'Testament to Dave's popularity' - golf day celebrates legendary coach

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United's Community Sports Trust team show off their 'Wilkesy' shirts in memory of David Wilkes at the golf day (Image: Barbara Abbott)
David Wilkes was in the minds of everyone who took part in a special charity golf day held in the former Carlisle United coach's memory.
Former players and colleagues were among the host of people who amassed at Eden Golf Club in Carlisle.
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The event, which marked the second anniversary of the legendary youth coach's passing, saw 21 teams of four compete on the course, followed by a meal and raffle.
It brought a number of familiar Carlisle United faces back together in memory of Mr Wilkes, while the event was also well supported by businesses.
David Wilkes, who died two years ago, was remembered fondly at the golf day (Image: DAVID HOLLINS)
Mick Wadsworth, the former United director of coaching, was part of the five-man organising committee, and was delighted with how the day celebrated the memory of his lifelong friend.
'It was a lovely, lovely day and a testament to Dave's popularity and importance in many people's lives,' Wadsworth told the News & Star.
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'It was a great turnout, and the day went relatively smoothly. The other guys on the organising committee – Colin Carter, John Halpin, Derek Walsh and Billy Rafferty – saw their workload much greater than mine through being based in Carlisle.
'They all worked extremely hard and I can't thank all of them enough. We got great support from local businesses in terms of entering teams and also with prizes for raffles and the auction.
Former United stars Paul Proudlock, centre left, and Derek Mountfield, centre right, were among those taking part (Image: Barbara Abbott)
'Their generosity was superb – and Eden Golf Club put on the day brilliantly. It was a perfect venue for an event like this.'
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The many former United players who attended, either to take part in the golf or attend the post-golf meal and raffle, included David Reeves, Derek Mountfield, Paul Proudlock, Darren Edmondson, Jeff Thorpe, Paul Murray, Gareth McAlindon, Tony Caig, Graham Anthony, Johnny Allan, Mark Boyd, Lee Dixon and Lee Hoolickin.
United's new head of football operations Marc Tierney also took part, while the Blues' Community Sports Trust entered a team who all wore shirts with 'Wilkesy' on the back.
Wadsworth added: 'We had 21 teams of four, with a shotgun start at 11am, with teams starting at the same time on different holes.
'The format worked very well, and we had various competitions as we went round – longest drive, nearest the pin, that sort of thing.
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Carlisle United's Marc Tierney was among the competitors (Image: Barbara Abbott)
'And a team from Sheffield won the team competition – some friends of mine from south Yorkshire.
'One of the major parts of the day was that Dave's mum was there. His cousin, Neil, had brought her up and she presented the prizes, along with Dave's daughters, which was absolutely lovely.'
Charities to benefit from the day included mental health charity Andy's Man Club, who were represented at the event, as well as the EDI work of United's Community Sports Trust, led by Teresa Mulholland.
Mr Wilkes' mum and daughters presented raffle prizes (Image: Barbara Abbott)
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'I must say that the club supported the day well with some really good prizes, and it was great to see Marc Tierney and the community staff there,' Wadsworth added.
Such was the success of the day, and the enduring memory of David Wilkes – who spent 27 years at Carlisle United – that it is now planned to be an annual event.
'That is our wish, and we will aim to build on the first one,' added Wadsworth. 'None of us had ever organised anything like this before. We will learn from the day as we move forward.'
Fellow organiser Derek Walsh, from United's former players' association, also reflected on the day's success.
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He said: 'Barbara Abbott, who took photographs on the day, said that it was a fantastic day with nothing rushed – a nice, gentle day, just the way David Wilkes was.
'I thought that was a lovely thing to say, and a really nice way of putting it.
'So many people and businesses were so generous with what they donated, and some people we invited for free – people we felt should be there – still paid, still gave donations.
A host of former Carlisle United platers attended including, left to right, Jeff Thorpe, Darren Edmondson, Derek Walsh, Graham Anthony, Gareth McAlindon and Paul Murray (Image: Barbara Abbott)
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'We've got even more things still to auction off. A big, big thanks to Derek Mountfield. He brought us a replica Everton strip, signed by all the players who won the European Cup-Winners' Cup.'
Other items up for grabs included an England shirt signed by head coach Thomas Tuchel. 'We must thank Carlisle United – a big thanks to [chief executive] Nigel Clibbens, they gave us a load of stuff.'
'A lot of people were there until quite late, a big group of old players sitting and chatting. Dave's family were there until well into the evening too,' added Walsh.
'It was a good day to remember Wilkesy. The only thing that was missing was him singing 'Piano Man'…'