In the early hours of November 1st last year, everybody connected with Cross Keys Football Club was devastated to learn the passing of our close friend and biggest supporter Ellis Birrell at the age of 27 years old. Ellis had developed acute liver failure from autoimmune hepatitis which was unknown to everyone at the time, and unfortunately left this world surrounded by his loving family and amazing partner Charlotte.

Ellis, known to many as Buddy, epitomised the true meaning of what Cross Keys and Sunday league football is about, a group of mates who come together every Sunday, whatever the weather, to play or watch the sport we all love as a team regardless of result. Despite our best efforts, Ellis never made an appearance for the club but he was without doubt an integral member of the squad, his impact was immeasurable and there for everyone to see.

Every match day Sunday without fail would start with an inspirational message from Buddy in the group chat, something we will all miss waking up to. Year in, year out, home or away, there he was wearing his Keys best, cheering the boys on. Not only did Ellis have a Facebook profile account dedicated to the club, he regularly joined in with training as an old fashioned target man. He just simply loved Cross Keys, and has been a big part of the journey since our inception in 2021.

Away from football, Ellis was an amazing son, brother, and friend to so many. The turnout for his funeral showed how loved he truly was, just a completely unique and irreplaceable character, and someone we are all so proud to call one of us.

This summer, with the support of fellow Isle Sunday league clubs Westwoodside FC, Kings Arms Football Club - Haxey, Epworth Town Colts AFC - Mens Sunday, Crowle Keys FC & Owston Ferry Sports Club, who I can’t thank enough for their participation, we have decided to bring back the Isle Cup in his memory.

The tournament is set to start the day before Ellis’ birthday on Sunday 19th July and will do so with a group stage which was drawn over the weekend. Due to six teams involved, teams have been split into two groups of three, where each team will play the other two drawn in their group over a three week period. The top two finishing teams from each group will then participate in the semi finals the following Sunday, with the winners of those to face each other in the final held at the A-Tech Arena (Carside) in Epworth on Friday 14th August at 19:00pm.

Our plan is to raise as much money as we can both before and during the competition. After speaking to Ellis’ wonderful parents Iain and Sally, they came up with a brilliant idea that the money raised could go towards a memorial bench at Wroot Playing Fields, a place where Elllis loved to spend time with all his friends watching us play. Once a bench is chosen and purchased, any money left over will all be donated to the British Liver Trust, a charity that the family have raised money for in the past.