Football tournament will pay tribute to Wes

A youth football tournament in Ballymena, in memory of well-known local coach Wesley Gregg, is set to be unveiled.
A new youth football tournament is to be created in memory of local coach Wesley Gregg, pictured here passing on his expertise to a group of youngsters.A new youth football tournament is to be created in memory of local coach Wesley Gregg, pictured here passing on his expertise to a group of youngsters.
A new youth football tournament is to be created in memory of local coach Wesley Gregg, pictured here passing on his expertise to a group of youngsters.

Wes, who was hugely respected for his work, especially in youth football circles, died suddenly earlier this month, at the age of 57 but his legacy will live on in the form of the new competition.

The Wes Gregg Cup, which will be organised by Ballymena United Youth Academy, with whom Wes worked closely, is expected to take place in the summer months.

“We spoke to Wes’s family and they were happy to proceed with the idea,” Youth Academy secretary Michael Watterson told Times Sport.

“The exact details of what age groups the competition will include have yet to be confirmed but we’re hoping to start it within the Mid and East Antrim area and expand it from there.”

Wes’s memory will also be perpetuated in the form of the Wes Gregg Award, which will be presented annually to a member of the Youth Academy’s mini soccer school.

“Mini soccer was an area in which Wes lent a lot of his knowledge and expertise.

“The award will be presented to the player who has been selected as having shown the most endeavour, dedication and commitment - exactly the type of qualities and attributes that Wes himself held dear.

“We had initially planned to start it next year but, after speaking to Wes’s family, they were happy for it to start this year and his son Chris is coming up to present the award to the first winner at our Mini Soccer Awards night this Wednesday,” added Michael.

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