Ghosts Update
The combined Squads of the Ghosts and the College 2nd XIs following the Match played on 8 October 2022.
Adrian Grayston (1972 PPE) writes:
What is a Ghost? Well, at Keble this is not a phantom, but returning alumni taking to the Sports field to relive past glories and playing (usually in white) against the current College side.
The Football Ghosts have the longest established tradition with a fixture that was started in 1969 (54 years ago) by the late Dick Yarrow. Following his untimely death in October 1998, his family donated the “Dick Yarrow Trophy” to be contested annually between the College Football Club and the Ghosts.
Adrian Grayston (1972 PPE) and Theo Lewis (2020 Engineering) with the Dick Yarrow Trophy
The Trophy first played for in 1999 has ‘changed hands’ many times since, currently held by the Ghosts, although the Trophy resides in the College, except for Match Days.
Match Reports
Saturday 8 October 2022
Keble Ghosts 2nd XI vs College 2nd XI
A bright, warm, still day was ideal weather for this traditional fixture and, despite the summer drought, the Ground staff produced a good pitch for the occasion.
The Ghosts started well and went close a number of times before deservedly taking the lead on 25 minutes through Richard Preston (1994 German and Spanish). Another goal before half-time from Ben Lewis (2015 Jurisprudence) set the stage for a vintage Ghosts performance in the second half. A clean sheet by makeshift goalkeeper Charles Chapman (1993 Maths and Computer Science), together with a superb hat trick for Paul Gillard (2007 Maths) and a goal from Paul Morgan (2005 Maths), set the seal on a memorable 6-0 win.
Adrian Grayston, playing in this fixture some 50 years since he first appeared for the College, was delighted to raise the Dick Yarrow Trophy once more.
Keble Ghosts 1st XI vs College 1st XI
“Follow that” was the challenge posed to the Ghosts 1st XI and they didn’t disappoint, taking the lead in the first half through an Adam Salisbury (2013 PPE) half-volley.
This game, as might be expected, was a much closer affair, and the 2nd half saw a series of near misses before Adam got his second goal with a header from a free kick. Chances were spurned at both ends before the College deservedly got a goal back with 5 minutes remaining. This set the stage for a frantic finale with the College pressing for an equaliser.
But, with Ope Oreyemi (2017 Jurisprudence) imperious at the back, the Ghosts held on for a first ever double-victory over the College sides and it was now the turn of Callum Akass (2013 English) to raise the Trophy.
An interested spectator on the day was our new Warden, Dr Sir Michael Jacobs, and his enthusiastic support for the Fixture was warmly welcomed by all those present.
Note: From the 2023-24 Academic Year, all the Ghosts fixtures will move from the beginning of Michaelmas term to the Saturday of 7th week in Hilary term.
