Lyme Regis Football Club celebrates 50 years at ground

Lyme Regis Football Club marked half a century at the Davey Fort ground on Charmouth Road.

The highlight of the anniversary was a celebration dinner, prepared by members of the committee.

The principal guest at the dinner was former professional footballer Lawrie Sanchez, who is most known for scoring the winning goal for Wimbledon when they beat Liverpool to win the 1988 FA Cup Final.

He went on to play and manage Fulham, and Northern Ireland during the Euro 2008 qualification.

The three-course dinner was served by members of the Lyme Youth Section.

Other guests at the dinner included the new mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr David Ruffle, accompanied by Delores Hollywood-Plant.

Officers representing the Devon and Exeter and Perry Street Leagues were also present.

Two toasts were proposed during the dinner. The first speech was given by club president, Philip Evans MBE titled ‘Our Home for 50 Years’ before former player and ex-mayor, Brian Larcombe MBE gave a toast titled ‘The Next 50 Years.’

The programme from the packed weekend included a reunion of ex-players, with more than 60 attending.

Of these were a party of players who formerly turned out for the Lyme Lazers, the club’s women’s team who no longer exist but played in the first Dorset Ladies’ League.

The club’s youth section organised a tournament for the under 10s, 12s, and under 15s, with 12 teams from around the area participating.

On Sunday, following the club’s final game of the season, attention turned to the Lyme veterans who took on Beaminster in a walking football match for those over the age of 50, losing 2-0.

The weekend of fun was capped off with a match between a Lyme Select XI and a team of players who work in showbusiness called the Old Rums, brought to his home town by actor and scriptwriter, Andy Rattenbury, who played in the first game at the ground 50 years ago.

Club president Philip Evans, said: “It was a brilliant weekend full of wonderful memories. The Davey Fort has served Lyme Regis Football Club well over the last 50 years and from very poor facilities now boasts some of the best in local football.”