Lt. General Sir Bertram Kirwan formed the OFFC in 1893. Over 130 years later, an annual football fixture between Felsted School and OFFC officially became the Sir Bertram Kirwan Shield.

In stark contrast to the ’23 JLC tie, a baking 26° morning was the stage for the match. Although not suiting toes, the rock hard surface suited OFFC’s style – knocking it around nicely with true carry. The new blue, short sleeve, Kappa kit supplied by Andreas Carter Sports did little to stop elbow grazing – but made the OFs really look the part.

OFFC lined up with an entirely new-look defence, with 4 changes from the Brentwood game. Late availability changes saw the manager come out of a 6 year retirement, only to show his out of possession ability still outshines his in-possession. Goalkeeper Burns was expected to be busy.

Only a few times in the first half did the OFs break from one or two touch play, with experienced minds developing angles and patterns to make the School side chase. The school side fielded sixteen players, some over 13 years junior to OFFC target man Jon Dennis.

Rory Burns’ whistle-stop tour of Essex on his return from NYC was nearing its end, his deflected saved shot from the left being bundled in by Dennis to open the scoring. Joe Head’s sliced volley entered the top corner shortly after to make it 2-0. A route one free-kick just inside the school half taken by Head was flicked in by Dennis just before the break to end the half 3-0 to the Old Felstedians.

OFFC certainly didn’t look like a team who last played in December. The school team, following their pre-season, worked hard to press the Old Boys. Debutant Max McIlvenna took control of the midfield with Grayson, the former halting nearly all of the school attempts to progress.

In the second half, Dennis added another headed goal to secure his hat-trick and McIlvenna rounded off his excellent debut with the OF’s fifth. A Burns hesitation lost him his clean sheet, although it didn’t take away from a dominant Old Boys display.

The OF’s were aptly presented the Sir Bertram Kirwan Shield by Andrew, his great grandson. A hat-trick would nearly always secure the MOTM award, but youngest member McIlvenna’s debut meant this was shared.

SBKS ’24

Team:

F. Burns

J. Head

J. Smith (C)

J. King

H. Flynn

T. Kingham

O. Grayson

M. McIlvenna

R. Burns

R. Hadley

J. Dennis

J. Littleton

J. Piper