Jan 14 2013



Back to news listing


Field of dreams for Callum and Owen

Two football loving lads took to their own field of dreams at Welsh Premier League side Bala Town’s Maes Tegid stadium.

Callum Gregory, 12, and Owen Reece Jones, 10, were chosen to represent match sponsor Ifor Williams Trailers as the Lakesiders entertained Bangor City in a crunch game.

It was a dream come true for Callum, who lives in the town and attends Ysgol Berwyn, as he is a member of Bala Town’s Academy and attends every home game and travels to as many away games as he can persuade his dad, John Gregory, to take him to.

Owen Reece Jones, who lives in St Asaph and attends The King's School Chester, was equally excited and desperate to show off his own football skills on the Bala Town pitch.

The highlight of the day for the two boys was being allowed into the inner sanctum of the home dressing room for the pre-match team talk.

According to Ifor Williams Trailers spokesman Daniel Burton, the company were delighted to have had the opportunity to support Bala Town by sponsoring their match against Bangor City.

He said: "We wanted to show support for our local club and football in general in North Wales. It is something the company really wanted to do.

"We have found Bala Town to be exceptionally professional and accommodating and everything has been done properly.

"It was wonderful to be able to offer the sons of two of our employees the opportunity to be match mascots and to have 10 tickets for the game.

"We conducted a draw among staff to decide who would get those tickets and we have had a fantastic evening at Maes Tegid."

Callum Gregory says having the chance to meet some of his footballing heroes who play for the Lakesiders was "just brilliant".

He said: "I play for Bala Academy every Sunday but come to most home games. I’d love to play for the club myself one day, unless I get a chance to play for Manchester United who I also support.

"It’s been a dream come true being a match mascot and I have looked forward to it for ages. I really wanted to get out on the pitch and pass the ball about with some of my favourite players."

John Gregory, Callum’s dad who works as an assembler at the firm’s Corwen factory, was really pleased to hear the firm had agreed to sponsor the game.

He said: "I think it’s great. Clubs like Bala Town need all the support they can get and for a firm such as ours to show the support that they have is brilliant.

"Callum has been very excited and really looked forward to tonight. I think it’s a night he and Owen will always remember."

Owen Reece Jones says he was devastated when the match, which was initially due to be played before Christmas, was called off at the last minute because of torrential rain before being rescheduled for January.

He said: "It’s been brilliant and I really wanted to get out on the pitch with the Bala players although I was a bit nervous.

"It was horrible when the match was postponed before Christmas but in a way it worked out better because I have had something to look forward to.

"It was a brilliant day especially as Bala Town won but the best part was being in the dressing room before the match and hearing the manager give the team talk. We felt really part of everything. It was awesome."

Owen’s dad, Andrew Reece-Jones, who works as the Design Engineering Manager at Ifor Williams Trailer, said: "Being mascot was something that really excited Owen and he has been counting down the sleeps waiting for the big night. I really think it is important firms try and support local clubs like Bala Town.

"I’m very proud the company I work for, Ifor Williams Trailers, have done just that. It’s been a great night and one Owen will always remember."

Bala Town Football Club General Manager, Nigel Aykroyd, says the support of firms such as Ifor Williams Trailers is crucial to the survival of the club.

He said: "If we are to have a future representing a small town like Bala we need all the help we can get. We simply cannot exist in the Welsh Premier League without significant corporate support.

"We are absolutely delighted and thrilled to welcome the staff and representatives of Ifor Williams Trailers to the club and we hope they have a wonderful evening."

For the record Bala Town came out on top after a fiercely fought game beating their illustrious North Wales rivals Bangor City 2-1.


1101IWT BALA01


Related Links:

http://www.balatownfc.co.uk/


News » Field of dreams for Callum and Owen

© 2024 Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd, UK.  ⟛ Home  | Top  | Site Map  | Terms & Conditions  | Privacy Notice  | Contact us  | Jobs  | FAQ's  | IWT Finance  | Modern Slavery Transparency Statement