2014 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ONE OF THE BEST EVER!
The 2014 Friday Night Light’s (FNL) fixture has been classed as ‘one of the best ever’ by London Skolars’ CEO Hector McNeil. A fantastic crowd of 1,325 packed into the Queen Elizabeth ii Stadium, the home of Enfield Town FC, to see Hunslet Hawks defeat the Skolars 36-10 in the Kingstone Press Championship 1 fixture. This was one of the largest attendances for the ground for any sport. It was a great game to watch; but the event was about much more than that game which was the culmination of a six hour rugby league festival on the eve of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup Final. FNL has really become the kick off event for the Challenge Cup Wembley weekend.
The day got underway on the adjacent Enfield Ignations RFC pitches with two masters games, a London Select taking on the Political Animals followed by a clash between Medway Dragons and a South Coast Select. Over 60 players took part in these fixtures and such was the feedback that talks are already underway to expand this into a fully blown Masters Festival for 2015 with teams from across the UK and abroad being invited.
At the other end of the age spectrum London Skolars U15s, who were unbeaten in the league in 2014, took on their counterparts from East Leeds and put up a great display before going down 26-22. A testament to the development work at the Club and the potential of the sport in London. Again it is intended to invite East Leeds to come back next year and maybe bring more age groups.
As these fixtures were taking place the traditional FNL’s Beer Festival was underway at Enfield Town FC. Supported by Club sponsor Caveman Brewery, a selection of eight beers was on offer and it was no surprise that by the end of the evening the ‘sold out’ signs were up as fans sampled the different products as well as the Skolars’ BBQ, a new venture for 2014.
McNeil said, “On behalf of everybody at the Skolars I’d like to thank all those who supported Friday Night Lights 2014. Having to move the fixture to Enfield Town FC was always going to be a challenge but thanks to the hard work of staff, volunteers and sponsors, plus the fans from a whole host of clubs who had a more difficult journey to the venue than usual, we put on a great evening and we’re already planning for the 2015 event on our return to the New River Stadium”.
I would also like to thank Enfield Town FC and its fans for taking us in this season whilst New River under goes a £4m redevelopment. We were really treated well by the club and its fans and we would hope to take at least one game there a year from now on if we can make it work for both clubs. Thanks should also go to Ignations, Enfield Council, East Leeds and Hunslet who all had a significant part to play in the event’s success.
Fans should watch this space for 2015 as FNL will be bigger and better and be a centre piece event for the 20th birthday of the Skolars!
