By 
STRABANE Rugby Club came a another step closer to achieving their goal of finding a new home this week thanks to a significant donation following a New Year’s Day charity match. The match was the inaugural Crikey Hamilton Cup game, named for local man and keen rugby player Christopher ‘Crikey’ Hamilton who tragically passed away in September last year.
The money was raised through a ‘singles vs married’ match at the pitch in the Meadows where a bumper crowd of 300 turned out to enjoy the game. In addition, a night of entertainment in Strabane Cricket Club, where a raffle took place, rounded out the day. All in all, the event raised £7,040 for the club’s GoFundMe page ‘Strabane RFC – A future for us’ which was set up to raise money to buy land at the former Strabane Grammar site on Liskey Road.
Christopher Hamilton’s widow Joanne was overjoyed with the amount raised. She commented, “I couldn’t believe it; the support on the day was phenomenal and much appreciated.
“I first met Christopher twenty-two years ago when he first began playing rugby and this turn out just goes to prove how much the players and supporters thought of him.
“There were many of the older players who would have been about when Christopher started playing at Strabane Grammar School and I think it was a very fitting tribute to him. It would be so nice to see the club get back to where it all started.”
Joanne has issued the ‘biggest thank you’ to organiser and long-time friend of Christopher, Jason McKnight and to everyone who made the day special.
Club secretary Ryan McKittrick also praised the donation, saying, “The money raised by the Crikey Hamilton Memorial match adds vital gravitas to our mission. The culture that is installed in Strabane RFC at present, breeds great positivity for future generations at the club. The desire to pursue ownership of our own facilities is engrained on our members, both past and present.
“This significant sum adds to the extraordinary amount already raised. We would like to thank Joanne for her contained support for the club in choosing to donate the sum towards ‘a future for us’.
At the time of going to press, the total raised through the goFundMe page stands at £182,004.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)