Eccleshall FC formerly open new 50-seater stand in memory of former player, Jake Standbridge

Eccleshall’s recent home match against Alsager Town provided the setting for a formal opening of the newly finished 50-seater stand at the Stoke Signage Stadium. Some years back, a club decision was taken to construct the stand in memory of young Eagles midfielder, Jake Standbridge, who sadly passed away six years ago and this was the culmination of a great deal of fundraising to complete the project.

Aside from club funds dedicated to the project and the practical construction by club members, among the fundraising activities taken forward were annual five-a-side events at Silverdale Athletic (a club also close to Jake’s heart), then club skipper Harvey Collins running the Chester Marathon and Jake’s dad, Brian Standbridge, running the Newcastle Way Trail Marathon from Mow Cop to Market Drayton. Most recently, current club Director of Football, Nathan Wilkes, went on a sponsored slim. Brian also completed a sponsored cycle ride from Stoke to Paris to raise funds for the stand and many local charities in Jake’s memory.

Speaking on behalf of his family, Brian Standbridge said: “The stand is a tremendous tribute to our much-loved son, Jake. We, as a family, are incredibly grateful to all those who helped to make the stand possible. Special thanks must go to Eccleshall FC and Silverdale FC, whose continued support and fundraising has ensured that Jake’s stand will be a permanent fixture at Eccleshall FC and within the wider football community that meant so much to Jake”.

Callum Feeney said: “I’m delighted to see the completion of the ‘Jake Standbridge Stand’ at Eccleshall Football Club. This is something we knew we wanted to do when Jake passed in 2018 and as a result, we have worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed to make this wish a reality. I want to take this opportunity to thank every single person who has donated or raised money at some point over the last six years and a special thank you to Eccleshall Football Club for enabling us to pursue this idea and members of the committee spending several hours putting this together themselves. Jake’s stand will not only be a reminder to everyone of the amazing person he was, but an opportunity to open conversations about Mental Health with every person that steps into the ground. It’s fantastic that his close family and friends now have something of this significance to forever keep his legacy going”.

Club Secretary, Jim Tunney, said: “Jake’s tragic passing back then hit the club particularly hard, and it took a good while for everyone to come to terms with it. We are pleased that the project is finally completed and feel that the stand is a fitting tribute to his memory and will ensure that he is never forgotten. Our thoughts are still with Brian, Karen and Lauren for the loss of a much-loved son and brother”.