties Division One North after losing 2-0 to Euxton Villa in last season’s play-off final.

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Willow Wood Hospice Cup makes triumphant return

The Willow Wood Hospice Cup made a triumphant return on Tuesday night in Glossop.

Glossop North End AFC and Mossley AFC faced off in a pre-season friendly at the Asgard Engineering Stadium last night, with the shiny trophy at stake.

Around 140 spectators came through the turnstiles and raised around £100 by donating through collection buckets at the bar in the clubhouse, at the refreshments hut and as our volunteers made their way around the ground.

The Hospice’s familiar tree logo was a visible presence as supporters were also able to read a copy of the latest Willow Wood Hospice Together Newsletter and find out more about the vital services Willow Wood provides to the communities of Tameside and Glossop.

Glossop chairman Dave Atkinson and Mossley chairman Stephen Porter posed for a pre-match photo with the cup, before the players and match officials followed suit just before kick-off.

Once the action got under way, Mossley AFC ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals in each half from Obua Mugalula and a trialist.

The rain started to pour towards the end of the game, but it did not dampen spirits as former Glossop and Mossley player Ben Richardson presented the cup to Mossley captain Mark Lees to lift aloft.

It was particularly poignant for schoolteacher Ben, who wanted to support the occasion after his mother received end-of-life care at the Hospice last year.

Glossop North End chairman Dave Atkinson said: “We were really proud to support the Hospice by hosting the game at Surrey Street and pleased to see this trophy has been revived by former Hospice Trustee Brian Wild and long-time Willow Wood supporter Chris Smith.

“The two local clubs may have been competing against each other on the pitch, but they were united in their support for the Hospice.”

Brian Wild commented: “We were delighted to revive the Willow Wood Hospice Cup. It’s been missing from the local football scene for too long and it will become an annual fixture in the local football calendar once again.”

Mossley AFC chairman Stephen Porter said: “We may have won the cup and the players from both teams put up a great fight to make for an entertaining game, but Willow Wood Hospice deals daily with people meeting tougher challenges. Football clubs, like Glossop and Mossley, are at the heart of communities and the Hospice is a vital part of many people’s lives.”

Images credit with permission: Steve Dyson/Glossop North End AFC

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Hospice Cup returns as Glossop face Mossley

The Willow Wood Hospice Cup will be up for grabs when Glossop North End AFC face Mossley AFC in a pre-season friendly.

The local rivals will meet on Tuesday 9th July at the Asgard Engineering Stadium on Surrey Street in Glossop, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

Admission will be £5 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and £1 for children.

There will be a raffle and collection buckets on the night which will help to raise funds for the Hospice.

Brian Wild, a patron of the Hospice, said: “The Willow Wood Hospice Cup was always a key feature of the Tameside and Glossop football scene and this game sees the trophy back in business in style.”

Both teams are looking forward to the match, which is not only an important part of their preparations for the 2024/25 campaign but also an opportunity to show their proud support of the Hospice which cares for patients from their local community.

Dave Atkinson, chairman of Glossop North End AFC, commented: “We are really pleased to have been chosen to be part of this historic revival of the Willow Wood Hospice Cup. I am really looking forward to what should be a great game against Mossley.”

Mossley AFC’s chairman Steve Porter said: “We are proud to support the amazing work that Willow Wood does in our local community. It’s a wonderful charity which will support so many families in Tameside and Glossop at some stage in their lives.

“We are delighted to be part of what promises to be a great occasion.”

Willow Wood Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, is a leading provider of free, specialist palliative care for patients with any life-limiting illnesses in Tameside and Glossop. Throughout 2023, the Hospice provided care and support for almost 700 local people.

Glossop North End will compete in the North West Counties League Premier Division next season, while Mossley AFC will play in the Northern Premier League Division One West.