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The Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy in aid of Help for Heroes.
On Saturday the 18th of September Crosfields ARLFC and the Military community are celebrating the life of a true hero, a soldier, a rugby league player, a son, brother and friend.
Tom Sephton was 20 and a soldier in the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), he came from Great Sankey in Warrington and he lived for his rugby league.
On Monday 5 July 2010, Private Thomas Sephton died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, of wounds sustained during service in Afghanistan.
A Crosfields ARLFC Select team will host The Army RL Select team in 80 minutes of Rugby League in memory of Private Tom Sephton.
The Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy will be played for in aid of Help for Heroes, and will kick off at 3:00pm at Crosfields ARLFC’s Hood Lane ground in Great Sankey Warrington.
Along with the memorial match the event will also stage military displays, vehicles and stands including a 60 foot long inflatable assault course with 5 different sections to fight through, a paintball shooting range with real military targets, and archery for all the budding Robin Hoods out there, and much more.
An application for a fly past by the RAF’s Red Arrows display team has been made (They are taking part in the Southport Air Show - 20 miles away - on the same day and this is their only commitment ) – as this article is written their fly past is still subject to confirmation, but hopefully more details will follow.
The Hood Lane ground will be open at 12 noon and entrance is completely FREE! The Crosfields ARLFC clubhouse will be open with food and drink available to everyone.
Dignitaries from the Rugby Football League, Members of the House of Lords, The Members of parliament for Warrington, The Mayor of Warrington, Local Councillors and the Military have all given notice of their intention to attend.
The event will also supported in the media and attended and covered by the BBC , Granada Reports, Sky Sports TV and local radio and Newspapers and the Rugby League press.
Toms Parents, Angela Horn and Ian Sephton will present two awards on the day, firstly, the winning team will receive the Tom Sephton Memorial Cup, and secondly the team will be presented with the Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy – A figure of a Soldier and Mortar - Which will remain in the Crosfields ARLFC Clubhouse? It is envisaged that this trophy will be played for annually between an Armed Forces Rugby League Team and a Crosfields ARLFC Select.
Rugby Football League and Military dignitaries will also present medals to both teams and then make a special presentation to the match officials.
Tom and Rugby League
Tom started playing rugby league in 2000 working his way up through the ranks of Crosfields ARLFC and went on to represent Warrington schoolboys (although for some bizarre reason Tom was a St Helens fan! Even going so far as to wear a St Helens shirt underneath his Warrington shirt!)
Tom was never going to be the biggest lad, so he made his game revolve around his natural pace. A county level sprinter, he could be seen burning down the wing with the ball tucked safely under his arm.
He was a key and influential part of the 2006 Under 16’s squad that swept all before them winning the league championship and making the national cup semi-final, losing only 3 games that year. He was never one to shy away from a situation, and put his body on the line for the team. He tackled well above his weight, and had an ability that cannot be coached, in that he had “situational awareness”, usually making the right choice when the game got tough.
Tom would do anything asked of him by and for coaches and teammates, indeed was ready to do extras at any time. It was a privilege to be involved with such a man. Tom was a pleasure to be with on and off the pitch, a young man of honor with a rye sense of humor and a sharp wit, a man with a courage that belied his stature and loyalty beyond measure.
The Crosfields ARLFC Select team will be made up of players who played alongside Tom in his playing days with the club, in particular the under 16’s side that won the 2006 u16’s league.
An impressive number of these players have gone on to achieve great things in their young rugby careers, playing 1st team rugby league with Superleague clubs, Warrington Wolves, St Helens and Salford Reds. More are playing in and Championship clubs and Superleague Under 20 Academy sides. Others have had a change of code and are playing Rugby Union for teams in Bath, New Zealand and France.
It was these young men who first came up with the idea for a charity memorial game for Tom.
Tom gave his life to save his friend in battle. No greater sacrifice can be given by any man. No words will soften the blow to his family and friends or indeed his extended family at Crosfields ARLFC; he will be missed forever by all who knew him.
Tom and the Army
In July 2008 when Tom was 18 he decided to join the Army and after 6 months of basic training in January 2009 he joined his local regiment – The 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Cheshire). There he joined Mortar Platoon and quickly proved himself as an excellent soldier. Private Tom Sephton then went on to serve in the United Kingdom, The Falkland Islands and Kenya, and then on operations in Afghanistan.
On the morning of the Sunday 4 July 2010, operating in a Rifle Platoon, Private Tom Sephton deployed from Patrol Base Malvern tasked with providing flank protection to an IED clearance operation. Whilst clearing a route for his section he was caught in an IED blast and seriously wounded. Pte Sephton was extracted by helicopter to Camp Bastion Role 3 Hospital and then flown to the UK. On the afternoon of the 5 July 2010, with his family present, and with great sadness the decision was taken to switch off his life support machine and he died of his wounds
The following are tributes paid to Tom from members of his unit – 1 MERCIAN
Pte Charles Emina, 1 MERCIAN, said:
“Sefo was my closest friend in the world; we were like brothers. He was always the life and soul wherever he went. He loved his friends and family more than anything. He was always first out of the gate on patrol and had pride doing his job for his Country. He saved the lives of his section on two occasions and on that tragic day he saved my life and gave his own.
“He is a true hero to his friends, family and his country and as a Nation we owe him a debt of gratitude. I love him with all my heart and I will be lost without him. All my love goes to him and his family while he rests in Peace.”
Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Morley, Mortar Platoon Second in Command, on behalf of the Mortar Platoon, 1 MERCIAN, said:
“Tom Sephton joined the Mortar Platoon in January 2009. He immediately became part of the team and was very popular with everyone. He rose to the challenge of being a mortarman with glowing enthusiasm and a permanent smile. He was a true professional and dedicated to both his work and his friends.
“A keen sportsman, he represented his Company at rugby, subsequently playing a key role within Support Company’s trophy winning effort. At times he left a few Battalion rugby players a little red faced and more than surprised with his pace and skill.
“With his sparkling character he made socialising look easy and loved spending time with his friends ensuring a few ‘quiet’ drinks were never dull with Tom around.
“He was an excellent soldier and an even finer friend who met every challenge with vigour and a smile. He will be sadly missed but affectionately remembered by all that knew him. Rest in Peace.”
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