Lots to smile about at auction night

Around 90 people attended and approximately 5,000 was raised for the Westfield FC Phoenix Fund which was set up to help get the club back on its feet following the fire which destroyed its clubhouse last September.

Top item was a Liverpool shirt 'to Westfield FC' signed by Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres which fetched 500, while two executive box tickets to Tottenham Hotspur, including a chance to meet the players after the game, went for 360.

The funds were further boosted by a raffle which included such prizes as two premium seats for a Leona Lewis concert, signed photographs of David Beckham and Wayne Rooney, plus tickets to watch Arsenal and Chelsea.

Special guest Terry Neill, the former Arsenal player and manager, dropped out at the 11th hour through illness, but comedian Adger Brown kept everybody warmly entertained throughout an evening which began with a three-course meal.

Westfield first team joint manager Duncan Jones, who worked tirelessly to make the event happen, wished to thank everyone who supported it, Mr Pollio at The Brickwall Hotel and Brown. He said: "It was a fantastic night."

About 80 people, meanwhile, went along to the club's season-ending awards presentation at the Westfield Community Hall on Saturday. Dan Foster and Paul Oliver both scooped two prizes.

The second and final part of the Westfield FC May Soccer Festival will take place at The Parish Field this weekend.

The full article will appear in tomorrow's Hastings and Rye/Battle Observers.