Celebrations keep coming at Curzon

Hot-on-the-heels of a record-breaking 10-1 victory over Wakefield at Easter and booking a Doodson Sport Cup Final appearance against North Ferriby United in midweek, Curzon Ashton celebrated their 50th birthday with an anniversary dinner.

According to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit, booking their berth in a first ever League Challenge Cup Final and recording their record win on Bank Holiday Monday was the icing on the cake for fans, players, managers and officials from past and present who attended the event.

Numerous famous faces form Curzon's past were at the Tameside Stadium mingling to swap stories and reminisce as they celebrated the club's half century. Current manager John Flanagan was joined by many of his predecessors including Gary Lowe, Chris Matthews, Kevin Bryan, Dave 'Taffy' Jones and Ronnie Capstick, now Curzon's Vice Chairman.

The First Division North club say Bryan flew from his home in Portugal to meet up with old friends including Capstick who was a member of Curzon's first ever team to play a competitive match. Nash players from their early days, including Brian Connolly, Jim Fogg, Jim Hughes and Tony O'Connor, also attended.

Fogg scored in Curzon's first ever game, a 2-4 defeat at Mossley Amateurs. Hughes and O'Connor still attend matches reguarly at the Tameside Stadium and also show their support at away games.

Members of Gary Lowe's 2008 FA Cup squad who defeated Exeter City 3-2 in the First Round Proper and four of the five players to make the most appearances for the club were also at the celebration.

They included record appeareance holder David Birch, Alan Sykes, who played his whole 17 year career at Curzon, and Chris Matthews. Colin McCrory, who scored almost a goal every two games to find the net 124 times from 302 appearances, also enjoyed the three course dinner and entertainment laid on by the club. Others former stars included Bert Brierley, Keith Hulley, Mike Haughton, Graham Wykes and brothers Jeff and Ken Hindle.

Curzon Spokesman Ian Seymour said: "Many were visiting the Tameside Stadium for the first time and left vowing to come down more often to watch the latest incarnation on the park. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening."