Whitehawk FC To Hold Special Event Following Team's First Promotion In 7 Years

Whitehawk Football Club will host a special event with ex-premiership players to launch their new cup in honour of a former young player.

On July 29, Whitehawk FC will host a special game in partnership with The Connor Saunders Foundation at Whitehawk Football Club in Brighton.

The Connor Saunders Cup honours a former young player for the club, who was killed with just one punch at the age of 19.

Connor's dad, Shaun, who is now the men's first team manager, took them to their first promotion in seven years last season.

Stevie Thornton, Commercial Manager at the club said "there was no better foundation to partner with to create a cup that we hope will just go from strength to strength with every year we host". 

On the day, a team of Ex Premiership players organised by Football United will play alongside a team in honour of Connor and a Whitehawk Fans team, to "really bring the community together". 

Football United was formed back in 2018 to put together a team who’s initial aim was to help raise awareness of the role that the LGBTQ+ community has in football.

This involved a squad of ex pro’s competing against Rainbow Rovers, a team comprising of LGBTQ+ players and supporters. 

A spokesperson for FU said:

"We are absolutely delighted to be involved in The Connor Saunders Cup and continue our relationship with Whitehawk FC."

The Connor Saunders Foundation was set up after Connor was punched in an unproved attack while out with friends in April 2012.

Connor was 'charming, kind and caring – he worked hard, was the first to help others his whole life (becoming an organ donor at 16) and believed that life was what you made it'.

Devastated, the Saunders family set up the Foundation in Connor’s name, 'determined to honour his life and maintain his capacity to love and care for those around him'.

This legacy 'promotes peace throughout Sussex, encouraging all to use their hands to help, rather than to hurt through anti violence workshops, first aid training and defibrillator packages to schools and clubs'.

On the day

July 29, gate opens at 12:30, football starts at 2pm. 

The three teams playing are - 

- The Connor Soldiers - Made up of Connors friends and family. 

- The Whitehawk Fans - Made up of Whitehawk fans. 

- Football United - Made up of ex premiership players. 

The day will not only include the football but also family fun activities and local small businesses having stands to help promote their business. 

There will be a raffle/auction, with a bouncy castle, ice cream van, penalty shoot out games and coffee vans all attending the event. 

About the club

Whitehawk Football Club has been situated in the heart of Whitehawk since it was established in 1945.

Last season the men’s first team secured their first promotion in 7 years under the leadership of Shaun Saunders.

Their Under 18’s team secured a win of the Sussex Dennis Probee Youth Cup. 

For their up and coming season they have just signed an under 16s and under 13s team which will allow them to develop their own in-house academy as well as bringing back the Women’s first team.