PORTLAND Town came together to celebrate the life of Garry Gale, the club’s youth manager, groundsman, friend and club legend, who died at the age of 36.

His memory was honoured at the club’s finals day at the Bob Lucas Stadium in Weymouth, which saw Gale’s under-12s team run out 3-1 winners against Swanage & Herston in a fitting tribute.

Town found themselves 1-0 down at the break, but appeared galvanised after the break to claw their way back into the match.

Portland increased the pressure and made the breakthrough as Logan Chester fired his side level.

Town took the lead when a Solomon Sidi effort was deflected in, before a poignant moment wrapped up the win.

Town won a penalty, and usual spot-kick taker Chester stepped aside to allow Garry’s son Oakley Gale to step up and smash the ball into the top corner in tribute to his late father to wrap up the win.

The victory was a fitting tribute to Gale, with the players releasing balloons after the match to remember their late manager.

Next up was the club’s interleague, seeing league leaders Billiards Boutique lose 3-1 against Dean Ginifer’s Motatec side.

Motatec took a 1-0 lead after 10 minutes when Paul Cole netted, before Jack Jolliffe added a second.

Billiards Boutique’s Richard Johnson tapped home to give his side a route back into the game but Terry Hoey wrapped up the result for Motatec who went on to lift the trophy.

The day also saw its showpiece event, the Garry Gale Memorial Trophy which saw Portland Town CBA Scaffolding win 2-0 against Portland Town Swift Signs.

In a first period of few chances, Shane Maguire broke free from the Signs’ defence and put his CBA Scaffolding side into the lead with a delicate chip into the far corner of the net from the edge of the area.

Swift Signs came out with a renewed hunger and created a number of chances with frontmen Alex Counter and Jake Gilbert causing the CBA Scaffolding defence a number of problems.

CBA Scaffolding went close as John Chester’s header cannoned off the crossbar before picking up the rebound and slotting home to make it 2-0.

Signs had an opportunity to find a way back into the match with a penalty, but the day’s penalty hero Oakley Gale wasn’t able to convert as his penalty hit the bar, allowing CBA Scaffolding to see out a comfortable victory.

The day raised more than £1,000 for the club which will be spent on improvements at the newlynamed Gale Park on Portland.

Portland Town would like to thank everyone that attended on the day, as well as thanking Liz Bell and Weymouth FC for hosting the event.

The club would also like to thank John Chester for his hard work this year after what has been a very tough season for the club.

  • Kieron Howes will replace current Portland Town manager Chester who is stepping down.

The reserve team also welcome new manager Paul Barber and his assistant Alex Counter, while the A team will be run by Chris Ginifer and Shane Maguire.