A HALF century of service by one of its members has been marked by Bury Rotary Club with the handing over of a soccer trophy.

The handsome silver cup will be competed for annually by the town's schoolboy soccer team and will be awarded to the team's player of the year.

It bears the name of Mr Wilf Ainscow, the Rotary Club's oldest and longest serving member and commemorates his 50 years in the club, which he celebrated almost two years ago.

A lifelong soccer enthusiast and commentator Mr Ainscow, former editor and chairman of the Bury Times Group, played himself in the Radcliffe boys team while a pupil at Stand Independent School.

Also, as a journalist, he wrote regular weekly reports on the fortunes of Bury FC under the pen name of Ranger.

At the age of 92, he still follows closely the progress of the Shakers. His pen name also appears on the trophy.

"We were at a loss to decide how best to mark Wilf's 50th anniversary, but when we discussed it with him he quickly came up with the idea of a trophy for schoolboy footballers," said club president Bill Whitton. "It seems very appropriate in view of his lifetime involvement in the game."

Unfortunately, because of ill health, Mr Ainscow was unable to attend the presentation of the trophy at the club's meeting at Walshaw Sports Club on Wednesday (Feb 23).

The trophy was handed over to Neil Parkinson of the Bury Metro Schools Football Association who runs the Under 14s team.

Also attending was Alan Smith, chairman of Greater Manchester Schools Football Association.

Mr Parkinson, thanking the club for donating the trophy, said it would be a marvellous addition to the team's end of season presentations.

The Rotary Club has already honoured Mr Ainscow for his service by presenting him with a Paul Harris Fellowship, the Rotary movement's highest award.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.