PUNJABI FOREST PACK OUT THE BILL IN BANK HOLIDAY SENSATION
Monday 6th May will go down as one of the best Charity events ever held at the Bill Stokeld Stadium, not just for the money raised, but for colour, drama, excited young children, great music, great food and just basically plenty going on in front of a crowd of around 400 on a sunny bank holiday mayday.
The Trent Bridge radar report said the heavy showers reported to be coming on Radio Nottingham would skirt round the ground and it would remain dry. First box ticked.
Arum Verma on the Radio Nottingham breakfast show then gave the event he was taking part in plenty of early morning mentions, which would have helped swell the overall attendance. Second box ticked.
Now it was all down to putting on a great event and how !
The coaching session on the main pitch for the young children went down a treat and gave the event the perfect start at a sun drenched Stoke Lane.
As 1pm arrived, so did the players start arriving for the main event and they included popular Carlton legend Ian White, now 52, but still looking much younger, Millers fans started to stream in to join the Punjabi contingent as the atmosphere built.
Chairman Mick Garton made his return to the dugout to manage the Carlton side alongside Gary ‘Boatsy’ Clarke and local Police Chief Andy Wilson, himself a top coach.
Adam Charles who has done so much to help prepare and protect the Carlton pitch in recent weeks now had his chance to play on it, in the Millers goal and he didn’t disappoint.
It was Millers Captain Zak Hill (pictured winning prizes in the raffle as well) who stole the show however with a hatrick, ably assisted by Jonny Gilbert who controlled the Millers midfield scoring a brace including a fine free kick.
Youngsters Ben Bailey Matt Tagg, Josh Garton, Charlie Clarke, Niall Brown and Jonah Hill all impressed while the older heads like Phil Jennings and the solid Greg Hill proved a steady influence throughout.
Special mention for Grant Walton who sadly had to come off injured quite early, the outstanding Andy May, Whitey of course and Arun Verma who did a fine job at left back as well as the Punjabi lads and Hugo who all came off the bench for the Millers and all contributed in the 5-3 win.
Stand out players for Punjabi Forest were Nottingham Forest’s Will who earned two penalties and had an outstanding second half and Man of the Match Alex Bradbury with the prize kindly sponsored by the Navigation Pub on Meadow Lane.
The event was boosted by a Sanj Beri DJ set which was the perfect finale in the afternoon sunshine, Sanj himself had put so much work into the event and must have been delighted with the turnout..The Emerald Pub on Wilford Lane provided the Punjabi food which went down a treat and a special thank you to Nottingham Forest legends Ian Storey-Moore and Colin Barrett who came along as special guests to support the event.
Indeed their is not enough space to thank everyone who contributed to a fantastic afternoon, so on both the Carlton and Punjabi Forest side, a massive thank you to one and all.
There will be some more fallout from this event later including Carlton Town Tv interviews and eventually when we know, we will let everyone know what was raised in a fantastic weekend of fundraising for both Ukraine on Sunday and for Emanuel House on Monday.
Watch this space !
